Tag Archives: photography

National Poetry Month, Day 25, Verse 25

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I think this is the fourth year in a row that I’ve done some sort of self-inflicted poetry challenge on here. Every year, I wonder why. Why do I want to add one more thing to my to-do list?

This year, my focus (that word again) has shifted a little internally. Why do I almost always only write poetry with illustrations now? This renga is a perfect example of how it might be easier to just write the poem. By the time I’ve moved on to the next verse, I’ve forgotten what was in the one before.

But this verse is an illustration of what I love about writing illustrated poetry. Poetry is everywhere. Even in a tiny blade of blooming grass.

Poem and illustration copyright 2022 Michelle Garren-Flye

National Poetry Month, Day 23, Verse 23

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I’m better at capturing flora than fauna, so the little critter in this one caught me off guard. I didn’t even notice him until I started drawing. He seemed perfect for this spot in the renga, though. One of those “happy accidents” that happens sometimes.

Poem and illustration copyright 2022 Michelle Garren-Flye

National Poetry Month, Day 22, Verse 22

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All I wanna do is write poetry.

And draw pretty pictures.

lol

Poem and illustration copyright 2022 Michelle Garren-Flye

National Poetry Month, Day 21, Verse 21

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I’m really loving my new keyword/motto “Focus”. I’m a mom all the time, a writer and poet constantly, and a business owner when I can lol. So focus can be a challenge but is important in every aspect of my life. I’m also an amateur photographer, so I know what happens when you take pictures that are out of focus. They suck.

Most of my illustrations for this renga come from photos I shot on my iPhone while walking my dog. Very few of them were actually in focus lol. Which makes this new word of mine all the more pertinent. When I turn the pictures into illustrations, it’s like I’m improving the focus. Like this one.

Illustration and poem copyright 2022 Michelle Garren-Flye

National Poetry Month, Day 15, Verse 15

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As it is tax day here in the States, I’m betting many of us have done a lot of searching for the insignificant…but that’s not what the poem is about. 😉

Poem and illustration by Michelle Garren-Flye

Halfway point makes me wonder. What will I do when this is done?

National Poetry Month, Day 14, Verse 14

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I just re-read what I have so far. It’s actually quite good. I may have to re-write here and there.

Poem and illustration copyright 2022 Michelle Garren-Flye

National Poetry Month, Day 13, Verse 13

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Trying to figure out where this one came from. Like all of these verses, though, it emerged while I was drawing. It’s also quite pertinent to my life right now. What do I wish for? What are my expectations about those wishes? I’m hardly what my mother once called a “spring chicken”, but that doesn’t mean I’m done with this life. I’m not even really started on the fun part yet.

National Poetry Month, Day 10, Verse 10

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Last night during my most productive time (the hours of 11 p.m.-1 a.m.) I discovered I’d left my iPad at work. Those might be my most productive hours, but I don’t go wandering the streets during them. (I did briefly consider going to fetch my iPad as it is only a couple of miles away but discarded that almost immediately.) So I took a night off, which was fine because I already had this one mostly done. Still, it made me realize how closely knit my process of drawing (which I do exclusively on my iPad) and writing are now. I had my laptop. I could have written a verse or two. Maybe, anyway. I’m beginning to understand where this thing is leading me. But it didn’t feel right. So I guess I better not leave my iPad at work anymore.

Poem and illustration copyright 2022 Michelle Garren-Flye

National Poetry Month Day 9, Verse 9

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I love this flower. In the midst of so much white and yellow, this flower dares to bloom in full color. But it also reminds me of our headlong rush through life. Innocence only lasts so long. And once it’s gone, we are never the same.