My Dearest,
Monarchs migrate along Highway 12,
flutter between Atlantic's relentless push
and Pamlico's slick cam, saltwater lagoon.
Pelicans, seagulls wing from morning's horizon,
feast on fisherman's leftovers and soar away…
yet I wait, rooted where you surprised me
with a kiss. Every morning, glance through lace
towards white picket gate, dream of finally kissing you back.
by Margaret Bednar, July 5, 2014
This if for Imaginary Garden of Real Toads - Artistic Interpretations - Life on an Island
& Flash Fiction 55 a story in 55 words, no more, no less.
HERE is an incredible photo of Highway 12!! I've driven it many times - sand drifts onto the roadway quite often. Each fall, Monarchs migrate south to Mexico along Highway 12, often stopping to gather nectar from goldenrod at such places as Pelican Island (south of Nags Head), etc.
Ocracoke Island is my favorite vacation place as to date for relaxing. I usually prefer bigger, historic cities with things to tour and do. But for pure down-time - nothing is like this gem of the Outer Banks. HERE is a pretty good history of the place - it also was the site of WWII training base and combat information center. It closed in 1946.
The Ocracoke dialect, or brogue, is unique to this area, and "slick cam" means a very calm water - usually referencing the sound. If you click on the IGWRT's link, there are many words given as example - Dingbatter, Meehonkey, & Wampus Cat to name a few. Below is a brief trailer where you can hear what it sounds like.
14 comments:
You have such a way of bringing nature, story and romance together, Margaret. Beautiful work and thank you for the challenge!
This is an amazing feat of story-telling in just 55 words, Margaret.
I love your photos and hope to return a response to your prompt for OLM tomorrow.
Margaret, this is wonderful!! I was waiting to see what the Toad's author would have to bring for her own prompt word. And written to the perpetrator of the kiss, that is precious.
I also have that dream but I am sure that I did kiss 'them' back right there and then. Of course, girls have a different standard, cannot kiss on the first ___ (you name it, date, encounter, etc.).
But in my dreams I'd kiss them again if they would show.
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BTW, here, where we live there are also a lot of the nutria. All the trees down by the lake have to have mesh screen around their bases to protect the bark from the nutria nibbles. They bite so deep that it kills the tree. There is more to this that I don't understand, perhaps a beaver-like propensity?
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I enjoyed learning and reading about life in the island Margaret ~ Such a world so different from mine but it gave me another perspective of life ~ Thanks for the pictures & links ~
I'm glad you explained "slick cam"! I was wondering about that. What a sweet, yearning piece of poetry this is, with a perfect photograph to accompany it. This Wampus Cat likes it very much! ;-)
Margaret, this is gorgeous! So romantic.
gosh i just love this, Margaret. you got the pining down, for sure.
Oozing romance .. Love this!!
It's a gift to catch those quiet moments that are tinged with magic, full of hope. A whole story told in a quiet moment. Lovely.
quite sweet, Margaret ~
A very charming poem and scene, Margaret. k.
A vision of sweetness and hope waiting in behind a window...
As evocative as any of your photos. The freedom to travel, the life to be lived, all very full and rich here.
Such a romantic piece accented with the sights and sounds of the sea. It sounds like such a delightful place to visit.
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