This photo I took of a visiting cardinal. As the day’s news gets more and more tragic, I turn to nature. Some southerners believe that when you see a red bird, you are visited by a lost loved one.
This morning in my email feed, I received the word of the day from Merriam-Webster, besotted: “Someone described as besotted is so in love that they are unable to think clearly.”
I thought Besotted would make a good title for a poem. This is a drafting post. If you are inspired by the photo, please leave your own poem in the comments and support other writers with positive comments.
Besotted
You
in your red cardinal coat
distract me
humble me
enamor me
Perched with pride,
you say,“I am here.”
Margaret Simon, draft
Reflections on the Teche 
Perched with pride!! That rings so true! And I am here… this reminds me of an aspect of ministry my husband embraced as a chaplain- the ministry of presence. Here is my poem:
Here for You
Cardinal
Flashing red
Against blue sky
Catching my eye
Touching my heart
Bringing
A message
To remind me
Of loved ones
Who’ve passed on
Essence
Of love
They gave me
Still lives on
Always with me
Yes, the ministry of presence is a powerful, peaceful one. I love how your short lines build a slow pace of your poem. I love the word “essence”.
Both poems are so beautiful. Yesterday I was visited by two red cardinals. They brought such emotion to me, memories of a loved one.
I love how you were inspired to write using both a photo and the word of the day! I love your poem! Thanks for sharing!