Poetry Friday!
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Post-Labor Day in Lake Tahoe means summer crowds are gone.
On morning hikes with my pup, I marvel that I may not see a single person.
I can hear water softly lap-lapping the rocky shoreline.
Crews toil overtime to repair cracks and lay new pipe before the snow returns.
Town is quiet again.
On October 15th, even the earth earns a break with an annual order: Do Not Disturb (the ground, till May).
It fills my soul to see autumn tiptoe into the Sierras.
Last week, the Nevermores wrote cinquains. Here are a couple from my morning exercises.
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quiet
royal morning
blue swirls purple the sky
mountains stand amid shards of glass
aglow
poem and photo ©2024
Patricia J. Franz
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black bear
morning forage
senses my company
pauses, dares me come no further
we stare
poem and photo © 2024
Patricia J. Franz
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Patricia Franz writes picture books and poetry. She believes children, dogs, and sourdough have a lot to teach us about life, joy, and wonder. She has raised two boys, four dogs, and holds a master’s degree in Theology with a focus on children’s spirituality. Patricia, her husband, her Bernese Mountain dog, Bonny, and her sourdough starter split their time between the Arizona desert and the Sierra Nevada mountains. 
Patricia,
Welcome back to one of your loves that offers you serenity. “I can hear water softly lap-lapping the rocky shoreline.” I “enjoy seeing autumn tiptoe into the Sierras” with you. The sunset photo is sensational. The second poem reminds me of a photo in our community. The bear destroyed the bird feeder in someone’s yard. We were all shocked that a bear came to visit and still revisits. Both your poem photos are wonderful to stare into.
Patricia, sounds like off-season is your on-season! : ) Lovely cinquains and photographs. That hefty bear is ominous. I am glad you went no further.
“blue swirls purple the sky” – so lovely. And that bear – enough said!
“It fills my soul to see autumn tiptoe into the Sierras” is a poem all by itself! And Mama bear with the dare and stares…fabulous, Patricia. xo
Patricia, so beautiful–these cinquains of fall in the lovely Sierras. Is it the lake that glows, as the shards of glass? I too love that line Rose mentions of the purpling of the sky. That bear is huge! Such interesting scenery you have up there!
What a beautiful place you’re at — perfect for poetic inspiration! Liked hearing about autumn tiptoeing in. Love “blue swirls purple the sky” (gorgeous photo). And that bear!
Oh, that bear!! What a beauty — and what a warning! Thanks for these.
Wonderful! Just perfect for the cooling air and crunching leaves, even in the suburbs!
Lake Tahoe feels so magical, Patricia. I’m always happy when you share about your place, and this time, love “shards of glass/aglow”. I adore seeing beautiful skies! And, wow! Imagining meeting a bear makes my heart beat faster, but you’ve captured it well, a respect between you both! Happy Saturday!
Your cinquains go so well with your beautiful photos (hey, make them into note cards–I would buy them!) I especially love “blue swirls purple the sky”
What a bitter-sweet time this must be. So beautiful and yet the end of summer season. I love that you got a pic of a black bear so close! And, you make me want to write some cinquains. There’s something about fall that sends me inward. It feels like nature collaborates with me in that — even though she’s blazing with color. This post really touches me. Thank you.
To be at large in the world holds so much potential for the keen observer, Patricia. Some special harvesting of words and images has sprung from your wanderings. Very much an Austumn harvest.
Wow, that bear! I love how you capture dramatic moments in words and photos, Patricia!
“royal morning” — sigh. And that bear! 🙂 Wow.