If you’ve been here before, you know that one of my favorite photographers is a critique partner, Inkling Molly Hogan. Molly lives in Maine and is an amazing photographer. Please take a moment to read her Tuesday post about “gathering calm” through nature.
When I go out to take pictures, I usually have at least the location in mind, which dictates some of what I’ll see. Ocean versus marsh versus river. Forests or fields. Still, there are surprises here, too. I never know what will capture my attention at that particular time. Will the fog call to me, or shadows or spider webs? Will interesting patterns emerge in sand, water or sky?
Molly Hogan
What does the poet see? What will draw your attention? The ocean waves? The striking bird? The patterns in the sand?
Hunger…
makes the baby cry
Margaret Simon, draft
the great owl hunt
the fledgling squeal
Hunger opens our souls
for feeding
Reflections on the Teche 
I was initially (as I always am) drawn to the reflection—a phenomenon that continues to create amazement and even awe for me. But I was so compelled by your poem to experience, instead, the cry of hunger—”Hunger opens our souls for feeding.” Quiet and so powerful.
Hi Margaret. Like Carol I am always drawn to reflections in the water. Especially in Maine. So many photos.
Here is my quickwrite! Have you heard about Linda Rief’s new book on poetry and teaching? Whispering in the Wind. I got a free chapter sample and can’t wait to inhale the entire book. I love Linda and all her work and have known her for decades. Anyhow, I digress. Here’s my poem.
Reflections on Life
In the mirror I call out to her.
Her reflection, so different, so youthful.
Eager, hopeful.
I call to her, warn her.
It goes by so fast I say,
stick your toes in the water now.
Jump in with every part of you, hurry.
Swim voraciously, hungrily into the deep.
@Draft
Janet Clare Fagal
Margaret,
What is the deeper hunger? Finding the meaning of life or filling our bellies? Our souls need the nourishment that poetry provides, the look into sections of our soul, the celebration of being satiated on happiness in those golden moments which we often forget to remember and recall. I like how your poem brought me to think more deeply about hunger. And that darling tern, like a sentinel, calling.
Lovely poem, Janet. Thanks for the heads up about Linda Reif’s book. The title alone is inviting.
Upon on “REFLECTION” I think the last line should be:
Swim into the deep, voraciously, hungrily.
By changing the order I might like the ending rhyme better.
I revise my poems endlessly, it seems, but that is kind of my favorite part of writing.
Yes, I like that ending lots!
Thanks for the information about Linda’s new book. I love your poem and imagine you reading it to your sweet granddaughter. The wisdom to swim voraciously makes me think of my own daughters and the moxie they have.
oooooh! thanks for the book rec.
What a wonderful poem…warn her of how fast time flies. I hope she jumps in and swims.
“Hunger opens our souls for feeding” – so powerful, Margaret. Like Carol and Janet I was drawn to the reflection.
Invitation
There’s a friend
in the water
“Hello!” I call.
Come soar with me,
explore the shore
for delicacies.
The call to explore with friends is inviting.
ike a bird of see wind and waves
I called to the noon and she feeds
me fish in rain in green of grass
I call to the evening and she cradles me
In puffs of purple clouds and moonbeams
I called to the morning and
she waits like a bird at water’s edge
To carry me on sunlit wings
into the dawning of a new day
poem by Jessica Bigi
Oh Jessica, I love that you joined us today with this beautiful poem built on the repetition of “call”.
Rose,
Thank you for your comment. I first thought of the reflection as a friend. I love how you implemented that possibility and how you invite the friend to soar and explore the shore (great rhymes that are embedded and not super obvious) hunting for the delicacies.
And yes, doing things with a friend can be so much more fun!!! Especially at the beach.
Thank you, Janet.
So nice to see your name! How are you?
how lovely to be carried by this beautiful bird.
Love how you incorporated so many objects of nature into your poem. It’s beautiful.
Chick squawks with wide beak–
calling Mama as sunrise
terns to sunset
Clever word play!
Oh those squawking chicks, Buffy! Sunrise terns to sunset….so clever!!
“Hunger opens our souls/ for feeding” Wow! What a line! Thanks for sharing my photo and your kind words. Sorry I didn’t make it here with a poem.