Wordstone

I’m not a light-footed scamperer
on windswept beaches, however

I’m like a ruddy turnstone, my ageing
skin freckled and pebbled, turning

words like stones and discovering
the nourishment that I’m seeking:

words and phrases, deep as the sea;
a pile of eureka poems to satisfy me.

Kim M. Russell, 7th January 2024

Ruddy turnstone, photographed by Michael Sammut

For the first Poetics of 2025 at the dVerse Poets Pub, Melissa has given us some art in nature by photographer and blogger Michael Sammut, who ‘captures the beauty of the natural world during his travels’.

Our challenge is to write poems in response to one of the featured photographs and let the beauty of the natural world inspire us. Melissa asks us to show which image we have chosen and to credit Michael Summut.

I was drawn to the ruddy turnstone, and produced my first quadrille of the year.

60 thoughts on “Wordstone”

  7. turning words like stones, and words deep as the sea….really wonderful, and fitting in so nicely which is how they work so well, making the verse layered ..or feathered with careful quills.

    Am never disappointed on your page, got to say.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  8. turning words like stones, and words deep as the sea….really wonderful, and fitting in so nicely which is how they work so well, making the verse layered ..or feathered with careful quills.

    Am never disappointed on your page, got to say.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  9. Your opening line is strong and descriptive. It sets the tone of determination. As poets we are always searching for words and phrases. The reader delights in your quest.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  11. Nice one Kim, the way you resonated with the birds appearance

    “I’m like a ruddy turnstone, my ageing
    skin freckled and pebbled, turning”

    Thanks for dropping by my blog

    much♡love

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  16. I can see myself in your poem. I am often stopping to pick up a stone or flip it over with my foot.

    I’m with Grace, these lines caught me too.

    “words and phrases, deep as the sea;
    a pile of eureka poems to satisfy me.”

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  18. Steinwälzer is more to be translate to stone roller, or even stone turner, that means almost exactly turnstone, like in English.

    However, I love the newly created name stone waltzer – they that dance with the stones, just marvellous!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

      2. My husband gave me a book for Christmas with knitting patterns for all sort of creatures, including puffins. They will be my first knitting project.

        Like

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