We spent Christmas in Philadelphia, visiting our oldest daughter in her recently adopted city. We had a wonderful time, but it reaffirmed for me how much of a country girl I have become, and how far away Philadelphia (and thus my daughter) is from Maine. 
The city hustle bustles
outside my rented window
Still my eye is drawn
to the silhouetted trees
backlit by the advent of dawn
M. Hogan (c) 2017
Our last morning arrived and it was time to leave–happy to head back to our country home after a dose of city, but so sad to say goodbye.
This week’s Poetry Friday Roundup, the last of 2017!, is hosted by Heidi Mordhorst at My Juicy Little Universe who is celebrating trees today. Make sure to stop on by and end your year with some poetry.
Nix the comfort zone 
Short and sweet. Love it. Of course, I love your long and sweet, too!
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It was definitely a bittersweet visit. Happy New Year to you and Hannah!
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Love your first poem and photo and the idea of seeing the beauty despite the bustle!
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Thanks, B.J. There is beauty in the city, but my eye is definitely tuned to natural beauty 🙂
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I love both your poems and can relate to having daughters living far away. The image of the sunrise with dawn coming too soon is especially poignant. Time just seems to keep passing us by.
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Thanks, Margaret. The clock in our air bnb ticked quite loudly, driving the point home!
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I love your sunset and sunrise. I love how dark and mysterious you made the city with your words and photo. I imagine Maine is waiting to receive you back with open arms, enfolding branches.
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Thanks, Brenda. Maine’s embrace is welcoming, but frigid!
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A wood stove and a hot toddy, perhaps?
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I’m a city slicker through and through, and have a similar feeling when I visited my mum in the country – I love it, but part of me always yearns for the hustle and bustle, and I’m always happy to return home! 🙂
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There’s much to love about the city—for a visit! lol
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I love living in the country and find my nourishment in the woods and waters, but I also feel the pull of the city. Your first poem captures that for me. I enjoy the hustle and bustle for a while, but am then ready to return to my quiet woods.
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I found myself focusing a lot on the nature in the city–birds, trees, etc. 🙂
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Morning always comes too soon when it’s time to leave my son’s home in Virginia, too. Thank you for sharing your lovely words and images. Glad you had such a wonderful holiday! Happy New Year!
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Happy New Year to you and yours, Catherine!
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Stunning. I can take just so much city and then I’m ready to head for home, too. Bundle up. This polar vortex is going to be with us for a bit. Happy New Year! — Christie
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Thanks, Christie. I’m appreciating nature through my windows these days! Brrr! Stay warm and Happy New Year to you as well.
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Lovely Molly! I can totally relate. Though I live in town, I gravitate toward nature–the streams, the wooded paths, the gardens. But still, love’s pull is stronger than surroundings, isn’t it. Happy New Year!
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Love’s pull is indeed mighty, Violet!
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I’ve been thinking lots about love’s pull this holiday. The pull remains even when the person on the other end is gone.
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So true, Mary Lee.
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Stunning photos, Molly–and isn’t it interesting how the people you’re with affect the place you’re in? And maybe vice versa. Tick tock. Happy New Year!
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Tick, tock, indeed. Happy New Year, Heidi!
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I just had a ‘goodbye’ this am, so your poem touched me a lot, Molly. Each of our children make their own way, I know, but far away means goodbyes too soon as you so beautifully wrote! Happy New Year!
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I’m still adjusting to this far-away thing–not always gracefully. Happy New Year to you, too, Linda!
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These are beautiful Molly in both image and words, such intoxicating richness in the colors. Everything is poured into your haiku with so few words, the ominous buildings and having to leave, heartstrings pulled, yet spectacular colors, thanks.
Happy New Year!
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Thanks, Michelle! It was a moment rich in color and sentiment. I’m so glad that came through.
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