David L. Harrison
I take pride in curating Poetry from Everyday Life. Since the inception of this column in November 2023, an increasing array of distinguished guests have contributed their insight and creativity, enriching a roster of exceptionally talented individuals. The current count stands at sixty, spanning various locations across America and beyond. I extend my gratitude to all the adept poets and advocates of poetry for their invaluable contributions to this distinctive column, and I appreciate each of you for engaging with our content. I encourage you to share these columns with others who would find joy in them. ~ David L. Harrison
Sources of Inspiration Along the Road
At some point in our lives, we inevitably find ourselves traversing highways in our vehicles. While driving, my gaze often wanders to the scenery flanking the road. During a journey from Springfield to Kansas City, I spotted an abundance of hawks perched atop trees, prompting Sandy to humorously suggest I keep my hawk count to myself.
Road trips serve as excellent catalysts for inspiration, regardless of whether bird-watching is your cup of tea. I have observed and later documented various scenes, including a cow giving birth in a field, roadkill in ditches, and buzzards indulging in their feast. From creatures leaping, crawling, to slithering across the road, the experiences are diverse. If biology isn’t your forte, perhaps the billboards catch your attention.
In a recent feature on Poetry from Everyday Life, Marcus Cafagna shared a poem inspired by a spontaneous interaction with a man facing job loss. A simple coffee break led to the birth of an idea for a poem. Similarly, on one of my excursions, a sizable billboard advertising the best breakfast all day caught my eye. Despite having already eaten and being pressed for time, the sign sparked thoughts about an unknown woman. This contemplation eventually inspired me to craft a poem in her honor.
Contemplation on the Breakfast Sign
The sign boldly declares, “EAT AT MADGE’S! BEST BREAKFAST ALL DAY!”
I zoom past Exit 12-B, forfeiting the chance to meet Madge and savor her culinary delights.
Yet, I can’t help but ponder Madge’s well-being.
That prominent sign must have cost her a fortune, not to mention sleep, all that money invested in billboards lining the roadside—equivalent to a significant number of eggs.
Is Madge currently stationed off Exit 12-B, anticipating that travelers enticed by her sign will veer off the Interstate to verify her culinary prowess?
I envision her, flushed from the heat, strands of gray peeking through her hair—no time for touch-ups—brushing away stray locks from her eyes, deftly cracking eggs on the sizzling grill, calling out, “Hey folks!
Thank you for stopping by! I’ll be right with you!” Hoping that this week, this month, she cracks enough eggs to offset the cost of that sign.
David L. Harrison holds the esteemed titles of Missouri’s 7th Poet Laureate and Drury University’s Poet Laureate. With a prolific literary career, he has authored over 100 books encompassing poems, stories, nonfiction works, and educational resources for teachers, garnering numerous accolades along the way.