Springtime Is

As spring evolves, nature brushstrokes earth with variations of dazzling colors. Earth applauds Mother Nature's artistic endeavors and invites all to enjoy the gifts of the season of rebirth. I continue my National Poetry Month project at Spring Seeds Grace April Padlet, sharing colorful artistic expressions of nature's beauty and with poets' and artists' voices. I move with ease from changeable April to May's vitality, "the month of expectation, the month of wishes, the month of hope." (Emily Bronte) 

It is Poetry Friday, a day meant to bring a community of poetry friends together to share their latest writing. I try to read as many of the blog posts as I can. To be candid, life is still messy. This week, Patricia J. Franz is hosting the Poetry Friday Roundup. A couple of weeks ago, she introduced the Golden Hinge poem, and since then, I have been reading hinge poems to learn more about them. Patricia also introduced me to Traci Brimhall's poetry. She is an Associate Professor and Director of Creative Writing at Kansas State University and the poet laureate of Kansas. While reading through her myriad of poems, I found Traci's writing to be deep, reflective, and intense. 

"The spring - dripped its steady syllables. Arise, Arise." from Traci Brimhall's poem, "End of Girlhood"

My second try at a hinge poem uses the lines above to draft a Golden Hinge poem. I placed the key line horizontally, then vertically, to begin the format.

The spring dripped its steady syllables. Arise, Arise. 

The azure sky shared its colors with

spring. She anointed earth with petals of peace,

dripped in floral scents. With

steady assurance, spring presented 

its treasures. Poets chose simple poetic

syllables to proclaim heavenly wishes:

Arise. Nature will soothe your sorrow. 

Arise. Unfold the beauty before you. 

"The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands." -Psalm 19:1

Repeating the word "Arise in the Golden Hinge poem opens my heart mind, and body to a physical and emotional awakening. I thank all my poetry friends for standing by me.

My first Golden Hinge Poem was shared on Margaret Simon's blog post, This Photo Wants to Be a Poem. You can find it here.

When a Photo Wants to Be a Poem

Thank you, Margaret Simon for today's This Photo Wants to Be a Poem, and the quote from Asclepius, "Help me shed the skin of grief and put on the armor of hope."

I was inspired by the Healer title on the oracle card. I decided to dive into the what and why of a snake icon. I found the "symbol, the Rod of Ascelepius, has been associated with health care since the 5th Century BC." (National Center of Medicine) With thoughts of healing, I am ready to revive my mind, body, and spirit by nurturing myself physically, emotionally, and spiritually.

Margaret, the following golden hinge poem slid from my thoughts and onto this page. I read and reread my words until I realized that my poem is a prayer from my heart to God.

Help me shed the skin of grief.

Me, finding my way,
sheds tears of sorrow.
The weight of loss is heavy. My
skin shivers in darkened moments
of unresolved sadness.

Grief flows, slides away, returns, so I pray,

and put on the armor of hope.

Put it near my heart, Lord.

On each day boost 

the faith within. Add your 

armor of strength, 

of perseverance, and enduring

hope to revive my being and my spirit.

draft, CVarsalona, 2026