The strike line for the golden shovel poem is "June was not made for wind and stress"from Why Was June Made? by Annette Wynne. Clickhereto read the poem.
June is bustin' out all over!
Enjoy the lushness of each June day because ↓
Springsations Gallery is singing its swan song so pause to see the range of poetic tributes to the spring season. Click here to see the Springsations Gallery. Thank you to Marcie Flinchum Atkins and Donna Smith for adding their image poems to the Gallery.
It's Poetry Friday with our host, the nature-loving poet, children's author, and photographer, Buffy Sliverman. Join me at Buffy' website for an exploration of poetic goodness.
It's National Poetry Month and I am delighted to see so many slicers and poetry friends writing poems this month. Each year, Springarrives of its own accord, renewing the world as it bursts forth with color and joy. While there is a twist to Spring's entrance in many parts of the country this year, I have once again decided to write with an optimistic touch.
My first gogyohka poem, a five-line poem with one phrase per line, an off-shoot of the tanka form developed by Enta Kusakabe in Japan (Writer's Digest) was introduced to me by my slicer friend, Leigh Anne Eck. I added it to Leigh Anne's nature-inspired writing challenge, Solace and Connect with gratitude for her invitation.
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I cordially invite slicer friends and their students to join my newest Gallery of Artistic Expressions.
You may be familiar with my Galleries of Artistic Expressions as a contributor and/or reader. They are museum-like showcases that blend poetry and art with technology to virtually present the wonders of nature in a poetic manner. Past galleries are filled with a multitude of strong voices writing with positivity. Perhaps, you are interested in joining me. Please read my introductory blog, One poem based on the title of the gallery is requested to be placed on the Springsations Gallery of Artistic Expressions Vol. 2 for NPM 2023 padlet. I will share everyone's offerings at my gallery.
Today, I walked the sprawling groundsof the New York Botanical Garden (NYBG) with my family. Within that space exists a veritable treasure of botanical design and unique art. I was fascinated by the juxtaposition of artwork amidst nature and listened to the NYBG story unfold as we rode the guided tram tour. Being fully present in the moment, I noticed the nuances of the various landscapes, wondered, and reflected on the phenomenon of Chihuly glass structures interspersed throughout the grounds.
Besides the dazzling display of hand-crafted blown glass sculptures, I was delighted to see children's poetry showcased on giant poster boards.
The above poem was paired with the amazing red Chihuly art piece below. Jacquelin Woodson, author, judged the NYBG Poetry Contest that was open to all students in the Tri-State area. Throughout the garden these poems inspired by "the installations" created by renowned glass blower, sculptor, Dale Chihuly created, were seen next to the artwork.
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expansive lawns accented with swirls and spikes
glassed artistry
************* The artwork reaches out to immerse you in the viewing experience.
If you are a lover of nature and art, you will enjoy a tranquil nature walk through the New York Botanical Garden. You will be amazed at the delicacy and power of Chihuly artwork, as well as the history of the soon-to-be 100 year old botanical garden.
You may also be interested in viewing Springsations for a gallery walk through springtime. There you will find a stunning array of landscapes and poetry from around the globe.
Today is the close of Slice of Life Tuesday. Please visit Two Writing Teachers to see other slices.
Outdoor Concerts (SixGun Country Band at Long Beach, NY Summer Concert Series)
Unveiling of Springsations-Global Gallery of Artistic Expressions
Baby Wonder
We can find life's joys if we notice what is around us and appreciate its beauty!
Summer is the time to Relax-Reflect-Recharge!
I am celebrating #CelebrateMonday with my Twitter colleagues and Ruth Ayres with her Celebrate This Week community of writers at #celebratelu who joyfully embrace life.
Designed by Carol Varsalona featuring a Community of Reflective Writers *************************************************************************** Each year, Spring arrives of its own accord, renewing the world as it bursts forth with color and joy!
The sun just touched the morning;
The morning, happy thing,
Supposed that he had come to dwell,
And life would be all spring.
-Emily Dickinson
I glanced out the window at the signs of spring. The sky was almost blue, the trees were almost budding, the sun was almost bright. - Millard Kaufman, Bowl of Cherries
Ah! The signs of spring have been wonderfully visible this season: Terje Akke discovered Estonia adorned in springtime bloom
and
Kumud Ajmani found clarity as sunset closed day in Ohio
Join me in taking a contemplative gallery walk through nature that is richly showcased in digital inspirations and music. Begin by listening to R. Clayderman's, Hello Spring.
Admire the lush greens and vibrant techno-colors of nature's loving handiwork adorned in each digital inspiration. Westbury Gardens, Long Island Kent Kristensen
Landscapes have a language of their own, expressing the soul of the things, lofty or humble, which constitute them, from the mighty peaks
Jerry Toups, New Jersey to the smallest of the tiny flowers hidden in the meadow grass. -Author unknown
Let the majesty of nature awaken your soul and heart center.
Listen to the calming sounds of
Joyful Spring by Giovanni Marradi.
Let your joy burst forth like the vibrant
flowers of spring!
Ramona Behnke, Washington
Terje Akke, Estonia
Like a flower, just opened,
hiding secrets
in my heart,
I have room to bloom,
to stretch and expand
into sunshine,
one petal at a time.
No rush, no hurry,
nothing to prove.
I am each petal,
each leaf,
the stem,
and the roots,
holding deep and sure.
I am time itself, measured in thoughts
and raindrops. Brenda Harsham, 2017
Flowers can't solve all problems,
but they're a great start.
-Country Living
Irish daffodils greet the morning!
Rain is grace; rain is the sky descending to the earth; without rain, there would be no life. -John Updike
Fishing on the dock after the rain in Ogdensburg, NY-submitted by Chris Carmen
Nature has a language of its own. -Alexandra David-Neel
Take a photo tour of springtime around the globe. Estonia by Terje Akke Norway by Gail Boddy Ireland by Delia Garrity
Joan Baez described Malvina Reynold's song as a song that "protests rather gently." It is one of the earliest--and one of the few--songs concerned with the issues of environmentalism and pollution. -Song Review by William Ruhlmann
