After reading “Burn Brightly” by the talented and lovely Arizonian poetess, Michele Lee Sefton – wherein her inspirational poetic prose speaks to self-confidence, aspirations, and to make hay while the sun shines – I wrote this short poem…
She arose, this desert rose
As the sun in silhouette
Bridging space with song, in dance
Center stage, without regret
© 2022 Phil Perkins
PHOTO CREDIT: modified photo from unsplash.com.
“Listen to the Music” – by The Doobie Brothers (1972) / see lyrics
This photograph highlights Middle Prong Little River, located in the Smoky Mountains near Townsend, Tennessee. You can see more in my galleries at Pixels, Redbubble and ArtPal.
Watching white water wash away
From the mossy green riverbanks
An inner peace transcends my day
Blessed with such beauty, I give thanks
© 2022 Phil Perkins
Sands of Time
Around the lake on winds of change
The sands of time did rearrange
To shift terrain along the shore
Resculpting landscapes to explore
© 2022 Phil Perkins
One of the early lessons I learned as a child growing up in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, in the city of Marquette on Lake Superior, was the enormous power of Mother Nature. Though some geographical locations remain relatively unchanged over time, the shorelines of my youth were renewed with each major storm — altering beaches and sandbars, as well as gigantic boulders washing up on to the harbor breakwall.
This vintage photograph highlights the shores of Gitche Gumee to the northwest of Marquette, near Little Presque Isle. If interested, it’s available on a variety of prints and other items in my galleries at Pixels, Redbubble and ArtPal.
Enjoy the great outdoors!
After reading “By Chance” (translated: por un acaso), posted by a dear friend and wonderful writer from Portugal, Carla Milho – wherein she shares reasons for changing her nickname, formerly Red Warrior – I was inspired to write this poem in response…
In a land known as Lisbon
Across the sea, set apart
Hails a cute girl named Carla
– a beautiful work of art
Her skin, golden tan
Her eyes, lovely green
Her smile warms my heart
…you know what I mean
Like a school-kid with a crush
Poems of love that never end
Yet, I know she’s spoken for
And extend my hand as friend
© 2022 Phil Perkins
PHOTO CREDIT: modified photo from unsplash.com.
Time is Precious
Time is precious
It’s of the essence
It’s here, then gone
From adolescence
The time you have
And the time you take
The things you’ve done
And the plans you make
The sights you’ve seen
Now a memory
And what’s to come
Yet a fantasy
Time marches on
Though nary a sound
Hands on the wall
Each day spin around
Time is fleeting
Take note and behold
Lessons in life
With age, growing old
Make your time count
To be a good friend
Share happiness
And love to the end
© 2022 Phil Perkins
You might also enjoy reading another poem I wrote about time, entitled “A Distant Time“. It was published on July 12, 2021.
PHOTO CREDIT: modified photo from unsplash.com.
After seeing Draadklossen (Dutch language, meaning Bobbins), a creative composition by my dear friend, Inge David – she’s a wonderful photographer from Belgium who specializes in black and white, especially interesting automotive and macro captures – I was inspired to write this poem…
Haiku
Threading clear insight
Through her photographic eye
Stitching life in stills
© 2022 Phil Perkins
PHOTO CREDIT: modified photo from unsplash.com
After reading “Just Simple Pleasures for Today“, written by a dear friend & southern poetess, Kym Gordon Moore – wherein she shares her positivity with a morning cup of gratitude – I was inspired to write this short poem in response…
From a fountain that flows
Streaming words which are wise
Her heartfelt reflections
Penned with love, no surprise
© 2022 Phil Perkins
PHOTO CREDIT: modified photo from unsplash.com.
Rolling hills of winter snow
With a forest donned in white
Memories in monotone
Layered landscapes of delight
© 2022 Phil Perkins
This vintage photograph was taken at Nichols Arboretum, in the city of Ann Arbor, Michigan. You can visit my galleries to discover many fine prints and other items, as well: Pixels, ArtPal, Society 6 and Redbubble. Thank you!
A lovely poetess and friend hailing from the Sonoran Desert of Arizona, Michele Lee Sefton has worked diligently over the past nineteen months authoring her first book – presently, being edited. I wrote this short poem in honor of her hard work, and I encourage you to visit her site to learn more!
Waves riding the wind
Wash her hair in the sun
Words written with ink
Drying now, almost done
She’s a southwestern rock star
A flowering desert rose
With a tumbleweed spirit
And a story line that flows
So, purchase her book
Coming soon, out for sale
Sit back and enjoy
Michele’s creative tale
© 2022 Phil Perkins
PHOTO CREDIT: modified photo from unsplash.com.
Having read “How a workation from Shillong looked like” by Mukti Masih, a very beautiful poetess, Christian, chai-totaler and successful Content Writer from Indore, India – wherein she recounts a visit to one of her favorite cities while working to complete a second book – I was inspired to write this short poem in response…
By wi-fi she works
From the mountains of Shillong
In the markets and parks, then back home
Unlocking her words
That her heart may sing on key
Through prayer, by her love, in a poem
© 2022 Phil Perkins
PHOTO CREDIT: modified photo from unsplash.com.
Having read a wonderful poetic tribute of Ukrainian courage and leadership – “Hats Off to President Zelenskyy“, written by my friend Cindy Georgakas – which also rightfully condemns Russian President Putin as a war criminal, I thought that I’d share this short poem which I wrote recently…
A sunflower for sharing
Our hearts through words and caring
To speak aloud
Above the crowd
With peace to guide our bearing
© 2022 Phil Perkins
PHOTO CREDIT: modified photo from unsplash.com.
Growing up along the shores of Lake Superior in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, in the city of Marquette, I have many fond recollections of summers at the beach, swimming in the water and exploring small islands…
Jumping over dunes
On the hot sand under sun
Cool, deep blue waters
Beckoning young summer fun
Life in Michigan
With the sound of surf nearby
Castles built of sand
Growing taller, toward the sky
Yet, time drifts on
In tidal flow
Shifting sand from yesteryear
Still, looking back
A golden age
Sunny mornings on the pier
© 2022 Phil Perkins
Music: Michigan Man – by Mike Ridley (1996)
This music is from a friend I met long afterwards, who performed at Four Green Fields Irish Pub, in Royal Oak, Michigan. As I later learned, Mike Ridley attended N.M.U. in Marquette – during the same time I lived there as a kid…small world!
Phil Perkins · Photography 