Taking pictures helps me stay balanced. It forces me to slow down, to notice, to appreciate. It gets me out of my house and out of my head. It reminds me that even when things are ugly, there’s so much beauty in the world.
I rarely take photographs of people. I prefer to focus my lens on the wonders of nature. But on a recent walk with my husband and daughter, we stumbled upon a hillside meadow filled with bursting milkweed plants. I struggled to capture the wonder of the glowing milkweed strands in the lowering autumn light.
And then I saw my daughter doing this.
a hopeful breath
one generation seeds the next
thistledown wishes
©Molly Hogan
This week I also found time to respond to another photo, shared as a prompt in Margaret Simon’s weekly “This Photo Wants To Be A Poem”.
November’s steady amber gaze
transfigures feathered grass
autumn alchemy
©Molly Hogan
And then, as it so often does, my drive to work provided me with another moment to savor.
autumn morning
fog rises to greet the sun
day breaks in collage
©Molly Hogan
This week’s Poetry Friday is hosted by Robyn Hood Black at her blog of all things poetic and artistic, Life on the Deckle Edge. And what a post she has today! She’s highlighting a poem by Margaret Simon (Reflections on the Teche) and shining the light on a bountiful array of new books and possible gift ideas. So many poetic folk have all sorts of other artistic talents! It’s a perfectly timed post for those who have yet to start shopping (or even thinking about shopping) and have some book loving friends and relatives on their list. Be sure to check it out!
Nix the comfort zone 
I loved the fog, the transfigured grass and the idea of seeding the next generation of thistledown. You’ve capture such beauty in your photos and haiku.
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Thanks, Janice. Like I said, it’s a source of comfort for me.
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Your photo/poem response of your daughter blowing the milkweed plants is what gives us hope: “one generation seeds the next” – yes. 🙂
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I’m looking hard for hopeful signs these days.
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Your small poems alongside the photographs carry on a conversation that is sacred and peaceful.
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Thank you so much, Margaret. They certainly bring peace and serenity to me. (except when I can’t find the dang word that I want!)
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Oh, my goodness…slowing down, getting out of my head, finding the beauty in the world. Yes, yes, and yes! I love your photos…and that photo of your daughter with the small poem is a winner. Thank you, Molly for capturing and sharing beauty. It’s good medicine.
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There’s so much good medicine out there if we look for it! Thanks, Linda!
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I have a picture of my youngest granddaughter blowing dandelion seed (when she was very young). It with yours & the poem brings so much hope to me, Molly. I love your pictures always. We have very little fog here in dry Colorado, so that final picture is awesome, “day breaks in collage” – agree! Thanks for every bit!
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Thanks, Linda. I love the fog and the mysterious way it transforms the scene from moment to moment. I can’t imagine living somewhere without it!
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I have been thinking of you this week especially – remembering our shared day together, 12months ago. And then you share these beauties. Your poetry is always a breath of beauty – but your thistledown wishes is just exquisite. That second line…🧡 And the photo on your drive to work – I am astounded at how much it captures a depth of softness.
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It’s so hard to believe that was 12 months ago! Wow! What a lovely memory. I only wish we’d had more time to hang out!
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Molly, I’ve long loved the imagery of dandelion fluff in the wind, which is what your thistledown photos call to mind. Hopeful breath, one generation seeding the next – perfect, and paired perfectly with that marvelous photo of your daughter. Isn’t thistledown a grand word? It begs a poem! Again – I love your poem to the waving grasses photo – “alchemy” is one of my favorite words. Oh, the alchemy you employed in combing it with “autumn” – those two words have been swirling in my head like dancing leaves ever since I read them.
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Thanks!! I love the word “alchemy” also, Fran, and I’m pretty sure I’ve overused it a time or two. lol The final sentence in your comment is like a poem in itself!
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Just so you know — your photos and words work the same magic on ME. Thank you for providing moments to pause, ponder, breathe…
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What a lovely comment, MaryLee. Thank you so much!
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Molly, you have such a sharp eye for natural beauty. I know how you feel when you are behind the camera. It is a moment of a great find, one that lets you lose the thoughts of the world and find inner joy. Today, we took a jaunt to the beach but it was so cold with the wind kicking up that I had to walk back to the car. The sky was glistening like a million diamonds floating on a sea of blue. I wish I caught it on camera but that will be for another time. “day breaks in collage” a stunning connection to what what is front of you…
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You captured how I feel so well! There is such joy for me when I wander about with my camera in hand early in the morning. I always see something that stops me in my tracks. Such wonders in our world!
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Thanks for bringing us all some balance! Your photo of your daughter, even without the poignancy of the family closeness, paired with the haiku is so moving. They all are. You are at your best as photopoet!
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Thanks so much, Heidi. The photopoet stuff is great fun and tremendously rewarding.
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Ahhh… how could anyone not leave your blog feeling calmer after a post like this one! Your photos and poems are beautiful, Molly—no surprise there, only delight. The gorgeous photo of your daughter reminds me of one Miranda’s middle school art teacher took of her blowing bubbles several years ago.
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Ah, thanks, Michelle! There’s something about kids with bubbles that makes for magic photos.
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Thank you for this mini-feast of wonder, Molly – and that photo of your daughter IS pure magic.
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Thanks so much, Robyn. I rarely take photos of people, but this one is close to my heart.
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Such beautiful pairings of words and pictures, Molly. I especially love the poem inspired by the photo of your daughter.
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Thank you so much. To be honest, I sometimes feel like I’m cheating a bit when I combine photos and poems. I’m so glad you enjoyed these.
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I also like “one generation seeds the next.” Beautiful, Molly!
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Thanks, Tabatha. I knew I wanted to write a poem to that image, but it took me a while to figure out what I wanted to say.
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