Down by the green and weed-choked lake,
among pungent soil and undergrowth,
rotting wood, irises and lilies,
is the breathtaking kingdom of dragonflies
with their large, iridescent eyes
and delicate, dazzling, vivid wings,
It must be the sunniest part of the day:
they need the sun for energy
to zip and dart in jerky flight,
guards patrolling their territory,
the lake or pond, the flowering meadow –
be careful not to cast a shadow!
Kim M. Russell, 10th July 2018
A poem for Imaginary Garden with Real Toads Tuesday Platform: Poeming
Pat has shared ‘A Sort Of A Song’ by William Carlos Williams and offers us the chance to showcase ONE unprompted poem of our choice. I spent some time on Sunday trying to take photographs of dragon and damselflies. In the brilliant sunshine, there were hundreds of them but they were so active I managed to get only one clear shot – and you can hardly see the dragonfly!
writing in north norfolk 
zip, zing, swoop, dip and they are lightning fast! but oh, so beautiful, their wings catching light, catching flight, radiance in motion –
I LOVE dragon/damselflies – I can watch them for hours …. so even if hard to photography, especially when they are flirting/flitting about, your poem speaks to their creature comfort zones, their inherent beauty – and the winged majesty of delight they offer!
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Thank you, Pat!
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I like the way you have captured the spirit of dragonflies in your poem. I’ve tried to photograph them to but found it impossible.
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We have dragonflies in our garden but I’ve found the best place in the grounds of a big house that are open to the public, which I visited on Sunday.
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This is very beautiful
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Thank you.
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What a lovely time in the sunshine…tracking dragonflies… sounds warm and wonderful.
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It was – and we followed a trail of statues, too!
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My favorite of all the winged creatures that flit and fly in my garden. I have even named my Kindle “Dragonfly” (is it weird that I named my Kindle?). Lovely poem.
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Thank you for reading and commenting.
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I love dragonflies and I think you’ve captured their spirit beautifully!
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Thank you, Jo!
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The imagery is delicious. I can see the buzz and feel the colors. And the closing is perfect–enjoying nature (or anything, for that matter) is a gift, but we should never restrict the gift in order to enjoy it.
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Thank you, Magaly.
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They are plentiful here this year. Love trying to capture them, although, as you say, they do move swiftly, and often. Lovely poem and images.
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Thank you!
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I love dragonflies! But yes, they can be tricky to photograph. Beautiful poem, Kim. I was there…
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So glad you like it, Linda!
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Magical, both the picture painted and the words themselves. I don’t see too many dragon flies where I live, in the winter time sometimes, but it is too hot in the summer I think. Great work!!!
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Thank you, Corey!
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I love pondering the kingdom of dragonflies….and their iridescent eyes.
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Thank you, Sherry.
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I too love dragonflies and have often dreamed of rding one, flitting about in the sunlight, skimming above the water. You have captured them beautifully Kim. And I spotted the dragonfly right off the bad in one of the photos.
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Thanks Toni. The kingfisher is next on my photo opportunity list!
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Best kind of hunting there is Kim. This is delightful!
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Thank you, Carrie!
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kaykuala
they need the sun for energy
to zip and dart in jerky flight,
You captured truly the ‘jerky flights’ of these creatures. They can stay airborne but stationery and suddenly dart out! Very accurate Kim!
Hank
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Thank you, Hank!
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You took us down to the water’s edge and showed us a new world.
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🙂
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Pretty though for pretty flying insect.
I enjoy watching them flit around.
..
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I love that flash of colour.
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wow!!! its just great
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Thank you so much!
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