Erica and Jessica of Arkansas are our hosts today for the third and final day of the Open Write for May 2026 at http://www.ethicalela.com. They inspire us to write “found” poems not by finding lines or words from other poets by collecting thoughts and ideas of things we find. You can read their full prompt here. It’s a lot like taking a nature walk and instead of collecting pine cones or stones or feathers, poets collect moments and feelings to share.
I visited my brother on Lake Hickory over the weekend, so this morning I’m scrolling back through my photos for my “walk” back through the weekend.
Welcome to North Carolina
Welcome sign greets us into the state
we pull into the driveway overlooking the lake
artist’s palette sunset, dock, pool,
a sloping hill for dogs to play
Mojave sun hat on the boat
tritoon power fast afloat
Ospreys soar and dive for fish
songbirds, praise chimes, fountain wish
boats on sandbar, toasting dreams
wallowing in warm sunbeams
but one more stop while traveling home
Malaprops for treasure-tomes
And then two more,
Black Rock Mountain, Tallulah Gorge
but back to work, a life to forge…..
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Common Threads 