MICHIGAN
Mishigama my love,
Into your water wonderland of brook trout and deer I
Can hear the cherubic song of chirping robin and rustling pine.
Heavenly harbors and pristine beaches shape a welcoming hand
Infused with indigo lakes and teeming streams while four
Great lakes enshroud to form a kirlian aura of rippling verve.
Alive for but a flicker of time, my Michigan home away from Home
Nurtures and readies me for the final cruise to the Wonderland of Love.
Author’s note: The word ‘Michigan’ is a Frenchification of the Ojibwe word ‘Mishigama’ which means ‘large water’. The reference to a "welcoming hand" has a multiple meaning which includes the fact that Michigan looks like a hand.
James began writing in the 1960’s and immediately showed a love for seasonal, humorous, and philosophical poetry. In the late 70’s, he became an ardent photographer and soon found that the two artistic mediums cross pollinated each other. West Michigan is an art Mecca with over 100 galleries and art camps with Jim residing in the lovely coastal town of Holland, Michigan. A practitioner of Surat Shabd Yoga since 1972, his art is an expression of his lifetime love affair with nature and his quest for truth. James is the winner of many awards in both photography and poetry including the 2005 Shadow Poetry 5th biannual chapbook competition. The artist says he likes to underscore the abstract and tease the mind and be ever alert for juxtapositions that express irony, absurdity, and poignancy, desiring for people to feel both tension and resolution in his compositions.
James, this is indeed a beautiful word painting of the gorgeous Michigan! This could be a state anthem and a lure for tourism to expand! I would imagine this to be very popular among those natives and the government populace, too. A grand read indeed! It is grand to read you here at Whispers! Hope to read more....... Sheri / www.poetryandbeyond.net
ReplyDeleteI can sure feel your love affair with Michigan, James. It was such an enjoyable read that it made me want to come visit Michigan. Thank you for sharing your talent with all of us here at Whispers. I am still smiling as I can picture Michigan and it's beauty.
ReplyDeleteCharlene
Hello fellow Michigander. I too reside in southwest Michigan (Kalamazoo). Although I am really tired of this cold weather that seems to want to hang around, I love Michigan and much of what it has to offer. Your poem is a remembrance that for me, no matter where I go, Michigan will always be my home. Thanks for sharing and continued blessings!
ReplyDelete-Maurice J. Reynolds, Owner / Editor
TGBTG! Publications / Creative Inspirations
www.tgbtgpublictions.com
James, I loved reading this beautiful tribute to your area of the world. I also appreciated the information in your Author's note. Your mention of kirlian aura caught my eye too, being an Aura Photographer. Your poem made me long to visit an area I have not yet been too. I have only been to Detroit and Ann Arbor area.
ReplyDeleteI am so happy to see your poetry here at Whispers. Aloha, Connie