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Nature Triolets

It is March and time for the 17th Annual Slice of Life Story Challenge!
Thank you, Two Writing Teachers, for creating this supportive community
of teacher-writers!

We have been having a bright and sunny spring, day after day of low humidity and mild temperatures. (Also, our spring has been rather frighteningly bereft of rain – oh, but who needs to worry about such things when the sun is shining?) (I do, honestly, I do.) 

I glanced through my camera roll for inspiration for today’s slice, and realized – with the exception of countless photos of the grandchildren – I have three fun categories of nature photos from the past couple of weeks:

One: shadows, 

Two: trees touching the sky,  and 

Three: my favorite spring tree: the redbud (which is in full bloom right now, here in the Mid-Atlantic – you see these purple blossoms popping up everywhere).

Well, I can’t just share photos and call it a slice, can I? (I suppose I could.) 

Then, I saw Fran Haley’s inspiration on Ethical ELA’s Verselove, to write a triolet. Let me revisit those three categories of photos and share some happy spring triolets with you…and then I’ll call it a slice, lol. I hope you enjoy reading these as much as I enjoyed writing them. This poetry form seems just perfect for capturing moments in nature, I think.

water play

sun and shadow in water play
dancing bobbing moving
to happen upon this sight this day
sun and shadow in water play
honestly, it takes my breath away
the image all-consuming
sun and shadow in water play
dancing bobbing moving
how hope emerges

purple buds upon the branches
showing how hope emerges
each little blossom simply prances
purple buds upon the branches
unconcerned about their chances
following perceptive urges
purple buds upon the branches
showing how hope emerges
striving together

trees strive for the sky
holding onto one another 
gently stretching way up high
trees strive for the sky
look up, as you pass by
how they form a loving cover
trees strive for the sky
holding onto one another 
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12 Comments

  1. Maureen,
    It’s fascinating to read the backstory to your poetry and to think about how you organize your photos. I share your concern about rain, both the absence of it and the abundance of it, which is what’s been happening—ironically—in the west. We’ve had a couple spring days but are back to wind and cold and now sleet today. It’s overwhelming, so your poems and photos feed my souls. Some favorite lines:
    “sun and shadow in water play.”
    “holding on to one another”
    “each little blossom simply prances”
    And that red bud tree is simply glorious.

    • Truth be told, those were photos of various redbuds in the neighborhood – but the photo that went with the triolet is of one in my yard. I’m glad you enjoyed! Yes, the fact that y’all are getting so much rain and we are getting so little is really a bit terrifying.

  2. Leigh Anne Eck Leigh Anne Eck

    A trio of triplets! What a gift for us with not only your poems but also your photos!

    • Thank you! I really enjoyed writing those triolets…I can see where this would be a fun habit with my nature photos.

  3. The photos are beautiful and I really enjoyed your triolets! The triolet is such a satisfying form to let you stay with a subject and yet see it from different angles. I live in Virginia – are we neighbors?

    • Yes, the triolet is a lovely way to hone in on a subject, so true! We are neighbors; I’m in Silver Spring, Maryland. What part of Virginia are you in? Thanks for commenting!

  4. Kim Johnson Kim Johnson

    Maureen, there is so much to love here today, from the photography to the ecotherapy in nature, to the words and sounds of the triple triolets. I think you’ve found a lovely form for your nature walks – triple triolet treat Tuesdays. I need nature photography lessons from you. I love the way your pictures and words work together so beautifully!

    • Oh, Kim, you made me laugh out loud with that “triple triolet treat Tuesdays”! I’ve been trying to ‘define’ my blog; maybe this could be it? I did enjoy writing these, so much. They rolled easily from my photos. Thanks so much!

  5. Holy cow, Maureen. Your triolets are all wonderful and your photographs are amazing. I was just discussing with my husband how much I love the redbud trees that line River Road right now. They are such a perfect match with the new green foliage, but there is another tree with purple blossoms. We do not know what it’s called. Please fill me in. Loved your slice and amazing poetry today!

    • Hmm – I don’t know another tree with purple blossoms…is it a lavender? Or that dreaded wisteria? (Wisteria covers our local trees and basically strangles them.) We fell in love with redbuds many years ago, on a long drive south in April for my father-in-law’s funeral, these were in bloom and dotted I- 81 the whole way. We planted ours to honor him, after seeing this. They are lovely.

  6. Maureen, you wrote three today! Wow.
    Some of my favorite lines are in your second poem. Those purple blossoms are amazing. And I always notice “hope” in a poem:
    “showing how hope emerges”
    Love love love this, They give anyway!
    “unconcerned about their chances”

    And the trees in the third poem: “holding onto one another” So wonderful!

    The photos just add to the wonder! Thank you for these.

  7. Maureen, the photos are just breathtaking! The redbuds in particular. Every triolet is beautifully crafted and so uplifting, celebrating nature. We humans need these reminders to play, hope, and striving together, and to savor the peace nature offers. All so beautiful!

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