Roll the Dice-Create a Poem

Recollecting how intrigued I was at the NCTE Conference with Taylor Mali's demonstration of his Metaphor Dice, I decided to enjoy some #quarentainment fun today. After all, it was a rain-sweeping, wind-howling day and I needed a bit of inspiration. I gently shook my dice so that they would fall gracefully on my desk. The word hope popped out and became the central concept for today's National Poetry Month poem-of-the-day. 

I liked the idea that hope is a gentle songbird so I decided to turn this metaphor into a poem of hope. Since the rain was pelting down and the trees were swaying with vigor, the birds were not singing their songs. Luckily, FotoJet has a library of beautiful photos to use. I chose the photo that inspired me and created a digital inspiration for my #NatureNurtures2020 Gallery of Artistic Expressions. Not only has this poem been added to the collection under the hashtag noted above, but it is showcased at my Nature Nurtures! Padlet. You can find many other digital inspirations on the padlet. Please consider creating your own image poem for the collection. The invitation can be accessed here. 

Solemn Springtime Morn

In the solemn silence of springtime,

a cooing bird sings his morning song.

Light streams golden glints on tinkling chime.

Path softens as creatures walk along.

Earth whispers softly, sweet voices praise

resurrection's gift-nature ablaze!

©CV, 2020

May the blessings of Easter's Resurrection Morn

spread light on everyone's pathway

during our quarantine life.

Thank you, Linda Mitchell, for nudging me to use take the first line of this poem and write a new poem. (This line was an option I wrote for the Kidlithosphere Progressive Poem and not chosen.)

#SharingPlanetBeauty-Take Two

In the midst of pandemic fear, a magnificent pink-cherry-blossoming tree sways, breathing peaceful sighs into neighborhood streets. Billowy clouds saunter by. Aromatic smells perfume the swishing air and a white picket fence leans into the sprawling tree like neighbors often do with each other. Passerbys practicing social distancing exchange greetings and give gratitude for nature's enduring beauty. The street almost forgets that an encroaching evil lurks called COVID 19. But the blossoming tree continues to bloom and beautify its property because hope endures.

nature soothes souls

distanced by global distress-

spring sighs peacefully

©CV, 2020, Rockville Centre, NY

Would you like to join my #quarentainment project to flood social media with your own inspirational messages, poetry, and nature photographs on the beauty of nature? Invite your students to offer their stu-voice-artistic expressions. See details at the special invitation here.  Reminder: please send your offering to my Nature Nurtures! padlet and on social media using the hashtag, #NatureNurtures2020 and #Sharing PlanetBeauty.

The image poem of the pink-hued tree is a digitized copy of the photo seen at #NPM20 #SharingPlanetBeauty   It was digitized with the Prisma app to give a different perspective.

Earth, Je t'ieme

restful roadside sight

single happening mid-day

hope's sensory lift
©CV, 2020

The combination of poetry and nature are soothing forces during quarantine life that requires shelter-in-place actions. The above sight recalls a photograph I took when traveling for pleasure was allowed. The trees clustered together were so beautiful that needed to capture the happening in a poem for Day 6 of National Poetry Month.

Do you have a love song to Earth you wish to share?

If so, join me during National Poetry Month to lift your voice and bring the artistry of nature to soothe souls during these challenging times. Notice, wonder, create an artistic expression that uncovers the beauty of nature. See details at the special invitation here.  Reminder: Add your offering to my Nature Nurtures! padlet and on social media using the hashtag, #NatureNurtures2020.