The Hardages’ home in South Carolina backed up to a swamp which afforded them many hours of quiet enjoyment of nature. This photo by Jeanette Hardage captured at least two of the creatures that regularly visited that area, alligators and egrets. In the piece below, you can easily imagine Jeanette sitting on her screened porch on a quiet April day as she poetically records the local sights and sounds. This was scribbled on a piece of note paper and never titled or finished into a poem, but I hope you enjoy the sensations that it evokes.
On the Back Porch
Mourning doves’ lament
Fat squirrels chuckling
Flash of red cardinal
Crows trying to out-caw each other
Red-shouldered hawk swooping down
Golden eagle overseer
Woodpeckers’ machine-gunningFroggie serenade
Yes I did enjoy this! Sounds like a visit to our own backyard on the lake – minus the alligator! I think it is definitely “poem enough” because it stirs the senses and celebrates creation’s bountiful diversity! Loved it!