When we first arrived in the Pacific Northwest and awoke to an amazing view of the Olympic Mountains from the AirBnB, I thought I would write poetry every day on our trip. That didn’t happen as we got busier with the family, day hikes, town shopping, river rock throwing (children love a good game of throwing rocks). However on that early June morning, I opened Audrey Gidman’s prompts and wrote a poem using a flower as the title, inspired by James Wright’s Milkweed. For the most part, I wanted to capture the essence of place in the amazing peaceful scene of the Olympic Mountains.
Lupine
While I looked beyond the window
lost in blue-green of Crescent Lake,
I sat in longing.
Tall Douglas fir scented the air
of Christmases long ago.
I look up now.
The view is changed.
What was color
is a wild warmth
seeking my sincerity—
a vision of bright red strawberries
sweeter than the sun.
Margaret Simon, draft
Reflections on the Teche 
Hi Margaret, what a breath taking view of the Olympic Mountains. Beautiful poetic reflections of the landscape, love how you contrast the color with feeling- I look up now.
The view is changed. What was color is a wild warmth… Sounds like a wonderful family adventure:)
I love the Pacific Northwest and hope to return some time. In the meantime, thank you for the photos and beautiful poem.
Enjoyed hearing about your visit to such a gorgeous part of the country! Glad you spent precious time there with loved ones and were inspired by the beautiful views. “Lupine” is simply lovely!!
I am going to need to hop on the Audrey Gidman train as so many beautiful poems are coming from the prompts! I love that this poem isn’t about your time with family but it feels like it is…those old Christmases and the change of light gives a really nice shift in the poem. Well done.
Your poem honors the beauty of that part of the country, Margaret. I was out there years ago, and could not get over how pretty it is. And my friend and I were completely fascinated by sea logs (trees that wash down the rivers and pile up on the Pacific beaches).
I didn’t know they were called sea logs. My grandson Leo loved trying to create something out of them.
Beautiful capture of this spectacular place, Margaret. What fun you all must have had, even just looking out the windows! I love that you included the bringing back of Christmases long ago from the scent. Happy times.
Oh, the lupine! They are just coming into bloom in the Sierras and we have some gorgeous meadows turning purple! What a joy to sit and write to these gifts of the earth.
Gorgeous scene to inspire your vision, so many poems there… Love your line, ” seeking my sincerity— filled with gratitude. Glad you fit in this poem, and that field of Lupines are magical, I was in a field of Lupine last year that was mesmerizing, thanks!
Margaret, you certainly captured the essence of place. While I have never been to the Pacific Northwest, I can imagine its beauty through the photo and your words. “Lost in blue-green of Crescent Lake,/ I sat in longing.” this thought brought me back to the majestic visions I have seen and long to go back to. For now, I sit reading your words and thinking of your game with the children. I am glad that you shared this poetic memory with us.
Margaret, my word! Such beauty in photo and poem. I am heading out to the Pacific Northwest next week for a poetry conference and will be on the lookout for the lupines and the glorious scenery in your photo. I am concerned, too, about the time to write when traveling, but you inspire me to remind myself to take plenty of photos and pick up the pen. I know this trip holds many special memories for you and your family.
I can’t wait to hear about the Stafford retreat. I’m sure it will be fabulous!
Jealous of your trip to the PNW, Margaret. It is one area of the country we have not yet explored but is on our list. I have Lupine in my garden here at the cabin. It is the sole plant that sustains the Karner Blue Butterfly’s life cycle (much like milkweed for monarchs). This focus on a flower inspires me. I’ll have to try it and also read the milkweed poem you referenced. I hope you enjoyed your trip despite not being able to write much. I find that I have good intentions in that area (to write on vacation) and then end up not doing as much as I thought I would. Safe travels home!
I’m so glad you were able to visit the PNW. And the lupine is an amazing flower. This resonated with me: “I would write poetry every day on our trip” Every time.
Gorgeous photos, Margaret, and you created a gorgeous poetic snapshot too. What a getaway!