It seems I’ve been all over the place this week, starting it in Iowa four hours from my home and ending it at our cabin, back home, and then three hours in the other direction to our cabin. It’s a snowy day here in the upper midwest.
There’s a lot you can notice when you drive and it’s snowing. Not far from my home, as I headed north, I saw two bald eagles land in a cornfield. It was a cool sight and I actually considered stopping to drive back and get a photo. But, on a day like today with snow flurries flying it was not an option. I drove on.
I noticed how the flakes made the landscape look like an impressionist painting, dotting everything with white, like pixelation in a painting or screen. The gnarly branches of the bur oak always attract my attention in the winter. Their black-grey bark stands out against stark fields of browns and lifeless overcast sky. I drove on.
The road was glassy as the rain-snow mix hit the pavement and coated it with liquid wetness that would soon solidify into a sheer sheet of slick ice. Carefully, I drove on.
My mind slid in and out of poetry composition as I drove. This morning, having trouble with the first wordle posted by the New York Times, I was writing a poem on anti-establishment in my head.
It went something like this:
Anti-establishment
Do you like not being told what to do?
Are committee meetings just not for you?
I seemed to like the puzzle better yesterday
Before it had support all the way.
More fun when it fit on my screen,
and gray not black cast a gentler sheen.
I think I’m anti-establishment
because I can’t find a better-word-for-it!
© Draft, Carol Labuzzetta, 2022
My poem is supposed to be tongue-in-cheek. Of course, just because I don’t like today’s puzzle doesn’t mean I’m anti-establishment. But, I did wonder when I was trying the puzzle this morning (and having difficulty) if the puzzles would start to take on an agenda (political) now that Wordle is owned by a large newspaper. As a lover of words, I hope not. I just want to enjoy the puzzle not succumb to more bombardment of rhetoric in the form of a game.
We’ll see. I’ll continue to play for now.
Today is Poetry Friday! Linda B.at Teacher Dance is our host this week. Hop on over to her page for some Valentine inspirations! Thanks for hosting, Linda!
The Apples in My Orchard 
Carol, I thought your intro writing was your poem. I loved reading about your driving and sharing what you saw. But the connection to Wordle and finding that “right” word is such fun. I hadn’t noticed much difference in the NYT Wordle. I just did today’s, what everyone might get if these terrible conflicts continue! : ) Happy Valentine’s Day!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Carol, I agree with Linda that your writing about your driving was reflective, engaging, impressionistic like the snowy landscape. My Wordle looks and acts exactly the same today and yesterday as it did on Thursday, but I did notice a repetition of one syllable Fri and today, which suprises me. I hope you can continue to enjoy!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Heidi! I am glad you were engaged by my drive writing descriptions. I am continuing with Wordle. I am still getting a different vibe, but am wondering if it is all in my head. However, another FB friend feels the same. It now looks like it did before the NYT’s owned it which makes me happy!
LikeLike
Thanks, Linda! Happy Valentine’s Day to you! I am glad you liked my driving descriptions. I did the same on our return trip home yesterday and hope to compose a poem from both trips. The Wordle is what it is…I am still trying to enjoy it – although I still feel a different vibe (probably in my head). Thanks.
LikeLike
I noticed how the flakes made the landscape look like an impressionist painting, dotting everything with white, like pixelation in a painting or screen. The gnarly branches of the bur oak always attract my attention in the winter. Their black-grey bark stands out against stark fields of browns and lifeless overcast sky. – what a beautiful description and the opening photo is gorgeous. I captured that photo for my gallery because it will make a winter statement.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Carol! I appreciate your kind support!
LikeLike
I really enjoyed reading about what you noticed as you were driving. I’m sure these images will become a poem someday!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Right you are, Linda! We returned home yesterday and I catalogued in my head what we saw on the way so I can add the the imagery! Thanks for stopping by!
LikeLike
I loved accompanying you on your journey as you drove on and drove on. The images in your third paragraph are especially lovely. Your photo is gorgeous and I hope your Wordle worries are misfounded.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you! I think the wordle issues are my imagination – unfounded. I am continuing to enjoy the puzzle each day.
LikeLike
Such a beautiful snowy photo! Ruth, thereisnosuchthingasagodforsakentown.blogspot.com
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Ruth!
LikeLike