Today is Poetry Friday. If you are wondering what Poetry Friday is click here, where author Renee M. LaTulippe explains the gathering that takes place on Fridays. Our host today is Catherine at Reading to the Core. Please visit Catherine’s page to participate or to read some great poetry from fellow writer’s. Thank you for hosting, Catherine!
My inspiration for today’s post comes from a fellow blogger, Carol Varsalona. Carol has been an inspiration to me over the past few years with her poetry, her willingness to connect and provide support, and over-all friendliness across a digital medium. We’ve both lived in the east, although are now living in different states. Following Carol’s lead, I decided to try some image poems. She regularly offers this type of poem in a gallery style format that works exceedingly well to engage the reader both visually and through words.
Since another hobby of mine is nature photography, this type of image poetry is a great fit for me. This week is my first try at this type of poetry. I used images of my own, both from my yard and my recent travels to my parents in New York State. Then, I crafted haiku from the image. I’m not sure if this is what is supposed to be done, but it is how I worked at my first image poems. Please visit Carol’s blog at Beyond Literacy Link to view her work and the gallery she has created. Thank you for the inspiration, Carol!
The Apples in My Orchard 
Carol, I was not expecting the beginning portion of your PF blog. I am honored by your thoughts. Yes, you are correct in starting with a picture prompt and then, collecting your thoughts that rise from silent observation. Sometimes, the words or a single word leads the process. Other times, it takes many drafts to construct an image poem. The visual quality of a vibrant nature photo with a poem (format is optional) offers a strong attachment to the poet’s thoughts and nature’s beauty. I do like what you accomplished with your autumn poems and hope that you will offer the first and last one for my upcoming fall gallery. I am trying to devise a catchy title that will invite others to create. The muse was with you. I look forward to sharing nature’s touches with you this season.
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Carol, my sincere thanks and appreciation to you. I will offer the two poems you like for your autumn gallery, as you asked. Shall I just email them to you? My favorite photography subject is nature!
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Sounds good, Carol.
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Love this idea – thanks for sharing!
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Sure! It is not mine but I love the idea, too!
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Your ‘wild romance’ poem and photo are swoon-worthy, Carol. And I love when fellow poets inspire each other. The PF community is the best. 🙂
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I agree, Bridget, with your sentiment about the Poetry Friday community! It is so wonderfully supportive! Thank you!
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Carol, wow. Beautiful photos and accompanying poems. I love the whorled milkweed pods with their thin brown seeds. Thank you for sharing your artwork.
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Thanks for stopping by Denise! I’m glad you like the whorled milkweed. I think their pods are fascinating.
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Pairing images with poems is a wonderful way to inspire creativity.
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I am very often inspired by nature. Being able to take photographs of my favorite scenes fills me with joy – I just wish I had a better storage system! Lol! Thanks, Margaret!
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I love all three of your image poems! I was excited to see whorled milkweed — I bought one a few weeks ago and can’t wait to see the blooms that produce these long thin pods!
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Thanks, Mary Lee. I had sent a response to you but now do not see it. Would you like a photo of how the whorled milkweed blooms look? I have several from this summer. Let me know. Sometimes it’s also nice to be surprised so if you do not want to see them, that’s fine too.
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These are wonderful! Ruth, thereisnosuchthingasagodforsakentown.blogspot.com
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Thank you, Ruth. I hope you are well.
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Writing from a photo is always so satisfying–each artwork is elevated by the other! I especially like the profusion of “Wild Romance”–it made me laugh!
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Thanks, Heidi! Yes, everyone needs a little “Wild Romance!” LOL.
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Lovely images and poems Carol, I especially like your acorn haiku, i’ve been collecting them, chestnuts and katalpa pods for my watercolor class, thanks!
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Thanks so much! I hope your class is going well. My oldest son picked up watercolor painting last year, as a way to be creative and also have some stress relief (he’s in his last year of school for a PhD). I envy those who can paint!
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I feel you’ve nailed your brief, Carol. These are great I’m a wee-bit jealous of your Wild Romance.
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