Happy Poetry Friday! I’m sharing some art and poems that were inspired by and begun while in Door County, WI. My first poem is a golden shovel that I built from Langston Hughes’ poem Dreams.
DREAMS
What shall we hold …
A watery day fading fast
filled with inspiration to
build dreams.
© 2018 Michelle Kogan
DREAMS
by Langston Hughes
Hold fast to dreams
For if dreams die
Life is a broken-winged bird
That cannot fly.
Read the rest of the poem at the Academy of American Poets.
DOOR COUNTY’S BOUNTY
wildflower waters–
summer’s mingling by the sand
waiting for castles of kindness,
thankful to be wrapped in nature’s
windswept breezes and caressed
by lake michigan’s waves.
© 2018 Michelle Kogan
On our return trip along Lake Michigan we found more Monarch’s pollinating milkweed.
Mary Lee Hahn is hosting this weeks Poetry Friday Roundup at her blog A Year of Reading, thanks Mary Lee! Stop by her blog for this weeks poetry feast …
Michelle Kogan Illustration, Painting, & Writing 
Enjoying your words and artwork. Thanks!
Thanks Kathy!
Michelle — this is gorgeous! I feel like I’m right there, enjoying the cool lake on “a watery day fading fast.”
Thanks Laura–you’re welcome to dive in …
Michelle–I love this painting. The colors are gorgeous and I love the mood and all the lake activity. It’s such a lovely slice of summer, and its perfectly augmented by your poems. I especially like your golden shovel, probably because I’m a huge fan of Langston Hughes “Dreams.” Judging by this post, you must have thoroughly enjoyed your time in Wisconsin!
Thanks Molly, this area is known as the Cape Cod of the midwest–with rocky shores and all. The scenery is beautiful and poor reception keeps one focused more on taking in the nature.
What bounty you have held, Michelle. Each part demands long looks. It is a beautiful place that’s new to me. Thanks for sharing so much. Your painting is exquisite!
Thanks Linda, definitely a place to visit if you can–chock full of nature and art!
Your posts are always like treasure chests, Michelle. Art, poetry, photos, videos… You just keep giving. Thank you!
Why, thank you Sally!
Your painting could be a travel poster for Door County! I love all the art and writing you are gleaning from your trip!
Thanks Mary Lee–it’s a very inspiring area!
I too am inhaling a refreshing breath of sea-breeze with this gorgeous post, Michelle. Lovely! (Adore that painting.)
Thanks Kat!
Gasp! The painting at the top of this post is lovely. I love the sailboats and the reflections and the playful people. I’m curious, how long does it take you to paint such a piece? You have new art every week and I am so impressed at your productivity!
Hold fast to dreams, indeed…and make sure you don’t just hold them. Go live them. I feel like this summer has been some dream living for me. And, it’s been wonderful.
Thanks Linda! Maybe 4-6 hours on this one, each one is different. I worked on it while at the lake and then 2 other times after. Yes let’s keep those dreams and live them!
Beautiful! Golden shovel poetry is so hard, but you make a gorgeous one. The painting is amazing. I don’t know how you manage to do so much with watercolor.
Thanks Brenda, It’s the same as writing–you keep at it all the time.
So true!
Michelle, how exciting to have a lovely holiday that inspires your writing and drawing. How about sharing this with at my new gallery, The Art of Summering? http://beyondliteracylink.blogspot.com/2018/08/the-art-of-summering.html You could use your still photo as the backdrop for the Door’s County Bounty poem and the drawing for Dreams. I know that your artwork sparkles up the galleries I create.
Thanks Carol, I’d be happy to send the art and poetry your way! I look forward to this next gallery.
Oooo. Castles of kindness. Love that, Michelle! I had my first crop of successful milkweed this year, so I, too have been enjoying a seemingly endless recital of butterfly dances this summer. I hope you’ll join in my bird poem challenge in two weeks. Cheers!
Your art and poetry are something to savor.
Thanks so much Jone!
Oh Michelle, thank you so much for sharing the video. I felt I was right in the scene. It felt good to be there.
Thanks Diane!!!
Such lovely poems from your inspiration! I’ve been enjoying watching the monarchs and other butterflies visit my pollinator garden.
Thanks Kay—I know that feeling watching the butterflies 🦋 it’s magical1
Summer’s by the lake are magical! Your lovely painting and poems make me feel as if I were there. Thank you for sharing!
Oh how I wish I was by the water, and not trapped at my desk here in the baking city!!
Hope you get to take some breaks Jane.