Happy Poetry Friday! I took a break one morning, before going off to teach and started this poem. I think it began as a Fib, but don’t remember. I had every intention of sketching the view through my studio window that inspired the poem. But alas, when the view was there I wasn’t available, so it’s a bit of a memory sketch.
STILLNESS OF TREETOPS
Time
to
take in
the stillness
of treetops in the
morning’s curving, autumnal leaves.
Swaying , weeping willow’s whisper,
stoic cedars still as statues,
leafless trees but proud–
All singing
season’s
so
long.
© 2017 Michelle Kogan
I’m sharing Mary Oliver reading her poem WILD GEESE, from Krista Tippett’s interview with her ON BEING.
Jane at Raincity Librarian is hosing the Poetry Friday Roundup. Thanks for hosting Jane and all the best with your NEW BOOK!
Michelle Kogan Illustration, Painting, & Writing 
Two beautiful poems and a lovely sketch to boot! So much beauty in one post. I love the alliteration in “weeping willow’s whisper”.
Thanks Sally, the beauty was there in nature, waiting to be found.
All wonderful, Michelle. I envy you your ability to capture a moment in both words and art. These are beautiful, love that you ended with “so long”, a farewell not often used anymore. Happy Thanksgiving!
Thanks Linda, nature calls and is close to my heart. So many ways to say goodbye–I did consider farewell, but so long won out.
So lovely. “Leafless trees but proud . . . ” You captured such a beautiful moment and I love the vantage point of being above the treetops.
Thanks Jama, the scene through my studio window and p.o.v. inspired the poem and sketch.
Yes, I am in awe of your ability to capture the beauty of a moment on both words and images. These are lovely.
Thanks Kay, my nature muse inspires me in both areas!
Me three. 🙂 And I also love that we got a peek out of your studio window in the process. 🙂
Thanks Kat, she’s a great muse, my window view!
I’m enjoying the sketches and paintings that you share here and on social media, Michelle. Your poem reminds me of the old part of my town. Standing on the hilltop, you can look out over rooftops from the 2000s, 1900s, even 1800s, all gathered on the slope.
Thanks Laura! That sounds like an inspiring spot you have, I’d probably enjoy it too!
What a beautiful poem and painting.
Thanks Brenda!
Your sketch hits the spot, Michelle. It’s interesting how, for me, the word “curving” brings to mind leaves that are dry, curved over in their brittleness. Just one word can set a whole scene in my head!
Hi Tabatha, well those leaves, the one’s still holding on were not all crinkled up yet–but if they can hold on long enough they might. I was captured by the curving downward direction the leaves have taken, I don’t remember them being that way–but now I want to check in the spring. Thanks!