Breathe in Spring's Air

I breathe in spring's air.

Morning freshness fills life.

Scents gardens; welcomes prayer,

Negates the gray and bitter strife.

Morning freshness fills life.

Pollen drops with gentle ease,

Negates the gray and bitter strife.

Birds coo from tree to trees.

Pollen drops with gentle ease,

Under awnings of sky clouds.

Birds coo from tree to trees.

City parks bring spring to crowds.

Under awnings of sky clouds,

Raindrops cascade leaving puddles.

City parks bring spring to crowds.

Nature lovers run in huddles.

©CVarsalona, 2026

pantoun poem

"Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass...it's about learning to dance in the rain." -Vivian Greene

Mother Nature seems to love the month of April. Maybe this is because she can play with different weather patterns. She surprised me on Sunday with a long, whooshing rainstorm as I drove to Church and then to my grandgirls' house. Not until late afternoon did Mother Nature change her tune and let the sun shine. 

Another Surprise

As I sit writing, I hear little pings. Four colleagues have sent their image poems to my "Spring Seeds Grace April Gallery and Padlet". Thank you, Arejha (Bob Hamera), Ramona Benhke, Joyce Ray, and Denise Krebs. I invite others to add their artistic expressions to the theme.

Two Writing Teachers, a meeting place for a world of reflected writers.

National Poetry Month-Day 20/30

Cascading Along With Words

Join me as I continue to add poetry to my "Spring Seeds Gracing April Gallery and Padlet". I invite you to add at least one original image poem (or other options) to the padlet I created. You can find the invitation here.

Spring Graces Our Earth

🔏

early spring unfolds

golden rays sparkle

zephers whoosh along

lush azaleas burst

renewing post-winter gardens

early spring unfolds 

in afternoon splendor

blossoms spread beauty

golden rays sparkle

dusk's colors dance

awakened buds rest  

zephers whoosh along

©CVarsalona, April 2026, poem and photo

🔏

I was inspired yesterday to use a new poetic format, the cascade poem, shared by Margaret Simon's This Photo Wants to be a Poem. 

Spring's Meet-and-Greet at the Pond

baby ducklings splish and splash

in the pond at the end of the street

grandgirls frolic while watching ducklings play

—–

But Mother Duck hides in the shadows of day

observing her little ones

baby ducklings splish and splash

—–

few more minutes to watch and dash

rows of ducklings follow the leader

in the pond at the end of the street

—–

sunshine warms our meet-and-greet

time to say goodbye-no one wants to leave

grandgirls frolic while watching ducklings play

CVarsalona 2026, first cascade poem.                     Duckling Nature Photo by Margaret Simon

 🔏

Margaret Simon stated: "At Ethical ELA, Erica Johnson is leading us in writing a “Playful Cascade” which is a poem form that takes each line of the first stanza making them the last line of the next stanzas. I decided to use tercets, 3 lines per stanza."

Thank you to Heidi Mordhorst for hosting the Poetry Friday Roundup here. I appreciate that Heidi has gathered two other poetry friends, Margaret Simon, and Jone MacCulloch to create a lively conversational video on poetry with and for kids! The key thoughts they explore are: 

1. Approaches to the teaching of poetry with elementary-aged kids 
2. Why it's important
3. How writing with kids inspires and sustains us, three middle-aging white ladies

Nature and Writing Nurture My Soul!

May it do the same for you.

NPM 2026: Progressive Poem

Welcome to the 2026 National Poetry Month's Progressive Poem. Inside The Land of Poetry, you will discover the magic of words coming alive. You will also uncover poetic elements and enjoy vivid imagery as you stroll through each line created by the 15 Progressive Poem poets who added their lines before me. 

It is now Day 16, my turn to add a line. I pause after reading and rereading stanza 4 of my colleague's lines. I ponder how I should tackle the last line of stanza 4. The right rhyme is key to following a pattern noted in the previous stanzas. A memorable statement seems important for those standing in front of the bandstand in Frost Forest. A spark evolves. I hope my line brings clarity for my poet friend, Robyn Hood Black, who will add the next line.

The Land of Poetry

On my first trip to the Land of Poetry,
I saw anthologies of every color, tall as buildings.
A world of words, wonder on wings, waiting just for me!
Birding for words shimmering, flecked in golden gilding.

Binoculars ready, I toured boulevards and side streets
exploring vibrant verses, verses so honest and tender,
feathery lyrics, bright flitting avian athletes
soaring ‘cross pages in rhythmic splendor.

In the Land of Poetry, I am the conductor,
seeking oodles of poems that tug at my heart,                        a musical medley of sound and structure,                                 an open mic in Frost Forest! Wonder who'll take part?

There's a pause in the program; no one takes the stage
the trees quiver, the audience looks up. Raven lands,            singing Earth's message of the sage.                                        "Poetry in motion will be forevermore, from forests to sands."

_____________________________________

Credits: Irene Latham created the idea of a Kidlit Progressive Poem during National Poetry Month, Margaret Simon organized the Progressive Poem and created a lovely logo. Tabatha Yeatts created the colorful Land of Poetry map, and Donna Smith added the location names, followed by Heidi Mordhorst. Stanza 4 colleagues, Linda Mitchell, Jone MacCulloch, and Joyce Uglow, offered a mid-poem surprise.

-------------------------------------------------

Below, you will find the names of poetry friends who contribute their lines for the Progressive Poem. 

April 1 Tabatha Yeatts at  The Opposite of Indifference
April 2 Cathy Stenquist at A Little Bit of This and That
April 3 Patricia Franz at Reverie
April 4 Donna Smith at Mainely Write
April 5 Janice Scully at Salt City Verse
April 6 Denise Krebs at Dare to Care
April 7 Ruth Hersey at There is no such thing as a God-forsaken town
April 8 Rose Cappelli at Imagine the Possibilities
April 9 Margaret Simon at Reflections on the Teche
April 10 Janet Clare Fagel at Reflections on the Teche
April 11 Diane Davis at Starting Again in Poetry
April 12 Linda Baie at Teacher Dance
April 13 Linda Mitchell at Another Word Edgewise
April 14 Jone MacCulloch at Jone Rush MacCulloch
April 15 Joyce Uglow at Storied Ink
April 16 Carol Varsalona at Beyond Literacy Link
April 17 Robyn Hood Black at Life on the Deckle Edge
April 18 Michele Kogan at More Art for All
April 19 Kim Johnson at Common Threads
April 20 Buffy Silverman
April 21 Irene Latham at Live Your Poem
April 22 Karen Edmisten
April 23 Heidi Mordhorst at my juicy little universe
April 24 Mary Lee Hahn at A(nother) Year of Reading
April 25 Tanita Davis at Fiction, instead of Lies
April 26 Sharon Roy at Pedaling Poet
April 27 Tracey Kiff-Judson at Tangles and Tails
April 28 Tabatha Yeatts at The Opposite of Indifference

Let's Celebrate Springtime!

 april spreads its windy wings

poetry reverberates 

springtime sings

©CVarsalona, 2026

I Invite Slicers, Poets, Writers, Artists, Photographers, and Students

Join me during National Poetry Month. Offer your creativity to embellish my Spring Seeds Grace April Gallery. Add an original spring poem, nature photo, inspirational quote, or artwork to my new padlet. Click here. For a sample of one of my spring galleries, click here to see my 2016 Spring Seeds Gallery of Artistic Expressions. You may find one of your poems there.

I hope this calling card will inspire you to create an artistic expression for my newest gallery and padlet. I would like to showcase the work of slicers and other writers.

Happy National Poetry Month!

National Poetry Month-Day 14/30

Two Writing Teachers, a meeting place for a world of reflected writers.

Digital Design Inspires Poetry

Poetry loves discovering things. You're not necessarily knowing where you're going when you start a poem.   

-Catherine Graham, award-winning poet and novelist

Nor do I know what my gardens will become when my seeds are planted. 

-CVarsalona

April is a bridge

gentle connector

from winter to spring

renewer of life

restorer of earth

as a troubadour

of earth's whisperings, 

I speak of spring seeds

a gallery of

poetic writing

with a pen in hand

artists, poets work

words flow like water

nature finds its beat

ensemble rises

©CVarsalona, 2026

While I did not know what my National Poetry Month Project would be, the power of patience and the wonder of nature helped me find my connection. Last year's journey felt like a continuous rollercoaster ride. My emotions still roar with fear and the anxiety of a wild ride. The onset of April and the glory of Easter Sunday blended together, offering me a golden key to a quiet renewal of life and an awakening of my soul and senses. I embrace April as a gentle month of hope, rejuvenation, and a soft reset to life.

april's "soft reset"

cultivates new beginnings

seasonal refresh

©CVarsalona, 2026

I Invite Friends, Poets, Writers, Artists, Photographers, and Students

Join me during National Poetry Month. Offer your creativity to embellish my Spring Seeds Grace April Gallery. Add an original spring poem, nature photo, inspirational quote, or artwork to my new padlet. Click here. For a sample of one of my spring galleries, click here to see my 2016 Spring Seeds Gallery of Artistic Expressions. You may find one of your poems there.

Thank you to our Poetry Friday host, Jone Rush MacCulloch, who shares her new book, "Tilt", midterm videos from her TWU students, and her original poem, "How to Write a Poem". In addition, Jone is hosting a Pop-Up Poetry Salon tomorrow and shares the beginnings of the poetry community's Progressive Poem. Stop by to enjoy her bounty of gifts and read what other Poetry Friday poets are offering. 

Let your imagination take you on a journey throughout the 2026 National Poetry Month.

A Rainy Easter Finds Joy

Winter fades, and springtime weather spouts like seeds on the ground. Easter glory is anticipated. Surprisingly, rain pours down on Easter Sunday. We drive to my little grandgirls, who wait with Easter glee for morning rain to turn to sunshine. In the meantime, the six-year-old starts a conversation about Grandpa in heaven. Will he come back to see us? She wants to know. "You might see him in your dreams like I do." Then, my almost three-year-old asks, "Is Grandpa above? She points to the ceiling, and I smile while the conversation continues during these moments of love and kindness. 

It's time for Easter Sunday Mass. The three little girls are ready to share their fashion show of matching sweater outfits, hairstyles with bows, and small purses. Spring rains start shouting with loud roars. People, like me, dash into the church. The falling rain does not quit; its roar pounds on the roof during Mass. After the beautiful ceremony, people stand in line to have photos taken at Christ has Risen photo op. Then, everyone dashes through the rain to their cars. With family and friends, we drive to our favorite, nearby Italian restaurant for Sunday dinner. "Dad would love this day," my son says as we exit.     

easter love

spreads above

behind clouds

rain drops splash

pour and roar

a surprise

spring dances

advances

small seeds sprout 

©CVarsalona, Easter 2026, tricube poem 

 

Two Writing Teachers, a meeting place for a world of reflected writers.

National Poetry Month-Day 7/30

Spritual Journey Thursday: Service, Poetry Friday, and an Invitation

Lent is a 40-day solemn season for Christians.  During this time, prayer and fasting are traditions. As a child, I fasted without chocolate (a luxury for me), but over the years, I learned that praying and helping others are key. The beautiful ceremony of Holy Thursday becomes a day of service, serving, and humility.

This month's Spiritual Journey Thursday is hosted by our teacher/poet, Ruth Hersey. She chose the word "service" as our theme, based on the ceremony of Maundy Thursday/Holy Thursday's washing of the feet ritual. 

My son, sister, and I attended the Holy Thursday evening ceremony at St. John Neuwmann's Church tonight. Upon arrival, the washing of the feet stations were set up in six areas of the church. I was amazed by the large choir, beautiful voices, and an orchestra. My husband would have been equally surprised when learning that his name appeared on the bulletin and was also mentioned during the solemn Mass. 

A year has passed since his memorial mass on April 2, 2025. I am grateful for  Pastor Father Michael Murray, who sent me a beautiful Mass card stating that my husband would be honored at the 2026 Holy Thursday service. I also thank Father Sleeva, who provided a beautiful memorial service last year for Richard, and will be at the Holy Thursday Mass.

On April 2, 2026, I started to reflect on this beautiful piece of artwork, Washing of the Feet Ceremony. Please read the nonet poem below ( refreshed and refined since 2023).

Christ Washing the Disciples’ Feet. by  Rembrandt van Rijn(between 1640-1650) with a reed pen and brown ink. Some areas were deliberately rubbed with a wet finger or wet brush, framing lines in greyish-brown ink ©Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam

On Serving

Jesus came to serve, not to be served.

As a great leader, He acted

with gentle, loving kindness

and caring for others.

Through His clear actions,

He modeled how 

to offer

love to

us.

©CVarsalona, 2026

As I continue to work on restoring my soul and reviving my heart, I hope that love will be my special tool. Realizing that there is a season and time for birth and a time to die, planting seeds of love and hope will renew my life in every part. (Ideas and words come from Ecclesiastes 3 and the song, Restore My Heart.)

Thursday was a day of memories, service, and peaceful intentions for my husband. I joined the Creekside Cares committee to create small bouquets for 15 hospice rooms at the Adler House and vases of flowers for 6 neighbors. It is the place of repose that my husband was transported to last year. I remember the tears, shock, and last rites given to Richard as his body lay in the room that overlooked the meditation garden. He was quiet but not alone. My daughter and I were at his bedside with the nurses. I continue to reflect upon that night., I realize that there were many caregivers and spiritual leaders who offered their service to bring peace into the silence of a room. Service is the kindness we give to others, as was shown during the Holy Thursday Mass. The priest who said the mass spoke of the ceremony as the washing of feet love. What we can do for others is not only providing a service but fill it with love, as indicated at the ceremony. 

With sincerity, I pray that the light of Holy Week will wash away some worries, increase love, and bring peace to other families who have deceased relatives that need remembrance.

Spiritual Journey Thursday

hosted by Ruth Hersey

April 3, 2026's Poetry Friday is hosted

by the marvelous, award-winning poet Matt Forrest Esenwine.

Matt is celebrating the book anniversary of his 12th book, a beautiful children's anthology, A Universe of Rainbows, with a star list of fabulous poets. 

INVITATION during National Poetry Month

Day 2-3/30

Join me this April as I look back on my Gallery of Artistic Expressions, Spring Seeds, which was originally unveiled in July of 2016. (Yes, time passes swiftly.) If interested, please write a poem and/or add a photo regarding Spring Seeds Grace April and post it on the new padlet. (https://padlet.com/cvarsalona/spring-seeds-grace-april-iqgitngvyfqwch7b) I will gather the gifts of verse to create a new gallery of artistic expressions. Perhaps, you will find one of your poems or photos residing in the 2016 Gallery (click the link on the 1st line of the invitation).

Let your imagination take you on a journey throughout National Poetry Month.