As February draws to a close, I’ve slowed down on my participation in Laura Shovan’s challenge, and sadly, I am now several prompts behind at this point. Still, participating has been a fabulous experience. I’ve learned so much from seeing other’s poems and interpretations of each prompt. There are some mighty creative people out there!
During this month I’ve been struck by how my initial thoughts on what I might write sometimes shift and change dramatically. I posted about this in my SOL post on Tuesday. It happened again when Alice Tabor-Nine posted some beautiful photos of Crater Lake.
photo by Alice Tabor-Nine
My initial efforts focused on the bird’s eye view, the brilliant blue, the magical Wizard’s Island. Then, I remembered our long-ago plans to visit Crater Lake and how they were suddenly altered.
Our Trip to Crater Lake
Once upon a time, long, long ago, hidden turmoil brewed.
Then, one day, it could no longer be contained.
The volcano burst, cataclysmically altering the scene.
Hot, violent tears erupted in a steady flow.
We diverted to Urgent Care…
double ear infection
©Molly Hogan, 2020
This week Karen Edmisten is hosting the Poetry Friday Roundup at her blog. She’s sharing a poem about February 29th by Jane Hirschfield. Perfect timing! Stop by and check it out!
Nix the comfort zone 
Wow. Not at all what I was expecting, Molly. But I like what you’ve done – how you’ve crafted your poem. And I am in awe of that stunning photo! Where is Crater Lake?
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Crater Lake is in Oregon. I still would love to visit someday…
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I, too, was taken by surprise by the ending of your poem. Very creative twist and what a bummer you did not get to visit Crater Lake. When asked my favorite color of blue, my answer is ‘Crater Lake Blue’. Hopefully, you will get there one day because this, too, still has ‘hidden turmoil building’. Enjoyed your post!
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I love that your favorite color is “Crater Lake Blue!”
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I think your poem accurately many days in my family’s life when the kids were little. Somehow we manage to contain those volcanoes! Very creative!
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Don’t even get me started on Disney World and chicken pox! lol (I can laugh now!)
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Thanks for the surprise at the end, again! Your writing keeps me engaged wondering where is she going! Love the destinations that you take me.
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Thanks, Dan. I’m glad you enjoyed the destination. I would rather have seen Crater Lake! lol
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Have you been to Crater Lake? Deepest blue I have ever seen. And the narrowest roads with drop-offs of hundreds of feet beyond the white lines this side of Going-to-the-Sun road at Glacier National Park. Oh, did you know ever know I was such a shameless name/park dropper?
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Sadly, we never did make it there. I’m not sure I’d like the narrowest roads with drop-offs though… You’re my go-to expert on national parks!
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I love the surprise ending of Urgent Care. Sorry you missed that trip, though. I’ve never seen Crater Lake myself and have yet to respond to the prompt.
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This was my best month of participation ever. I only missed one and hope to get to it…someday! I did end up signed up for the SOLC. Fingers crossed!
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I look forward to reading your posts. This will be the first year in 8 that I have not done it but I’m afraid I will use it as an excuse to not tackle the manuscripts I need to finish.
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I was really on the fence but decided I’d rather try and fail than not sign up at all. I also just read a fabulous essay and it made me realize that I really miss writing prose.
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I also was surprised, but having had a son who struggled with ear infections, it brought me back. Coincidentally, I’ve been reading “Krakatoa” by Simon Winchester and the havoc it caused. Wonderful picture!
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I imagine that must be a fascinating book!
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You surprised me with the ending! We’ve had similar trips. 🙂
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Perhaps such trips are a rite of parenting. This one certainly wasn’t our only one!
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Powerful response poem Molly–intriguing analogy between the ever present, possible erupting volcano- and the erupting tears of an oh so painful ear infection–and it was a double–wow, so sorry.
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That is the best ever aerial photo I have seen of crater lake. Ear infections, chicken pox, isn’t that why we have children to make our lives interesting. Sorry you missed the trip, but I enjoyed the post.
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Thanks for stopping by and commenting. Those unexpected bumps in the road do make trips more memorable! PS We saved chicken pox for Disney World. lol
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