August 6, 2016 Photo (Photo © 2017 by V. Nesdoly)
Ghostly visible
as winter’s “Fresh Blueberries”
summer’s Christmas scene
© 2017 by Violet Nesdoly
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I photographed the Christmas scene above last August when we were visiting the kids up north. I wondered how many times I had passed it and not even seen it. It made me think of other things we see and subconsciously ignore because we know they just aren’t relevant. Is there some psychological phenomena behind that? Probably!
This post is linked to Poetry Friday, hosted this week by Carol at Carol’s Corner.
Violet Nesdoly / poems 
lindabaie
June 16, 2017 at 1:14 pm
It really must be the mind that rejects that which we don’t need at one time and do need at another. I love your idea of “ghostly images”, Violet. But funny–I first read it as “ghastly”, had to look again and wonder why?
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Violet Nesdoly
June 16, 2017 at 8:13 pm
Thanks, Linda. As to why you saw “ghastly” for “ghostly,” maybe your brain has more than one trick up its sleeve. 😉
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Kay McGriff (@kaymcgriff)
June 16, 2017 at 2:35 pm
I wonder…I’m sure I’ve passed by similar sights and tuned them right out, but my husband seems to notice them all! Love the idea captured in this short poem.
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Violet Nesdoly
June 16, 2017 at 8:15 pm
Thanks, Kay! Some people are obviously more observant than others, and perhaps more bothered by the incongruities.
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carwilc
June 16, 2017 at 2:55 pm
You make me think of that activity with the video where participants are supposed to count the number of times a ball is tossed back and forth in a group of people. In the meantime, a gorilla walks through the group. About half the participants are so busy counting they don’t even notice the gorilla. I love the title of this poem!
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Violet Nesdoly
June 16, 2017 at 8:19 pm
Thanks, Carol! Aren’t those interesting activities—where we see in real life examples, how unobservant people are. We all need to play more of Kim’s game!
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haitiruth
June 16, 2017 at 5:13 pm
Wow, what a wonderful image! I love the poem!
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Violet Nesdoly
June 16, 2017 at 8:21 pm
Thank you, Ruth! The fact that these figures were still out in summer makes them appear even more wraith-like, I think.
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Jane the Raincity Librarian
June 16, 2017 at 7:47 pm
I often have similar experiences when family and friends visit from out of town – suddenly they’re noticing and pointing out all sorts of oddities that had simply become an invisible part of my routine!
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Violet Nesdoly
June 16, 2017 at 8:25 pm
Excellent point, Jane. I see things about my own house that I miss when I even just imagine someone coming for a visit who has never been here before. Yes, strangers are wonderfully sensitive to new surroundings.
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maryleehahn
June 17, 2017 at 5:54 am
This poem may be cousin to The Elephant In The Room!!
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Michelle Kogan Illustration, Painting & Writing
June 17, 2017 at 2:35 pm
This is a lovely haiku Violet and ties together perfectly with the image, each line flows effortlessly into the next!
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jama
June 17, 2017 at 2:42 pm
It would feel odd to see Christmas decor during August. You make a good point — perhaps we are conditioned to only see those things we deem relevant at any given time. Hmmm, something to ponder. Enjoyed your haiku, Violet!
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Brenda Davis Harsham
June 21, 2017 at 3:23 pm
So true!
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