As we finish the two wonderful weeks of #writeout with the National Writing Project and the National Parks, I offer two poems I wrote during the week. The first was inspired by Kim Douillard’s poem “Wishing”.
Wishing
On butterfly wings,
flutters around marigolds
while white chrysalises
line the doorway,
waiting.
Wishing on egret’s silhouette
for fresh water,
open, untouched
by empty styrofoam
and sinking plastic bags.
Wishing for a future
of ecological awareness,
more scout heroes,
preservation
of the wild ones
we love.
Margaret Simon, draft
This second poem was inspired by a prompt from Audrey Gidman. I chose 6 words from a poetry book by my friend/ fellow Louisiana poet Liz Burk, “Learning to Love Louisiana.”
Look
In the window,
a reflection—
rippling golden light,
mossy dank threads
spun like crepe paper
careening haphazardly
over branches
building a scene
of an old steel mirror
of autumn’s grace.
Margaret Simon, draft
Margaret, your poems speak to my heart today, especially Wishing, middle stanza, hoping for a day when there is less pollution of our waterways. I read a study this week about the lakes in Georgia and their high levels of contaminants, and I fear for our fish and other water critters AND for those eating the fish. It’s seems everywhere has toxicity whether it’s air or water. Your poem reminds us to be part of the solution.
Wishing and looking…me, too! Look forward to seeing you at Boyds Mills. xo
Wishing for untouched water for that egret too! In your second poem, “spun like crepe paper” made me smile. Last time I was in the southeastern US, I made a list of metaphors for Spanish moss. I can see the scene you’ve created in that old steel mirror.
I love how that egret is above it all…and yet right there for the poet…autumn grace is also pretty.
Yes, to all your wishes, and yes to looking (and reporting back to the world in poetry)!
Margaret, there is beauty and wonder in your last poem. I can see your Louisiana scene through your word choice. Autumn’s grace indeed.”Wishing for a future
of ecological awareness,” makes your poem alive for those who desire change.
Margaret, your words convey the wishes of many. Growing ecological stewardship is so important – kudos to you for doing it with Grace, Beauty and Awareness.
Ooh…mossy dank threads/spun like crepe paper — such a gorgeous image of light, Margaret. And careening! You’ve brought light to life.
Sometimes a random word bank pushes forth a metaphor. Thanks for reading.
“Old steel mirror” is really speaking to me. Unexpected, layered, resonant. Love the photo, Margaret!
Oh these poems are so grounded in the natural world, and I love it. I particularly love:
rippling golden light,
mossy dank threads
spun like crepe paper
The contrast between the egret’s silhouette and the litter in the water makes the wish for a cleaner habitat concrete. Choosing a few words from another book as a starting point also sounds like an approachable exercise. How do you decide which words to carry into a new poem?
I’m always looking for a way into writing. I can borrow a line, a structure, a word, and I feel more confident. Thanks for reading.