Sometimes on the lake in June
white pelicans fly in together
and you get out the camera.
Then they turn as a drumline in step,
swim away swiftly in a cloud.Sometimes on the lake in June
a lone blue heron fishes.
Sly step, long beak held high,
drinking in the sunlight.
A small boat passes by
lines thrown out,
catching nothing.Sometimes on the lake in June,
I wake before dawn,
put the coffee on,
Sometimes Dad will join me
silent, reading the daily news.
Mom comes in pleased to have fresh coffee.
We sit on the porch, quiet
content to be together
on the lake in June.
My parents live on a lake in Mississippi. I am anticipating my annual visit in June. This poetry exercise can be found in Kate Messner’s 59 Reasons to Write.
Reblogged this on lohorilohori.
Margaret, your poem presents a very calm scene that allows the mind to wander in its imagery. I especially like this line: Then they turn as a drumline in step,
swim away swiftly in a cloud. Enjoy your day!
Margaret, have you considered which poem and photo you might offer for Spring’s Symphony? I really like the compositions you are creating with the Waterlogue app. (The latest invitation to the spring gallery is at http://beyondliteracylink.blogspot.com/2015/05/may-blossom.html).
Does this qualify as spring poetry?
Margaret, I thought I send a reply to you but can’t seem to find it now. I have your animoto offering for Spring’s Symphony but you can send along this one too.
I hope you don’t mind, but I “found” this haiku in your lovely poem:
lake in June…
we sit on the porch
quiet
I am honored you found this lovely haiku.
Margaret, Diane found a haiku in your poem. Wonderful. Yes, this poem will qualify for Spring’s Symphony. You can decide how you want to format it. Thanks.
I like the repetition of emptiness (the pelicans that leave, the fish that don’t get caught) and how much peace is to be found there in quiet, empty space.
One of the advantages of PF and having other poets read your poems is they find gemstones you didn’t even know you planted. Thanks.
I just love the restfulness of this – the utter peace and sense of contentment.
I can imagine your ranch house will hold many poems.
This is gorgeous, Margaret. I love the image of the “lone blue heron…drinking in the sunlight.” Enjoy your time at the lake!
The lake, then Highlights. It’s going to be a wonderful summer.
Lake time is coming soon. Love this format and the soothing, repeating of lines – like gentle lake waves rhythmically lapping the shore… enjoy your upcoming visit!
Margaret, this wonder reminds me of that lovely Wendell Berry poem “The Peace of Wild Things”
http://www.poetryfoundation.org/poem/171140 and
So much to love about his poem. Thanks for the comparison. I feel like I mostly write about the peacefulness of nature. It grounds me.
You’ve transported me, Margaret. I can’t imagine time more well spent than on that lake in June.