This week’s photo comes from Janet Fagel’s daughter-in-law who captured a special moment when her children, Janet’s grandchildren, were walking at Washington Crossing Park in New Jersey.
Out for a brisk walk with their wonderful mom, the kids ask: Can we be adventurers today? Her answer? Absolutely!!!
Janet Fagel
On Facebook, a friend responded “The first photo reminds me of this photo by W. Eugene Smith. It is on the last page of the book The Family of Man.”
I’m loving this line as a striking line for a poem.
We walk a
step & another into a magical world
side by side, brother to
sister we’ll always be.
We were born born
for this adventure under
a canopy of trees, your
refuge the sound of our footsteps.
Margaret Simon, draft
Please write your own small poem in the comments or on your blog. Leave encouraging comments for other writers. Most of all, have fun!
Reflections on the Teche 
Margaret—something so beautiful about the lack of fear and wonderful ability to be an “adventurer”. I developed that later in life, but as a very young child, felt fearful of the unknown:
Your hand in mine
comforts and calms
my fear of scary surprises
around undiscovered corners.
Carol Coven Grannick, Draft
A hand to comfort and calm – what could be better?
Oh, yes, to those hands of comfort and help calming fears. To see them spontaneously holding hands is a blessing to all of those who love them so and your poem shows how beautiful this is if there is someone there for each of us, Carol.
So much easier to be brave when there is a hand to hold.
Whether child or adult, having someone by your side and a hand to hold gives us courage.
My quick effort. I am a biased grandma and love this photo so much. I am so grateful my granddaughter takes them outdoors as often as is possible.
Adventuring in Nearby Woods, No Screens in Sight
Two souls wander clutching soft puppies,
imaginations as wild as the forest,
hearts as tender as toddlers’ whispers
breathing crisp air, caressed
by silence, unafraid and happy
explorers.
©Janet Clare Fagal, draft
* OOPS. That’s daughter in law (not sure what I was thinking…ie granddaughter!!!)
I hope they always keep those wild imaginations and adventuresome spirits, Janet. Thanks for sharing such a sweet pic of your grandkids.
Thank you, Rose. My friend, an artist, found the photo from the book and I know we have that book somewhere. It is a classic. How we can love one another like that is so beautiful and I hope it is something we can remember always.
Your love for them and for this photo comes through in your poem, “unafraid and happy explorers.”
“imaginations as wild as the forest”–may it ever be so!
Love your golden shovel, Margaret.
the world awaits
for those who wander and wonder—
life’s adventurers.
Watching these children we see the world awaiting them. Thanks for writing today.
“wander and wonder” makes for great adventuring, Rose
Oh, the world, to explore. Learning, walking, sharing. Sometimes courage is so necessary. Your poem captures the essence of their walk. Wander and wonder, so critical.
Margaret,
How brilliant to make that a striking line. Your poem touches me and I know will resonate for you and your grandchildren. Makes me think of your time in the mountains. I love that you brought in the sound of the woods “your refuge the sound of our footsteps”….those footfalls in quiet woods so lovely. Thank you for sharing this photo today.
I just had to post this one from my student Jaden because he used today’s date 2/2/22 as a prompt:
two people
walking into the woods
on a quadruple numbered day
two, two, two, two
where could they be going to
walking into the woods
holding hands
too many brambles
block their path
as they walk
two footsteps for each person
follows
by Jaden, 6th grade
“a quadruple numbered day” – well done, Jaden!
Amazing work for a 6th grader! Well done!
Oh, this date. My mother’s birthday is 2-22…..so this resonates and is very clever! Or should I say “too/two cute”…yet a seriously thoughtful poem with too many brambles bringing in the worrisome part….. and the importance of holding hands as we face life’s problems. It is always good to have a friend or loved one by your side. Love should never be in short supply. I like your poem, Jaden.
FIRST FRIENDS
Sister and brother
Side by side
Hand in hand
Adventure
Into the future
Together.
Jane Heitman Healy Draft
Love the title!
Oh Jane, I read this on the weekend but did not get a chance to respond here. So lovely. It is wonderful to see them when they are so good to each other. And the hand-holding is so natural and sweet. Like any siblings there are mixtures of great times and times when they are not “happy” with each other’s choices. LOL, but it is good to have a playmate!!! And having a sibling you can be really close to is surely a blessing!