Every year the hydrangea puts on a show in my garden. Even this summer, when much of the state of Maine is in moderate drought, it’s persisted in its effusive blossoming. It looks like it’s in a perpetual state of celebration.
Summer Garden
hydrangea blossoms drift
in bold cumulous clouds
still no rain
©Molly Hogan
After taking a year off last year, I opted to join in the Poetry Swap again this summer. I chose to participate in 3 of the 5 swaps and have enjoyed both creating and receiving. A huge thank you to Tabatha Yeatts for organizing all the fun!
For my first swap, Margaret Simon sent me a clothbound notebook with several of my photos inside, accompanied by her elegant haiku. She invited me to fill the remaining pages, writing, “A conversation perhaps, from poet to poet, photo to poem, and space for your own”– A personal gift and a lovely invitation.
In my second swap, Patricia Franz sent me a dazzling Chagall postcard with a poem inspired by the Chicago skyline and rich with imagery and metaphor.
(panels 3 and 4)
Chicago – for Molly Hogan
bridges hopscotch a ribboned river
emerald green relief for ageing architected towers
standing shoulder to shoulder like fellow immigrants
in a photograph for posterity
the burly and the refined,
both weathered and worn by the same wind
that welcomed them, daring
to reinvent themselves
to do history’s hard work
July 4, 2022
©draft, Patricia J. Franz
I also finally dove into my copy of Buffy Silverman‘s newest book, “On a Gold-Blooming Day: Finding Fall Treasure”. Wow! What a beauty! I hope you’ll go check out my review here.
Overall this week, I’m feeling grateful for poetry in words and in my garden.
This week’s Poetry Friday Roundup is hosted by Marcie Flinchum Atkins at her blog. She’s sharing information about the Sealey Challenge and some of her strategies, along with a lovely haiku.
Nix the comfort zone 
Gorgeous hydrangeas! Love them as “cumulous clouds!” You’ve had some great swaps so far. Sadly, your third swapper is likely to be late sending your poem…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Likewise on your next swap! lol
LikeLike
The Chagall, the “cumulous clouds,” the “fellow immigrants” & the rest of that wonderful poem. Lots to admire here today! Thank you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for stopping by. Summer offers many gifts, doesn’t it? The Poetry Swap is a lovely part of that!
LikeLike
Your hydrangea is gorgeous as is your haiku. My hydrangeas did terrible this year.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sorry to hear about your hydrangea! Mine seems to be utterly fearless– I could learn a lot from it!
LikeLike
I love the image of hydrangea’s as drifting clouds — and I’m really going to have to up my poetry swap swag next year (lol)!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Your Poetry Swap was perfect! I love how you connected your poem to that gorgeous Chagall piece 🙂
LikeLike
Molly, nature is celebrating it opulent blossoms in your garden and you as a photographer-poet added a unique perspective on the happening. My, your swaps are different and yet so rich in their poetic messages. Enjoy the remaining parts of summer before school begins.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m definitely trying to grasp the elusive sands of August in both hands! I hope your summer has been rich and rewarding as well.
LikeLike
Love your “cumulous clouds” “hydrangea blossoms” Molly, perhaps Mother Nature will hear your call and send some rain… Thanks for sharing your yellow nature filled and Chagall city inspired poetry swaps, what treasures!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Michelle. Those blossoms are right outside my window each morning and strike such a positive note. I am grateful for them!
LikeLike
That’s a stunning haiku–I love your metaphor and how it comments on what’s actually happening. Beautiful–and a reminder that there are wondrous things all around, even when there’s a drought of physical or emotional origins going on!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Laura. The more I learn about haiku, the more intimidated I am to write it! lol
LikeLike
Agree with Laura–perfect third line, “still no rain.” And what nice gifts you’ve received, so personal. You sound more…rested, Molly. ((()))
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Heidi. I’m not sure if I’m more rested or not. lol Can’t wait to catch up on Thursday and hear all about your travels!
LikeLike
I miss my hydrangeas – at the house, we just moved from. They do put on a show! I do not have any at the lake house in bloom. I am glad you are enjoying the poetry swap and summer gifts of exchanging thoughts with other creative people. I missed the call for this or perhaps elected not to participate due to my move. Oh, well. Next time.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ve also opted in and out of the Poetry Swap depending on what’s going on in my life. There’s only so much time and energy, right? A lake house move sounds divine!!! (although I’m sure the process of effecting it was more mundane) Doesn’t Tabatha offer a winter swap as well around the holidays? Maybe that would be good timing for you 🙂 Enjoy your new home!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Molly! I’ll look for future swaps. I’m taking August off from posting to Poetry Friday so we’ll see when I come back if anything has been posted yet. Where in Maine are you? We are headed for Acadia in September.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Acadia in September! Lucky you!! Have you been before? I’m about 2 1/2 hours south of there.
LikeLiked by 1 person
No, it’ll be our first trip there. We are on somewhat of a National Park kick. The son of a good friend is getting married in Buffalo (we used to live there). So, we are coming in for that and leaving our dog with my sister in law – going to head to Acadia for three nights – staying in Bar Harbor and then to the Uplands? at Moosehead Lake for two nights. Any place else you’d recommend?
LikeLike
What a celebration in this post! Love that last line, “still no rain.” And, the beautiful book from Margaret. Yes, let’s have poet conversations. And Chagall’s artwork with poetry? Swoon.
LikeLiked by 1 person
We’ve had a bit of rain here and there, but I just read that we need 6 inches this month to come out of drought. Yikes…
LikeLike