I have been watching the weather forecast and sweltering under the rising heat index just like many of my fellow Long Islanders. Each day, morning greets daylight with steamy heat. A sit on my front porch or patio to listen to the sounds of summer and watch the flowers with their blossoming colors but only for a few moments due to the blistering heat.
For the past month, I have thought of creating an etheree on summer but not until this week did I put pen to paper or stylus to digital notebook. The Poetry Sisters/Princesses invited everyone to create an etheree with the theme foresight or summer or both for this week's Poetry Friday edition. Poet Tricia Stohr Hunt, wrote a blog post on the poetic form and Poetry Sister Liz Ganlon created a video. My friend/author/poet Laura Purdie Salas, another Poetry Sister, sent me the blurb to join in the fun. I have never written a etheree so the outcome of my labors is a first. While sending it out for review and using the #poetrypals hashtag, I know that I need more practice in etheree writing.
Summer's Steaming Embrace
News:
heatwave
continues!
Steamstorm swelters.
Flowers yearn for rain.
People move at slow pace
under a still, sticky sky
and sharks inch closer to south shores.
Long Island beaches lose their allure.
during steamy times, embrace summer days!
©CVarsalona, 2020, Long Island South Shore Beach
As a #poeticdiversion (hashtag compliments of
I transferred my etheree into a video poem using Lumen 5.
Did you know that sharks like shallow water where swimmers are? My plan is to stay safe indoors with air conditioning. I have no desire to see the sharks of summer at my favorite beach site plus, I have the foresight to know how to stay safe at the beach, especially during COVID-19.
Now, I turn my attention to the Poetry Friday Roundup hosted by Catherine Flynn who is sharing an original poem based on a picture from the book, The Imaginaries.
Recently, I was sent an email of distinction from Anuj Agarwal, #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/.
We're in the throes of a 'steamy embrace' here in Switzerland, too. AC is a rarity here(as are screens on windows!), but luckily heatwaves usually only last a week or so. I am impressed by your etheree, Carol. I'm not familiar with the form so I will have to do more reading on it. I'm also impressed with your feedspot distinction! Well deserved. Stay cool... :)
ReplyDeleteThe heat's been awful here as well and even worse was the recent shark attack and death in Maine. So sad :( Your video poem is great--I admire how you're always experimenting with technology and then sharing the results.
ReplyDeleteCarol, I really enjoy the uniquely-challenging etheree form, in its many variations; I hadn't tried one myself until this year. In NC we are definitely moving "under a still, sticky sky" and our beaches have been known to lure sharks ... yet I desperately miss the sea. I haven't been to the shore in a year, having been unable to travel since last July following my husband's heart attacks and surgeries, and now, on top of the oppressive heat, there's COVID-19 lurking like a shark... not to give those sea creatures a bad rap, but I don't wish to encounter them any more than the virus. Staying inside in the blessed AC except for brief walks in the neighborhood is basically how I've spent summer - good advice, Carol; I am "embracing summer days" from within!
ReplyDeleteP.S. Congrats again on your well-deserved recognition - I celebrate that honor, your glorious blog, and you!
ReplyDeleteWow! I love your video. What a great way to share a poem. You give me ideas for my students.....off to cook up some plans.
ReplyDeleteLumen 5 is an easy platform to use once one gets used to the process. Have fun.
DeleteWhat a cool video! And you made a lovely etheree! I think you used the line breaks to great effect, and I love the alliteration. Just the right amount!
ReplyDeleteCarol: Love the etheree and the video... they both turned out great! I know just what you mean about steamy times... NJ is in it as well, as I'm sure you know. I am not a summer person for this very reason. Ugh. But... cooler days will come. Best to you and thanks.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Karen. I do love the summer but this steam is miserable and hard on the hair.
DeleteCarol, I love how you put your poem, the photo and music together! I love how your poem begins with News/ Heat wave/ continues. You are so talented! Yes, it is hot and sticky here too. I remind myself that in a few months we may for brief moments, wish it to return.
ReplyDeleteOh, I remember those sweltering summer days from years of living in OK and TX. Your etheree captures the slow sticky pace of a summer heatwave. We've been spared what much of the rest of the country is experiencing. Hoping you'll get some relief soon. I haven't tried an etheree yet. I'll have to read about it and add a new form to my poetry playbook.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations, Carol! The honor is well-deserved. Your etheree captures the mood of a heat wave perfectly. Long Island Sound beaches are at least an hours drive from my house, so their only allure during a heat wave (and a pandemic) is the air-conditioned drive! You did a great job creating a video to match your poem. Stay cool!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Catherine for your comments. The are appreciated. I have never beached at Long Island Sound beaches but have seen a few that are not as alluring as south shore ones.
DeleteI like your sticky, steamy etheree Carol, and am glad you're staying clear of the sharks, fun video too, thanks!
ReplyDelete