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Friday, July 24, 2020

Reflecting on Summer

A heatwave is upon us and it isn't even the dog days of August on Long Island.  I step outdoors each day moving from cool air conditioning to the warmth of the sun's rays. Summer's breath is intense.  My pansies on the patio cry out for a spritz of cooling water at noon.  I respond and reflect on summer's embrace.  

My thoughts revert to Salvador Dali 's beautiful, summer day painting on a summer day, Figure at the Window. This scene reminds me of the sublime beauty of Long Island in summer.

She waits.
Thoughts float on by
into restful waters.
Stillness fills empty space
as a gentle breeze sweeps in,
softening the air.
Life rests under
a blanket of
sweet summer's
breath.
©CV, 2020

If it were not for the pandemic, I could visualize me luxuriating in a mud bath of salt water at the shore. But groups of unmasked young people are caught on the news congregating too close together without masks. What I can do is imagine, reflect, and respond to this dreamy photo by art teacher/photographer, Jennifer Graycheck, found at Margaret Simon's blog, This Photo Wants to be a Poem.  

nature's cure
swirled swooshing sounds break at shore 
tranquility's hush
salted-sea mudpacks rise and
dreams floats in ocean's warmth
©CV, 2020

Continuing the urge to engage in peaceful thoughts while caught up in the midst of a next- -chapter-of-life move to Virginia, I found another restful sight. Twitter friend @lucky_budd photographed the Milky Way and I took the opportunity to comment poetically.


For those who want a respite from the news and noise of pandemic life take a jaunt over to Poetry Friday hosted by Margaret Simon. Delve into the essential question, What is Poetry? to unlock more poetic goodness for poetry lets us bathe in summer bliss without traveling to the shore.

News:
Recently, I was sent an email of distinction from Anuj Agarwal,  FEEDSPOT, #Feedspot Founder of Feedspot.com, a place to keep up with all your favorite blogs, news sites and rss feeds in one place.  
I would like to personally congratulate you as your blog, Beyond LiteracyLink has been selected by our panelist as one of the Top 40 Children's Poetry Blogs on the web. 
 This link accompanied the email: https://blog.feedspot.com/childrens_poetry_blogs/.

15 comments:

  1. It's beastly hot here as well. I can't even imagine standing at an open window. Praise be for the AC.

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    1. Thanks for the laugh, Mary Lee. Stay cool. I hope to read more posts after I finish the paperwork and decision making for my new home in VA. Stay cool!

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  2. My daughters have their eyes on a beach trip in September to celebrate #3's 30th birthday. I'm so unsure, though, with our numbers spiking as well as those in Florida. I want to go back to a time when we wouldn't hesitate to travel. Your poems and photos, as always, offer hope and peace.

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    1. Margaret, my family are beach lovers but I am so skeptical of beaching with people who disregard the rituals and routines of quarantine life. My son and daughter's birthdays are in September and we wanted them to be special too but it is so difficult to imagine what that will be like now.

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  3. It's 90 degrees here (in MN) and AWFUL! But I love the soft breath of your first poem especially. So lovely. And congrats!!!

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  4. Beautiful post as always, Carol! Your words are both soothing and embraceable. Stay well and safe!

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  5. Yay! Virginia has a new poet soon. Many congratulations on your blog being recognized for excellence. As you know, VA is pretty hot too. I've been hanging out in the basement with a big jar of mod podge and weeded books. I love the idea of a tranquil mud bath. I've been craving a facial...someday it will be safe enough for it.

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    Replies
    1. Linda, since I am living in the next town to you, I hope I can learn the art of paper collage under your tutelage. I'll join you in a facial/spa day someday soon. It looks like October 31st is the day I will officially close on our new home at Regency at Creekside, Gainesville.

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  6. Carol, I love how you seek and find peace in the stars, the sand, the sea, the fresh breezes that blow healing into the parched soul. In every word and image you do this. I come away refreshed. Congratulations on your blog recognition! You impact so many of us, not just children, with your beautiful work. I rejoice for you. So well-deserved.

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  7. I have never seen this Salvador Dali painting before. That's one of the things I love about our community - the exposure to new things. And your poem to accompany the picture is exquisite. I just copied photo and poem so I can put it in one of my notebooks. These words "swirled swooshing sounds break at shore" make me long to be at the beach. Thanks for this lovely collage of poetry you shared today. Oh, and congrats on your blog recognition. It's well deserved.

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  8. I love the Dali painting--I've never seen it before, either. And your poem captures that feeling of summer--"thoughts float on by onto restful waters" The mudpacks photo is fabulous, too. And I "nature's cure" brings me comfort even though I'm far from the see.
    Congrats on having your blog recognized, too!

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  9. Lovely calm moves through your first poem and lets us get lost in it… Congrats on the recognition for your blog! Hoping for cooler temps for all, thanks Carol!

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  10. My friend Colette can see Long Island Sound from her front porch and there is always a lovely breeze & enough space to be socially distant! I'm so happy that you'll be near your daughter and her darling children. Congratulations!

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  11. I really enjoyed your poetic response to Dali's painting.You and the Long Island beaches are so intertwined in my mind, Carol. I find it hard to imagine you moving to VA, but know that you will find the natural wonders there as well. How exciting to be embarking on a new chapter!

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