This month’s Inkling challenge comes from Heidi. She invited us to “use the form” of the poem, The Lost Lagoon, by Emily Pauline Johnson (d. 1913) to build a “poem for children about a treasured place that you return to again and again.”
Most of our group had tackled this challenge early on. I thought I might not make it. After Christmas and a family trip, I had been away from writing for a few weeks. Often when I take a break like this, I feel I’ll never write another poem. I decided to take my head out of the sand and face it. On Sunday I opened The Lost Lagoon. I copied it into a document and went to work writing beside it. I didn’t follow the form exactly, but in many ways the exercise led me to say what I wanted to say.
One of my favorite photos from our family trip to North Carolina became my muse. The guys enjoyed making nightly fires in the fire pit outside our mountain house. The toddler boys enjoyed participating (at a safe distance) in blowing on the fire. My daughters captured the scene in two photographs.
Over Blue Mountain
See Sun set over blue mountain;
Dada builds fire to light the way
beneath a cloud-shining golden ray.
I twirl in steam of an ending day
and blow flames for a sparkling fountain.In the dark, a song begins to bloom
and follows a cow’s mooing tune,
a howl of dogs under rising moon,
the logs of the fire crackle and croon
and gone is the nighttime gloom.Oh, why can’t I stay out all night
Margaret Simon, 2022
to watch Cow jump over the moon
and feel the dawning sky too soon?
I dream I’m lifted like a balloon–
in Dada’s arms I’m safe and right.
Other Inkling poems:
Catherine Flynn at Reading to the Core
Linda Mitchell at A Word Edgewise
Heidi Mordhorst at My Juicy Little Universe
Molly Hogan at Nix the Comfort Zone
Mary Lee Hahn at A(nother) Year of Reading
Reflections on the Teche 
Ha! You must have hit “publish” just as I returned to my inbox this morning. The emotions and relationship portrayed in the photos and the poem are what make this post stunning. The voice of the child wanting to stay up in such beauty is precious. I know that feeling of being away from writing and wondering if you can get back in. I wouldn’t worry so much. Your “back in” with this poem is strong and fresh and shows you never really left writing at all.
I love this poem and its rich sensory and emotional layers. Could it be that it’s all the richer for the time you spent away from writing? I agree with Linda–the voice of the child is perfect here. I also am so glad that you weren’t constrained by the form of the poem. Saying what you want to say, the emotional truth, is the heart of it all and you nailed it here.
Such a lovely poem, Margaret, and I agree that the child’s voice is so special. I’ve enjoyed tagging along on your vacation with you. What a lovely, relaxing family time. Thanks for sharing.
This poem is such a treasure, Margaret. Thomas and Leo will love listening to these memories of your magical mountain retreat for years to come!
Margaret, the last photo looks should be in a family magazine. It is so lovely as is your poem and the child’s voice pops out so well. Perhaps, vacationing with the family provided you with the rest you needed. Your writing was enriched by the experience.
These times are so precious, so full of life. Thank you, Margaret. Reminds me of our family time at the lake, looking at the Milky Way, laughing around the fire. Of course they call for a poem. Thank you for writing this one, and sharing.
This poem is so warm, so sweet, without being cutesy–you really capture the voice of a very young child! That sparkling fountain is wonderful. I agree with those who said this poem carries the refreshment of your break from writing.
Love this post, and the amazing photos, Margaret – you captured your special family time so vividly. And you Inklings rock! Happy New Year!
Oh, I’ve loved seeing about your trip & now you’ve captured it so well from the beautiful pictures, Margaret, your muse indeed! And I love that you wrote from the boy’s point of view. “Oh, why can’t I. . .” is terrific!
I can see how such a sweet poem might be born from family in such a magnificent setting. “Oh, why can’t I stay out all night” –that line feels inevitable.
I love how you captured the sleepy, dreamy, end-of-day toddler vibe in both pictures and words. I hope you’re making a book for the grands out of all your poems…
Love the pictures and your poem, Margaret. Your line “blow flames for a sparkling fountain” is brilliant (on multiple levels 😉 )
Beautiful poem.
So many lovely images, and that sparkling fountain is gorgeous!
Lovely whimsical, wanting, voice-of-a-child poem, and the trip brought you there, and brings us there, I love your 2nd stanza. What a gorgeous, and inspiring spot you had, thanks for sharing it with us and taking us there!
Oh, gosh, this is great, full of dreamy, toddlery wonder!
This is so beautiful, and so true to a little one’s experience and voice.