I’m late with my response to this month’s Inkling challenge, as it’s been a whirlwind of a month. I’ve spent a lot of the month getting ready for a gallery show of my photographs with some accompanying poetry. The opening was last night and I’m still aglow from the event and all the friends and family who turned up to support me!

A photo and poetry pairing from the show:

World Turtle

You rise from earth
and bear its weight
Seedlings sprout like antlers
Your eye holds a universe

©Molly Hogan

That being said, I have had almost no time to address Heidi’s playful Inkling challenge for the month. She asked us to: “Celebrate May by writing a poem that Maykes use of the verbs may, might, could, can, ought. “These verbs are all modal verbs, which means that they are generally used in combination with other verbs, and are used to change the verb’s meaning to something different from simple fact. Modals express possibility, ability, prediction, permission, and necessity.””

May and might are words that send me straight back to starlit nights and childhood wishes. Each time I read the list of modal verbs, I kept thinking “Star light, Star bright, I wish I may, I wish I might…” So this morning, I let that guide me.

Wishing on a Star

The deadline’s past–
time’s been in flight!
I’ve cast a line
but words won’t bite.
They keep on whisking
out of sight!

But sun’s a star
and rising bright…
I turn to it
and by its light
speak heartfelt plea
to end my plight:

I wish I may
I wish I might
have a poem
come into sight…

Then I sit down
and start to write.

©Molly Hogan

To see what the other Inklings did with this prompt, click on the links below:
Mary Lee @ A(nother) Year of Reading
Linda @A Word Edgewise
Margaret @Reflections on the Teche
Heidi @my juicy little universe
Catherine @ Reading to the Core

Poetry Friday is hosted by Rose Cappelli at her blog, Imagine the Possibilities. Be sure to stop by and see what other poetry is on offer!

I’m busy at the gallery today, so I will be delayed in making the rounds. I hope to get around to comment more tomorrow!