Triggered Transformation

 

32 degrees

triggers transformation.

Oxygen atoms plus the four nearest hydrogen neighbors

bond in a rigid lattice

stretched with openness,

as a paper thin sheet of frozen crystals

encrusts

the pond. 

I was walking a trail the other morning, actually one of the only mornings below freezing that we have had this year, when I was stopped by the beauty of the sun reflecting off the ice (it also has been pretty gray around here).  It just made me stop and notice one of the beauties of winter that cannot happen in any other season.  

Then it made me wonder- how does ice really form? how can it form such a thin layer?  I went home and googled more information about how water turns from liquid to solid. It is a pretty amazing thing that happens with this liquid becoming less dense as a solid. The new learning I had inspired the poem above.

I love how a simple walk caused a wonder that brought me new learning and understanding. 

A Whispered Wish

A garland of white 

lays gently atop the glossy, serrated leaves 

as vivid ruby berries 

adorn the thin brown branches.

Mother Nature whispers,

“Merry Christmas” to the world. 

Finally, last weekend snow covered the ground-at least for a few hours. It looked so beautiful cascading to earth. As I paused in my wrapping, I glanced out the window. I noticed that my holly bush looked like it had been decorated for Christmas. The snow was captured by the leaves allowing it to encircle the bush. The red berries were clustered in groups adding vibrancy to the darker green. It seemed that nature was prepared to join in the joyous celebration of Christmas. 

Thank you Mother Nature for making me see the beauty in the season and the gift of recognizing the joy in small things. 

Shining Delight- Ode to December Sunshine

 Oh sunshine

brightening the dawn's sky

announcing the day will be fine

the storm has blown by.

Oh sunshine

you cast energy into me

chasing away my cloudy whine

changing the way I see.

Oh sunshine

my face basks in your light

weaving through branches of pine

 spreading warmth to all in your sight. 

Oh sunshine

you are pure delight

the world's hopeful sign

glowing with positive golden might.

Awakening this morning to a quiet, calm that replaced the rushing, powerful destructive winds of the night. It is truly amazing how the weather can be completely different in a very short amount of time.

Looking out the window, I noticed blue sky and sunshine.  SUNSHINE!!! Immediately, I knew this was going to be a great day. There was no gloomy gray cloudiness that is often the daily existence in December. I knew I needed to get outside and soak in as much vitamin D as possible. 

Walking with the sun warming my face, just brought forth a feeling of love for this glowing orb in the sky.  It does so much more for me than just provide light and warmth. It brightens my soul and gives positivity to my perspective. Thank you for all that you provide me with oh sun!

Poetry form : Ode

An ode is a lyrical poem that praises or glorifies. This ode was inspired by my walk today and wanting to praise the sun.

Beautiful or Horrific?

 First dusting of snow,

Beautiful or horrific?

Choose your perspective.

Recently, the first snow of the season happened overnight. In the morning, I was struck by the quiet beauty that had covered the world in the darkness. With the sun just beginning to rise, a light blue tint colored the morning. It started my day in such a positive way- being surrounded by the beauty of winter.

Upon arriving at work that morning, I realized not everyone felt the same way. Many colleagues were grumbling about the snow, cold and slipperiness. When checking my social media, the dissing of the first snow continued with total annoyance that more is definitely to come over the next few months.  I was not totally surprised by this because I know many people who live in my state do not enjoy winter at all. 

The differing of opinions showed a stark contrast. It truly is all in your perspective. Do you see it as beautiful or not? Will your next few months be filled with complaining or joy as we progress through winter? 

Well, I vote for looking for the joy in the blankets of snow and the beauty that only exists during this season! What will your perspective be?

Bathing in a Forest

Dipping toes into fallen gold leaves,

Submerging beneath bare tree limbs,

Washing with nature’s cool breath,

Soaking in the silence,

Scrubbing away stress,

Rinsing with sun,

Laundering

my soul-

Cleansed

To begin my Sunday morning, I went forest bathing for the first time.  This means taking in the forest through our senses. It is not exercising but just being in nature and connecting with it through our multiple senses. 

I am thankful that Yoga with Linda offered this experience today. A small group of us walked, meditated and journaled out in the woods. We sat under the blue sky surrounded by crunchy, dried fallen leaves and soaked in the sounds, sights and smells of nature surrounding us. As I sat there, I could feel my muscles relax and my shoulders lower. I was able to let stress of the week go and feel refreshed by the end of our time. I definitely felt cleansed.

**During our journaling time, this nonet poem began to take form.  A nonet poem has 9 lines. The first line has 9 syllables, the second line has 8, the third has 7 and so on until the last line has 1. **

Maturing to Let Go

 A season is ending,

seeds ready to fly.

When will each let go?

From sprout to leaf to flower

to the mature pod opening to the world,

a season is ending.

The full plant gave all of itself

to form and foster

seeds ready to fly.

They shake in the forceful winds.

Gathering bravery to finally leave this home.

When will each let go?

Walking along a trail, the opened milkweed pod caught my attention. The plant had matured from Spring to Fall and was now in the final stages of the season. The seeds were clustered together wavering in the cool, crisp breeze. The wind was forceful but the seeds were still hanging on. It just made me wonder when each one will let go to begin life on its own. 

Poetry Form: Cascade 

Fading Mask

Fading chlorophyll 

reveals leaves true colors

gold, red or orange.

Elegant beauty displayed

as green’s mask falls more each day.

Can we learn from leaves?

Drop our protective facades,

a daunting risk.

Show our true selves to others.

Our realness -as  stunning.

Walking around during the last few days, I have been delighted in the foliage before me. Finally, the reds, yellows and oranges of this season are on display. As I walk through the trees with fallen leaves rustling about my feet, I remembered reading that these colors are always present in the leaves but hidden by chlorophyll during the spring and summer.  As the leaves stop making chlorophyll, the green fades and these true colors are shown to the world. 

This idea of green being a mask floated about in my head.  It made me think about people and how we wear masks daily and don’t reveal our true personalities to many people. But the people who do get to see our true colors often see the beauty in our vulnerability and love our faults as well as our strengths.  This acceptance adds beauty to the world. 

Poetry form:  Tanka (2 tankas in this piece)

The Beauty in an Ending

Released from unsustaining tethers,

golden confetti

downwardly chassés

celebrating

autumn’s final

vibrancy.

I was standing on a trail looking up through the trees towards the sun. Suddenly, a strong autumnal breeze shook the leaves releasing golden flutters into the sky. It was so beautiful as golden leaves glided from side to side on their way to their final resting place. I felt as if Mother Nature had tossed confetti into the air in celebration of the lifecycle of these leaves. They had reached the end of their time but were ending their lives in pure beauty, grace and peace. I was so thankful I was a part of this moment and shared in the calmness that pervaded the forest around me. 

Nature = Truly Me

 Without words,

         you soothe my soul.

Without embraces,

          you surround me with understanding.

Without hearing,

          you accept my secrets, heartaches and dreams.

Without judgment,

          you offer compassion and care.

Without thoughts,

         you fill me with wisdom.

With you, I am truly me. 

Over the long weekend, I had the privilege to spend time camping. One morning as I sat sipping my tea and looking out over the trees into blue sky, I realized how much nature gives to me. It is there for me in good times and where I run to for comfort on those challenging days. Breathing in the scent of a forest, relieves my stress and calms my mind. Just sitting in its peace, lets my mind wander allowing me to think through paths of solving problems or reaching goals. Nature always reminds me to be mindful and notice the awe in the world around me. 

Nature relaxes me. Nature rejuvenates me. Nature influences me. Nature is me.

Thank you nature for all that you give to me. 

(Photo was my view that inspired me to write.)

Behold the Beauty

Dapples of burgundy

Swishes of gold

Daubs of ruby 

Brushes of orange

Splashes of chestnut

Shades of emerald

Framed by pond and sky

- an autumnal masterpiece to behold.

I am in awe every autumn when surrounded by the amazing foliage of Western New York. It is my favorite season in part due to nature’s artistry.

I stood looking out across the pond and felt like I had been dropped into a framed landscape in a museum. The colors were so vibrant with various hues highlighted by the sun’s rays. The pond and sky were a natural frame to the spread of trees before me.  I just stood and admired for many moments.

I wanted to capture this view as a reminder of the season’s beauty. I used my camera to snap a photo or two but these images do not do the scene justice. The human eye can see the real beauty.

So if you live where the leaves change color, go outside, look around and behold the beauty!

Reiterate Wishes

Wishes

spring from

what could be...

A betterness

A kindness

A happiness

A lovingness

A peacefulness

An easiness

A hopefulness

A healingness

A successfulness

for you,

             for me, 

                        for the world.

Ever since I was a little kid, I loved to blow the seeds of dandelions into the wind. I would close my eyes, take a deep breath and exhale across the fluffy whiteness of these seeded dandelions. As I exhaled, I would make a wish or two believing fully that the magic of nature would make them come to pass.

As I was walking the other day, I saw a few of these white fluffy balls alongside the path. I decided to indulge in my previous practice. I bent down, plucked one from the ground and held it before me. I closed my eyes and thought about what wishes would be. Then I blew directly into the ball releasing seeds into the air. I put faith into each small parachute seed to plant my wishes into the soil wherever it landed and help them blossom. 

Take a moment to indulge in the joyous childhood practice…what would your wishes be?

Photo Credit: Felicia Hutter

Summer Slips to September

Anticipation is so high in the

Beginning of summer.

Classes end,

Days grow longer,

Energy of possibilities pulses.

Freedom from routines

Greets us on 

Hot, humid hundred degree days.

Ice cream drips down sugar cones

Junking up hands with stickiness

Kids licking both in delight.

Lightning bugs flash on and off these

Moonlit

Nights

Offering

Peaceful

Quaint lighting

Round our bonfires, relaxing us.

Sun sinks into waves, a

Tapestry of nature’s artistry as

Utter beauty paints the sky.

Vacation lessens with each sinking.

Winds of September bring cooler air.

X’s on the calendar mark each day’s passing. 

You hold tight to summer’s pace

Zoning out for one final day. 

So yesterday was Labor Day and today is my final day of summer vacation. School begins tomorrow. All of this brought me to reflect on the summer. Oh, how quickly it seemed to pass. 

Those days of…

Waking up at a time of my choosing

Soaking up the sun in hours spent outdoors- hiking, biking, yoga

Reveling in the beauty of nature - capturing it in photos

Writing for myself- filling notebooks with the joys of this summer

Devouring books just for the delight of reading and escaping

Vacationing with family- hiking, games, laughter, meals, cherished times

Oh July and August what treasures you brought!

I decided to honor my last day by respecting summer’s slower pace. Taking the time to just be throughout this final day. I know the schedule, rushed routine and stress return tomorrow. I am savoring these last moments of summer… how delightful it truly is. 

Poetry Form: Alphabet Poem

Beams of Heaven

Beams of heaven                                                          

streak through the evening clouds                

illuminating our country's flag

as it furls and unfurls 

at half-mast

in the gentlest of breezes.

Making me 

pause,

pray,

honor,

thank

the 13 heroes lost in duty.

Sometimes moments that occur in nature make you just stop in your tracks and notice the awe around you. 

This happened to me a few nights ago. I was with a group doing yoga outside at a park. While doing various poses, I was noticing the beauty of the sky- the cloud formations, the various hues of blue. 

Looking up at one moment, the sunbeams were streaming through the clouds and landing on our flag. Parts of the flag were brightened by this light as it waved in the subtle evening breeze. I just stopped.

I really stopped doing yoga with everyone else. It seemed to me that heaven was reaching down through those clouds to welcome home the 13 heroes lost in duty in Afghanistan and to offer comfort to our country. I offered up gratitude for the freedoms I have and for all the military that have stood up to defend these. 

This natural moment of sunbeams falling to earth helped me deal with the emotions of our tumultuous world. I hope it can do the same for you.

Caught in a Glance

 

    

Vivid orange flicks through

my field of vision.

Following it to my right,

3 monarchs in flight.

My field of vision-

wildflowers blooming all around

large and small butterflies are found.

Following it to my right,

A butterfly perches on thistle

with its proboscis unrolled into the bristle.

3 monarchs in flight,

a delicate graceful dance-

How lucky was I to catch this in a glance.

This Sunday afternoon I decided to go for a walk along a trail that I hadn’t been to in awhile. Upon arrival, I noticed the field was full of blooming wildflowers. I figured it would be a treat to wander the trail through these alone. I didn’t know that I would be treated by nature to so much more.

A few minutes into the walk, something bright orange flew through my field of vision. I looked and saw a monarch fluttering around. Then another one came and joined in the up, down twisting dance.  Then to my amazement a third one joined in the game of hopscotch from flower to flower.

Now, I have seen monarchs many times before but a few things stood out of the ordinary this time. First was the vibrancy of their orange. I don’t know if it was the angle of the sun or the background of greenery but they just glowed. It simply was stunning! (I know that this time their color was brighter and deeper because my husband commented the same thoughts that I had been thinking,)

Second, I usually see one monarch flying on its own and then pausing to eat on a flower. This time the dance of flight of 3 monarchs together was joyful. I couldn’t help but stop and smile as you saw them playing together in the sunshine.

As I continued down the path, I thought my butterfly encounter was done for the day. Then I rounded a curve in the path and came upon a batch of thistle. Sitting on a tip was a black and yellow butterfly gently opening and closing its wings. I took tentative steps forward hoping to get a closer look. The butterfly’s proboscis was unrolled and moving up and down as it sucked up nectar. It was amazing to just be still and watch a butterfly feed. 

This trail gave me experiences with nature that I was not expecting today. The butterflies were the joyful ones. (I’ll save the tales of frogs and baby chipmunks for another day.)

Poetry Form: Trimeric (a poem with 4 stanzas, the first stanza has 4 lines, the other 3 stanzas have 3 lines, the first line of each stanza is a refrain of the corresponding line in the first stanza)

Am I that Acorn?

 

Tossing, turning, submerging, floating

Through cresting, crashing rhythmic waves

Cascading towards the shore

Grounded by gritty sand

As water retreats

A voyager

Rests in sun

Stillness

Calm

I was walking along the shore of Lake Ontario earlier this week and came upon a unique voyager on the waves. I stopped to watch as an acorn was batted about on the incoming waves. At times, it was visible, then not. It was upright and then topsy-turvy. Finally, it was deposited on the soaked sands as the waves retreated back into the lake. It’s wet shell glistened in the sun as it lay in stillness surrounded by other trinkets moved by the powerful force of water. I wonder if it was glad to find a resting place.

As I watched this acorn, I realized that I traveled the same path through this last year- being upright then the world being upside down. Being batted around by things out of my control- COVID, masking and social distancing guidelines, school guidelines changing daily, my college kids home then away then home. I felt like I was washed ashore at the end of the school year in June. I was able to just BE in summer stillness soaking up the sun. I had time to surround myself with friends who had made it through too and share our stories and complex feelings. I know that I was extremely glad to find a resting place for a few months this summer. I plan to soak up the last few weeks of just BEING.

Poetry Form: Nonet - a 9 line poem that has 9 syllables in the first line, 8 syllable in the 2nd line and so on. The last line contains 1 syllable.

Some Love for Shade

Step

into

Summer’s shade

Coolness fills the air

Protection from intense sun rays

Comfortable relief in daylight’s shawdowy darkness

Its’s over 90 degrees and the humidity is 49% making it feel like 97 degrees outside.

A 4 day heat wave is predicted with today being the lowest in temperature- ha! 90 is not low.

On days like these, I am so absolutely thankful for the shade cast by our sun. When outside, I seek it out. That is where I want to be- in the shade of a tree or the shadow cast by my house. The shade makes these days bearable. These dark areas on a summer day make it so you can still venture outside and enjoy.  It makes it feel like you are note melting into the earth.

Stepping into this summer darkness, you feel the temperature drop a bit. I think that shade is often taken for granted but I just want to say loud and proud today that I LOVE SHADE!

Poetry Form: Fibonacci Poem  The syllables in one line equal the total number of syllables in the preceding two lines (1,2,3, 5, 8, 13…)

Flowers = Memories + Smiles

 

                          

                              

                                Forget me?

                                 - NOT!

I just love when I come across these flowers on the sides of trails. Their small, delicate, pastel beauty is a pleasant surprise amongst the trail greenery.

There are 4 meanings associated with these 5 petal blue blooms.

1. True love

2. Fidelity- faithful and truthful

3. Long lasting connections that can’t be broken or shaken by anything

4. Remembering someone

I have always tied Forget-me-nots to my dad who passed away when I was 17. They definitely make me remember someone dear to me. I also believe I still have a strong long lasting connection with him as my special guardian angel.

Seeing these wildflowers along the trail always bring a smile for their beauty and memories of being Daddy’s little girl.

Jewels of a Storm

 Glistening raindrops 

Resting on broad hosta leaves

- jewels of a storm

These past weeks have been filled with so much rain. Every single day this precipitation falls from the sky dampening summer plans. No hiking the mountain today- severe thunderstorms on the way. Cancel the soccer game because the field is a swamp.

I was feeling a bit down as the raindrops fell for about the 8th day in a row. When was this going to end and the summer sun return? 

After a bit of time, I looked out the window and was shocked to see sun! I went out my front door to relish in the rays. I looked down and paused in awe. The raindrops were clinging to plants and glistening across my garden. It looked like a fairy had sprinkled some magic over my plants turning raindrops into diamonds. This sparkle of the reflecting sun reminded me that beauty can be found after days of gloom. Those jewels of the storm were a treasure found.

This seemed to be nature’s reminder to me that beauty can be found in unexpected times and places. Just keep your eyes open!

 

A Square of Surprise

Eyes slowly open

glance up through the square-

BLUE??

Wait! Am I dreaming?

Squeeze eyes shut- reopen

BLUE!

Forecast of continued clouds

and thunderstorms throughout but-

BLUE!

Happiness this morn’

Rethink plans for the day-

BLUE!

Hop out of bed

seize the warmth, sun and

BLUE!

~ before grays predicted return

On a getaway to the Catskill Mountains, the weather changed our plans on Saturday. Severe thunderstorms rolled through and knocked out the power to our cabin.

Instead of having a fire and s’mores, we drove around to find flashlights and candles. The first stop was out of flashlights and batteries but we struck gold at a tiny gas station. Fantastic- light for the night!

Since we had a signal there, we checked on the weather. More rain and storms throughout the night as well as 90%-100% chance of rain all day Sunday. We decided to sleep in and have a lazy morning.

As I opened my eyes on Sunday morning and looked up through a skylight,I saw BLUE! I couldn’t believe it so I closed my eyes and took a breath. I opened my eyes and again BLUE with puffy white clouds.

The thought of a lazy Sunday morning totally vanished. Energy flowing, I popped out of bed to get the day started!

The power was back,the sun was out, the sky was BLUE! Time to seize this positive start and get out into this unexpected joy.

- Before predicted storms arrive later about 4:00. We shall see…

Embrace or Wither?

Searing heat

  radiates

from sun rays

to everything

they grace their

potent light upon.

Plants shrivel,

grass browns,

humans stay inside

to escape

the humid, hot,

instant sweat-creating air.

Waves upon waves

of increasing heat,

days upon days

of grilling sunshine,

no one ventures 

outdoors

to embrace summer joy-

so many days left to wither.

In my mind, summer is supposed to be filled with outdoor adventures surrounded by nature. It might be a Book Club meeting in a forest, a yoga class at a beach, or a hike in a cool creek. It is a time of outdoor enjoyment.

So the past few days have been horrible for me. I have stayed in my house basically all day. The feel like temperatures were above 100 and the humidity was so high. There was a Heat Advisory for the area. Honestly, if I just stepped out of the house and stood there, sweat would be dripping down my face. 

I HATE days like these. I know that I am probably in the minority in upstate New York because we don't have a long summer. But I truly don't understand the love for days like this. I can find nothing enjoyable about them. I don't want to live inside in July or have AC on all of the time. I love windows open and fresh air moving throughout the house.

These days of neighbors staying inside, no children's laughter filling the air and the hum of air conditioners running seems like such a waste of these precious summer days. Instead of the day being filled with life, its hours seem to wither away. 

Oh cooling breezes when will you arrive so I can again embrace the fullness of summer days!

Summer Lights

 glow

                                glow

          glow

Did you know?

Summer vacation is a go!

                               FLASH

flash

                flash

No need for the daily dash

just sit back, relax and crash.

glow                           glow

        GLOW                               GLOW

                       glow  glow

A June nighttime show

announcing summer vacation is a go!

As a teacher you truly live to say- "School's out for the SUMMER!"

On my first night of no alarm clock the next day, I sat in my backyard at dusk. As it darkened, I was treated to a natural light show. Fireflies were in abundance. Lights were flashing here, then there throughout my garden. It looked like strings of fairy lights had been laid in my bushes as they twinkled with this summer light. It added a party feel to my yard. It felt like the world was cheering that I had made it through this challenging and unique school year. The here and there again lights bubbled joy within me and launched me into my summer mode of beginning to slow down and rejuvenate. Embrace those summer nights!

Photo from Shutterstock 

My photo did not really catch any fireflies glowing. It was just black.

Stillness’ Illusion

mirrored

stillness

sunlight glistening  on water

water on glistening sunlight

stillness

mirrored

Moments of pure joy and delight fill me when I have the opportunity to kayak on mirrored stillness. It is like gliding through the sky as your kayak makes ripples in the clouds, sky and sun. The only sounds are the drips off your paddle as the water flows outward from your boat breaking the pure calm. You feel as though you are doing something unnatural, sailing through the sky!  It is magical- honestly. A moment to savor as nature provides you this illusion.

Poetry form: Palindrome poem

Location: Mendon Ponds, NY

Innocence

Unaware of threat

youthful innocence, trust, joy

 -uncorrupted heart

This past weekend I was walking the trail at Lagoon Park in Canandiagua, NY.  As I rounded the bend, this adorable little rabbit was on the edge of the trail just munching away at the greenery along the edge. He was mindfully eating with delight, not even aware that humans were near or that we could be a threat to him. 

Another hiker had paused to enjoy this innocence as well. As she slowly and quietly stepped forward, he finally recognized that there were other creatures present. He hopped away from her right towards me. He was less than 2 feet away. He paused, looked up at me and then turned to the right and hurriedly hopped 4 jumps away. Then the rabbit resettled into the greens and happily munched away again. 

This little rabbit's innocence, trust, delight and of course, cuteness, made adult humans pause and enjoy life for a few moments. We took a feeling of joy with us as we walked forward in our day.

Ombré Blue

                                                               

Nature’s palette from sea to sky…

Steel blue waves crest and fall

Baby blue graces the horizon

Cornflower deepens the view

Azure brightens and heightens

Cerulean crowns the sky in full bright glory.

A walk along the lake today brought a stunning view of the water and sky decked out in various hues of blue. The lake grounded it in a dark steel blue as the waves met the shore. Then the palest of blues was at the horizon. Then ombre of blue continued to the top with deeper and vibrant tones. It looked like a painting with the subtle passing from one hue to the next. It was truly beautiful!!

Often times people will say- the sky is blue today. Well, which blue sky are you seeing? Which mood of blue is nature’s character that day?

Next time you hear that, please pause and take a moment to soak in that blue. Can you give it a more specific name than just blue?

Beauty, Gratitude, Peace

Cumulus clouds drift

Patches of blue dot the sky

Aged Red pines tower

Sunlight streams through coarse needles

Peace, beauty and awe abound 

My mouth literally gaped open.

I looked like the emoji 😮.

I was laying on my yoga mat gazing up at the sky. As I realized the trees formed a heart, I was astounded. It was breathtakingly beautiful.

I remained motionless for minutes. Just watching the clouds, the blue and the sunshine dance across the window of sky. It was a living canvas with changing colors, brightness and mood.

The beauty brought awe.

The awe brought gratitude.

The gratitude brought peace.

What a lovely way to being a weekend!

(Yes- this is a REAL photo with no filters. Just my true view that morning in May.)

Poem form- Tanka (5 line poem with the syllables of 5-7-5-7-7) 

Comforting Coo

Each morning your coo awakens me,

comforting me in my sorrow.

A companion for my heart

as I walk through the loss,

Your mourning greeting

let’s me know I’m

not alone.

You are

here.

I have a sweet affection for Mourning Doves. They have brought me comfort since I was 17. This week was the anniversary of my dad’s passing and their coo’s were heard again this week.

Here is a small piece from a notebooking entry last May about my relationship with these birds, especially the two always on my front walkway.

The last few mornings I have been awakened by the lamenting coo of the Mourning Dove. I do love to hear this soothing sound each day. It brings back memories of my dad. The Mourning Dove was truly that for me. A friend each morning during my grieving over the unexpected loss of my father. I had never had a dove like this at my house before but from the day he passed, one cooed to me each morning. It brought comfort during a time of heartache and uncertainty. It was my grief friend. Now, I hear it daily again during this pandemic. Maybe, just maybe, it is a sign from my dad that he is near and we will all emerge from this darkness too.

Poetry form: Nonet (9 lines- 9 syllables in first line, 8 syllables in 2nd line, etc. till last line is 1 syllable) 

Image- my attempt at nature journaling/drawing

Love in the Lilacs

 

Light, purple blossoms

An eye-level bush

Sweet, haunting fragrance

A first date

walking Highland Park amongst

light, purple blossoms

A home, a family

vases filled with blooms from

an eye-level bush

Memories of your lives and love

triggered by the

sweet, haunting fragrance

Lilacs bring to mind my parents. I walked the paths through the flowers at the Lilac Festival in Rochester, NY today. The sights and the fragrance brought many memories of their lives and love wafting through my mind.

My parents first date was to the Lilac Festival in the late 1950's. They drove out to Rochester from Buffalo, NY. My dad thought my mom would enjoy seeing the beautiful flowers. He must have been right because they were happily married for over 25 years.

Growing up, there were lilac bushes on both sides of my house. I think they were planted in memory of this first date. My mom loved the smell of these flowers and would fill the house with them each Spring. For me, the smell is just too overwhelming and I remember not enjoying those weeks when the beautiful purple clusters of flowers filled our home.

Now I live about 10 minutes from Highland Park. I often wonder if my footsteps have traced the path of their first date through the trails of lilacs. 

Poetry form: Cascade Poem

 

The Knowledge of Trees

Surrounded by 

tall bearers of

knowledge,

I wonder what we

could learn from you.

What would your rings of age be able to impart to us?

What conversations have fallen upon your leaves and then shed into the soil?

What inhumanity have you witnessed?

If we paused

and sat beneath you,

cherishing your strength and shade,

would you share your secrets

and lessons learned

to help man undergo a 

seasonal renewal.

Just a tribute to trees on Arbor Day. 

A walk amongst the trees is one of my favorite things. 

Golden Warrior

 

I

will

NOT

succumb to

your pressure.

I 

will 

NOT

bow low

for long.

I 

will

RISE

to my full glory.

I 

will 

RISE 

in Spring

vibrancy.

I

will

RISE.

Awoke to an April snow. It was heavy and wet.

I looked out the window and felt a sadness for my daffodils. Just yesterday their golden stars stood tall announcing Spring to the world. But today, they were bowing under the weight of the snow collected on their heads.

You could almost feel the determination of the daffodils to NOT touch the ground. There was a fighting spirit within those thin green stems saying-" You may bend me but I will not break."

I was rooting for those daffodils to rise again and later that afternoon they did! 

They were a bit battered but stood strong in their goldenness.

Small Masterpieces

 Breathtaking

delicate

bright beauty

Canary

and eggplant

inked petals

Designed

by strokes of

God’s paintbrush

Recently, I took a tour of Phipp’s Conservatory in Pittsburgh, PA. There were many gorgeous flowers and plants on display.

But when I came across these beauties, I stopped in my tracks. I was in awe of the deep purple designs on each petal. It seemed like they were drawn by hand. It was hard to believe that this is just how these flowers bloom. Pure masterpieces of nature!

Still, when I look at this photo, I continue to be in awe of these detailed, beautiful blooms. 

Poem form: Tricubes

3 stanzas of 3 lines of 3 syllables each

Spring Serenade

 Left, right, left

Crunch, crunch, crunch

Cheer-a-lee, cheer-a-lee

Chirp-chirp-chirp

HONK, HONK, HONK. HONK

Cheer-a-lee, cheer-a-lee

Tseer, tseer, tseer

Kik-kik-kik-kik-kik-kik-kik

H-O-N-K

Kik-kik-kik-kik-kik-kik-kik

Tee—seep, tee—seep, tee————seep

Chirp-chirp-chirp

Crunch, crunch, crunch

Left, right, left

On this glorious Spring afternoon, I went for a walk on the Cayuga-Seneca Canal Trail near Waterloo, New York.

The trails are no longer quiet in Upstate New York. The birds have returned and were very chatty today.

As I walked along noticing the crunchy rhythm of my steps, it felt like I was the consistent drum beat to a composition being created by the birds. 

The high quick tweets of small birds floated over the low loud incessant honks of the Canadian geese. The tap, tap, tapping of a drilling woodpecker syncopated the longer drawn out songs of others.

My walk along this trail was filled by nature’s music. As I neared the parking lot, all that could be heard was crunch, crunch, crunch.

Dance of Joy

 

New limbs

Stretching skywards

Dancing amongst the clouds

Grasping puffs of white

Adorning the buds

Celebrating the arrival of a

New Spring.

The blue sky was such a stunning shade that I just had to stop and gaze at its richness. A warm breeze brushed my skin and rustled my hair on this 73 degree late March day.

I turned into the breeze and saw these branches reaching skywards. The puffs of white from my distance looked like small pieces of fluffy clouds adorning the tree. It looked like it was “decked-out” to rejoice in this magnificent Spring day.

The tree was dancing with joy!

I wanted to dance too!

Skyscrapers of the Woods

 

Skyscrapers of these woods

-only the penthouse views 

are encased in greenery.

Looking up towards the blue sky and glowing sun, it struck me that only the very tops of these coniferous trees proudly fanned out green needles.

The remainder of the tree was a skinny, bare, straight trunk. Hardly any branches reached out from this tall column of arbor. Yet, it kept reaching higher battling for the light of life.

Standing there, looking up, I felt so small.

Guardians of Spring’s Door

Small guardians of Spring

poke through the remnants of leaves and snow

Proclaiming its arrival

in a vibrant golden glow.

Glancing out the window into my backyard, my eyes are drawn to a pop of color low on the ground. I realize it is a large patch of crocuses in their first bloom of the year.

It is nature announcing in a vibrant, energetic voice- “SPRING IS HERE! Come and see the renewal of beauty to this brown and gray land.”

I am so excited to do what I do each Spring. I go out and admire these small but strong flowers. Such a combination of delicacy and yet the power to rise.  

I salute these guardians of Spring’s door and celebrate your return with joy.

Two Seasons Intertwine

Two seasons intertwine-

last vestiges of snow

diminishing,

            hydrating,

                        heralding,

the squishy, squelchy mud.

- Two seasons intertwine. 

A day in March can be such a confliction. Winter and Spring vying to see who can triumph.

Still cold, brisk breezes battle the sunshine warming the air and ground

Icy, slippery, shady paths compete against the inches deep, slip-slidin’ mud encased steps 

The silence of the woods tussle with the chirps and tweets of returning birds

Winter and Spring wrestle with each other throughout the day.

I choose to be a peacemaker. I will savor the last of the snow and crisp air before it fades for another year. I happily welcome with arms wide open the hopeful signs of Spring and its soon to be arrival.

No need for conflict... just conciliation.