Yesterday I wrote about taking a walk with my two-year-old grandsons through our neighborhood. One of my neighbors collects folk art. Their collection has been shown in museums and is quite extensive. Their yard is no exception. As soon as Leo could walk on his own, he enjoyed meandering into this yard to see all the sculptures. One of his favorites is the gigantic bunny sitting on a bench reading. It is made of thousands of wires. And of course, around Halloween, he has a skeleton companion.
photo by Margaret Simon
I may twitch
Margaret Simon, draft
I may rust
Up on my bench
My story you can trust
In keeping with the tradition of 15 words or Less, I have written a 15 word ditty-on-the-spot. Write your own quick poem in the comments and respond to other writers with kindness. You can also participate in our Facebook group.
Reflections on the Teche 
I rarely allow religion to come into any drafts I share. It’s too personal. But, the whole death listening to life thing was too strong in this. I love Margaret’s last line…”story you can trust!”
Let me tell you an Easter story—
Once, there was death.
In the last days of summer
when grain and fruit harvested
and stored up–
grapes crushed for wine
pumpkins made into pies
the people thought about those
who had departed from
their bodies.
Around winter fires they spoke
of loved ones
who had given up the ghost
departed
passed.
And they were sad…
but not too sad
because come spring
when green comes back
to the fields and meadows
and rabbits nibble clover
the story is of resurrection
awakening in glory
life eternal
for all God’s people
Amen.
Linda, I love this extension of Margaret’s poem. “My story you can trust…Let me tell you an Easter story.” Beautiful. I’m glad you shared it. Hooray for springtime winning against winter, like in the Chronicles of Narnia.
Lovely, Linda. Isn’t it amazing where words and ideas can take us? The “Amen” at the end makes me read your poem as a prayer, a message of hope.
Wow Linda! I’m amazed at what this conjured for you. A resurrection poem. I love the weaving of imagery. This is a keeper.
Linda,
It is so interesting to me how photos/art can bring so much from us so quickly. Thoughts cascading across time and season and the joy of rebirth and the promise of His eternity. I loved the image of rabbits nibbling clover juxtaposed to a wire one reading aloud. And yes, Amen.
Oh, Linda. This poem is so full of hope and promise. It also makes me thankful that I live in a place where I can fully experience all four seasons.
Linda, such a beautiful poem of hope. I love the images you created especially in these lines “when green comes back / to the fields and meadows / and rabbits nibble clover.”
I love that last line, too, Margaret. “My story you can trust.” It seemed to me Skeleton is sitting on the lap of a timid, small rabbit. I picture him being afraid of the story this laser-focused adult bunny is reading aloud.
“Please read
a different story,”
Junior declared.
“Mr. Bones is getting scared.”
You are right. Skeleton aka Mr. Bones is sitting on a smaller wire rabbit. Clever response.
Sweet! I couldn’t make out that there was another, smaller rabbit, but I knew something was there. That big bunny does seem a bit imposing!
Cute, Denise. Poor Mr. Bones! My grandson would relate! He loves to snuggle with one of us when he starts feeling scared during a TV show (very limited, but sometimes he gets scared) or when we go to Ichiban and he jumps into my arms (or whoever is closest) because the fire and steam seem scary!!! Love your characters!!
I did not even the “Junior.” The rhyming of the last two lines adds a nice rhythm to the ending. Poor Mr. Bones.
Denise, I hear Junior’s cute words and rhyme. I especially love “Mr. Bones is getting scared.” I love how you made your poem a scene in a story with two characters. I thought the skeleton was on the lap of a smaller rabbit, also.
The Reader, draft
By Janet Fagal
It seems Rabbit is reading
delicate news
today.
Behold the gentle
courage to sit
beneath a tree,
to breathe words,
to share story
with birds and pumpkins
skeletons and friends.
And the wonder of the poem.
I love how you take us into this scene and calmly sit is next to you to listen.
Such a calm feeling here, Janet.
Yes, calming and gentleness. Love the line “to breathe words/to share story.”
Janet, I love this assumption of gentleness and delicate news… lovely…
Janet, your words make me want to sit with Rabbit, birds, pumpkins, skeletons, friends “and the wonder of the poem “beneath a tree.” A beautiful poem. I especially love the lines “to breathe words, share a story” and of course “the wonder of the poem.”
Janet, I love these lines…
“to breathe words,
to share story”
I love the rabbit’s “gentle courage” you have noted.
Fantastical layered image Margaret, I like the ending and “story” woven into your poem! Thanks for sharing it with us. Hope to stop by later with comments, off to teach.
though only wire
and bones
our eyes share
a deeper story…
Thanks for joining in today. Yes the deeper story.
Oh Michelle,
My original comment disappeared. I was writing on my phone. Your poem speaks to me of how we need to really see each other. I was reminded of babies and their deep eyes, so full of wonder and love and growing. Because when we really look and really see, our connections can be stronger, better. Your poem gets to that in 4 beautiful lines.
If only more people would take the time to look into one’s eyes and see that deeper story. Beautiful!
Michelle, a beautiful poem. I love the lines “our eyes share a deeper story…” and all the meanings those lines imply.
I would love to see this sculpture up close!
Read Aloud
When your bones are all creaky,
all quakey and shaky,
Let the words of a story
Wash over (or through) you.
Love the words creaky, quaky and shaky.
Rose, I love the sounds your words creaky, quakey, and shaky make. I especially love your last two lines and how they imply the story heals your bones, or makes you feel better.
washing over (or through) made me laugh. You’ve included everyone possible in the scenario, Rose.
I can hear this rabbit’s voice, he seems so real. He looks comfy and filled with love by his relaxed body position, and of course he knows that reading books is one of the best things we can do for little friends.
PS this comment is for Margaret.
Rose,
You have whimsy laced throughout your poem. I am sure anyone who gets to listen loves it!!! Even when we’re old, even when our voices rasp or our ears dim, who would not want to linger for a story? And your poem reminds us the funny ones are terrific, too.
Thanks to all for your inspiration. Victory! I got this draft down to 15 words:
Reading Rabbit
Sits on bench.
Legs crossed,
Open seat,
Sharing stories to those he meets.
Love the alliteration of reading rabbit.
Nancy, “Reading Rabbit” hooked me. I love your line “Sharing stories to those he meets” and how it rhymes with the line before. Congratulations on 15 words.
Ah Nancy,
I used to work really hard to stick to the 15 word limit and it was good for me. I always loved seeing what others could create (and fast!) ,Here I am focused more on a short poem ie no more than 25 words if I can so that I can contribute more regularly. I am impressed with your nice rhyming poem! I love your last line! And the rhyme with Open seat!
Rabbit read on
His voice mesmerized
Until they sat
Entranced…
Lost… and
Utterly transformed
Forever
Transformed. That’s what good stories do.
Karen, I love your words mesmerized, entranced, lost and transformed.
Karen,
Ah a mesmerizing voice…..and yes, I can remember be entranced when my mother read. I love this poem. And that you remind us of the power of books. This figure has reminded me of Harvey (from the play and movie with Jimmy Stewart) from the beginning. Did you ever see it?
Hi Janet, thanks. Yes, I think I did see Harvey but so long ago… I should see it again!
Come,
play
with me
in storyland,
where we’ll meet
at the once upon a time.
I’ll be back to respond to the other poems!
I love the stair step design of this poem. I’ll come.
Leigh Anne, I love your invitation to “storyland.” Your lines “where will meet at the once upon a time” is magical and draws me in more. The form of your poem seems to build up the magic.
Leigh Ann,
I love that Mr. Rabbit is inviting all to storyland, such a grand place to be.
Leigh Anne, I love your “meet / at the once upon a time.” Such a lovely way to put it.
Margaret, that last line is perfect. We all need someone to share and trust our stories with.
Margaret, what a fascinating photo and photo prompt! I understand why Leo enjoys the yard; I want to explore it, also. I love your 1st person POV, rhyme, and all your last line “my story you can trust” implies. Thank you for sharing and your inspiration.
children listened,
leaned in,
as Rabbit read
a story
Gail Aldous draft
Hi again, I just realized I forgot a line in my poem.
children listened,
leaned in,
faces aglow
as Rabbit read
a story
Gail Aldous draft 11/2021
Oh that lovely Mr. Rabbit. He is sweet and your poem, Gail, captures it all. That line faces aglow says it all.
Thank you, Janet.
Yes, “faces aglow” adds another layer to this sweet story. He is reading with such deliberation, I’m sure the children would lean in to it.
[…] her neighbors had bedecked in their backyard. You can take a peek and read about it on her blog REFLECTIONS ON THE TECHE. Thanks […]
Margaret, I was planning on responding to this one but never had the time.