The After Tears

The storm has

rolled out,

an ordinary calm

carries in on its coattails.

All looks right in the world

until

a subtle rustle 

and

plink-plopping

of the after tears

reveal the traumatic

remnants 

of the deluge. 

Rain was forecasted to continue in an hour or so. A storm had just rolled through and at the moment it was a calm, gray day. I decided to squeeze in a walk along a trail in one of my favorite parks. 

While walking along the trail, I noticed the beaded drops of rain decorating the leaves as well as the tips of pine needles. It was a beauty after the hours of rain that morning. Taking a few more steps down the trail, I heard raindrops hitting leaves and then falling father down to my hat and skin. I stopped and thought -"Is it raining again? That was really quick." But then, I realized no. It was the drops of water resting on the far above leaves being rustled causing the drops to fall. It was like an aftershock of the rainstorm. 

Thinking about this aftershock brought to mind the storms in life we walk through as humans. The actual storm may have passed and to everyone else you look fine and normal, but then something (a song, a scent, a text) brings remnants of that storm right back up to the surface. Tears spring from a well within and unexpectedly flow down our faces. It shakes us for a moment and takes us back. These after tears reveal the hidden healing that still needs to take place from the trauma of the storms we have walked through. 

I think we need to remember that others around us could be dealing with after tears that we don't know about. So I suggest offering kindness to everyone you encounter because you never what may have been rustled to the surface that day.  

Photo Credit: Recap Faith KAYA at Pexels

Perfect Teaspoonfuls of Creation

Sunny yellow finch 

perched on a coral zinnia- 

for just a moment 

White, pink-streaked petals 

stretching up towards sun's light- 

bloom lasts only days 

Blue body at rest 

still transparent wings outstretched- 

scared off suddenly 

At the horizon

sun in cotton candy sky- 

quickly fades to black 

Take notice of these perfect 

teaspoonfuls of creation.

The other day I was reading a book, Stitches, by Anne Lamott. A phrase she wrote stood out to me and would not leave my mind over the next few days- "perfect teaspoon of creation" (pg. 89) 

Then this morning, I was sitting in my living room when a yellow finch perched on the tippy-top of my orange zinnia. The two vibrant colors were just striking together. It lasted less than a minute but it struck me that this moment was one of those perfect teaspoonfuls of creation. 

Then as I went through the rest of my Sunday, I remained open to noticing these teaspoonfuls. I watched a gorgeous turquoise dragonfly rest for less than 30 seconds on a bush but oh was his color magnificent! I also walked through a garden of blooming lotus flowers and was in awe of their delicate beauty. Their blooms will only last 3-4 days but what an example of perfect creation they are! (Bergen Water Gardens and Nursery is a stunning place to visit and see these flowers in their glory.)

After collecting so many teaspoonfuls today, I knew I needed to write a poem to capture all of the beauty surrounding us each day. So I hope this poem inspires you to take notice of the perfect teaspoonfuls of creation that are all around you.  

Poetry Form: Haiku Sonnet

4 haikus and then a couplet of 5 or 7 syllables
  

Mesmerizing with a Dance of Light

In the darkness, flashes of golden bright

like mystical fairies

flying through the summer night.

A bit of nature's magic

showering us with delight.

Igniting joy while

mesmerizing with a dance of light

in single blinks to ignited flurries

oh what a truly enchanted sight!

There is nothing better than sitting outside at twilight and catching the light show put on by fireflies. There is something magical about it. With each blink, a bit of joy is kindled in me. Sitting in silence, watching light dance around the yard is a pure joy of this season. I plan to soak it up each night I can. 

Poetry form: Magic 9

Photo Credit: Photo by Marek Piwnicki: https://www.pexels.com/photo/light-dawn-landscape-nature-12966921/

Chameleonic Fruit

White

petals

fall away,

white upside down

teardrop berry enlarges each day

palest tint of pink blushes over young skin

overnight maturity to vibrant red announces to the world- "Look! I am ready."

The other week from my CSA, I received a strawberry plant. I have watched it grow. Yesterday, I did some nature journaling and really focused on the berry. It was a large teardrop shape with a green-white hue. However in places, there could be seen the slightest touches of pale pink. Today the entire berry is a cotton candy pink. I believe when I wake up tomorrow, after a day in the sun, the berry will be ready for the world to enjoy. Hoping to see vibrant red tomorrow so I can enjoy its sweetness. Yum!

Poetry form: Fibonacci Poem

• 1 syllable for first line
• 1 syllable for second line
• 2 syllables for third
• 3 syllables for fourth
• 5 syllables for fifth
• 8 syllables for sixth

The Power of a Sunrise

Along the horizon, a

brilliant

band of orange

breaks

the darkness to a 

new day.

Rising

through pastel purples, pinks, peaches

until it fully

glows.

Flipping woe to

hope

on this beautiful

morn.

Recently, I was able to visit Tybee Island, GA.  It is a wonderful area with beautiful beaches. I am not one who usually rises early in the morning to watch the beginning of a new day but while on vacation I did this twice. 

The first time my whole family woke before 6:00 AM to make it to the beach on time. We quietly walked the block to the beach, found a seat and settled in to watch the artistic work of nature. Watching the horizon, a thin line of glowing orange was a blip on the line of purple sky that met the water. Next, an arc of golden-orange rose above the water pushing into the mix of purple and pink. Then a brilliant orange orb hung in the sky where pink met peach. Finally, the glowing yellow sun rose into the blue and a new day had begun. 

The second time I went alone on our last morning of vacation. This morning the art was a bit different but still stunningly beautiful. Dark gray clouds hovered on the edge of the gray water. No light was shining through at the designated time of sunrise. I sat patiently waiting to see if anything would change. Then as the sun reached the crest of the clouds, orange and gold illuminated the grayness. It continued to rise through a grayish haze tinted very pale pink to baby blue skies. At the end, another fantastic sunny, cornflower blue sky day had begun. 

Watching both sunrises, gave me a different start to those days. It took away any worries or concerns for the day and filled me with hope instead. Seeing the light defeat the darkness made me focus on the light in my days.  Thank you Tybee Island for this life lesson.

To Persist Through the Murkiness of Days

Smoky haze invades

battling with life-giving energy

to persist through the murkiness of days.

Fire devours all in its path

Soot remnants disperse on the winds

Smoky haze invades

Through an apocalyptic numbness

an orange orb pulsates

battling with life giving energy 

It does not succumb

but shines hope

to persist through the murkiness of days.

The past few days the skies where I live have been taken over by the smoke from the wildfires in Canada. It just hangs in the air making everything murky. As soon as you walk out of your door, the smell of fire fills your nose. The sun does not shine but you can still see it in the sky. It is an orange orb of brightness in a huge expanse of gray. It will not let the smoky haze obliterate it. It is a reminder that this murkiness will pass and our days will be lit by its light again. Just hanging in the sky it offers hope.

I realize that I am experiencing nothing compared to the people who are living near the fires and directly dealing with its destruction. My thoughts and prayers are with you. 

Poetry form: Cascade 

Magical Medicine for My Soul

 

Dear Mother Nature,

I just wanted to express 

my thanks to you 

for the constant care you wrap around me.

Your fresh air cleanses my body

as I release stress and anxiety into your winds.

Your beautiful blooming flowers

color my world diminishing the gray gloom of my mind.

That absolutely glorious sun

energizes me with its life-giving powers.

Your flowing waters create cascading melodies

washing calm into my being.

Thank you for offering all of yourself to me so unselfishly.

Being in your presence

is magical medicine for  my soul.

I certainly don't say it enough- 

so THANK YOU.

With great love,

Your child- Cathy

I was reminded this weekend about the power of nature. Spending time in the sun amongst beautiful flowers with a warm fresh breeze tickling my face, just washed away the tenseness of the past week. My whole spirit feels so different than it did a day or two ago. I have always known that being outdoors is my comfort place. So I am expressing my gratitude to Mother Nature for all that she provides for me. 

Poetry Form: Epistolary Poem -a poem that reads as a letter

Subtly Proclaiming

Blossoms rivered through the leaves of green

flowing blue through the weave of trees

cresting in bells of beauty

so subtly proclaiming 

a welcome to Spring

waiting to be

noticed by

human

eyes.

This morning I took a walk along a trail at the perfect time. The bluebells were in full bloom! As I rounded a curve in the trail, a sea of blue stood before me. The bells were spread as far as I could see creating a river of blue amongst the leaves of green. It was purely beautiful! I paused a moment to take it all in. 

A little farther down the trail, I came across a fairy door at the base of a tree trunk. It made me wonder if this space was really a garden cared for by fairies. There did seem to be something magical in the hush of the sunlight illuminating these blue beauties. 

Poetry form: Nonet

9 lines with each line decreasing by 1 syllable from 9 to 1. 

Photo credit: my husband, Greg, took the 1st photo in the post.

Mother Nature's Melancholy

As morning edged out night

the sky gripped tightly

the billowy gray blanket

of Mother Nature's continued melancholy

as a few tears

trickled,

then

escalated

to sobs of sadness,

pattered back down to

a mist of glumness

day, after day, after day, after day, after day, after day.

When will Mother Nature let the light of hope shine again?

We are on a 5 day of streak of clouds and rain. It is starting to feel like the gloominess will never leave. Morning- gray   Afternoon- gray    Evening- gray   

The only change is the amount of rain that may accompany the gray- mist, sprinkle, rain, downpour. Everyday just feels the same. 

May has arrived and I know I am waiting for the sun and its warmth. When will Mother Nature's let the sun shine through?  Honestly, I am hoping the forecast is correct and it will be nothing but sun in 2 days. Fingers-crossed!

Filling My Rising to My Rest

our sun rising through cotton candy sky

dew drops glistening along blades of grass

birds announcing the arrival of a new day

- Oh the beauty of an earthen morn!

white puffs peppering the cerulean sky

sunflowers heads seeking the light 

bees dancing their way from bloom to bloom

- Oh the beauty of an earthen noon!

sunset masterpiece fading to periwinkle

wind whispering a lullaby

rabbits grabbing grass mouthful by mouthful

-Oh the beauty of an earthen twilight!

blackness glittering with infinite stars

fireflies decorating with yellow bursts of light

rest filling the moments with silence

-Oh, the beauty of an earthen night!

Filling my rising to my rest with your beauty, 

thank you Earth.

This poem was written to a prompt from Solace and Connection by Leigh Anne Eck, http://adayinthelifeof19b.blogspot.com/2023/04/solace-connection-4.html to write a poem about the beauty of the earth. I tried to capture the small bits of beauty that fill my days. I am so grateful that moments of beauty exist all day long. 

 

Progressive Poem 2023 Continues... Day 20

 

                                                        Photo credit: Margaret Simon, Reflections on the Teche.

The Progressive Poem tradition was started by author Irene Latham. It is now under the inspired helm of Margaret Simon who has organized the event during the last few years. A poem is passed from blog to blog each day in April. Each line is contributed by a different author. The only stipulation is that it is written for children. By the end of the month, a poem completed by thirty individuals awaits us all. Thank you, Irene and Margaret, for your inspiration to create the Progressive Poem and continue its tradition during National Poetry Month. This is my first year participating and am honored to add my line to the poem. I have so enjoyed watching its creation day by day.

The poem thus far:

Suddenly everything fell into place
like raindrops hitting soil and sinking in.
 
When morning first poked me, I’d wished it away
my mind in the mist, muddled, confused.
 
Was this a dream or reality, rousing my response?
The sun surged, urging me to join in its rising,
 
Rising like a crystal ball reflecting on morning dew.
I jumped out of bed, ready to explore the day.
 
My feet pull me outside and into the garden
Where lilies and bees weave…but wait! What’s that?
 
A bevy of bunnies jart and dart and play in the clover. 
A dog barks and flash, the bunderstorm is over.
 
I breathe-brave, quiet. Like a seed,
as the day, foretold in my dream, ventured upon me. 
 
Sunbeams guided me to the gate overgrown with wisteria
where I spotted the note tied to the gate.                                                                                                

As I reached the gnarled gate, pollen floated like fairy dust into my face. Aaah Choo! 

Enter, if you must. We’ve been waiting for you.

Not giving the curious note a thought, I pushed the gate open and ran through. 

Stopped in my tracks, eyes wide in awe- can this really be true? (my line)

Process: Carol Labuzzetta added the excitement of bursting through the gate. I thought about the idea of revealing who was waiting but felt it was a bit to early to answer that. Nothing was popping into my mind as to who or what would be waiting so instead I decided to write about how it felt at the first moment of seeing it. 

This poem continues tomorrow with Sarah Grace Tuttle at  https://www.sarahgracetuttle.com/blog.

Progressive Poem Schedule

April 1 Mary Lee Hahn, Another Year of Reading
April 2 Heidi Mordhorst, My Juicy Little Universe
April 3 Tabatha, The Opposite of Indifference
April 4 Buffy Silverman
April 5 Rose Cappelli, Imagine the Possibilities
April 6 Donna Smith, Mainely Write
April 7 Margaret Simon, Reflections on the Teche
April 8 Leigh Anne, A Day in the Life
April 9 Linda Mitchell, A Word Edgewise
April 10 Denise Krebs, Dare to Care
April 11 Emma Roller, Penguins and Poems
April 12 Dave Roller, Leap Of Dave 
April 13 Irene Latham Live You Poem 
April 14 Janice Scully, Salt City Verse
April 15 Jone Rush MacCulloch
April 16 Linda Baie TeacherDance
April 17 Carol Varsalona, Beyond Literacy Link
April 18 Marcie Atkins
April 19 Carol Labuzzetta at The Apples in My Orchard 
April 20 Cathy Hutter, Poeturescapes
April 21 Sarah Grace Tuttle at Sarah Grace Tuttle’s Blog, 
April 22 Marilyn Garcia
April 23 Catherine at Reading to the Core
April 24 Janet Fagal, hosted by Tabatha, The Opposite of Indifference
April 25 Ruth, There is no Such Thing as a God-Forsaken Town
April 26 Patricia J. Franz, Reverie
April 27 Theresa Gaughan, Theresa’s Teaching Tidbits
April 28 Karin Fisher-Golton, Still in Awe Blog
April 29 Karen Eastlund, Karen’s Got a Blog
April 30 Michelle Kogan Illustration, Painting, and Writing

 

 

Waiting to Unfold

Pale pink petals waiting to unfold

playing hide-n-seek in a grove of trees 

with blossoms of magenta bold

Pale pink petals waiting to unfold

the Springtime magic they behold

their beauty and fragrance sure do please

Pale pink petals waiting to unfold

playing hide-n-seek in a copse of trees.

Last weekend was absolute perfection in my area. It was sunny and 80! So my husband had I had a lovely picnic at the park under gorgeous blooming trees. The scent of magnolias filled the air. It felt like fairies had cast their Springtime magic on the world. The air had a buzz of energy about it.

The photos I took to capture this Spring beauty fueled the Triolet poem above. A triolet is an 8 line poem. It is small and powerful.

Here is the format:

1: original line

2: original line

3: original line – end word rhymes with line 1 end word

4: repeat line 1

5: original line – end word rhymes with line 1 end word

6: original line – end word rhymes with line 2 end word

7: repeat line 1

8: repeat line 2

The Mourning to Their Joy

Constant twittering fills the air

glorifying this summerlike day of Spring,

a soprano aria floats over the top

twining through the rays of warmth

as a slow, low coo- coo-coo weaves reality

through the counted days of bliss-

the mourning to their joy.

#VerseLove Day 14- Free Writing

So just went with the flow, flow, flow. I was relaxing in my backyard after work listening to the birds chirp away and soaking up some sun. This is a summer-like 80 degree day with pure sunshine. This is extraordinary for April in my part of New York. Then a Mourning Dove started cooing and the line " mourning to their joy" popped into my head. It made me think that even though the weather is joyous right now, it will not be in 2 days- much colder. We will all be mourning the loss of this.

Photo by Marvin Filmaker: https://www.pexels.com/photo/a-close-up-shot-of-a-mourning-dove-15269075/

Nature Wrote It's Own Poem

 

This is a photo poem, just like there can be a photo essay. Leigh Anne Eck, http://adayinthelifeof19b.blogspot.com/, put out her weekly Solace and Connection prompt. This week's nature inspired prompt was to pay attention. It was inspired by this quote- "Poetry is the act of paying attention." by Clint Smith.  So I decided to pay close attention to one specific daffodil plant. With the warm weather and days of pure sunlight, this plant changed incredibly this week. I took a photo each day until full bloom. I wasn't intending to do a photo poem but I believe nature wrote its own poem this week. I was just able to capture it. 

Oh Yes, Mother Nature, I Enjoyed Your Sample Spring!

Gray slab of boulder - - wonderful perch to take in the view.

Cool wind whimpering my clothes -- branches dancing in Spring celebration.

Sunshine warming my back -- surfing across the tops of waves.

A woosh-swoosh- pause water song -- waves meeting the curvy C's of shore.

Multi-colored nature litter -- crushed shells and pebble debris.

Naked, smooth tree branch -- shipwrecked on the beach

Lone seagull rollercoastering -- rising, diving between sea and sky.

Gray, then royal blue, then deep navy --- lake colors from shore to horizon baby blue sky.

Location: Lake Ontario

Date: April 1st

Time: 1:30

Season: Spring

Mother Nature sure played an April Fool's joke in my neck of the woods. We had about 4 hours of loveliness- 70 degrees, sunshine and clear blue sky before the winds of change brought winter back to our door. It was 25 the next day. I made sure to get out and enjoy those hours. These observations were made while sitting on a boulder looking out over Lake Ontario in response to the "Begin Where You Are" prompt from Solace and Connection. 

Psithurism

 

Psithurism

def: the sound of wind in the trees

A secret rustle
gently rolls leaves to and fro
comfort on the breeze

Long exhaled whooshes
sway treetops in unison
gaining momentum

Continuous groans
as branches shake, rattle and roll
change is a coming

Howling, shrieking force
splintering arms from core
will the damage heal

What melody will your symphony compose today?
The musicians are at the mercy of the mercurial mistral.

This poem is for Day 3 of the #VerseLove Poetry Challenge. The prompt today was to choose a word that resonates with you and then create a Haiku Sonnet. This form of poetry has 4 haikus and then 2 lines at the end to make 14 lines like a sonnet. 

Walk Inspired Spring Haikus

 Winter's fierce exhale,

sunshine's warmth and light

Battle of change continues

Patterns of grace

amongst decomposing life

Little lights of hope

Iced hardness melted

Flowing freely once again

Choosing path to take

Surprise! The time's now.

Purple party poppers burst

Spring celebration

Sealed hard and tight

Soaking in life-giving sustenance

Awakening is near

I just finished reading Three Simple Lines: A Writer's Pilgrimage into the Heart and Homeland of Haiku by Natalie Goldberg. Part of my learning was that haiku does not need to be written in the 5-7-5 syllable pattern that I had always learned but it can just be 3 short lines. The tricky part is that these 3 lines need to make the mind leap.

So I had haiku on my mind as I went out for a walk today. It seemed that I was on a Spring scavenger hunt during my walk as many new features of Spring caught my eye. I was inspired to try writing haikus about these lovely nature gifts. I know that I wrote 3 lines for each one- some in the 5-7-5 manner. I don't know how much of a mind leap exists in them but I hope my attention to now comes through.