Introduction to Embraceable Summer Gallery

Inspired by Long Island's ocean shores, my newest gallery of artistic expressions captures summer across the globe over a two-year period.  Reflecting on the ever-changing patterns of the summer season, lean in to honor the fresh moments of shimmering pearl shores, greenscapes of woodlands, country terrains, mountainsides, and pivotal places renewing life. 

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You Are Cordially Invited To

 stroll through an unfolding mixed collection of

glimmering sights, calming sounds, and wistful moments

showcasing summer from pre-pandemic to present time.  

This collection from creative friends is a gift

to lighten spirits and provide hope 

that life will find its eternal summer light

and brighten our lands.

Linda Mitchell, Summer 2020 paper collage poem

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Ponder These Questions to Engage Your Senses:

Has summer changed its appeal over these years?  

Has the pandemic bruised our natural treasures? 

Have we changed our notion of summer escapes?

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While different perspectives drive our inclinations, I can assure you that once you step into this vast array of summertime looks, you will relax and let nature's hand soothe your soul.  Beyond the image poems, nature photos, and inspiration, let the songs of summer fill your heart. Click here for my Embraceable Summer playlist.

Step Into Pre-Pandemic Summer

2019

seasonal footprints

summer etches script in sand

hearts wash at shore

but in its haste

waves of life come roaring in-
summer sands shift

Photo by Rebecca Herzog, 2019

seasons pass by

a pandemic moves in

light is veiled in black

summer drifts in

soaked in sweltering heat

earth waits for signals

then

September

ripples in 

with softness

whispering across

a voiceless canal,

bidding summer Godspeed

©CV, 2020

This gallery is created in segments due to the vast array of artistic expressions spanning a two-year journey of embraceable summers.  This is the introductory section that charts the story. After looking at many digitals that were sent in, I realized that there is an underlying truth. Nature's beauty is a constant and a reminder that life continues with hope for a better tomorrow. Thanks to the global contributors who crafted individual stories that share quiet moments of inspiration despite the pandemic. This gives credence to the incredible resilience of the human spirit. 

Indulge in the serenity of summer across the globe. I showcase Long Island's beauty but there are many other stops in future segments of the gallery. Stay tuned for more looks of summer from 2019's pre-pandemic time to 2020's quarantine life.

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As host of Poetry Friday this week, I have invited poetry friends to collect their image poems, photographs, and artwork to spread inspiration through the Embraceable Summer Gallery. You can see work that has been collected on Twitter under the hashtag #EmbraceableSummer. Linda Mitchell, Rebecca Herzog, and Laura Purdie Salas are poetry friends who share their work with me today. Thanks to their creativity and the work of many others, I bring you this new gallery with enthusiasm. 

NOTE: For those who have already submitted their work via Mr. Linky, I apologize that unbeknown to me, the first blog I wrote vanished into cyberspace. Please resubmit your work below.)