My summer is quickly coming to an end. I will be returning to teaching on August 1st (yes, it gets earlier every year). Two weeks left, but as every teacher knows, you must start working on plans and classroom arrangement much earlier. So today I am here with a praise poem from my summer.
Today, I Praise
(after Angelo Geter)
Today I will praise
the sharp teeth of a puppy
how he nips without force
licking my hand
with scented puppy breath.
I swoon over
a Gulf fritillary in the garden
flitting zinnia to zinnia,
how her wild orange gown
opens to the light.
Today, I praise
fairy tale enchantment
a stage of costumed pretenders,
how they rise above us
sing and dance a trance of fantasy.
Praise summer rain.
Praise magic of evening’s glow.
Praise long shadows of draping oaks.
Praise songs we sing because we know all the words.
Praise words.
Praise songs.
Praise me.
Praise you.
Margaret Simon, draft
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Reflections on the Teche 
Oh, that lovely wild orange gown! August 1st. Wow. In Florida, school started mid-August, so that was typical down there. But here in Florida, school usually doesn’t start until after Labor Day, so that seems bonkers! I’ve become Minnesotan in my seasonal thinking :>) Thank you for hosting, Margaret–enjoy your last two weeks of summer!
I have to remember that we were out before Memorial Day, so we probably have the same length of time out of school.
Thanks for hosting! Here’s my post for this week: https://thereisnosuchthingasagodforsakentown.blogspot.com/2024/07/poetry-friday.html
I love your poem. We have about three more weeks, so I can relate to your post!
[…] at Reflections on the Teche has the round-up today where she has a praise poem from her summer. Be sure to stop by for lots of […]
Summer is so short!!! I love this praise poem. It sounds like I need to write one to change my attitude. We had to cancel vacation plans because my husband had to have emergency surgery. While I’m so glad he’s okay, we are so disappointed we didn’t get to go. Maybe a praise poem is in order.
Marcie, I can relate. We had a trip to Europe planned that we had to cancel due to my husband’s dog attack. I hope yours is recovering well.
Margaret, I don’t know how the link to my post got in here with the comments. Sorry about that.
Wow! August 1 does seem early for school to start. Your praise poem is beautiful and includes so many beautiful things about summer. Thanks for hosting.
Rose, it’s WordPress’s way of letting me know when someone pings back to my post. No worries. Thanks.
Hooray for thankfulness! I am grateful for you, Margaret. What a beautiful line: Praise long shadows of draping oaks. Thank you for hosting.
Oh, what a glorious praise poem, Margaret – thank you. “Praise long shadows of draping oaks.” – love that line, especially. I don’t have a new post myself this week but left a signpost pointing here. Enjoy these last couple of fleeting weeks of summer!
[…] poet and writer Margaret Simon at her blog Reflections on the Teche is hosting this week’s Poetry Friday Roundup, thanks Margaret! She’s sharing a nature […]
Thank you Margaret for this soothing poem and this lovely fritillary image, “flitting zinnia to zinnia,/how her wild orange gown/opens to the light.” Thanks also for the beautifully rich video, and for hosting! Hope you take in as much as you can of your last couple of weeks before school…
As you praise and celebrate elements of your summer and create a scene of much beauty, Margaret, I find myself preparing to fly away from our winter for two weeks in the tropical warmth of Bali. I shall take my lead from you and look for praiseworthy signs and scene. I shall live with gratitude as you have done. Thank you for hosting
Bali!? Can you pack me? Have a wonderful vacation!
Margaret, thank you for hosting today, and for this sweet reminder to look for beauty and love in all the little things like fritillaries and puppy teeth. Beautiful poem of gratitude! Enjoy your last two weeks. It’s a little painful that you have to go to school so soon, but I know you will go with gratitude there as well.
Thanks, Denise. I think I will welcome the routine and seeing my kids again. The best part of my job is I get the same students every year.
Thank you for the beautiful praise poem and pic of the beautifully gowned fritillary butterfly. I especially resonated with these lines: “licking my hand / with scented puppy breath.” “how her wild orange gown / opens to the light.” “how they rise above us / sing and dance a trance of fantasy.” “Praise long shadows of draping oaks.” Enjoy the rest of your vacation finding summer magic. Thank you for sharing inspiration and joy.
I guess I have a praise song of sorts today, too, but I let John Updike write it. Perhaps it’s time for me to write my own praise song to July and to chicory…
One of the best parts about being a teacher was the precursor to the worst — that tight-fisted hold on summer’s freedom before school yanked it all away in a swirl of must-do-right-nows. I’m working on cultivating a continuous stream of gratitude in my retirement.
Thanks for your gorgeous praise song (I just want to say “flitting Gulf Fritillary” over and over) and for hosting us!
Oh, yes. I have the must-get-done list that I’ve been carrying around all summer. Then there’s the list of things I should have done, a few closets I should have cleaned. A praise poem is a year round good idea.
[…] Margaret has this week’s Poetry Friday roundup at Reflections on the Teche. […]
Always a good day for a praise poem! And wow, Aug. 1…such lucky kiddos to get to learn with you, Margaret! I’ve got a new ArtSpeak: FOLK ART poem “The World Inside the Whale is Dark, Briny” https://irenelatham.blogspot.com/2024/07/the-world-inside-whale-is-dark-briny.html. Thanks for hosting! xo
Thanks, Irene. I added your link to the Inlinkz.
Wonderful Margaret, I’m swooning with the lyricism & kindness & quiet joy of this praise song. I especially glow at the thought of butterfly’s gown.
You are amazing. The kiddos are looking forward to your zest & creativity. Happy Remaining Summer Weekends….
I still have my July 5th blog up, but it’s a summer scene, so it still counts – right? https://www.bookseedstudio.wordpress.com
Jan/Bookseedstudio
This praise poem is the right way to start the weekend. Thank you, Margaret! Typepad is glitchy so I don’t think I can post today.
August 1st seems so early. That’s when the Jackson schools are starting, too. The first day for students here is August 29th. I have lost track of how long I’ve been a volunteer in the 2nd grade classroom!
Yes! Praise summer — the warm mornings, long walks, friendly hello’s, rest time. I just finished a morning walk with my sister who must head in to school to meet with her Kinder-team for assessments (on her summer vacation). Praise teachers!
It’s always helpful to be reminded that there is so much to be grateful for. Thank you, Margaret for your poem and sharing your Gulf Frittilary. I’d never heard of it and it’s gorgeous. I wish you a peaceful end of summer as you prepare again for your students’ return.
It’s always helpful to be reminded that there is so much to be grateful for. Thank you, Margaret for your poem and sharing your Gulf Frittilary. I’d never heard of it and it’s gorgeous. I wish you a peaceful end of summer as you prepare again for your students’ return.
Thanks for hosting, Margaret! Wow, yours summer went by fast! I love your praise poem and am inspired to write one of my own. I feel there is a lot to be joyful and thankful for. I am looking forward to swapping with you soon, too! As always, I love your nature/butterfly photos. Thanks, again!
Absolutely! Amen to your praise…that wild orange gown. I’d like one in my size, please. I’ve had time to rest and remember how important praise is over these summer days. I’m right behind you starting school on August 5th. I honestly don’t know if I’m ready for it all…but I can and will praise. You inspire me.
Margaret, I praise you for what you presented as a host. “Today is a gift.” After listening to the video on a day of gratefulness again tonight, I feel the calm of a good day and mild weather. Enjoy your last two weeks and the return of your students. May God bless you as you continue to praise.
Thank you for hosting. I love all the praises and joyous notes of your poem. Reminding us to look for the tiny things in the world and be grateful. I love the scented puppy breath.
I’m sorry I missed the fun on Friday, but I was driving back from a week in NY. Your poetry swap package was waiting for me when I arrived. I love your poem and am honored that my April poems inspired it, but I think you can also thank your daughter for that!
Your lovely little notebook is in my purse waiting for inspiration to strike. Thank you for sharing!
On another note, August 1 does seem early. I hope your time off has allowed you enough time to rest and rejuvenate for the year ahead.
[…] Simon’s post yesterday for This Photo Wants to be a Poem. Thanks Margaret! Stop by her blog, Reflections on the Teche, to view her pic, poem, and additional […]