Great Lakes and quiet nights

I have never been to the Great Lakes in Michigan 

Called Inland Seas... there is a breeze that relieves the 

anxiety of living in a crowded city with smoke and smog... 

Small towns with tidy streets and summer cottages 

Bright green beach grasses reflecting light off the water... 

Evenings with Sunset palettes of orange, purple and blue 

Au Sable Lighthouse is a historic place to see on the wind-swept beach.  

Lake lore would be Longfellow's poem "Song of Hiawatha"... 

How do I know these things... I read it in a Magazine.  

 

Reviews

[Cherrie Palmer]

There are so many places I feel connected to because of a photo, poem the discovery channel.
I love how you Express sights and feelings so interchangeably.
Nature is that old friend that bids us come see me and stay awhile, and when thise words or said photo capture us, we're hooked, even sight unseen.

[Patricia Wedel]

dearest Cherrie... so true that we can become part of the photos and videos if we relax and imagine we are there. So special to be in touch. Thanks for stopping by with your warm thoughts. tenderly, Pat

[emmajoy]

I smiled when I reached the end of your poem because what you took from the magazine was so wonderfully absorbed by your imaginative mind, created a fantastic poem! Was as if you'd spent months exploring those beautiful and ginormous lakes, and - got to know them intimately!

[Patricia Wedel]

dear Em... when I posted the poem and then read it again, I really chuckled to myself... (who would do that!). However, the poets have been so generous in their reviews. So lovely to visit with you again. Hope you are comfortable and eating well.... Roger and I get a lot of rest and eat a lot of fresh food, especially
in the Summer... love the Lori Anne Peaches from our State of South Carolina (The farmer named the Peaches after his wife, Lori Anne... so sweet. We had a earthquake 5.1 in North Carolina, not a lot of damage in NC, and we did not feel any of it... thank goodness. Now I will comment on Lydia's latest poem... she has the most amazing way of expressing
that leaves me with a smile. Take care... Pat x

[emmajoy]

Thanks for making contact, love you words and also chuckle at myself.. makes me laugh! Your must be relieved not to have been touched by that earthquake. The people who were must wonder what else can happen to them, poor souls.

Good night, keep safe.

[Patricia Wedel]

dear Em... a correction in my English as follows:
We had "an Earthquake" 5.1 in North Carolina.
"sigh"... feel better now! Have a beautiful sun-kissed day... Pray... Pat x

[emmajoy]

What a neat lady you are. Pat, living as you do in a different country.. continent, you could say anything and everything to me..and would believe you! Apart from that, do try not to nit pick.. :) x

[Patricia Wedel]

Only a sister by heart would advise me not to nit ... I can “not do that”. You are prolific. Gently, Pat

[emmajoy]

Nit pick over here means to worry about minor mistakes.. just to smile or shrug at them. We have such different meanings between our countries, could lead to misunderstanding! Are things well and smiley with you and Roger, do hope so. Been watching the dawn. breathtaking.. xx

[Patricia Wedel]

dear Em.. watching the dawn.. yes.. Breathtaking... usually with shades of rose and yellow like a Petal. Thanks for caring... growing up I heard the phrase you mentioned here in the USA. We had the most wonderful Woman teach grammar and English Literature in High School and she instilled in us to use certain guidelines, so it is important to me. Who knew I would ever belong to a poem site where we endeavor to create as best we can. I realize my error was really not worth the energy or space. I would adore to visit Shakespeare’s home by the Avon some day. My father loved to read Shakespeare. We are safe and well. Bless you and keep being wonderful you. Be safe.
gently, Pat

[emmajoy]

FIRST class English L&L teachers are worth their weight in gold, aren't they. Must go, came in here as a noisy storm began.. need sort my dogs. Stay happy. petal. xx

[Patricia Wedel]

dear Em... glad you are safe inside with the Storm brewing. So sweet you have your dogs... they have such unconditional 💕.
We have had enough Rain to make plants and lawns Ever Green for awhile. I May have told you that we planted two smaller Cherry 🍒 trees in our back yard, along eith
Grape vines for the Barbour, and blueberry bushes along the fence. We planted all the above two years ago, but it takes longer to Mature... on a “wish and a prayer”. 💕love and prayers, Pat x

[emmajoy]

You obviously love your garden, so many fruit trees, wonderful! As you say, it does take time for fruit trees to flourish and fruit
We had torrential rain earlier. Noisy thunder and lightning that lit the day sky, My dogs, specially old Slith were petrified, He tried to hide under the sofas, was going from one to another wanting to squeeze his bulk under four inches of space.. so sad to see. Quiet for now, so hope it stays the same. Still hot. In various areas, there's been so much flooding, etc, Know the same has happened over in your country, in parts even worse. Too much to deal with for so many. Now's the time to be especially kind to each other, isn't it. So hope you and Roger are smiling best you can. Keep safe, dear petal mine. xx

[Dave Brown]

In spite of how appealing you make it sound, a magazine will also be as close as to the great lakes as I will ever get
Did U know your northern neighbor has more lakes than any other country in the world
This I also read in a magazine

[Patricia Wedel]

dear Dave... thank you for your Gracious review. I take it.. you cannot Swim and night “fall in”... just kidding. When I was a “Kid” I read a Book entitled “Tip a Canoe and Canada too”. It was wonderful and described the life of Beavers and creatures where they lived in Canada... I loved the stories. Gently, Pat

[Dave Brown]

oh, to be a 'kid' again
actually, I don't think I ever read that
Just saw a program on beavers being re-introduced into England and how much good they inadvertently do
stay safe

[Patricia Wedel]

Wow... who knew... not me... interesting
Information and fascinating.. thanks, Pat

[Chris Shaw]

Dear Pat, I was intrigued with your poem and though I have read Coyote's works where he mentions the lakes, I had to Google to take a look for myself. These lakes are like oceans. We have lakes which are very beautiful, but much reduced in size. I think it's great you were inspired to write this poem after reading a magazine. Many poets have been inspired that way. Not everyone can travel. Photographs and paintings often inspire me. What a welcome relief the lakes must be if you are living in a busy city, A beautiful place of peace for those who need it and let's face it most of us do. Hiawatha, a lovely poem I remember from schooldays. Sending you the warmest of wishes from a scorchio UK.

Chris

[Patricia Wedel]

dearest Chris... so special that you mentioned Coyote (John)... I trust he will read this poem and see his name mentioned in several Reviews. We know how he loves to dance by the Sea. gently, Pat

[Lydia Shutter]

Reading opens up new vistas for us all. We can travel, we can fantasize, and we can be anyone we choose to be. How lovely you got all this from a magazine, Pat. I could see the scenes you described. Lydi**

[Patricia Wedel]

Lydia dear... our ideas are formed in Kindergarden when we learn to read about adventures... It is always calming to read and imagine how you might change a few things and add suspense to the reality. truly, Pat

[Ana Papaya]

Some beautiful spots, Pat. We feel them as if we were there. Those of us with imagination.
We should meet in Michigan for tea when our borders open. :)

[Patricia Wedel]

dearest Ana ... social distancing used to be a spiritual thing to do... it is difficult to 💃 dance with a partner. I live in Virginia...
so it isn’t easy to travel as we get older.
However when I drink ☕️ tea , I will Toast you... to be well and safe. Thank you for your charming review. gently, Pat

[Ana Papaya]

Cheers Pat. :)

[barleygirl]

Your poem touches on connections with other cafe poets! First, CoyotePoet (John) is from Michigan & writes similarly of his habitat . . . Norman223 wrote another poem about Hiawatha, the second I've read on this topic from him -- I only know about Hiawatha becuz I've googled when reading Norm's poems, which brings me to your grand finale . . . how much we learn from poets who inspire us to research things we've never heard or thought about in ages! I did go to the Great Lakes when I lived in Ohio for 6 months 30-some years ago & I have to say (as a California coastal gal) I could not tell the difference between this lake (the one abutting Columbus) & the ocean. These suckers are VAST! And you've captured the sense I got of that, in your poem! Thanks for stimulating visions that have lain dormant for decades! (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[Patricia Wedel]

dearest Margie.. so Cool to hear from you.
Hope you are staying Cool as a Cucumber in August. When I read about Michigan, I was inspired, and I thought that Coyote (John) would be 😮 surprised!! . He is probably dancing with a Lady about now (at least in a Poem). Interesting that Norman is from
Michigan. You are such a good Spirt to read my little Sonnets (I wish they were Sonnets).
With love and best wishes... hoping you are having nice fruits and Veggies. Pat

[barleygirl]

Norman is from a coastal enclave about an hour from London, but for some reason, he seems to be a buff on Native American lore! He's written poems that open my eyes about our own heritage over here on this side of the pond!

PS . . . wish I could send you a couple nice firm cukes . . . I hardly need to drink water anymore, I've been slurping a big juicy crunch daily!

[Patricia Wedel]

dear Margie... you remind me of the Movie “Grease”... something about being “Cool”...
and that’s a complement. Interesting about Cukes and not being hydrated. Reminds me of eating Popcycles in the Summer... like they were nourishing like grapes and so forth. We have been eating fresh Oineapple. I feel like an accomplished Culinary Artist when I carve a Pineapple for it’s juicy sweet flavor. So long and goodbye for now. Pat

[barleygirl]

Oh! To find a perfectly ripened pineapple! *smile*

[jacob erin-cilberto]

there are places I have been in my mind. Pictures tell a thousand words, and paint a thousand pictures.
My old photos of Vermont have kept me there for 62 years...I will go back...I want to step into the pictures again.
j.

[Patricia Wedel]

dear Jacob... I have heard that Vermont is beautiful... I know I would enjoy being where fireplaces are safe and necessary... so romantic in stormy weather or just to keep toasty warm. I hope you can return to visit soon since you are so young. Stepping into photos would be luverly. Best of health and keep the Faith. gently, Pat