I made my first cup of coffee and added salt instead of sugar. I hope that doesn’t indicate the kind of day I will have. Some of our actions, thoughts, words do have a ripple effect. Ripples are on my mind today. I chose a photo from Mary Lee Hahn’s Instagram post from Dawes Arboretum in Newark, OH.
Ripple is a specific word. I decided to write a wandering word poem. I first saw this form years ago on Today’s Little Ditty in an interview with Nikki Grimes. You begin with the word you want to write about and then wander about exploring the word and its meaning.
Ripple
Margaret Simon, draft
is an organized word
without a plan. It’s a matter
of science, how force interacts
with movement, sand or water,
our words or actions. They swell,
fold, curl upon themselves,
spreading infinitely into the universe.
Like a tide that comes in to rest
on your toes, then moves back
leaving tickling sand residue.
When you are the one tossing the pebble,
be careful, be kind. Remember
the ripple.
Reflections on the Teche 
The wandering word is an interesting form, unfamiliar to me until now. I love the images and message you chose, Margaret.
Ripple
A smile is a ripple of cheer
Passing from me to you,
From you to another
And another
And
Another
And
An
O
T
H
E
R
Keep it going!
draft, Jane Heitman Healy
Love this visual, Jane!
Thanks, Rose.
Turn your poem sideways to see the smile. Thanks for passing it along.
🙂
Smiles are the best kind of ripples! I stood in the Denver airport waiting for a flight and did a little informal research. Every person who met my eyes got a smile. And guess what? Every smile I gave got me one in return. Without fail.
what a fun experiment! Keep smiling, Mary Lee, and thanks for the photo!
Margaret: Thanks for this photo and your thoughts about ripples… I like your meandering poem, especially the swell, fold, curl and your goes. Also Jane: I like your repetition. Reminds me of “tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow.” Here is my try:
Ripple
The physics
of a breath
or a word
or a butterfly’s
wingbeat —
a gesture
of grace
creating
waves.
Karen Eastlund, draft
Like how you pulled in the science here, Karen. “a gesture of grace” is beautiful.
My 3 year old grandson is learning physics from a set of board books. I love how you tied it together with breath, word, and butterflies. Simply poetic!
I love “a gesture of grace.” Yes.
Thanks, Karen. I love your “gesture of grace” mixed with physics
Oops… and meant the mention of tickling your toes…
Margaret, I love the image of words folding, curling spreading. I’ve been in a story writing pause for a while and need to remind myself to
Just Start
like a stone
thrown
in a lake
one word
ripples
across the page
until
a story takes shape
I understand pauses. Sometimes we need them. Sometimes we just need to start. The daily pull of a writer.
This is good advice for being in a poem writing pause (which I love so much more than BLOCK)!!
This is inspiring, Rose! That could be a new morning ritual!
I love this. Today, I did not get this post in my inbox like I normally do. My mail is all weird after my CA trip. I’m going to check for bugs. grrrrr. But, this is beautiful, the poem and the unplanned organization. Just what I needed to see and read today.
“Remember the ripple.” Love this!
The image brought furrows to mind:
Furrows
Furrows
On my brow
Thoughts, concerns defined
Furrows
Through the land
Seeds and plants confined
Fissures
of my brain
Deepen with each thought
Fluting
Of the flower
As the sunlight’s sought
Crinkle
of the eye
Laughter to ensue
Folding
Of the hands
When each day is through.
Furrows
Ease on brow
As I drift to sleep
Soothing
Of my soul
I’m resting in God’s keep.
By Donna JT Smith ©2023
Those darn furrows and fissures frustrate me as I age. I love how you brought me to a restful stop in God’s keep.
Ripples, furrows, fissures, crinkles — I love this set of words and the poem you crafted with them!
this is lovely. Furrows, fissures, crinkles – all help define who we are.
What a beautiful poem to take us through a day, Donna! I enjoy your rhyme.
Margaret, I LOVE “organized/without a plan.” I aspire to live like that! (And thanks for the honor of choosing my photo!)
In the dry garden
we contemplate raked ripples
around the rock.
In the pond
turtle raises her head.
Look! More ripples!
Great alliteration!
I love the surprise of the turtle.
Fun, Mary Lee! Love the alliteration.
[…] Last month, we went to the Japanese Festival at Dawes Arboretum east of Columbus. Their Japanese gardens are fabulous. I learned the difference between the dry garden shown above, and the wet garden. (Which really did have a turtle popping up its head!) I was honored when Margaret used this picture for This Photo Wants to Be a Poem. […]