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Thursday, August 27, 2020

Summer Evening Recollection

When the Poetry Sisters add a challenge to the Poetry Friday Roundup, it is fun to try out a new move. Today their theme is hindsight and the directions read: "Pick one of your old poems to revise and/or write a new poem in conversation with it...(any form)." 

Thinking of a recent trip to Jones Beach, I reflected on how the darkness of evening could immerse the shoreline in stardust.  Since no one can linger on the boardwalk past 8 pm, I could only imagine the effect. In a serendipitous moment,  I found a scratchings of a could be a poem from 2019:
reflecting on
nature holding court 
in its sanctuary 
of stillness becomes
an early writer's recollection
(I am not sure what I was thinking of by inserting the word early.)

The above thought moved me to write a last line, lit by fireflies, but then, I made another decision.  In my latest blog post, I photographed an empty bench and Rose Cappelli commented. "I especially loved the image of the empty boardwalk bench. I think that could be a photo that needs a poem." With that I decided to transform the poem and photo into an image poem illuminating what a starlit night might look like at the historic Jones Beach on Long Island.  You can see the finished product below.



I chose a poetic form, 15 words or less poem, that Laura Purdie Salas, one of the Poetry Sisters, has used many times to prompt writers to create.  This exercise made me wonder what I had in mind last year when I penned my original thoughts and tucked them in my notebook.  Does nature change our perception of an event after it has happened or make us understand its ever-present magic when reflecting?


Now, I am off to join Heidi Mordhorst, poet, teacher of little ones, and climate activist, who is the Poetry Friday Roundup host for this week.  She is sharing news of a California shoe strike that symbolized a unique protest against climate change and showcases an original poem, Back to School with memories of 2001.  The end of the year is going to be one filled with many different emotions and this is why I need to bring positivity into focus and add poems that bring a sense of tranquility to my busy days.


Note:
With summer around the globe estranged in many ways due to COVID-19, I am gathering a collection of image poems for my #EmbraceableSummer Gallery Collection.  If so inclined, join in the fun of creating image poems on the topic, Summer 2020 in the Midst of Quarantine Life. I am hosting Poetry Friday at my blog on September 4, 2020 where I will share creative work to showcase the beauty of summer even during trying times.  My image poem above is an example of what you might try if you are inclined to use digital art to convey your message.

28 comments:

  1. Oh, I love what you have done with your park bench poem, Carol. It looks very Ol' England; Oliver Twist/Mary Poppins.

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    1. What an interesting take on my bench poem, Kat. I am glad that you mentioned that.

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  2. Beautiful rhythm in your new found poem, and lovely atmosphere too Carol, thanks!

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  3. Carol, this is gorgeous! The image is somehow frosty, almost etched-in-metal looking. I love it. So spare and understated. They plant a thought in the reader's head, and then the reader gets to take it in and respond individually, since nothing in the poem tells the reader HOW to feel. I love that. It lets me share the experience with you, even though we may or may not feel the exact same way about that moment.

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    1. Laura, I had so much fun playing with this image that I took at the shore this week. I am glad that you noticed the metal looking feel to the photo. My secret ingredient was layering the look of the photo with different effects. I am delighted that you enjoyed my response to the Poetry Sisters.

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  4. I love how you took us with you on your journey, Carol. Special pictures evoke beautiful memories & your creative changes made the poem/pic so magical. Thank you & happy weekend!

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    1. Thank you, Linda. I am fortunate to live close to the ocean to get some quiet time. Moving is stressful so a little magic is needed. Have a great weekend.

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  5. Thanks for the backstory of how you came to your image poem, Carol. The words and image came together perfectly. :)

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    1. Thanks for stopping by Bridget and commenting. I meant to wish you well with your recovery.

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  6. "A sanctuary of silence" is just -- wow. What a glorious phrase, and I'm a bit wistful for those East Coast fireflies now. Lovely.

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    1. Tanita, thanks for liking the alliterative words and dreaming along with me.

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  7. The very idea of nature holding court is enough to send me into thinking about beauty and the awe of being in nature. What a lovely, lovely post.

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    1. Linda, I am eager to explore the beauty of the Virginia countryside. You need to tell me where I can experience the best VA has to offer. Maybe we can find beautiful places where nature holds court.

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  8. I liked seeing the process of this. And it turned out great!

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    1. Thank you, Ruth. Do you have an offering for the gallery collection (maybe one of your beautiful florals from Haiti)? I would love for you to join in the gallery. Hope you are feeling well.

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  9. The word choice of "sanctuary" and the bench almost a pew. I would go there for worship and be baptized by starlight and silence...

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    1. Mary Lee, your response is a poetic piece in itself. I really like that you associated the bench with a pew and added a sacred ritual to the scene. Starlight and silence would be a great addition to this poetic scenario. Many thanks. Best wishes for the new school year.

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  10. Your photo and the accompany poem are exquisite! I love contemplating that "...sanctuary of silence lit by starlight." What a wonderful image your words conjure up. Love how your took your notebook musings and combined them with the image for this new creation.

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    1. Ramona, sometimes the muse sits on my shoulder and lets creation take place with just a bit of nudging. I feel that I am in my element, the creativity zone, when layering a photo to set the mood for a new poem to grow. Thank you for your kind words. Have a wonderful weekend.

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  11. Your pairing of words and image are magical, Carol!

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    1. Thank you, Catherine. I tried to create a magical mood for an end-of-summer poem.

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  12. I love the way the park bench sparkles in the light, (stardust?) and how your words are displayed next to it. It really captures a lonely and solemn feeling for me. I am intrigued with how you look at nature, melding different art forms.

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    1. Thank you, Janice. I do enjoy designing image poems to create a magical quality whether it is solemn,whimsical, etc.

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  13. Artful! I like the contrast between the bold neon effect of the words and the blurry sparkle of the photo. The word court suggested justice to me, and I wonder if the court of nature brings any more justice than the courts of humans. Thanks for all the shouting out, Carol!

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    1. Heidi, what an interesting response while we are immersed in Covid-19 and political rhetoric. I like to retreat into nature's silence to clear my head. Thanks for remarking on the design, as well as leaving me something to ponder.

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  14. What a beautiful image/poem! It makes me feel calm just reading/looking at it. I love seeing the stars!

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    1. Thank you, Susan, for the comment. Stay calm, watch the stars, and be happy.

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