The poem from today's Writer's Almanac reminded me of a favorite photo taken in 1997. These are my three daughters (one with braids) in their "bright-colored jackets". The "rocky shore of the lake" is actually the sandy, shell covered beach of Captiva, Florida.
Happiness
by Joyce Sutphen
This was when my daughters were just children
playing on the rocky shore of the lake,
their hair in braids, their bright-colored jackets
tied around their waists. It was afternoon,
the shadows falling away, their faces
glowing with light. Whatever we said then
(and it must have been happy; it must have
been hopeful) is lost as I am now lost
from that life I lived. This was when nothing
that I wanted mattered, though all I wanted
was happiness, pure happiness, simple
as strawberries and cream in a saucer,
as curtains floating from a window sill,
as small pairs of shoes arranged in a row.
"Happiness" by Joyce Sutphen, from First Words. © Red Dragonfly Press, 2010.
Alyce from At Home With Books
Find details and more photos here.
What a beautiful poem to go with that photo of days gone by.
ReplyDeleteJust lovely, but oh, so melancholy. Time sure does pass, huh? It seems my kids were just that age, but no, they're in their thirties and off on their own. Time sure passes!
ReplyDeleteLove the picture AND the poem. But yes, I agree with Susan: melancholy!
ReplyDeleteThis is a beautiful pairing, JoAnn. very touching.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your weekend :o)
I love how you connected this poem to the photo - they are perfect together! The photo framed with the poem underneath would make a beautiful gift.
ReplyDeleteColleen - What a wonderful idea. Thank you so much!!
DeleteWhat a lovely pairing of words and an image.
ReplyDeleteThat's a beautiful poem! How lovely that it gives words to your picture.
ReplyDeleteLovely photo and very nostalgic poem...thanks for sharing! And thanks for visiting my blog.
ReplyDeletePerfect poem to go with that photo.
ReplyDeleteI love photos like these, even from the back...to see the height differences, the way they stand, etc...brings back so many memories of their childhood days :) These are the kinds of pics that need to be framed :)
ReplyDeleteOh, I love the poem! Melancholy indeed for mothers whose children are grown. My older daughter just had her gallbladder out - that seems like something that happens to "old" people. She's 44! sheeeesh, time does fly!
ReplyDeleteLovely, lovely. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteLovely photo and it matches so well with the poem.
ReplyDeleteMy Snapshot
*sigh* Lovely....
ReplyDeleteBeautiful poem that so perfectly captures that precious moment!!
ReplyDeleteLovely poem to go with a wonderful picture.
ReplyDeleteHere's my Snapshot.
Precious.
ReplyDeleteWonderful how they go together so well. I miss the carefreeness feeling of those days, if that makes any sense.
ReplyDeleteThank you all for such lovely comments! This photo has been on display for years and I never get tired of looking at it. Today's poem provided the perfect opportunity to share.
ReplyDeleteI have a similar picture of my three children. It was freezing on the beach for me, but not them. pants rolled up. feet in the water. wind whipping, and their laughter.
ReplyDeletethanks for sharing. it reminded me of a happy time!
Brenda - Hope all is well... miss your blog.
DeleteThanks, JoAnn. I just got tired of writing on it. Thought I would do some private things, but it has been pretty blank. I might get re-motivated.
DeleteLove the poem and the photo of your girls. They definitely seem to go together.
ReplyDeleteThat is such a striking poem. Very true. Being happy when the kids are little is so pure, only thinking of them and that's what made me happy. Here's Mine
ReplyDeleteTo reminisce and bring back the time of youth and small moments of fascination, threads of happiness.
ReplyDeleteOne has to wade in the water and feel it loiters between our toes. Beautiful photo.
Our family loves Captiva Island.
Edgar - We still love Sanibel and Captiva. It's my family's favorite vacation spot!
DeleteI think the poem and photo are great together. I've never heard of this poet before. Thanks for sharing with us.
ReplyDeleteVasilly - This is a new poet for me, too, but I plan to look up more of her work.
DeleteI love the photo and the poem. They're perfect together.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Carol.
DeleteSuch a lovely pairing of photo and poem. Made me a little weepy though. Where does the time go? So true about about the happiness of moments like this :)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Terri. Made me weepy, too. Seems like it was just a couple of years ago, yet my 'big girl' just graduated from college a week ago. How is that possible?
DeleteSuch a beautiful picture and the poem captures exactly how I feel when I look at pictures of my son when he was little.
ReplyDeleteKathleen - They grow up so fast, don't they...
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