On Saturday, I went to Moncus Park for the Lafayette Farmer’s Market to sell books. I definitely spent more money on food than I made in book sales, but the spring day was breezy and the park was full of people. A former neighbor stopped by, all grown up and married, hoping for a baby someday, so he bought a book.
A nearby booth had these exotic birds that were pets. They were bright and beautiful, but I don’t remember their breed. I was struck by how they perched and begged for petting.
On the way to my car which was parked a long way from the market, I noticed the new walking path my friend had told me about.
The developers of Moncus Park have been intentional about planting only native Louisiana plants. The reclaimed prairie was full of life.
On my walk I found a sign dedicated to a family that included a beautiful painting and poem by my friend, artist Melissa Bonin. I took a picture of it, then used the image and words in a found poem, prompted by Jessica Wiley and Erica Johnson on Ethical ELA.
Moncus Park Prairie
after Melissa Bonin
sugar harvest sky
lights speckles of goldenrod, cotton weed
tucked inside a worn pocket.
A dragonfly wraps its wispy-thin legs
atop black-eyed Susan’s eye.
Your place is on the gravel path
listening to red-winged blackbirds,
catching buttercup pollen
on the tip of your nose.
Stories smudged on rock
gather for the retelling,
soft laughter of prairie grass
speaking to the wind.
Margaret Simon, draft
Here are more Moncus Park photos:
Reflections on the Teche 
What a beautiful park, and lovely poem!
I am so inspired by your walk to find a poem along the way. You show how amazing poetry can happen if only we open our eyes and appreciate the beauty along the way. The simple ways of experiencing the world through the eyes of an artist come to life on the page and settle deep in the heart of the reader. Thanks for taking me on your walk.
Margaret,
That park is lovely. Your orm’s dragonfly imagery has me longing for warm weather. That poetry prompt is one I put in the geographic specific category. It’s simply too cold and windy here to stroll through a park. I can barely survive taking the dogs out. Good luck w/ the book selling
I love and admire how almost every day becomes a poetry adventure! How nice to see your book to a neighbor grown up, that’s a small moment in itself. The two poems show us what a special place the park is. And your photos and video add to our understanding, and you saved the best for last- those cute foxes!
I’m sure they were sculpted by a local artist but I don’t know who. Thanks for reading!
Your walking paths through native plants is lovely and clearly inspiring. I adore the phrase, “sugar harvest sky,” even if my own image might differ from your and Bonin’s as well!
So much to love about this slice. First, it shows how much YOU love this park, a part of your community! I loved seeing all the photos and I was drawn to the TREES!! Loved the shapes and how large they were. Thanks for taking me to the park today!
The park is beautiful and so is your poem. Thanks for sharing the pictures and reminding me to keep my eyes open and notice things around me I might otherwise miss. Hopefully, I will find a poem along the way.