20 thoughts on “”

  1. Those trees and hills were also our friends, and we theirs. Thanks for a beautiful poem in content and form. – Donna

  2. So evocative Dawn. Personally I used to draw them in large "Scrap books", with textas in different colours. I wonder was the poem triggered by the discovery of a map from your own childhood, or a memory triggered when a child in your life produced such a map?

    Such an interesting observation for a poem, and touching a novel and quite unexpected memory. Great poetry Dawn!

    I never quite connected before pondering this poem, though, how universal is the making of maps and naming features of the environment. I recently was studying Australian Aboriginal cultures and much of the dreaming stories are essentially naming rocks, mountains and other features of the landscape. In a sense, it is the same impulse. Perhaps so also is poetry – maps of the features around us at different times in our life – we just give them different types of names.

    Another thing I really like about this particular poem is the meter: a repetition of 3 lines of 3 monosyllables. It seems to recall the vocabulary and "nursery style" verses we loved as children. But in light of my map-musings, it also has a lovely "square grid" pattern – just like a map!

    Thanks again for this poem, Dawn, I thoroughly enjoyed it!

    Strider

    1. Thank you, Strider! You always contribute so much with your comments. I love reading your commentary..especially now.
      I don't remember what prompted this haiku. I think it might have been a visit to my hometown that did the prompting, & a "No trespassing" sign by the woods I played in as a child. My mom didn't let us watch much TV, and encouraged us to be outside. We knew the woods well.
      I'd love to see some of those maps you drew. I don't have any of mine.
      Thank you again!!!

    1. I love this! It reminds me of what we did as children, too. Hoping you have such memories of Grandma's and Grandpa's "farm" in Wooster. I always love going there!

      Love you!
      Connie

      1. Thank you, Connie! Wooster has a big place in my poetic memory. I was just telling my kids yesterday about how my brother and I would stand by the raspberry bushes and just eat berry after berry. So many memories stand out.
        Love you,too!!!

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