My wife and I took a brief journey through a local bog yesterday.
That probably sounds less than fascinating to you, but it’s a nice, short little nature walk that takes less than an hour to complete; the bog used to be a pasture, but Mother Nature had other plans and so it is now a huge land mass of wet, spongy mud and moss.
A couple of things caught my attention more than others; one were the white baby Truffula trees growing throughout the bog (bottom center). (See a short video of them here) The other was a small, barely-noticeable maple tree sapling that looked like a direction sign pointing everywhere:
So of course, I had to write a poem! And since I hadn’t written any haiku lately, I decided to do just that.
And even though you’re not supposed to title haiku, I titled mine because – well, just because.
.
with gratitude to the forest
signpost points all ways
to lose one’s direction; kind
magenta gesture
– © 2021 Matt F. Esenwine, all rights reserved
.
For more poetry, head on over to Laura Purdie Salas’ little home on the web, Small Reads for Brighter Days, where she is hosting today’s Poetry Friday roundup!

===========================================================
I’m now a part of the BOOKROO family!

Create an account to add books to wishlists and be notified of special deals and dates…create custom collections…and discover and follow your favorite authors & illustrators!
Find out more about BOOKROO here!
============================================================

============================================================
I continue adding to my “Wit & Wordplay” videos ! These videos were created for parents and educators (along with their kids) to learn how to write poetry, appreciate it, and have fun with it. From alliteration and iambs to free verse and spine poetry, I’m pretty sure there’s something in these videos you’ll find surprising! You can view them all on my YouTube channel, and if you have young kids looking for something to keep busy with, I also have several downloadable activity sheets at my website.
===========================================================
Ordering personalized signed copies online? Oh, yes, you can!
You can purchase personally-signed copies of Flashlight Night, (Astra Young Readers, 2017), Don’t Ask a Dinosaur (Pow! Kids Books, 2018), and nearly EVERY book or anthology I’ve been part of!
Click any of the following covers to order!
Just click the cover of whichever book you want and send a comment to the good folks at MainStreet BookEnds in Warner, NH requesting my signature and to whom I should make it out. (alternatively, you can log onto my website and do the same thing) They’ll contact me, I’ll stop by and sign it, and then they’ll ship it! (Plus, you’ll be supporting your local bookseller – and won’t that make you feel good?)
============================================================
Thank you to everyone for your support!
FLASHLIGHT NIGHT:
- NY Public Library’s “100 Best Book for Kids 2017” AND “Staff Pick!”
- KIRKUS Starred review!
- Kansas NEA Reading Circle Recommended Books!
- “Best Reads of 2017,” Unleashing Readers
- Finalist, 2019 New Hampshire Literary Awards
- Positive reviews from Horn Book, School Library Connection, School Library Connection, Booklist, Publisher’s Weekly, and Shelf-Awareness!
DON’T ASK A DINOSAUR:
- “Rollicking rhyme!” – Booklist
- “A wild romp!” – Parenting NH Magazine
- “Cute…intriguing…4 out of 5 stars” – Tulsa Book Review
- “Rhythmic…funny and informative” – Unleashing Readers
============================================================
Did you like this post? Find something interesting elsewhere in this blog? I really won’t mind at all if you feel compelled to share it with your friends and followers!
To keep abreast of all my posts, please consider subscribing via the links up there on the right! (I usually only post once or twice a week – usually Tues. and Fri. – so you won’t be inundated with emails every day) . Also feel free to visit my voiceover website HERE, and you can also follow me via Twitter , Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and SoundCloud!
Sounds like you discovered a lot of nature wonder on your walk, Matt! Your haiku makes me think that any way one heads would be fine.
LikeLike
That’s what I’d like to think, Rose. Thank you!
LikeLike
This post is lovely in every way, Matt.
LikeLike
Thanks so much, Jane!
LikeLike
A beautiful magenta gesture! Ruth, thereisnosuchthingasagodforsakentown.blogspot.com
LikeLike
Thank you, Ruth!
LikeLike
Stopping smack in the middle of the moment to quietly lose your way…more of that, please! Lovely.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Heidi – I think the world would be better off if more of us lost our way more often. The drive to move forward so deliberately becomes wearisome; I much prefer a more Taoist approach to life.
LikeLike
The video gave me the opportunity to hear your strong radio voice, Matt. I have never seen a bog so thanks for the video and photos. You lead us onwards but stopped to point out an all ways sign post. Love nature walks. I read this while riding the country roads of Virginia but got distracted by the beauty of the countryside. Glad I navigated another trip to your post.
LikeLike
Thank you, Carol – and I’m glad my spare words were able to accompany you on your excursion!
LikeLike