What does silence look like?
photo & poem ©2023 Patricia J. Franz
Silence
you come to me
in the quiet
no sigh
no words
like a sleepy toddler
toting your treasures to share
you invite me
look, listen
and I gather you in
sit for a time
so we can be
together
dragonfly
alight
blue dragonfly
seeker, wisdom on wings
wonder into maturity
reflect
©2023 Patricia J. Franz
photo & inspiration courtesy of
Margaret Simon’s “This Picture Wants to Be a Poem”
Hemaris
when the bee balm blooms
when the blazing star sparkles
Oh, garden beauty!
photo & poem ©2023 Patricia J. Franz
The Nevermores took advantage of Kate Messner’s Teachers Write summer post this past week. The prompt was to “Say it without saying it.” We were to choose an object, write a list of words describing it, then write a poem WITHOUT any of the words on our list. I cheated and wrote about a concept – silence (ironic, right?). And when I considered my week, these images were my witness to silence. For one brief moment, the world stilled – and sparked in me poetic response.
Patricia Franz is a kidlit writer and published poet. 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—what an exquisite way to begin my day when a disappointment in travel to see our granddaughter is postponed and I was in need of beauty, calm, and amazing imagery! Thank you!
Aw, I hope that travel gets rescheduled, Carol!
Patricia, so much beauty in the silence and stillness, and your poetic responses to it. So beautiful! And that little grandbaby–what a great photo. I enjoyed going to the book launch on Wednesday, and hearing you read your box of books poem.
Denise, it was so kind of you to sit in on the book launch. Sadly, I had to miss it – I was called to help with elderly parents that evening 🙁
Those are lovely. What a great challenge, too, to write without the initial list of descriptive words. Your “sleepy toddler” image is the sweetest.
I loved the challenge. I may try this more often.
How peaceful your poetry feels! Like a deep, calming breath.
Thank you, Tracey!
There’s lots of goodness in this post, Patricia! I love how “when the bee balm blooms” sounds when said aloud.
Thank you, Rose.
I enjoyed the peace of “Silence,” Patricia. “Say it without saying it” is a good prompt.
Good prompt and one I’ll keep trying!
Patricia, I crave silence at times and always appreciate it when I have some. As an introvert, silence is key to my being. I like the process you shared about writing your summer poems – it paid off – they’re all lovely. My swap was sent yesterday, the 10th. I’m still at my Dad’s but took all your goodies with me so I could mail them out on time!
Aw, thank you Carol. The Summer Swap has been a joy!
I couldn’t agree more. Thank you!
Gorgeous saying it without saying it poetry. Those dragonflies…they get me every time. I love them and that you have them seeking wisdom.
Thanks to Margaret S for the dragonflies!
I love that silence poem, Patricia. And is that a bee on the bee balm! Gosh, I thought it was a monstrous grasshopper/locust captured mid-leap. Glad it’s a bee :>D
It’s a hummingbird moth (hemaris) – size of a small hummingbird!
What you’ve shown us is a way into looking long, the silent joy of discovery, Patricia. Each poem/picture feels so good to me this morning. I love the thought of “wisdom on wings”. Thanks much!
…my favorite pasttime “looking long” 🙂
Patricia: Your poems speak volumes to me… the toddler’s silence, the time of reflection, the bee balm. Mine has bloomed well this year, and I’ve had bees, bees, bees! Last evening we spent with our grandkids. The youngest is 10 now… still good hugs. Good for both of us, I think. Thank you for these poems.
The bees have been a joy this year – just wish they’d find their way to my cucumbers!
What a trio of goodness you’ve given us!
Such a gentle approach to silence. Lovely imagery. And – I saw your moth and thought it looked familiar (though I see them inside of a night, not in my garden) – and I discovered that we have hummingbird moths in our area of Qld! https://www.bundabergnow.com/2020/04/27/flower-loving-moth-takes-over-gardens Which is rather cool. 🙂
I could feel the tranquility in each of these poems, Patricia. I especially enjoyed “hemaris”. Thanks for this trio of delight and for sharing Kate’s prompt, which I’d somehow missed.
I feel such peace after reading your poems, Patricia. A soul balm. Thank you.
Love these! And what is in the third picture? Is that a hummingbird moth?
Oh, I *love* that photo of your grandson — what an inspiration!
Patricia, I especially like the last stanza of “Silence”. Being on a vacation with family is wonderful but I still want some silent time to just be. Thanks for the beautiful stillness photos. Your grandson is adorable and your garden is a tribute to nature.
Patricia, your photography and poems are a beautiful match. Your grandson and his wonder are an irresistible invitation for sure!