As I headed out into the garden one sunny February afternoon a movement caught my eye; upon the decking the wooden swing seat was gently swaying and for a moment or two endless possibilities swarmed to my mind. A ghostly being seemed to have taken comfort upon the seat, enjoying the wintry sunlight. Alas, the reality is most likely far more mundane and the breeze caught the slats as if a sail.
However, the image would not go away. Luckily I’d taken a video and soon poems came unbidden to me. Here are a couple of them.
The first is in a traditional Haiku format composed of only three lines. The first line of Haiku has 5 syllables, the second line has 7 syllables, and the third has 5 syllables.
ROCKING
Childhood memories
Sway with mysterious ease
Gentle cosseting.
©Annika Perry, March 2021
My second poem is a form called Eyeverse and is a four-line poem based around an image. The name was coined by mslexia, a British magazine for women writers founded in 1999 which releases four editions a year.
MOMENTS
Tea spilled on your torn jeans
My curls tousled through your fingers
Our first youthful kisses
A mere ghostly presence.
©Annika Perry, March 2021
Annika Perry 
A superb trigger! Loving the poems it inspired.
And thank you for pointing us in the direction of mslexia.
Ju-Lyn, thank you so much and I’m so glad you enjoyed the poems! Inspiration can come from anything around us, it is a matter of being open to it!
I love the Mslexia magazine; I subscribe to it online and it is another level of writing magazine and the poetry and short stories are truly outstanding … I always come away with bundles of new ideas and how to improve my writing!
I checked out their website and it does look very exciting. And subscription is rather reasonable.
The swing got you moving. Nice poems
😀Thank you, Michael! It’s wonderful how inspiration can strike at any time, from anything around us!
I loved both of those poems! They were different in style and topic, so of course the evoked different emotions. But dang, you’re both talented and versatile!
Bless you, Ann!😀 Thank you so much … you’ve given me a wonderful reason to smile! I’m over the moon you enjoyed both poems and it was fun to write these, exploring the styles and topics! Hope you’re having a great week. 😀🌺
Hi Annika, your poems are so delightful in different ways. A childhood memory of swaying is always fun. It reminds me of the present time swinging my granddaughter but also reminds me of my childhood. My childhood memory was kind of a scary one because I slipped off and fell flat under the swing while the swing was still in its momentum. It was lucky I didn’t try to sit up, or else it would have hit me, who knows whether it hit me on my head, my eyes, or knocked my teeth off!!
The poem of the ghostly youth kisses was a fun one also. They both are lovely.
Miriam, yikes! The fall from the swing is bad enough but the thought of the swing coming so close to your head is even more frightening. You were wise (or maybe in shock) to stay down. Did this accident as a child put you off swings for a while or where you right back on them the next day? Ahhh … it must be special to swing with your grandchildren and bet you don’t want the moment to end.
Overall, swings are so evocative and I’m glad you enjoyed my poems – thank you for your lovely comment and hope you’re having a great week. xx
I don’t think the incident scared me enough to stay away from the swing, Annika. Yes, I was in shock and the first reaction was to stay put. I don’t think I told my mom and dad either. The scene of the playground is still vivid to me.
You’re right about swings. Many movies have scenes of swings even adults.
Yes, swing with my grandkids – we’re leaving on Thursday to see them.
Yeah! Have a fabulous time with your family, Miriam! I’m so happy for you! ❤️😀
I recall you mentioning recently how you were sitting on your swing set. I believe I would prefer a mundane breeze versus a ghostly being. 🙂The sound of the swing, birds in the background, snow on the ground. Effective black and white photo at the beginning. Beautiful poetry. Very creative, Annika!❤️🌻🌹
Erica, thank you so much and so glad you enjoyed all the elements of the post! 😀 The b/w photo added a sense of mystery and timelessness I thought and I love the bird chorus in the video — the first sign of Spring I always feel! The seat is now all scrubbed up and ready for warm sunny days (writing this looking out on the downpour so I must be patient!) 😀 Better make sure any ghostly presence doesn’t mind me joining them!
Hope you’re having a wonderful Sunday, Erica! It’s Mothering Sunday here in the UK so very special and filled with joy! hugs xx ❤️
Happy Mother’s Day weekend, Annika. I know how much your Mother means to you and how you value family.❤️ Ha, ha……ghostly presence doesn’t mind me joining them. 🙂You are a brave woman! Have a wonderful week. Hugs. xx ❤️
Thank you for sharing the new forms. The poems paint the picture of what you described so aptly.
Smitha, warmest thanks for your lovely comment and so glad you enjoyed the poems and new poetic forms! 😀
Beautiful poems, Annika! The swaying seat certainly looks as though someone has just leapt off it. How strange!
Thank you so much, Clare! 😀 I’ve only seen this happen a couple of times before and it looks wonderfully eerie!
Just beautiful, Annika – and no wonder those images inspired you. Toni x
Toni, thank you so much and those moments of inspiration are precious! x
Annika, before I even read your poems your image and description evoked warmth and happiness and memories of my own. I love both of your poems. Beautifully done. 💙💫
Miriam, bless you for your beautiful comment and for visiting my earlier posts! A swing seat is evocative and it’s wonderful it brought back memories for you. So glad you enjoyed the poems – it was a joy to be inspired by the moment! xx❤️
Very nice poems, Annika!
Thank you so much, Debra! 😀
Totally creepy! Although the pleasant bird chirping near the end of the video takes some of that edge off. 😉 Glad it inspired some great poem writing, however! 🙂 🙂
Betsy, it was odd since I hadn’t noticed the bird chorus whilst out in the garden but only later on the video!😀 A beautiful and reassuring sound! I feel blessed to be inspired to witness the ghostly sway and had a fun time writing the poems! Thank you so much for your lovely comment! x
Charming and evocative poems Annika. And reminders of sweet times as a child and on porches.
Brad, those memories of childhood on swings of any time are particularly sweet … and it is magical how one can feel instantly transported back to that time, those emotions with just a swing or two! It means a lot that you find the poems charming and evocative – that’s wonderful!😀 Thank you so much.
Agreed Annika. It’s interesting what can trigger memories; poems, smells, tastes, etc.
These are quite lovely, Annika. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you so much, Robbie … a delight to share here! 😀🌺 Hope you’re having a lovely week and that things are looking up for the country.
Beautiful
Thank you, Elizabeth! 😀
Sweet poems. So short, and yet containing a whole story. Thank you.
Nicki, it’s wonderful you see the whole story within these few lines! Exactly so! 😀❤️Thank you so much. Xx
Amazing where inspiration can come from. Lovely poems.
Shelley (hope that’s right), thank you! 🙏 I’ve found it’s a matter of being open to inspiration, truly seeing and taking that time to let creativity in – then writing it down! 😀
Thanks Annika! And yes, Shelley it is. I agree with your process. Thanks for stopping by for a visit.
I love both of these poems and their ghostly inspiration!! Short form poems can tell such rich stories, as these two do.
Liz, that’s a beautiful way to describe poetry and it means a lot that you see rich stories within my poems! Thank you! 😀🙏
You’re most welcome, Annnika!
Nice job, Annika. Thanks for teaching me something new about poems. It looked like such a lovely day there. We’re having one of those nice days as I type this comment. Enjoying it while it’s here, because it’s still March and is due to get cold again this weekend.
Thank you for sharing.
Lori, it was the first such day this year and a true blessing! After the darkest of winter, in so many ways, it was heavenly to be out and then to happen to glance upon the swing seat swaying was most eerie! As if someone had beaten me there … but not visible!
Enjoy your Spring-like days and look forward to many more in the coming months! Wishing you a wonderful week ahead! 😀🌺
Well done, Annika. Love the poems, though I’ve never heard of Eyeverse before now. Also, I find the swing in its gentle movement charming, not ghostly. 😀
Jennifer, I think Eyeverse is a form and name particular to the magazine. Ahh … I’m glad you found the swinging seat charming; I love the swing chair and it is always so welcoming although at first glance I felt a benevolent ghost had taken up resident! 😀So glad you enjoyed the poems, Jennifer!
Absolutely beautiful, Annika, and such a gift to begin a new week. Thanks so much for sharing. 🙂 I find it soothing when I see an outside swing moving in unison with the wind. Reminiscent of youth and wonder. Warmest wishes for a wonderful week! xo
Natalie, warmest thanks for your wonderful comment and I’m so happy it’s a help to a special start to the week! The motion of a swing is incredibly soothing, I agree, either when seated upon one or watching it as here moved mysteriously by the breeze! The latter hypnotic almost! I have a feeling you’ve never lost that youthful wonder, my friend! Thank you, so far a lovely and sunny start to the week! Heavenly! Have a joyful week and keep safe! Xx 😀❤️
the imagery and just everything was just so captivating! great work !
Thank you so much! 😀
Annika, porch swings are iconic…so many memories! My first date, at age 10, was a walk to the Twin Kiss where a boy bought me an ice cream cone. Then we sat on the porch swing in the evening.
I liked both poems very much, and I caught a glimpse of your lovely roses in the video. Very engaging post! ❤ All the best!
Cheryl, thank you for sharing your precious first date memory and only aged 10! How sweet and romantic. I have to ask, Twin Kiss? Great name but is that for the ice cream shop?
I’ve always been taken with the porch swings in American movies etc, they are not common here and when I saw this swing seat for sale many years ago I knew it was a must! Ahh … the rose video was made for another post and they are sublime, flowering abundantly until November.
Thank you so much for your lovely comment, lovely to learn a little about you as young and so glad you enjoyed the poems! Wishing you all well! Xx ❤️
Twin Kiss was the name of an ice cream stand that featured soft ice cream. They had chocolate, vanilla, and chocolate/vanilla swirl cones. I haven’s seen one in many years, and they may no longer be in business, but they were there when I needed them! 🙂
We still see an occasional porch swing, and they are available on Amazon. I shopped for a swing for my daughter, who just loves to swing.
Have a great day, Annika! ❤
So brilliant. You are truly magical with words, Annika!!
Bless, thank you so much, Donna! Xx ❤️
Well done, Annika! I love how inspiration comes from simple objects and your way with words create beautiful poems.
Natalie, thank you so much! 🙏 I feel this year more than ever I am truly appreciating the simple things in life and realising they are anything but simple, therein lies so much depth, profound truth of our being!
I love all the story ideas that photo can conjure up Annika. And thanks for the introduction to the ‘Eyeverse’. ❤
Debby, I agree, the diversity of human imagination and creativity is extraordinary and I enjoy following the photo prompts here on WP – such rich variety! ‘Eyeverse’ is a great name for photo prompt and not as restrictive format as the haiku … a fun poem to write! Take care, my friend! Xx ❤️
Thanks again for the introduction with your lovely poem ❤
I love that. I’m glad you took the video because I didn’t quite get it until I watched that swing, moving unbidden, birds chirping (or maybe creaking–not sure). Nice, Annika!
Definitely chirping birds, Jacqui! 😀 It was such a light, sunny day and the birds providing the most welcome chorus, beckoning Spring to arrive soon! I’m glad the video provided context for the poems … I played around whether to place it earlier in the post but here at the end seemed to work best. Wishing you a great start to the week! 😀
I like it at the end. It ‘added to’ what I’d concluded from the text. Gave it more depth–IMHO.
I got goose pimples watching the swing move, supposedly with the force of the wind. My first thought was of a playful ghost 🙂 Love your poems inspired by the incident.
Rosaliene, exactly! 😀 That was my first strange sensation too, a playful ghost, teasing me and perhaps suggesting I join for a relaxing swing! 😀 I’m so glad you enjoyed my poems… the event inspired me a lot and can’t seem to stop scribbling down poems!
🙂
Words seem to come to you so easily, Annika! I particularly like the Haiku 🙂 🙂
Jo, luckily this seems to be the case again and it is a wonderful feeling! 😀 I felt lost without it! I’m so glad you particularly like the haiku, one I tweaked for quite a while! Wishing you a lovely Monday … walks in your glorious local landscape? 😀🌺
I expect so, hon. An unplanned day today 🙂 🙂 Take care!
You captured the chorus in the background, which added to the cool breeze that stirred the air and rocked the swing. Poetry comes when we see the extraordinary in ordinary moments. Lovely
Thank you so much, Rebecca! 😀 It wasn’t until viewing the video later that I realised how much else had been captured beside the swing seat. The birds chorus is a beautiful background, reminding us Spring will soon be there! Wise words about poetry and I especially remember a moment at school before we started to read Keats’s ‘Ode to Autumn’ … what could one say about a simple season! So so much and it was an epiphany! Xx
Beautiful, and a beautiful inspiration. 🙂 I see that despite the snow you have leaves on the tree behind the swing.
Ahh ..thank you so much, Lynette! 😀 Your comment has me smiling. The tree behind is an evergreen, a bay tree hence the leaves! The rest of the trees are just starting to show some leaf and even small buds on the lilac tree. Spring is SO close! 😀
Lilac buds! How lovely. Yes, it’s very close.
Very nice poems, Annika. Haiku is so simple when you look at the finished verse, but to think of the right words to convey so much meaning is not always so simple. Well done!
So true, Anneli! Once I start a haiku it lives with me for days, if not weeks, and I’m constantly editing to get just the right emotion and beat. So glad you liked these poems!
Love them!
I love swings! Your poetry is gentle and beautiful, perfect for such a lovely day ❤
Ahh … thank you so much, Jacquie! 😀 Swings bring out the child in us, I feel and often such a comforting and reassuring sensation – I wanted to explore the reason behind that in my poems. ❤️
Behind the swing, look at the way the branches are swaying, so the swing was moving due to the wind coming from the right direction. 🙂 But it touched your creative mood so well Annika. Lovely poetry!
I see a scientific mind at work here, Balroop! 😀 Of course you’re right … but for that glancing moment I felt something quite different! Luckily so as you say it touched the creative being within me and I’ve had fun sketching poems based on the video! It means a lot that you like them! Xx
Hi Annika
Bit of a spooky video, even though you an hear the wind blowing. The two poems are very atmospheric and express the thoughts evoked by the swinging seat perfectly
On a separate note do I spy snow?
Mike
Mike, I realised afterwards as I watched the video that the blustery wind gave it away! 😀 At the time I barely noticed it! And yes, it was during the snowy week in February … already seems long ago. It is wonderful how that you found the poems evocative and atmospheric… thank you! 😀
Beautiful, Annika… Sharing.
Bless! ❤️ Thank you so much, Bette! 🙏
Beautiful poems, Annika. I’d like to think it was a friendly gentle spirit enjoying the rocking motion of the swing for a bit of respite. Thank you for sharing!
Jan, absolutely a friendly spirit … almost welcoming me to stop and join for relax on the seat! Of course, I stopped to take a video and then continued in my busyness … until my imagination took charge with the poems. So glad you enjoyed them! Hope you’re having a lovely Sunday!😀
I am, thank you. And thank you again for sharing! I love it!
Those were beautiful poems and inspired thoughts in my own imagination as well. I think the wind has some mystical help. Thanks for sharing this.
Marlene, I’m touched how you sense the mystic help in swaying the chair! Thank you so much for your lovley comment. How are you doing? Have you been able to move back home yet? I hope so! xx
I guess I’ll try to get a post together tonight. I’ve been a bit frazzled but am definitely back home. I’m not sure why so many are so quick to dismiss the mystical around us?
I’ll look out for your post … I’ve been back to check a few times to see how you were getting on. Hope all is working for you and I’m not surprised you’ve been frazzled. It is a huge upheaval and disaster and even more so in covid times. Take care. Here’s to the mystical around us … let us take the time to absorb some peaceful energy. xx
Lovely poems and a very vivid imagination.
Thank you so much, Pat! It feels a blessing to have a vivid imagination!😀
💖🦄🥳🥂
I enjoyed both poems, Annika. The second was particularly poignant as I saw the couple and then watched them faded away into memory. And lovely images. The swing did move as if there was a ghost enjoying the sunshine!
Diana, I love how you saw all this in the second poem – just so! 😀 It means a lot that you enjoyed them both and great how you can get a feeling of the ghostly presence! It was fun to play around with the colours, brightness, shades for the swing seat photo – aiming for that haunted look!
Yes! The black and white photo had an old, abandoned look to it. In the video… I could sit there all afternoon and be perfectly happy. 🙂
I do, Diana, I do just that during sunny Sunday afternoons! Pure bliss … can’t wait for those days again! If you lived closer I’d invite you to join me! xx❤️
❤
Lovely memories. Wonderful Haiku.
Thank you so much, Jennie … a mixture of all our memories I imagine! 😀
I think so! 🥰
Annika, I just love your poems. I found myself speaking to someone on the swing and asking if there was room for another person. Then I sat and we spoke for some time. Endless possibilities raced through my head. Great imagery to spark poetry! Thank you for the lovely post. Happy
Sunday right back to you. oxox
Mary Ann, that’s wonderful and thank you so much! It means a lot coming from such a poet as yourself! I’m finding it quite an addictive art form and lose time composing away! 😀 I did feel as if a ghostly being was requesting my presence upon the seat, to chat away as well … extraordinarily eerie and inspiring moment! Wishing you a lovely start to the week … it feels positive with hints of Spring all around! Xx
Annika, your comment is so heartfelt. Thank you. As for spring, well another day perhaps. Although we have sun now, there is still snow. Brisk and cold yet. Glad you have spring where you dwell. A very hopeful season. Have a wonderful week. oxox
Lovely. I particularly loved the birdsong in the video. Thanks, Annika.
Em, I know, it was amazing to hear so much birdsong in February and I hadn’t realised how clear and noisy they were until viewing the video. Happy to share here. Hope you’re keeping well.
Beautifully captures an expanded moment, transcending time. ☼
Ashen, your wonderful comment encapsulates the poems exactly! Thank you! 😀🙏
Beautifully written, Annika! I can see why the swing gliding in the breeze inspired you. If I were a ghost, I’d seek out the sunny spot too. Well done! ❤️
Jill, I’m now imaging a host of ghosts enjoying the sunny spot during the colder months … they must rue the warmer days of the year as I take up residence there!😀 It is beautifully haunting scene and I’m so happy it inspired me to try some poetry again! Thank you for your lovely comment and hope you are keeping well. Happy Sunday! xx 😀❤️
I love how a simple thing like a wooden swing seat could inspire such beautiful poems! Your image, video and words are vivid, and elicit all sorts of imaginations. 🙂 A wonderful write, Annika!
Khaya, this past year I’ve been seeing much more in the simple things of life – it is a wonderful revelation … lettng the imagination have free rein and allowing creativity in. For too long the latter has felt hindered with fear and worry. Your comment means so much to me – thank you! 🙏😀❤️
Dear Annika, you delight and give so much through your imaginative view of the
world around you. The mystique of the swinging seat in the garden makes me wonder what experiences might lie behind. Where there some beloved rocking chairs in your childhood?
I feel warmth and happiness through your very beautiful and warm Haikus.
Both of them touch me deeply.
Your photo and film are mystique and add to the feelings of dreams and underlying happy events.
Thank you poetess. 💕
miriam
Awww … Miriam, bless your for your wonderful and kind comment! I’m blushing at being called a ‘poetess’, especially by such a gifted poet as yourself! From you and others I am constantly learning so perhaps a poet in training?! 😀😀
I love how you feel the mystique in the video, and poems. It was an eerie moment and although the rational mind can explain away the magical swing I’m glad my imagination took hold. It means a lot that my poems touch you, that you feel their light and warmth and joy!
Yes, I’ve always enjoyed the heavenly liberating feel of swinging, rocking; my grandmother’s rocking chair my favourite reading place, a local park with a swing where I could while away the hours, daydreaming, sketching stories in my mind, and now this much-loved swing seat, my go-to seat during sunny summer days!
Wishing you a beautiful start to the week, my dear friend! Hugs xx ❤️
Both beautiful word paintings, Annika. How wonderful to be so inspired.
Norah, what a wonderful phrase ‘word paintings’ and so apt for these! Thank you so much! Happy Sunday! 😀
It was my pleasure to read, Annika.
Your short video demonstrates exactly why you found that scene so inspiring. I like both of these very much.
Margaret, I was so glad I’d taken the video to play over as I was writing the poems – the mystical feeling as I look at the empty swaying seat just wouldn’t leave me! So glad you enjoyed my two poems here. Wishing you a wonderful Sunday! 🌺
Amd you!