Today’s Poetry Friday Roundup is being hosted by my friend Margaret Simon at Reflections on the Teche. About a month ago, Margaret invited Poetry Friday regulars to participate in “More Than Meets the Eye,” a photo swap “in which we’d send a photograph from our own geographic area for our exchange partner to write a poem about.” Margaret paired me up with Amanda Potts, who hails from Ottawa, Ontario. Amanda sent me several photos to choose from, but I was drawn to this photo immediately:
I chose to write a villanelle because I wanted to capture the cycle of the seasons. Also, as a French form that is now widely used by English poets, I thought it would reflect two cultures of modern Canada. You can learn more about MosaiCanada, a “horticultural wonder” that commemorated Canada’s 150th birthday last year with scenes from Canada’s past, here.
A Villanelle for Mother Earth
Seasons come and seasons go,
there’s not a thing she doesn’t see.
Through her hands, all life flows.
She wears a crown of rainbows,
perfumed by butterfly and bee.
Seasons come and seasons go.
Abundant gifts she bestows,
plenty pours from every tree.
Through her hands, all life flows.
Across the land wild winds blow,
an echo of her melody.
Seasons come and seasons go.
Rivers fill with melting snow
beneath bald eagle’s aerie.
Through her hands, all life flows.
Her gifts are ours to borrow;
“Care well for me,” her plea.
Seasons come and seasons go;
Through her hands, all life flows.
© Catherine Flynn, 2018
Reading to the Core 
Your poem sings and invites us to look closely at the photo of this majestic Mother Earth. This form was just right for your poem.
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a wonderful picture you got to write from, Catherine and your villanelle is both grand and sad, that final line we all need to remember: “Her gifts are ours to borrow;”
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a striking sculpture. Your choice of poetic form is superb, perfect for the photo in so many ways. Love: your final stanza.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You did indeed choose the perfect form for a poem about seasons, and your repeating lines add to that perfection. Huzzah! One of your best ever, I think!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Beautiful. Brava! I love the lines in this. It reads and captures the photo.
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is wonderful, Catherine. I love the thought that went into choosing your form and it works soooo well here. That final stanza is fabulous.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Gorgeous, Catherine—such a beautiful pairing! I love all the thought you put into your choice of form and the writing itself seems to flow effortlessly.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lovely! Especially like the fourth stanza. 🙂
LikeLike
Lovely poem to match a striking photo. You make it flow so effortlessly!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Villanelles aren’t for sissies – well done, my friend! Lovely poem for a lovely photograph. Thanks for sharing! Mother Earth is smiling, I’m sure.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Beautiful Catherine, I like Mother Nature’s call to us, “Care well for me,” her plea.” That photo is gorgeous, the topiary look so natural–what an inspiring image, thanks!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Well done on using such a difficult form! A very thoughtful poem, Catherine.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Very well written, a fine poem;
I wrote another for our mother,
the earth – the blue planet.
POEM FOR MOTHER EARTH
The earth is our mother,
We will not have another.
There’s no better place to find
For animals, plants, mankind.
Green woods, beautiful lakes,
Nature has got what it takes.
We have to keep clean the air,
As environment everywhere.
Put an end to coal mining,
Nuclear power and fracking.
Climate concerns all nations,
Just as plastic in the oceans.
For good living day and night
Must change darkness and light.
Our planet, so wonderful blue,
We will always protect, We do!
Rainer Kirmse , Altenburg
Thuringia / Germany
With kind regards
LikeLike
Amanda’s photo of the meaningful sculpture/topiary with the highrise buildings in the background says a lot! I like the thought you gave to which form to use for your poem and congratulate you on crafting it so well. This line remind us that Earth is lent to us, and her care is our responsibility:
“Her gifts are ours to borrow;”
LikeLike