National Poetry Month has been a whirlwind. It’s hard to believe we are nearing the end. Our Progressive Poem is progressing along with another line; See Mary Lee’s post here to catch up. Tabatha will end it for us on April 28th.
I accepted a challenge from Joyce Uglow to write among other poets at her Substack, Storied Ink. I’m also writing with Ethical ELA and having a dickens of a time memorizing the New York Times poem “The More Loving One” by W. H. Auden. It’s all good but sometimes overwhelming. I think I’ll take a break in May!
On Day 3, poet Kathy Halsey challenged us with a haiku image and the words extinct and giraffe. I thought about how the cypress trees of the Atchafalaya Swamp were near extinction from over-harvesting. These trees are made to survive high winds of hurricanes. I love my cypress trees, especially in early spring as the green is so vivid.
Cypress grass tickles the sky
Extinct no more
(Photos from my bayou backyard cypress trees)
Reflections on the Teche 
Beautiful trees! Love thinking about cypress grass tickling the sky. 🙂
Oh, lovely — I do love a cypress tree, and saw so many more when I visited my grandparents house as a kid than as an adult. I’m so glad they’re coming back.
(I added you to our ekphrastic round up today, for your inadvertent entry – as the picture goes beautifully with the poem!)
Thanks, Tanita. It’s fun to knock out two challenges with one poem! Ha!
What a fun word and picture play:) Love the image of the Cypress giraffes with your beautiful backyard photography. Best of luck with your May poetry challenges!
Swamp giraffes! Love that image.
Ooh, love those swamp giraffes, Margaret!! xo
Swamp giraffes! So apt. 🙂 The flora in Louisiana really is so gorgeous.
Oh, my…they are beautiful. I’ve never heard of them or the swamp. I’m so glad you shared them with us. I am absolutely not keeping up with NPM. I just do what I can. It’s still lots of fun. I love the feeling of celebration.
Love how you paired your lines with images, Margaret, especially those giraffes! (And yes, it sounds like you deserve a break!)
Hooray for the comeback of the cypress giraffes!
(I’m with you on needing a break…and I didn’t write daily in March before poemizing daily in April while having a book birthday and visiting artisting and Grandmere-ing!!)
Yay for the cypress comeback. What a fabulous month of poetry.
Margaret,
Love your cypress haiku especially:
“Cypress grass tickles the sky”
Such strong trees
Extinct and giraffe in a haiku was an amazingly challenging prompt. You nailed it, Margaret. It will be good for a little break in May, won’t it?