Poetry Friday June 9, 2023
Haiku of the Week
despite the rain
spider must welcome
the wildflower
Haiku & Photo © 2023 Marcie Flinchum Atkins
Photo Taken: May 2, 2023 at Huntley Meadows Park
Haiku Written: May 5, 2023
What I’m Reading
by Mary Oliver
I am still on my Mary Oliver kick. I’ll probably be reading her most of June and July. Gretchen Rubin always talks about designing her summer, so I guess this will be the summer of Mary Oliver.
25 Comments
Rose Cappelli
Thank you, Marcie. You captured so much detail in your photo – the spider almost looks real! And I like how you gave him an important mission.
Marcie Flinchum Atkins
He’s definitely real. 🙂 And so fascinating.
Irene Latham
Marcie, I love thinking like spider! Thank you! However I haven’t been able to settle into a Summer of X…unless it’s the Summer of Everything! A Mary Oliver summer does sound lovely, though. I will be interested to know at the end of your dive which of her book(s) most resonated with you? xo
Marcie Flinchum Atkins
I could go a long with a Summer of Everything! I’m taking notes and will report back about my summer of MO.
Buffy Silverman
Intriguing photo and haiku–I’m wondering why spider must! But also jealous that spider has some rain to welcome.
Marcie Flinchum Atkins
Right? We’ve had so little rain that it’s amazing when we get some.
Mary Lee Hahn
I love that the spider is welcoming the flower! Of course she would!
Marcie Flinchum Atkins
Yes, she would!
Alan j Wright
Photo and poem have worked in complete harmony to present themselves to your readers, Marcie. I have noted how often Mary Oliver is quoted in books I have read. It says a lot about how she is held in such high esteem. Happy summer reading.
Marcie Flinchum Atkins
I agree. I’ve loved reading all of the full-length poems instead of just the excerpts I’ve read for so many years.
Carol Varsalona
Marcie, I look forward to what you write after the summer of Mary Oliver. Your photograph is stunning and your haiku compliments the photo making for a beautiful image poem.
Marcie Flinchum Atkins
Thank you! I’m looking forward to gleaning more from MO this summer.
Bridget Magee
Your photography is always incredible, Marcie. I’m glad the spider chose to welcome the wildflower…and not my towel. eek.
Marcie Flinchum Atkins
Me too! In fact, I got a spider bite a few weeks ago and it’s taking forever to go away!
Linda Baie
It’s a wonder what we can now see in this early summer blooming. Love that you found the spider’s voice, Marcie, at his bloom party! It’s odd, but those blooms look like tissues!
Marcie Flinchum Atkins
They DO look like tissues! So delicate!
Carol Jean Labuzzetta
Clever. The flower almost looks like paper. Although I’m a naturalist (by desire) and an environmental educator (by education and choice), I’m not a huge fan of Oliver. I know – it sounds sacrilege to admit this but, it’s true. I know it’s rare, too. But I don’t connect with her, in the same way I connect with nature! lol. Oh, well. Thanks for sharing and enjoy your summer of Oliver.
Marcie Flinchum Atkins
Definitely not sacrilege. We all have our favorites. I didn’t love Sylvia Plath, when I did a deep dive into her last year. It’s totally okay!
PATRICIA J FRANZ
I feel like that spider, getting outside despite the rain!
I may need to slow down and creep-crawl across the landscape, like her (beautiful tissued petal!)
Marcie Flinchum Atkins
Yes, that tissued petal!
janice scully
I love how the rain adds a touch of conflict to spider and flower’s story, easily overcome by the sturdy spider.
Marcie Flinchum Atkins
I love thinking about sturdy spiders. 🙂
Michelle Kogan
Your poem sounds like the beginning of a story, and I want to know what’s happening next… How fun to have a welcome from spider, lovely pic too, thanks Marcie
Marcie Flinchum Atkins
Thank you, Michelle!
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