Happy Poetry Friday!
My poem below was inspired by Margaret Simon’s blog post yesterday for, THIS PHOTO WANTS TO BE A POEM, on her blog Reflections on the Teche. I substituted a bicycle photo of my own, so do drop by her blog and view the enchanting photo there. I’m sharing my poem here, as I missed posting on her blog. Thanks for your posting Margaret!
CYCLING MEMORIES
Carry me away
in my imagination,
where sunflowers
camouflage sorrow,
and old bicycles bring
back bygone memories
of bold adventures, and
percolating dreams.
But, don’t even
think another
thought—
till you’re
there…
© 2021 Michelle Kogan
My mind’s thoughts have been on the rising Covid Delta variant, and the wildfires both occurring around our small planet. Both devastating in the lives they are uprooting and mercilessness consequences.
Here’s a very new diamante poem with these world thoughts in mind:
WORLD BALANCE…
breath…
calm deep
exhale, inhale, pause,
focus trust — despair confusion
rattle choke extinguish
chaotic insensible
absence.
© 2021 Michelle Kogan
Coming soon as a giclée print and card in my online Etsy Shop…
we all share our moon
genderless, politic-less
she/he/they shine on…
© 20201 Michelle Kogan
And on a slightly lighter note… Watch for the Perseid Meteor Shower on August 12th and 13th after 12:00 midnight, follow the link for more info.
Christie Wyman at her blog Wondering and Wandering is hosting this week’s Poetry Friday Roundup, thanks Christie! Last week Christie put out a call to write a few lines on what Poetry Is… to add to the communal poem she is building . Stop by this week to share the fruits of that poem — and for your fill of more poetry!
Michelle Kogan Illustration, Painting, & Writing 
I’ve got some thoughts in a similar vein this week, Michelle – thank you for your sensitive words and art, and for the “bold-adventure” bicycle memories. Thanks, too, for the Perseids reminder. I’ve been popping outside to look up!
Michelle, your first poem strikes me as one to nourish my summer soul, especially with this line: where sunflowers
camouflage sorrow
Of course, I do like your environmental concerns, poetry, and artwork. Thanks for the reminder to look up. Have a great weekend.
I did not write but saw that bicycle pic, reminding me of my old and beloved bicycle I had as a child. The line Carol chose is a favorite of mine too, grabbing onto beauty as a way to keep going while “sunflowers camouflage sorrow”. The environment news is no surprise, just wishing it weren’t so for my grandchildren. Today is the first day in many that the smoke has lifted here, but I am sad for those fires, have a nephew & wife suffering from the constant smoke though not in a fire zone. Thanks for all your caring, Michelle!
I love this truth:
“sunflowers
camouflage sorrow”
And although it’s hard to swallow, it’s another kind of truth that your diamante begins with positives and ends with despair…kind of how I’m feeling these days…
Thanks for the shout out. I love your photo, too, and how sunflowers camouflage sorrow, such a happy flower. Your diamanté is powerful. I especially like “rattle, choke, extinguish”. Here’s hoping and praying.
This: sunflowers camouflage sorrow. And your World Breath and Lunar Moon is exquisite.
Thank you for this thoughtful collection of poems and beautiful art. I love this phrase:
“where sunflowers
camouflage sorrow,”
it says so much about what it feels like to try to walk through the world in this moment – aware of so much tragedy, and yet trying not to lose focus of the beautiful moments that still surround us.
Isn’t it so true–old bicycles bring back old memories. They are so romantic, those old bikes. A wonderful post. I’m also keeping an eye on the covid numbers. I go to school with teachers today. I hope nobody is bringing it into the building.
I’ll keep you in my thoughts Linda. I’m returning to in-person classes in a few weeks, and I have those same concerns… I’m looking forward to reading your post later today, for yesterday, we moved my daughter out of house to her first apartment in the city—a 3rd floor walkup. So glad we had the well greased muscles of my son and brother. Thanks for stopping by ☺️🦋🐝
Michelle, I love the memories evoked in your bicycle poem. So beautiful, and then the abrupt being there. It made me want to go ride a bike! Something I look forward to doing again when I move home. Another favorite here is your moon poem. It has a huge message that our world needs today. “we all share” as this queen shines on. Thank you!