Thursday, February 10, 2022

Inspiration for February

“Don't be pushed around by the fears in your mind. Be led by the dreams in your heart.” Roy T. Bennett, The Light in the Heart. 

Time steals minutes, hours, days away.
Fear enters interrupting life.
Look around.
Find possibilities.
into the abyss.
©CV, 2022

While I was intent on doing just that (casting uncertainty away), inspiration floated in when Margaret Simon's balancing stones photo (see below) for This Photo Wants To Be A Poem popped into my FaceBook feed. I immediately sent Margaret a comment, "Thank you for the brief moments of restful existence", and my small poem.

-tranquil moments of peaceful existence-
balancing stones
mindfully placed
nature hugs each
©CV, 2022
Photo by Margaret Simon, 2022

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Letting dreams in my heart lead me, I offered prompts for Day 9 of Laura Shovan's Annual February Poetry Project. I was inspired by research to find two videos that provided a choice for the poet writers. Below my digital graphic invitation, you will find my poem.



Side Note:

When I open Laura's February Poetry Project each day, I am dazzled by every poem that passes by. Sometimes, a quick jolt of fear and/or uncertainty pangs charge through my mind. Despite this interruption, I continue to write in short spurts knowing that the practice is more important than the end product. 
 
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Commitment:
In order to accept the challenge of my one word appreciate, I shall acknowledge the wisdom of the Japanese proverb, "Fear is only as deep as the mind allows."
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Sweet Valentine Wishes to All!
I hope you enjoy my humorous Valentine image poem created from the photo prompt  below. Diane Mayr offered the snaky creature image
during Laura Shovan's 6th Annual February Daily Poem Project in 2018.
I transformed the image into a  humorous Valentine poem.


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It's Poetry Friday so join me at TeacherDance, where Linda Baie,  the sweet host opens her blog to the Poetry Friday community and guests for a Valentine treat.

I send gratitude snaps to Linda for always bringing sunshine to the Poetry Friday community. I look forward to reading what Linda offers today. 


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Special Note on the February Poetry Postcard Exchange created by Jone MacCulloch.

I have been fortunate to receive small image poems from the Exchange. Since the mail must be delayed, I will share my collection when I receive more postcards. For now, I thank Robyn Hood Black, Carol Labuzzetta, Linda Mitchell, Sarah Grace Tuttle, and Tabatha Yeatts, for their creative designs and poetry that have been delivered to my mailbox.

23 comments:

  1. Oh, Carol, I read some posts earlier then had to race out for errands because snow was forecast! I made it! Now, snow is coming fast and I am delighted to read your post first. What a loving post. Those 'balancing stones' that nature hugs remind me of a long ago trip with Arvie & Carter to Oregon where we balanced stones in a secret place. It is a fond memory & I wonder if they're still there? Thanks for all, "snake to snake"! : )

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    1. Yes, you are my valentine, Linda. The grandgirls came for a Valentine dinner tonight and I spent the afternoon getting ready. We had another great meal and the new dessert was to die for. Makes me want to create a poem for Peanut Butter Truffle Brownies and their heavenly taste. I am now off to make the PF rounds and go back to the draft I created for Jones' prompt at Laura's project.

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  2. Carol: I wrote another poem about that photo also, one of these days I'll share it. Thanks for all the love in this post! Have a wonderful week.

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    1. Love spreads all around just in time for my Valentine greetings. I think snow decided to break some hearts and warm others for its pre-Valentine surprise.

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  3. I like your take aways and echoes from the song...who can say? I need to add "starry-eyed" to my list of star words and phrases. I didn't have that one yet. Thanks!

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    1. I am glad that you did not have starry-edged and it could be a gift from me. I thought of you when I found it lurking. I might try to write a poem with it. Are you starry-eyed over the snow or just ready to move onto spring?

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  4. Carol, your post today is filled with wonder! I want to spend the rest of my day diving into each snippet: time, "appreciation", snakes, rocks! Each one it's own prompt! Thank you!

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    1. Thanks, Patricia, for joining me here. I hope that you enjoy our community of poetry friends. There is much inspiration in all the blogs packed with joy.

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  5. Carol, I love everything about your post. The line "Fear enters interrupting life." really struck me. I'm trying to avoid those daily interruptions. It is so hard with all that is happening. Happy Valentine's Day!

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    1. Linda, it is difficult to stop the daily interruptions. Sometimes, I think that I am the only one feeling these pangs. The snow covered the ground today so winter is back.

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  6. So much fun to see my lovely little snake inspire your cute Valentine. The snake made the move with me nearly three years ago now and he resides atop my fridge where he is always ready with a snakey smile. Happy Valentine’s Day to all!

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    1. Diane, it is so good to know that your snake remains as one of your possessions. He has a wide-open smile and heart, too. Thanks for sharing it a few years back. It is great to see you here so Happy Valentine's Day.

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  7. Hoping your Valentine is "bug-eyed with love", Carol. :)

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    1. Wishes of Valentine hugs to you, Smidgey, and Smidgey's Daddy.

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    1. Thanks, Ruth. I send you Happy Valentine hugs for your first Love Day with your new crop of students.

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  9. I loved your prompt! My advice for keeping the fear and anxiety to a minimum is to write before you look at anything anyone else has written! Works for me!

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    1. I am writing from the well of research and the heart but the pangs come when the dazzling poems from the community fly on by. Today, I posted Day 12 without worry.

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  10. Oh my, Carol I love all of your poems! I especially love these lines "Cast uncertainty/into the abyss.", "nature hugs each", and "celestial sounds/hijacked my heart." I love the quotation and the Japanese proverb, too. If you haven't received my poetry postcard yet plese let me know, I can send you a new one. I sent them out about 3 1/2 weeks ago so you should have received it by now. Thank you for your gorgeous postcard! I love it; I love your poem, also! Some favorite lines are "A cloudberry (such a cool word) sunset peeks in.", "Reset life's possibilities! / As the lavender haze sets, / Evening invites moondancing." Reading your posts always bring me inspiration. Have a joyful Valentine's Day. :)

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  11. What a rich array of poems and inspiration you've given us this week, Carol! I love this sentiment: "Fear is only as deep as the mind allows." Words to strengthen our resolve as we "cast uncertainty into the abyss."

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  12. Thanks for sharing your inspiration with others Carol. I have also really appreciated receiving the New Years post cards. They have all inspired me as well!

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