Today is July 4th, Independence Day in the United States. So, our stop over is in the Nation’s capitol in Washington, D.C. The District of Columbia is rife with many great and famous monuments to celebrate the country’s historic past. From the Washington Monument, to the Jefferson Memorial in Monticello, the Iwo Jima Memorial, The Lincoln Memorial and there are many more sites to provide inspiration. Choose one and wax poetically with your verbal fireworks.
Phoenix Rising Poetry Guild 
Smithsonian’s National Zoo
That day, we held hands watching pandas play
You who were just a blip on my life’s screen
We walked and talked and kissed at each display
That day, we held hands watching pandas play
We knew that soon we’d each go our own way
In my life’s play, just one romantic scene
That day, we held hands watching pandas play
You who were just a blip on my life’s screen
LikeLiked by 1 person
five sided
concentric circles
rings of power
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is brilliant!
LikeLike
In D.C.
Bikers roared into D.C., bumping
up already hot temperatures.
Two couples stood transfixed in front
of the Lincoln Memorial, one and
one-half couples sat stranded
at the Smithsonian, waiting for
a lost other half. Toured the Senate,
stared at names familiar to us
for years. Walked, walked, walked.
Two studied maps, two trusted
the others. Hours of delight
in the Spy Museum. Dinner at
the Old Ebbitt Grill–Washington’s
oldest bar and restaurant. Get
the oysters! Next stop: Union
Station.
Although we stayed at
the Worst Western, its roof
seemingly held together
with blue tape, we all had
a vivid and memorable visit.
LikeLiked by 1 person
MONUMENT
Washington’s obelisk,
tall and to the point.
Even in the reflecting pool,
it looks nothing like him!
LikeLiked by 1 person
The Mall
As I walk the Mall
I feel so small
Such grandeur all about me
Structures so grand
All boldly stand
Built by the brave and free
Such monuments
Are testaments
To great Americans
They built DC
For you and me
Let freedom never end
LikeLiked by 1 person
[…] is a fractional poem. It was a very memorable visit though. Join the writing fun at Phoenix Rising: a month-long travel series. The image is from the Smithsonian Digital Library (cc-0), restriction-free: The Octagon […]
LikeLike
[…] Haibun for PHOENIX RISING JULY P.A.D. TRAVELOG – DESTINATION: WASHINGTON, D.C. […]
LikeLike
Truth Is…
“There is another old poet whose name I do not now remember who said, Truth is the daughter of Time.” – Abraham Lincoln
Is there a your truth – a my truth or is there only the truth? Truth is occasionally unutterably beautiful – at times inexplicably ugly. She’s complex and she’s simple – she’s crash of cymbal – unignorable. Sometimes she’s silent and also excruciatingly loud – a whisper-shout she’s humble and proud – the child-sister-daughter-son-brother-mother-father-friend – beast and bird. Truth is the song deep within that eventually, given time, will sing. Truth will always find a way to rise – the small-big design that holds to one’s soul shines like a prayer on grandmother’s lips – forever clings as a gem to strings of silver-woven – a net to keep buoyant and to carry forward the integrity that resides within.
It’s new and it’s old
it’s an alchemy of gold
in the end truth’s told.
Copyright © Hannah Gosselin 2015
LikeLike