This Summer, local poet and creative writing teacher, Bernie Jankowski, nurtured the first ‘Nature Writing from the Ag Reserve’ workshop at Riverworks Art Center. Writers of all levels were encouraged to seek creative inspiration and turn their observations, feelings, and deep connections to Ag Reserve into poems and journal entries.
With the permission of the writer, we are bringing you two compositions by Lauren G. Koch during Nature Writing Class inspired by the MoCo Ag Reserve – July 2022 at Riverworks Art Center.
Summer Enchantment
Fireflies,
like tiny torches,
blink and flicker
across the sleepy hay field,
dancing to a fairy band – unheard
by mere – human ears.
The deep throb of frogs
keeps time with the cicadas wail,
creating a bizarre harmony.
Earth’s warm embrace invites me
to stay a while.
Grass, a prickly cradle for my body
as the night sky stretches out above me
like the quilt forts of childhood memory,
stars like sunlight shining, through pin pricks.
The sweet fragrance of the first haying,
acts as an elixir – casting an enchanted spell.
The stars
are in on the fairy’s plan,
casting their own invocations in fiery trails,
speeding like stitches across the violet fabric sky,
whispering, “no wait, one more”….
Logic tells me “it’s long past time for bed”
Yet, waiting… with stilled breath,
I hope to see one more,
praying, it will not end.
Golden Hour Musings
Power lines glow orange, like rods of steel
warmed in the flames of Vulcan’s forge.
Stretched pole to pole, bordering
fields of feed corn.
Golden hour has come
to the Monocacy Valley,
bringing magic
to the drive home.
Marshmallow clouds paint the sky
pink – orange – lavender.
Deer with tawny fur bound
across fields of soybean
guiding the eye to where
Sugarloaf Mountain lies
curled like a cat
ready for a long nap.