This month Linda challenged our writing group to write a prose piece and find a poem in it. She offered a variety of options within that challenge, but I opted to go with the original basic prompt. Thanks, Linda, for the nudge to revisit this small moment at recess and find the poetry within it.
The breeze blew erratically in unpredictable puffs. With every gust, leaves flew off the tree in a crimson cloud, like a flock of birds, spinning and twirling away into the chilly air. Around the tree and across the fields and playground, children played. Some kicked around a soccer ball. Some were involved in an intense game of kickball. Others played chase or pumped themselves high into the achingly blue sky on swings. And some twirled and swirled beneath the tree, like the leaves themselves. Their hands were outstretched, reaching to catch the falling leaves. Leaves falling like rain onto their heads, into their hands, and onto the ground around them. They spun and spun, their faces lit with joy and autumn sun. And they laughed at the unexpected wonder of it all.
Soaring
Like a flock of birds
or falling leaves
children
twirl
swirl
their wonder-washed faces
shiny and bright
giddy with autumn joy
©Molly Hogan
Click on the links below to see how the other Inklings met this challenge:
Linda Mitchell
Margaret Simon
Heidi Mordhorst
MaryLee Hahn
Catherine Flynn
This week’s Poetry Friday is hosted by Buffy Silverman at her blog.
Nix the comfort zone 
Love the phrase “wonder-washed faces”! Thank you so much for sharing this fall delight. 🙂
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It was such a lovely moment! I’m so glad that Linda’s prompt nudged me to revisit it.
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Molly, I can picture the children fluttering around the playground! : )
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This is one of those moments I’ll always remember. So simple and beautiful.
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Oh those twirling swirling children! Lovely, Molly. Thank you. xo
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It was such fun to watch them!
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Molly you have taken me to your playground with this passage “And some twirled and swirled beneath the tree, like the leaves themselves. Their hands were outstretched, reaching to catch the falling leaves. Leaves falling like rain onto their heads, into their hands, and onto the ground around them. They spun and spun, their faces lit with joy and autumn sun. And they laughed at the unexpected wonder of it all.”
Pure poetry!
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Thanks, Dan! It was certainly a poetic moment. So much innocent joy!
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I can see it all, love the joy, Molly!
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Thanks, Linda! There was so much joy and I enjoyed every moment of it!
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Ahh the joy of recess on an autumn day! Brava!
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Autumn recess is pretty delightful…although the breeze these days is getting a bit chilly and the colorful foliage is almost fully departed. Still, winter recess has its charms as well!
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Love the prose piece and the poem–I can see those wonder-washed faces, which make me smile.
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Thanks, Buffy. It was definitely a smiling moment.
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“Wonder-washed faces,” yes! You caught them in flagrante, daring to love the ordinary glory of autumn.
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“in flagrante”–ha! Also, ordinary and glory are fabulous together. Even your comments are poetic word play wonders, Heidi!
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Molly, “wonder-washed faces” is a great word choice for the image of happy children. I enjoyed both your prose piece and the poem.
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Thanks, Carol. It’s been a long, lovely autumn here, but winter is beginning to make noticeable advances!
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Enjoyed the prose poem, Molly. I particularly enjoyed the interconnectedness between the movement of children and leaves.
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It was like a little snow globe of leaf and children, swirling together. Such a happy carefree moment!
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You captured such emotion in your poem with twirl, swirl, giddy, joy. Thank you!
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Thanks, Rose. I love the word “giddy”!
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Crazy as it might seem, I do miss recess duty. Your prose and poem bring back a memory of the way the wind swirls leaves in the space where the door to the cafeteria and the art room make an L shape. Kids loved to dance with the leaves in that magical space.
Thanks for your observations, for your poem, and for awakening this memory!
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Oh, that sounds like a fabulous space! I can just imagine it. I actually enjoy most things about recess duty (SO much better than lunch duty!!!) other than the lost work time. (We have duty every other week, so I gain about 20 minutes of prep time when I’m not on duty, which makes an amazing difference in my work day!)
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“wonder washed faces” for the win! Spectacular punchy words for an autumn day.
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Autumn just invites those “punchy” words, doesn’t it!?
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I felt the cool breeze on my face and heard the shrieks of joy as I read this, Molly. 🙂
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I’m glad you got to enjoy the moment vicariously, Bridget. It was a delight!
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I love the word giddy because it’s such a fun word. My grandchildren get giddy when it’s popcorn and a movie night.
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Maybe this is an idea for a list poem…things that make me giddy!
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As Heidi said, you captured this ordinary moment in all its glory. I love watching kids revel in the joy of being outside and “laughing at the wonder of it all.” Thank you for capturing this moment and sharing it with us.
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I’m so glad that Linda’s prompt encouraged me to linger in the moment.
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Your poem captures all—I love “wonder-washed face” and “giddy” describes so much, thanks Molly!
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Thanks, Michelle. Their faces were just lit with joy!
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