Welcome back. I’m sorry I missed posting last week, but my flight left Los Angeles at 5:50 AM. I had a wonderful trip to NCTE and lovely visit with my friend Julieanne. Then it was home for Thanksgiving and to New Orleans for a birthday weekend with my grandchildren. Life has been full and busy lately. ‘Tis the season.
The photo today was posted by Barry Lane, author, musician, and educator. It was tagged for This Photo by Paul Hankins on Facebook. Not only does the photo speak to travel, it seemed to travel itself to get to me. Even if you haven’t been traveling lately, you can relate to the image through the inscription on the building (which I totally missed the first time I saw the photo, so I’m pointing it out.).
Add your small poem in the comments and respond to other writers with encouragement.
Dream your dream.
Margaret Simon, draft
Carry on.
Take me with you.
Reflections on the Teche 
Margaret, I love your play on “carry on” and your invitation.
Ignore schedules,
Arrivals, departures.
No boarding pass required,
Just dream.
Your journey is your own.
Jane Heitman Healy, draft 2022
Jane, This is the poem I wanted to write. Do you ever feel like that? I love “no boarding pass required.” Isn’t it true that there are so many stresses in travel, but in your own journey, you own the skies?
Yes! Thanks, Margaret.
Jane, I love the casting-off of all but our own choice of journeys…
Thank you, Carol.
Love this!
Thank you, Rose.
For Margaret first: Oh “take me with you”….dreaming and friendship, and yearning. So much in a tiny poem. Lovely.
For Jane,
I love ignoring schedules and all the restrictions too many place on our dreaming. And yes to our own journey, our own time, our own way of being. I like your poem, Jane.
Thank you, Janet.
Alligator backer
trunk backer
Luggage dasher
Suitcase snatcher
Runway passer
Sky high flashers
Exit markers
Destination marked
unknown
Poem by Jessica Bigi
Love leaving the destination open – our dreams can take us anywhere.
What a great form with all the -er words. It creates a fast pace and then we end with the unknown destination. Lots to think about.
I love the scurry of the travel-er words and the surprise of the unknown destination, Jessica.
Love this language, Jessica—full of action!
I like this format! I recognize it from a few places and tried it once or twice, you really make it work here in the airport of life. And the ending rocks! Destination unknown. I wish I had the gumption to just travel without thinking I have to make all the arrangements ahead of time. Maybe if I were younger, but who knows. I think I am too programmed, yet that makes life exciting and open to possibility. You got me thinks, so thank you, Jessica.
When Traveling
Be sure to pack
your dreams
in your carry-on.
Everything else
can be
replaced.
I like how you direct us to hold onto our dreams, no matter what, using the metaphor of a carry-on.
Oh, so important to remember that, Rose! Life is not things.
Yes…why there’s always paper and pen in the carryon with other non-replaceables!
Oh, now I would say as Margaret did above, this is one I wish I had written, Rose and I love the ending. We need dreams as much as oxygen and sustenance. Sometimes we figure it out in time!
Thanks for this image, Margaret. I can feel the dreams…
Also, thanks for the three poems above… loving “take me with you” and “ignore schedules” and “destination unknown.”
Here’s mine:
I’m packed up, ready
singin’ my own song
strummin’ my dream
all along
Karen, I love how you picked up the guitar to add some music to our musing today.
All along–keep singin’ and strummin,’ Karen! Reminds me of Mama Cass’ “Make Your Own Kind of Music.”
I agree with how the music adds another layer! I wanted to get that guitar in there but couldn’t figure out how. Glad you did.
Karen,
And maybe “leavin’ on a jet plane” either in your head or in reality…..your poem just brought the tune to my head in a very good way. Strummin’ your dream….really true for musicians who can never stop making music because it is a part of their soul. And I have been lucky to know a few of these special folks, one of whom was my dad.
Guitar Benediction’s Promise
Find your dream in music
lift your hands high let peace flow
and your heart will follow.
Glad to be able to be here today. A wonderful photo to write from, Margaret. So glad you were at NCTE.
Very nice, Janet. Sometimes it takes some physical action to lead ourselves into a better emotional state. Peace on earth!
Music is a place to find peace. Thanks for writing.