Welcome to Poetry Friday!
What is Poetry Friday? It’s a group of bloggers who write about poetry and share their work. Find out more about Poetry Friday Here.
This week, thrilled by the warm weather, I finally bought a few impatiens and planted them in pots. Due to the local deer population, I’ve curtailed my gardening ambitions, restricted my flowers to the porch. These healthy plants look small, but with time they will fill the pot.
GARDENER'S QUESTION
humble impatiens--
should I count buds everyday?
or be more patient?
© Janice Scully 2024
But let’s get to the heart of my post. Two weeks ago this book appeared at my door, my awaited copy of a new anthology of poetry for students by Carol Labuzzetta. There is already a buzz on Poetry Friday about this book. Available on Amazon, it is full of nature photos and poems inspired by them. Carol did a wonderful job showcasing each poet’s work. I have no favorites but will share one of my poems and two others from the book, all about animals that will interest kids.
Thank you Carol for your careful editing as you put this book together. Below are three photos and poems inspired by them.
I took this photo in Santa Cruz, California:
AN AFTERNOON NAP
by Janice Scully
What a comfy pillow
comrades make,
when my belly is full of
squid and hake.
Snoozing on
this slippery bed,
with clouds and seagulls
overhead.
NOISY GUESTS
By Sally Murphy
What's that ruckus
in my yard?
A feathered trio
laughing hard.
What's that rumpus
I can hear?
They're carolling
that rain is near.
What's that riot
on my fence?
Kookaburras
making sense!
I love that kookaburras are “making sense.” Animals are sensible and do things that help themselves as a species survive. Here’s a poem and photo by Carol Labuzzetta
LEOPARD FROG
by Carol Labuzetta
Mossy leopard frog
Hiding near the water's edge
So still and quiet
Until footsteps approach you
Jump! Splash! Off you go to swim!
I was reminded when I used to walk next to a nearby stream just after a rainstorm. Hearing my footsteps, frogs would jump from the soggy water’s edge and hide in the stream with a plunk, plunk, plunk.
I hope everyone is finding time to be outdoors now that spring is here. If you have a blog to share, add your URL below.