In her weekly newsletter, Maggie Smith asked the question, “What can a poem do?” Her conclusion is a poem can remind us of us, of who we are as humanity. We need poems now as much as ever. When times are hard, look to the sky and see poetry.
Last weekend while my husband was driving us home one evening, we saw the sky light up at sunset with this amazing cloud formation that disappeared into the night within minutes. I rolled down the window to take the picture. I saw an octopus. What do you see?
Oh, octopus, octopus of the sky,
what do you see as you pass by?
A world of creatures down below
Chasing time and on the go.Oh octopus, octopus of the sky,
Margaret Simon, draft
what wisdom lies in your eyes?
I stop to watch your tendril glow,
breathe in deep, heart beats slow.
Take a minute to breathe and see what you may see. Use your imagination to tell a story with a poem. Respond to others who are writing vulnerably today. Encourage with your comments.
Reflections on the Teche 
I see two red eyes
one sorrowful, one fearful
staring down at me….
That creepy Halloween tone.
Oooh, and to which do you respond? And how?
Kim, love your spookiness.
Ooh! Now I see them, too!
A beautiful photo and amazing sky! I can see the octopus, Margaret. I like your poem–nature is calming and wise.
Oh, sky! Daily you show us
the beauty of change
in its perfect timing,
helping us grow into
our true colors.
-Jane Heitman Healy, draft
I love the personification of sky as helping us to grow. Thanks for writing today.
Jane, beautiful poem! Love your personification the sky showing us “beauty of change” and “helping us grow into our true colors.”
Jane, I love this image of the sky as reminder of change, and it’s always-“perfect timing”!
Thank you, Margaret, Gail, and Carol.
Margaret, thank you for the challenge. I appreciate all the visions in the clouds–the octopus with its glowing tendrils that slow our breathing. So beautiful. And the eyes of Sorrow and Fear, Kim, gives me shudders. Jane, I love the colors of the sky that teach us our true colors. I also like the perfect timing, as a sunset has to be enjoyed quickly, like Margaret had to capture it on the go. I could just see the fire in the sky!
Oh, fire, fire of the evening sky
Elemental blazes flying by
Extinguished in a flash
Left with dusk’s darkening ash
One of my students also saw fire in the sky. I love the turn to ash.
Denise, your first line was an invitation. I love vivid poem, especially “Elemental blazes flying by.” Nice ending, rhyme, and alliteration in your beautiful poem.
This is wonderful, Denise! I love how quickly you create the image of blazes flying, extinguishing, becoming ash….
Love the drama of this, Denise, especially “Elemental blazes”
I love this photo! Here’s a haiku.
Spirits dance on fire
Nothing is untouchable
Feet on heaven’s floor
Joy, I love your poem. Your first line “Spirits dance on fire” hooked me. Ooh, “Feet on heaven’s floor.”
Stacey, love the sense of home in your beautiful haiku. This is gorgeous
Wonderful image that makes me want to sit and ponder awhile!
So interesting to read others’ reactions, as we each relate to a different line. For me, it’s line 2! Thank you!
I love this photo! Here is a quick write Haiku.
Spirits dance with flames
Nothing is untouchable
Feet on heaven’s floor
Margaret, what a beautiful photo and poem. I love looking at the clouds and I love finding something in them. I see your octopus. I love your rhyme, rhythm, repetition, and voice. I also love how you see wisdom in the octopus’s eyes and I especially love your ending line “breathe in deep, heart beats slow.” Thank you for your poem, photo, and your inspiration.
painted sky,
I see whales
I see dolphins
swimming
peacefully in your
pink-purple sea
Gail Aldous, draft
Gail, I love the imaginative interpretation of that beautiful Pink-purple sea
Thank you, Denise.
Lovely and calming, Gail!
Thank you, Carol.
Love the sky-sea comparison, Gail
Thank you, Jane.
Oh, how wonderful, Margaret – and we just saw a documentary on the incredible intelligence and emotional life of an octopus! What I see:
Wings on wings
and wings in line:
no bodies attached,
flying freely
reaching out
available to any
down below
who might dare
a rosey grab.
Draft, Carol Coven Grannick
Carol, I love how the first two lines set the tone for “flying freely”
Thanks, Jane!
Carol, I agree with Jane and those first two lines hooked me. I saw wings, too. “No bodies attached” brought spookiness into your poem for me, which I like. I hope that’s what you were going for. I also like your line breaks and how it gives your poem rhythm. Love your “who might dare”, which also makes me think of Halloween. Happy Spooky Halloween, Carol.