Friday, November 20, 2020

Be Filled With the Beauty of Nature

Imagine a day in early November. Walking trails at the nearby state park overflow with glorious sights and sounds. Colors of autumn vary in cinnamon tones; crispcrunch leaves fill in dark wooded spaces. Strewn across paths, patterned leaves and broken branches artistically placed wait for visitors to tread lightly. Nature's beautifully-crafted, undisturbed spaces alive with natural light. Filtering through cracks between majestic trees a dazzling luster surrounds the woods. We walk in awe, noting a distinct silence. Curving paths continue inviting us to pause, reflect, and let outdoor harmony move inward. 

leaning in silence
autumn's spirit surrounds
silent sacred space
©CV, 2020

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Lately, there has been much talk about influencers. Those who thrived in the before but live in the now, continue to influence others. Without hesitation, autumn has been an influencer in my life, providing a diversion from upside-down issues of this pandemic-filled world. This year more than ever, autumn thrives, offers inspiration in a variety of forms, and affects my mindset in a positive way.

awed by autumn's art
earth-painted masterpieces
inspired beauty
©CV, 2020

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afternoon light falls
on trails adorned in russet 
gratitude sweeps through
©CV, 2020

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autumn sunset inches closer

hovers over a silent lake
brilliantly sharing  a layering of colors

passersby sit reverently
watching earth slowly fill
with evening beauty
©CV, 2020

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This week's Poetry Friday Roundup is hosted at my long-distance writing friend, Linda Baie's blog site, TeacherDance,  this week. She is writing about a wonderful new poetry anthology, Friends and Anemones by authors of The Writer's LoftI attended the virtual book launch so I am interested in Linda's thoughts.


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The autumn photos and poems are part of the #AbundantAutumn Gallery of Artistic Expressions.

25 comments:

  1. Gorgeous post Carol, I'd like to step into one of your photos, the colors are fabulous… I feel earth's brush dipping into each of your poems–you have many "earth-painted masterpieces" here in word and image, thanks for the explore!

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    1. Michelle, coming from an artist's perspective, I am grateful to you for commenting on the photographs I captured. earth-painted masterpieces from around the globe will be featured in my Abundant Autumn Gallery.

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  2. Carol, I love crispcrunch! Cinnamon tones....the influencer that Autumn is to you and to us. What a wonderful sharing. I am holding earth-painted masterpieces with me all day.

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    1. Linda, I am looking forward to capturing earth-painted materpieces scenes in VA. By the time I arrive for a big move it will be winter and I will be able to experience new areas to photograph and reflect upon. I hope you enjoy crispcrunch walk in Manassas this weekend. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving.

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  3. Carol, this is a gorgeous post and I loved thinking about influencers, the past living in the now. We all have so many. I especially love fall colors like the layers in your lake photo. Have a peaceful and colorful Thanksgiving.

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    1. Having a peaceful and colorful Thanksgiving is exactly what I would like to do even though the family will be separated by miles between us. This holiday we all need to be grateful. Thank you for visiting me here and seeing the beauty of autumn on Long Island.

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  4. Our trees have lost their leaves except for the occasional oak, but I have loved every part of this autumn, drinking it in like a medicine for this year, Carol. I think by your pictures and beautiful words that you have as well. Nature keeps us going, going. . . I love "gratitude sweeps through", my feelings these recent weeks! Have a special weekend & Thanksgiving!

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    1. Yes, let's drink in the medicinal value of autumn, Linda. Please enjoy your "different" Thanksgiving.

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  5. Wow, such gorgeous photos and words, Carol. Thank you for this beautiful life affirming post. Nature is such a powerful healer and inspiration. Your blog is my private meditation center. :)

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    1. Let's meditate together, Jama. I am in need of daily doses of seasonal bliss. Today, the sun is out and not so chilled. That means an awe walk is coming up.

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  6. Carol, I can't pick a favorite because they are all gorgeous. The artwork is beautiful too! Happy Thanksgiving!

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    1. Thank you, Linda. Yesterday, I took another awe walk at a park of a nearby park that I never walked. It felt so refreshing to see the dogs running and people enjoying the beautiful weather. Have a great Sunday.

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  7. We walk in awe indeed - I am filled with awe at your blend of word and image.

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    1. Thanks, Sally. Nature helps me concentrate on the positive.

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  8. Everything about this post is beautiful. Your introduction is a prose poem. This is my favorite bit: "Colors of autumn vary in cinnamon tones; crispcrunch leaves fill in dark wooded spaces." Cinnamon tones. Wow.

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    1. Mary Lee. I was going for a prose poem followed by the haiku below the photo. Thanks for recognizing what I did. I worked at that until I felt it was just right.

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  9. I love your advice to "let outdoor harmony move inward", Carol. You've done that with these glorious photos and poems. "gratitude sweeps through" when I visit your blog. And I like your idea of autumn as an "influencer" as opposed to TikTok. *ahem*

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    1. Outdoor Harmony may be a title for another post, Bridget. Thanks for sharing that.

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  10. This is a gorgeous post, Carol! Like you, I've found much comfort in autumn this year. You've captured so much beauty in words and photographs. I love the idea to "let outdoor harmony move inward." Thanks for filling me up!

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    1. Molly, it is amazing how much beauty is in nature, just waiting for our camera lens. Even the empty branches on Autumn trees are magical.

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  11. I love that afternoon light falling on trails, Carol, and the earth slowly filling with evening beauty. Though we're past fall here in Minnesota, this brought back a taste of it:>) Missed you Friday night at our impromptu Zoom!

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    1. I missed seeing everyone, Laura. Perhaps, next year will be the year for a reunion. Where is the convention next year? Let's hope the vaccine will allow everyone to celebrate once again in person. Happy Thanksgiving.

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  12. Such a peace-walk, Carol, in autumn splendor, in the "silent sacred space." Calming, comforting... I can hear the "crispcrunch" of the leaves as "outdoor harmony moves inward." Your words and images are always balm to an aching spirit, soothing and full of nature's magnificent, healing influence. How can one not be awestruck by such beauty? Or fail to feel gratitude flowing? You're a gentle yet powerful conduit of peace - and I am grateful.

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    1. Thank you, my friend, for the beautiful responses you always send. Your words always come at the right time. We are still juggling the balls of buying a new home and selling our current home so finding peace is imperative as time keeps clicking away. I hope your Thanksgiving is filled with gracious living, a joyful family gathering round the table, and hope for continued well-being.

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  13. Carol, wow, thank you for the glimpses of gorgeousness and for the sense of peace and beauty. I'm looking forward to a quiet, peaceful Thanksgiving this year and although we'll miss gathering with extended family, we're at peace knowing it's the right thing to do.

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