We've had hot weather in my part of the country and some folks cooled off at breezy ocean shores. The scenes were serene and everyone seemed to be having fun, although one never knows what goes on internally ... what joys or struggles. The
Poets and Storytellers United prompt: "broken glass crunching under the boot steps" had me thinking how careless words can cut deeply into fragile young minds long after they're said. Hateful speech online makes kids particularly vulnerable. Flip-flops work well at the beach but boots not only protect, they can crush the rubble hurtful expressions leave behind and be the metaphor for
support systems that help restore dignity.
Boots can also be a metaphor for our reckless trod on Mother Earth as we inexplicably crush our own survival. Underfoot is where ordinary things can appear remarkable.
Someone collected stones and left them on a bench (above).
Clouds floated lazily across the sky to disappear behind a haze.
Empty boots stood still, waiting for rain puddles to return.
A sky blue umbrella kept the heat off one family.
A hand-drawn parking stall on a driveway was created for the old and/or disabled. These children were learning to be kind and on the road to learning how to spell.
Sailors at Crescent Beach set off in the very slight breeze.
Some people were laid back, others in a hurry.
An eager Pug said hello. We were a curious pair, sharing unbroken glassy-eyed stares.
Explore more at
Poets and Storytellers United,
SKYWATCH and
Saturday's Critters.
I especially like the picture with the umbrella on the seashore (kwarkito)
ReplyDeleteThe pug shot and the mountains are memorable, but I did especially enjoy the good intentions of the children to help old (and "disaboled") "pepole"
ReplyDeleteHaha ... love that you are a careful reader. :))
DeleteBeing out in one of those sailboats looks wonderful. A very creative parking stall!
ReplyDeleteLovely pictures.
ReplyDeleteLovely photos and wonderful poem. I enjoyed the virtual walk with you!
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed the pictures and the descriptions. The pug photos really stand out. Boots can be a metaphor for both the damage that words can cause and the support that can help to heal.
ReplyDeleteGreat shots.
ReplyDeleteSee you have another "Jim" here today. I'm happy you have so many readers. There's another Jim too who visits my other blog, now whittled down to mostly Friday afternoon posting, he's an Ausie.
ReplyDeleteI really do like your poem here today. I coud write my life's story from memories triggered from every line. This is my second visit today, I'll choose "Calous talk" to illistrate. When I first came to school in town bully started in on me. In short, by giving me names. "Sad Sack" stuck because I smiled a lot. He did beat me up once in the boy's rest room. I didn't tell anyone, even my sister.
I noticed quite a bit of internal rhyme, wanted to mention that. In your nature or on purpose, either way, I like it.
I might ask your permission to borrow it to open a chapter in my memoirs if I ever get it that far.
..
Wow ... I would be honored should you ever complete your memoirs. I'm so glad the poem resonated with you, Jim, but sorry you were bullied! I was bullied my first day of school. I was so excited to go I could hardly wait. But when I got there, the kids wouldn't let me sit at a desk. Each time I tried to sit down, they told me it was reserved or would laugh and shove me off the seat. When the teacher came in she picked one for me right at the front. Suddenly I was teacher's pet and the kids seemed to like me even less. All these years later and I haven't forgotten. It confused me. It probably did something to my self-image.
DeleteIt's a good dream he has!
ReplyDeleteI love the photos too.
Social support systems can work when they form spontaneously among friends. I wouldn't give an old newspaper for the kind people try to set up for others.
ReplyDeleteI've seen "managed" celiac support groups denying that most of the celiac-type reactions people have, whether they are or are not genetic celiacs, are glyphosate reactions. (Funny how doctors aren't paid to test for that!)
Oh your words and photos say so much about our people and mother earth ~ thank you ~ Xo
ReplyDeleteWishing you good health, laughter and love in your days,
A ShutterBug Explores,
aka (A Creative Harbor)
A wonderful post of great images and apt commentary. I think children are a lot more affected by harsh speech and actions than what most people think.
ReplyDeleteI think running roughshod over others has been mankinds biggest struggle and it has not abated.
What a face! Nice placement of boots. I feel my own steps for change have gotten weary.
ReplyDeleteI see and admire your efforts, Colleen!
DeleteAmazing words you gift us today ... my special needs son, now 61, has been the recipient of many harsh, broken glass shard kinds of words through the years. I am proud to say he learned how to pull on his boots, trhy to ignore them most of the time. No one should have to endure that kind of abuse..
ReplyDeleteNice pictures... and yes we are crushing our own survival underfoot.. excellent point.
ReplyDeleteHello,
ReplyDeleteIt is sad how we are trodding on our Mother Earth. It is nice the kiddies want to help the disabled. Your photos are all lovely, beautiful views of the water and mountains. The Pug is a cutie. Take care, enjoy your weekend.
Lovely pics and I think these bullying stories are necessary and interesting...Bullying is not uncommon....what I have noticed is that schools don't come down hard enough on bullies....take your example...The teacher did nothing to punish those girls who would not let you sit at the desk...shoving you as well. This would never have happened at the school I went to. It was very strict Every term Mother Superior made her usual speech that bad behaviour would never be tolerated,and that there was a very long waiting list for entrance to this school and offending students would be expelled immediately regardless if they were international students. It worked.
ReplyDeleteHello,
ReplyDeleteI am stopping back to say thank you for sharing the cute pug photos. Adorable dog. Bullying stories seem to be more common than ever, it is sad people think they can say whatever to hurt another person and not be held accountable. Thank you for sharing your poem and lovely photos. Thank you for linking up and sharing your post. Take care, have a great weekend. Thank you for leaving me a comment.
That pug is adorable! Enjoy your weekend!
ReplyDeleteWhen I hear the word boot, I think of the song from Frank Sinatra's daughter who sang, "these boots are made for walking ...." the text was not so gentle as yours !
ReplyDeleteThe dog's face is terrific, it made me laugh, he lifted my mood ! I should put a poster of him on my wall ! My cat looks too friendly and cute !
Sadly, bullying, violence, or war, never ends. When people turn a blind eye, bullying never stops. It’s shameful for some teachers not to respond at once and only to take a token attitude. Wish children have courage to speak up to stop it for the sake of the bullied one. Thank you, Maria, for ending this heavy issue with such a charming Pug. I can’t help but smile.
ReplyDeleteBroken glass underfoot is a perfect metaphor for the way cruel words can hurt. There is so much that needs to be done to heal our earth -- kindness is a place where we can all start.
ReplyDeleteLovely pictures especially the sailors at Crescent Beach.
ReplyDeleteHow words can cut like glass. So true! They last a lifetime when said to children, many of whom tend to believe what is hurled in their direction. Your poem is powerful and paired with the image next to it, even more so. The pup is such a darling, eyes brimming with questions in such an expressive face. Thank you for another marvelous series of images, and words.
ReplyDeleteI love the photos and your take on the prompt.
ReplyDeleteSupport system like boots will really do....nice!
ReplyDeleteGreat to see the sail boats out there taking advantage of the wind. Now if only we could get those motorized boats off the water with their noise, fumes and spills. People in Vermont need their rubber boots right about now, don’t they?
ReplyDelete"Boots can also be a metaphor for our reckless trod on Mother Earth as we inexplicably crush our own survival. Underfoot is where ordinary things can appear remarkable."
ReplyDeleteThis is a perfect metaphor, indeed. Wonderful photos!