When her mood is mild and tranquil,
Lovers picnic on her beach.
When her bosom swells with anger,
High her rage and far her reach.
Lines from my poem "Mighty River"
Written 10/03/20
Name of contest entered 'Rithimus Divisa 8
Categories:
skagit, river,
Form: Rhyme
My Son Still Do Miss
Have read first poem that I ever wrote
Then last one I will write this morning
And when I do it much time devote
Now want to give you this warning.
Makes no matter if I am right or wrong
My son still has remained in my heart
And about him still sing a sad song
Of me, he was such an important part
While I was sitting at smooth water's edge
Prayed to God and asked for forgiveness
To my Lord whole life I want to pledge
And my dead son I will always miss.
James Thomas Horn
Retired Veteran and Poet
He was fishing by himself early one morning
all by himself on the Skagit River. Somehow,
he fell in and drowned. It could have been
drugs but will never know. Only my wife's
close friend knows what happened to him.
We told her to never tell us. We put his
ashes into the Lockwood Folly River a mile
from our his. Every time I sit on the dock I
think about him.
Categories:
skagit, allegory, sad, drug,
Form: Couplet
Yes, it's time for a convention.
Inviting all Soupers to come
to the gorgeous Skagit Valley
and the tulip festival.
During the whole month of April,
tourists come from far and near
to drink in the springtime beauty
of this pleasant countryside.
Tulips and daffodils are blooming
delighting winter jaded eyes.
I live in the midst of this wonder and
we can meet by my tulip fields.
Small towns all around vie to provide
fun and entertainment for everyone.
By: Joyce Johnson October 21,2013
Categories:
skagit, celebration, flower, daffodils,
Form: Free verse
The middle east, the north, the south
Are suffering from heat waves.
The populace is retreating to
Their air conditioned caves.
We in our Skagit Valley homes
Are enjoying a cool breeze.
The sun is out , we’re basking
In mere seventy degrees.
The farmers, rising early,
Are busy reaping crops.
Bringing riches from the fertile fields
Means labor with no stops.
In early spring the daffodils
And tulips steal the scene.
Replacing them a second crop
Is sprouting emerald green.
Our educated farmers know
How to get the greatest worth
From the richest, most productive soil
Found anywhere on Earth.
Ripe berries and fresh vegetables,
Potatoes, grains and seeds,
Our Skagit farms attempt to fill
The whole world’s hunger needs.
Our mighty Skagit River
Carries salmon in its stream.
Fishing from its sunny banks
Is an Izaak Walton dream.
Nestled between the mountains
And the waters of the Sound,
Fun in our Skagit summers is
Quite easy to be found.
Categories:
skagit, seasons, daffodils,
Form: Rhyme
swans return
to fields planted for them...
cameras only
Won a 2nd
I live in the Skagit Valley of Northwest Washington State where the swans return in large flocks to dine on fields of grain planted for them. They will leave in late spring.
They are protected from hunters but sometimes get mistaken for geese which are legally hunted. Big fine.
Tourist come to our area just to see the swans.
(I was taught that the plural of swan is swan but Webster accepts swans.
Categories:
skagit, nature,
Form: Haiku
Please come in dear Carolyn. I am thoroughly delighted.
Since I heard that you were coming I’ve been happily excited.
It was so kind of Michael to arrange that we should meet.
You’re exactly as I pictured you, both beautiful and sweet.
Let’s have coffee in my garden underneath the cloudless sky.
It’s April in my Northwest home. We’re so lucky it is dry.
The tulip tours have started, as has salmon fishing season.
The nearby Skagit holds the big ones, catching one’s not out of reason.
We’ll have our lunch and then start touring Skagit Valley tulip farms.
I want to show you quaint LaConner and explore all of it charms.
By: Joyce Johnson lLWon first place
Welcoming Carolyn Devonshire in Michaels's "First Words Over Coffee" contest.
Categories:
skagit, friendship
Form: Couplet
Skagit River, wild and scenic,
Carrying salmon in her flows.
Scattering riches with abandon
Without stopping as she goes.
Crossing international border
With no one to tell her nay.
Man has sought to tame her waters
As she goes her merry way.
When her mood is mild and tranquil,
Lovers picnic on her beach.
When her bosom swells with anger,
High her rage and far her reach.
Lovely mistress of the valley,
Well we know her worth and might.
Highway to the ancient peoples
Guided by her day and night.
Towns have mushroomed up around her
Taking from her without pay.
May her clear and life filled waters
Ever unpolluted stay.
By Joyce For Brian's contest won hm
Categories:
skagit, nature
Form: Rhyme
Planted last fall to winter in the ground
Emerging in April with lovely hues.
Harvesting thousands of tulip bulbs to
Be sent worldwide for the gardener's use.
Perhaps this fall when you buy some bulbs,
You'll select those grown in our Skagit fields.
You'll have a gloriously blooming spring,
When you plant the bounty our harvest yelds.
Our lives would be like the tulips bulbs,
Covered with dirt and not pretty to see,
If God were not there for the harvesting
To discover the beauty in you and me.
When the Master Gardener takes us home
We'll live in His garden in glorious bloom.
Categories:
skagit, introspection
Form: Rhyme
The central states, the East, the South
Are suffering from heat waves.
The populace is retreating to
Their air conditioned caves.
We, in our Skagit Valley homes
Are enjoying Pacific breeze.
The sun is out, we're basking
In mere seventy degrees.
The farmers, rising early,
Are busy reaping crops.
Bringing riches from the fertile fields
Means labor with no stops.
In early spring the daffodils
And tulips steal the scene.
Replacing them a second crop
Is sprouting emerald green.
Our educated farmers know
How to get the greatest worth
From the richest, most productive soil
Found anywhere on Earth.
Ripe berries and fresh vegetables,
Potatoes, grains and seeds,
Our Skagit farms attempt to fill
The whole world's hunger needs.
Our mighty Skagit River
Carries salmon in its stream.
Fishing from its sunny banks
Is an Isaak Walton dream.
Nestled between the mountains
And the waters of the Sound,
Fun in our Skagit summers is
Quite easy to be found.
Inspired by John's contest won hm
Categories:
skagit, nature
Form: Rhyme