March 2023 SOLC–Day 13
A huge thank you to Two Writing Teachers for all that they do to create an amazing community of writers and a safe, welcoming space to write, learn, share and grow.
http://www.twowritingteachers.org
When you go to the marsh before sunrise, you’ll arrive to shadows. You’ll hear the geese calling, low and throaty, but you won’t be able to see them. You’ll see the silhouettes of ducks, but you won’t be able to identify them. Not yet.
As you wander down the old railway path, out into the marsh, you’ll feel the bite of a still-winter breeze on your cheeks, and shrug a little deeper into your coat. The pungent scent of earth and water will permeate the air.
As the sun rises, you’ll watch the colors shift from rose toward gold. You’ll try to count the geese that stretch off into the distance, as far as the eye can see. You’ll watch seagulls hover in amber light, see the golden eye ducks dip and dive, and find your eyes tracing the hummocked lines of marsh grasses, frozen in movement, sparkling with jeweled evidence of the once-higher tide. At the far end of the trail, you’ll hear the first red-winged blackbird of spring. Conk-la-ree!
Serenity will pulse through your veins like the marsh water flows through its carved channels.
If you go to the marsh before sunrise, you’ll want to go back again.
Nix the comfort zone 
How beautiful. I felt like I was there with you – thank you for sending shivers down my spine for good reason.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for coming along! The marsh is one of my favorite places to visit!
LikeLike
Lovely! You write about nature so much, yet you always have new words and images to use!
I especially love that you wrote in 2nd person this time- I feel like you are talking directly TO me and I need to get out there!
Instead of saying there are so many geese you tell me to try to count them- so good!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks! Have you ever run at the marsh? It’s pretty flat, but gorgeous scenery!
LikeLike
Lovely. Poetic. And even onomatopoetic! I want to borrow this form and insert bayou. Thanks for the peace of nature and the prompt.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It will be fun to see what you do with the bayou!
LikeLike
Beautiful writing. I was pulled in because I just finished reading Where the Crawdads Sing. So I’m feeling all things marsh right now, lol. I loved your writing and the pictures were beautiful.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Isn’t that a gorgeously written book!?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, it was! I am looking forward to watching the movie now.
LikeLike
Love the bookend lines, the photos, the rich description. Just beautiful! Sounds like a poem or the beginning of a novel. “…and find your eyes tracing the hummocked lines of marsh grasses, frozen in movement…” That entire image is spectacular! Thanks for providing this post. I really enjoyed reading it (twice)!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Lynne! I’m so glad you came along for the walk 🙂
LikeLike
Yes! I want to go to the marsh before dawn! “Serenity will pulse through your veins like the marsh water flows through its carved channels.” Love this line!
LikeLike