Greetings from Damariscotta, Maine! F and I are midtrip on this epic circumnavigation of southern Maine, currently hosted by a former teaching colleague who retired last year and promptly decamped to this lil village of 1800 year-round residents. Damariscotta, like most places in Maine that we can see, is very watery: it has its own river, several of its own ponds, and today we will take a short hike that ends with an ocean view. It's also The Oyster Capital of New England, so I believe the menu for the weekend will include at least a couple of oysters!
Last weekend we spent time with my fellow Inkling Molly at home in Bowdoinham. It was also a very Maine weekend, involving lobsters, blueberry picking and a JAM LESSON. I hope I'm not revealing anything personal when I show you Molly's dedicated jam cupboard; she definitely knows what she's doing!
On our way up to Molly, we visited as many beaches as we could fit in, knowing that the further north we went, the less swimmable the water temp would be for us dedicated Maryland beachers. I've been taking a jillion photos; it helps me notice and remember details, and I used these to fashion this triptych poem in response to Catherine's First Friday challenge: Using Irene’s recent blog post as a springboard, write a triptych.
I did so (on Molly's red sofa), and then I went to look a little further to see what anyone had to say about this form or approach to writing a 3-part poem; I found this article and its example poems interesting (and also was surprised to see that both poems shared my topic!). I didn't mean to make it read across AND down, but I think it works! (Click for a better view of the photo.)
It also captures the medicinal effect, for me, of even a few hours on any beach. I hope you feel it too!
In between the Molly visit and the Cybele visit, we spent 3 days in Acadia National Park--but that's another jillion photos and a separate post. Thanks to Jane at Raincity Librarian for hosting us today, and check out the triptychs by the rest of the Inklings.
Catherine @Reading to the Core
Mary Lee Hahn @ A(nother) Year of Reading
Molly Hogan @ Nix the Comfort Zone
Linda Mitchell @ A Word Edgewise
Margaret Simon @ Reflections on the Teche
"sandcoin filling my hands" is such a great phrase. I love that image. This post just burts with joy and makes me smile. I'm so happy you've got a bit of Maine medicine in you this summer. It really is the best.
ReplyDeleteWhat a vast vocabulary-rich ocean poem! Such wonderful inspiration in the waves. I am jealous of the blueberry time. One day, maybe we can all meet up there, make jam, and write poems by the ocean. A dream!
ReplyDeleteI'm jealous of y'all's trip (except the eating oysters etc. part) and of getting to hang out with Molly! How wonderful. Love all the details in your triptych. We were at the beach last weekend, too, but the South Carolina coast - all kinds of wee crabs but didn't see any cancer irroratus. Thanks for sharing all!
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