19 Comments

Love that you have such a magical place to go to, and to take your family, Tara. Having those secret spots during tourist season is so nice. Having those secret spots in general is wonderful. :)

"you are the place/my heart goes when/it needs to float" is such comforting imagery. I love it. Although, I have never been able to float without the assistance of a life jacket or kickboard. Took years of swimming lessons and still couldn't float. 😂 But given a comfy lifejacket I adore floating in lakes as well. :) Also, I have totally been to that L.L. Bean as a tourist.

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Petra, I am the most buoyant member of my family, so my kids and husband understand your necessary reliance on flotation devices. And I'm delighted to know you've been to L.L. Bean! Fun to know we've inhabited the same space. 🤗

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In regards to floating, it's so nice to know I'm not the only one. 😂

And agreed, it is fun to know we've inhabited the same space. 🤗 Freeport was great. The rocky shoreline was super cool. So different from the beaches here on the west coast. 🌊

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This one really strikes a chord with me, Tara. I, too, have such fond memories of my own childhood summers spent on a lake in Maine. Your poem brings me right back to the water's edge. I especially loved these lines:

"the water wants

to hold you up, you

just have to let it"

Thank you for sharing this. 😊

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Thanks, Adam. I’m glad this one brought back happy memories.

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I like the backstory you give about your experiences with the lake. And the poem itself also echoes this, proving how amicable the lake can be to anyone.

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I love this:

"I learned to swim

in your waters,

my mother saying

the water wants

to hold you up, you

just have to let it"

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"the water

wants to hold you up,

you just have to let it" --this. beautiful, beautiful work. taking the lake and turning into this narrative of your childhood, adding a deeper meaning. Just wow.

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Yes.

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😀

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I brought my children

to meet you so they, too,

could learn that the water

wants to hold you up,

you just have to let it

This is such a beautiful poem and this last stanza is stunning. I’ve never been to Maine but I’ve spent some time in Vermont and it’s so beautiful.

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Thank you, LeeAnn. So appreciate you reading and connecting. Vermont is so beautiful. I love it there. Surprising how different the New England states can be, despite their proximity. You should visit Maine some time.

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Your memories so beautifully stated in this poem.

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Thank you so much, Monica.

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Lovely poem, Tara. And for me, based outside the US, lovely to read your portrait of Maine.

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Thanks so much, Thomas.

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Love the thoughts behind this poem I already loved!

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Thanks so much, Kristine. 🤗

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Beautiful! I can't help but feel I'd love to be one of those tourists, hopefully not the most clueless and inconsiderate among them.

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