I’ve been in New Orleans since Saturday. I’m on Mardi Gras break from school. And yes, I’ve been to many parades. I love this photo because it was taken at a night parade when all the floats were lit up. This one made me think of Chinese New Year and the Year of the Dragon. My brother-in-law is on the far right in a coat my sister made for him from Crown Royal bags. Costuming at Mardi Gras is over-the-top and so interesting to see. I tend to be more of an observer than participant, but my wheels have been turning about “next year.”
Today is a whole other story: Valentine’s Day and Ash Wednesday. I have a rough draft of something like a poem on this bleary eyed, tired morning. I hope you will join me in musing about the cycle of a year or dragons or parades. Whatever this photo inspires in you. Leave your responses in the comments. Be sure to come back and encourage other writers.
Here we roll again
Margaret Simon, draft
on the wheel of life,
round the bend
holiday to holiday.
A heart drawn on a post-it note
says “I Love You.”
Ashes on the forehead
remind us of death,
so Live
like the dragon
following its path.
Fire on!
Complete the turn!
Breathe hope for another day
in this parade!
Reflections on the Teche 
Good Morning, Margaret! This is so perfect. I saw your pics on insta–that baby J. what a sweetheart. I am home again with another round of covid. It’s not as bad this time…but ooof. I thought I had some immunity from my Dec. bout. Nope.
“A heart drawn on a post-it note” gets me this morning…quarantining sure is lousy on Valentine’s Day.
My quick write just might become my PF entry.
In the year of
our Lord Dragon
ashes are continued
love after we
pass from this world
to the next.
Remember,
remember
your first name
before
the light
when you
were still secret.
A dragon’s egg
is fantasy until
that first crack,
tiny claw dying
its first death.
Mardi Gras, cher.
Fat joy
to you all
beads swinging
on purple velvet
If you do, you are welcome to use the photo, you know. Love the “beads swinging on purple velvet.” So many beads swinging! Watch your head and protect the baby. I was afraid June would get clobbered. But she was loving it all!
Be well, Linda.
Linda, I love the fantasy you’ve created here, wonderful imagery!
I love your photo, Margaret! So full of color and joy. Both it and your poem remind me not to let precious moments pass by. Thank you.
If you think life
is passing you by,
If time is catching up,
Be fearless!
Be fiery!
Join the party
and keep the joy alive.
Join the party! That part is hard for me as such an introvert, but I did OK. Thanks for writing today.
Rose, I love how you put dragon traits into your poem!
Oh, the dragon and the color! This northern girl who is living in brown and the tans of dried leaves right now and is deeply in need of color! A night parade of color must be perfect. I will need to spend some time today thinking of bright colors, warm days with the reminder of death on ash Wednesday but the new thoughts of the rebirth of coming spring and flowers of color.
I love learning about traditions in other parts of the country. Imagine a school break for Mardi Gras! We have our own celebrations, of course, such as church pancake suppers that are fun but much tamer than yours. I love the way you structured your poem, including all of the special celebrations and wrapping them into the parade of life, an apt metaphor.
Welcome to this Dragon Year,
Bring us hope, chase out fear,
Snake through streets,
Dance to beats
That only dragons hear.
~Jane Heitman Healy, draft
Love the rhythm and rhyme and imagination of this small poem.
Love “beats that only dragons hear” – such mystery.