Double-crested cormorants standing guard on the jetty,
Footprints in the sand,
My own earbud on the ground too many times,
A Northern mockingbird,
A sign saying the snack bar is open
(It wasn’t.),
Chestnut hunters, and a man with a stick,
A birthday ribbon in the dirt,
One lobster boat,
A flat Long Island Sound,
Doldrums for a sailor, and
Perfect for water skiing,
Should one be so inclined.
*****
An aspect of participating in Poetry Friday that I especially enjoy is that it puts me in a poetic frame of mind, and one thing leads to another. In this case, I was taking a walk at the nearby state park and started taking pictures of flowers with my phone. That turned into collecting other images in my head, and when I got back to the car, I scribbled everything down on an envelope. Lists, process, projects, themes, ways in: all fun things to think about when you’re looking around with the Poetry Friday lens.
An earlier version of this post, with additional photos, appeared on Instagram. You’ll find the Poetry Friday roundup at Matt Forrest Esenwine’s blog today.
I’m always moving so quickly these days, rushing rushing rushing. I always appreciate a reminder to be in the moment and observe the world around me. 🙂
Ha, Tabatha! The chestnut hunters are human in this case. I see them every fall. The park does have plenty of squirrels, though. Thanks for stopping by.
Susan, your list poem evolved from being in the moment on your walk. You were so observant. One of the sightings was the man in a thong. Shall I laugh or sigh? I have not seen that ever on the beaches of Long Island. I enjoyed reading your poem.
Carol, it was a fun day for a walk, and I did get tickled about the folks in bathing suits. To me, it seemed a little too chilly! But for the dedicated sun-tanners, I guess not. Thanks for visiting!
I’m a sucker for a list poem, Susan and yours has a rich diversity of ingredients drawing me ever onward. Walking provides the poet with such a treasure trove of potential possibilities and you had your antenna finely tuned.
I’m laughing…”tan man in a thong”… not an image I want to sit with– Imagine his reaction if he knew he made it into a poem! But I do love this list of observations and especially that “flat Long Island sound.” Thank you, Susan.
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