Welcome to Poetry Friday, this week hosted by author Tanita S. Davis HERE. This week Tanita, among other things, shares a publishing success: signing with an agent and an offer she has had for two books! Congratulations! There is also an intriguing poetry writing challenge to check out.
I have been thinking about place and always get very attached to places where I live or used to live. I know that isn’t unusual. And I’ve found that drawing what I see around me, whatever it is, or writing a poem about something I see, strengths that sense of place. That isn’t surprising, either, of course. But I like that drawing or writing about something around me requires closer observation than otherwise.
This old tree below, lying on its side, its branches reaching up, isn’t something I might pay much attention to, but as I looked for something to paint, it seemed interesting. Painting it seemed to embellish in my mind this lovely lake I visit frequently.
A fallen old tree
bare branches reaching skyward--
ripples the water
© Janice Scully 2026
And drawing my writing and art room brought to light details that made the place look whimsical in a drawing I made last year. After drawing it, I appreciated better the old chest of drawers and the old kitchen table I work on. Perhaps I’ll revisit the drawing and color the walls someday.
Recycled table--
The drawer that holds my pencils
once held forks and knives.
© Janice Scully
Observing the miraculous, beautiful, or just entertaining things around us helps helps us live in this world that feels quite insane. I think that’s why people participate with like minded friends on Poetry Friday. Here are my daisies in bloom. They seem to glow in the twilight tonight.
Have a great weekend. Thank you Tanita, and again, congratulations!
Your “fallen old tree” and watercolor complement each other well! Thanks for your lovely daisies, poems, and art Janet, that momentarily transport us!
I appreciate how making art helps me live in this world. And, I’m happy that the making process is good for so many of us. It takes thought and love and appreciation to create…quite the opposites of what is required for tearing down. I love the mention of forks and knives…now you/we eat art.
Yes! Thank you,Linda. It’s so easy to destroy. So fun to create and life affirming.
Janice, what a gorgeous tree! It does indeed ripple the water – with almost ghostly fingers. LOVE that.
I admire your sketching! When I was in college, I filled a sketchbook with dreams of my “someday” living room… the walls were emerald green. They’re kind of a soft blue – but the kitchen is sage, so I wasn’t too-too far off! Thanks for reminding me to really see what I see – and capture it.
Thank you for your congratulations! I will pick up my sketchbook when I take breaks- just to capture the world that’s still there outside my rabbit hole. Happy weekend. 🥰
I love green so I’m sure the color in your kitchen would suit me. Sketching is challenging and even rough ones can capture something, at least that I appreciate. I use a lot of green.:)
Lovely sketches and words, Janice. And thank you for the reminder about the importance of appreciating the world around us. Both of my grandkids like to draw, so I picked up a watercolor sketchbook for each of them that I’ll take to the beach when we vacation together. Should be fun!
Rose, sounds like lots of fun. What a good idea! Enjoy the rest of the summer. Being a grandmother is wonderful.
I feel a little like an old tree, with finger-branches rippling the water. I always enjoy your ekphrastic poetry, Janice!
Janice, this is gorgeous. I can sense the purpose and love you find in creating. You are helping me consider how to pay greater attention, to observe those beautiful things around me that I sometimes ignore. I like the way Linda mentions that the opposite of creating is tearing down. Thank you so much for the inspiration. I love the shadows the branches coming up out of the water make.