This photo was not taken today. Today I am waking up to more rain after all night thunderstorms. But last week one morning was glorious. The sunrise lit up the cypress and oaks and sent a line of light down the bayou. I try again and again to capture this morning light in a photograph or a poem. Anything I try is an imperfect approximation.
How many ways
does the sun rise?How many days
are you alive
to bathe your facein light?
Margaret Simon, quick draft
Consider writing with me today. Leave a small poem in the comments and post encouraging words for other writers. Join me on Twitter with #poemsofpresence.
You know what? I love Wednesday mornings…I’m getting ready to leave for school and this prompt is ready. I never give much thought to it–just a quick word sketch in my journal. But, I love it. Thank you, Margaret.
I love the phrase “line of light” in your opening. I took it for a striking line.
This poem is a
sunrise. Its last line
lingering over breakfast of
sweet, delicious light
And now, I’m off to a day of teaching! So excited to squeeze some lessons in during testing — which is just awful for everyone.
I wasn’t sure I’d post today. I’ve developed carpal tunnel in my right wrist, and I hadn’t found a photo. I’m so glad I didn’t skip. The rainy morning helped. Your support means a lot! “breakfast of light” love this line and feel honored having inspired a striking line. Have a great day despite the testing woes.
Linda, what a beauty. I think your poem and the green grass in the photo reminded me of when Jesus fed a crowd in John 6, so that came into my poem too. I love so much “lingering over breakfast” and the “sweet, delicious light.” Lovely!
Wonderful, Linda!
Love “sweet, delicious light”
Thanks for your morning’s “delicious light,” Linda!
Margaret, like Linda, I had been looking forward to your post today, too, so I’m glad you wrote it and shared this photo from earlier in the week. I’m sorry to hear of your carpel tunnel. Hoping that doesn’t keep you from all your beautiful posts.
I like the questions you ask. It reminds me of a story about someone who paid the bill for a ventilator after recovering from Covid and being so thankful for all the days they breathed free oxygen throughout their lifetime. All kinds of sunrises and how often do we bathe our face in light? So beautiful.
When I saw your comment on my blog, I was already here writing about your beautiful sunrise, so I did take your comment into consideration.
Sunshine appeared, darkness fled.
Will-o’-the-wisp? No. Light came
And the stars were sent to bed.
Bayou’s verdant carpet frames
Our feasting on today’s bread.
Content on these gifts to claim.
Here is my post about a traveler being tricked by a will-o’-the-wisp – https://mrsdkrebs.edublogs.org/2021/05/12/will-o-the-wisp/
Thanks so much for being here today. What time is it in Bahrain? Wonderful story about gratitude for breath. I’m glad the will-o’-the-wisp made it into your poem. Love the rhyme and “verdant carpet”.
Thanks, Margaret. I have to wait longer for the posts here. We are seven hours ahead, so it’s 2 pm when it’s 7 am for you!
Beautiful, Denise, both the story and your poem. Clicking on your blog post next…
Oh, my goodness how beautiful…it’s a blessing prayer. Now I need to go find out about that traveler!
Try to capture light –
Your camera disappoints.
Your eyes are better.
I was struck by your comment about trying to capture the morning light. There are many things I have tried again and again to show in a photo, and I can never make it look as good as the real thing. I thought of something my photography mentor always says when I complain about this.
Ruth, thereisnosuchthingasagodforsakentown.blogspot.com
So hard to capture the real thing. Your poem is lovely.
Eyes are better! Thanks for this affirmation.
Ruth, such an apt poem with Margaret’s description. Yes, isn’t it the truth–“Your eyes are better” It’s good just to admit it and enjoy the views if we have the blessed benefit of having our sight.
Such truth in your poem! Though we keep on trying…
And so many times I’ve been fooled into thinking I CAN capture light–it’s impossible. But, I love it. Eyes are better. I’m thankful for sight and sights like this.
There is something so spiritual about this photo, Margaret. Thank you for sharing.
sunlight
streams through trees
captures all that is possible
in its rapture.
“all that is possible” aptly describes the hopeful feeling of a bright sunrise.
The word rapture is perfect.
Rose, I love that image of sunlight’s rapture.
Glorious image Margaret, I love sun poking through the trees! Your poem gently reminds us to appreciate the daily invigorating warmth and light ☀️ offers us, lovely! And I’m always happy and challenged to join in your weekly post—Thanks for trudging on despite your carpal tunnel pain—hope you feel better.
Nestled between
cypress branches
sun’s flicker-orange rays
radiate like an eye just opened
and spread tee-root warmth
and dew-drop shadows.
Love “dew-drop shadows.” Thanks for sharing with us.
Those hyphenated adjectives wrap us up in their warmth, like your own does! Thank you.
Margaret, I was taken with your description “the sunrise lit up the cypress and pines.” I love your questions poem. They keep repeating in my mind. Margaret, I’m sorry to hear of your carpel tunnel. I know that pain. Wearing a carpel tunnel brace to bed and while typing on the computer eases the pain. I also wear tendinitis braces on each arm to bed and I often wear one on my right arm while typing. I hope you don’t have both as I do. Icing carpel tunnel also helps as does rubbing cream along the tunnels. Possibly, an OT can help
I rose
over murky bayou
painting
cypress and pine’s
needles green.
Gail Aldous
Thanks for the advice. I wore a brace for a few days and it’s much better. I love your personification of the sun and the word painting. My husband will say (more often at sunset) that we are living in a painting.
I’m so glad it’s getting better! Thank you. From what you describe about where you live. I think your husband is correct.
Margaret, I didn’t get tp finish my sentence to you. Perhaps, an OT can help with light therapy or something else. When I come back from Denver, I’m finally going to see an OT. I also love and look forward to your photo prompts. This photo is stunning. Thank you for sharing and I hope you find something to help with the pain.