Thursday, March 23, 2023

Going Rogue

I'm "going rogue" this week. No, I am not behaving in an erratic or independent manner but I am deviating from the structure of the etheree, a poetic format. What's on my mind? I enjoy the beginning of spring in Northern Virginia as it brings freshness to the air, warmer temperatures, and cherry blossoms. When I moved here in March 2021, I wanted to plant a weeping cherry tree to decorate my lawn area near our patio. I had a weeping tree in my meditation garden when on Long Island. Yesterday, the tree started blooming. Today, more buds were noticed. The temperature rose to 81 degrees. 


Cherry blossoms in Washington, D.C. are peaking.

While desiring to visit the Tidal Basin where hundreds of visitors are touring this week.  There are eleven varieties of cherry blossom trees but the cold weather and rain will arrive tomorrow. I will watch the news sharing the majestic beauty of the trees that reached their peak yesterday. 

Next Friday, the Poetry Sisters are sharing their etherees written during March. This ten-line form begins with a single syllable, and each line expands by one syllable until the tenth line has ten. They are continuing with their 2023 theme of transformation. Each writer will submit their poem to Tanita Davis' blog

Below is the modified etheree that I wrote and will continue to refine during this coming week. 

Spring

SPRING
springtime
transforms earth's
barren visual presentation
flirts with nature's greenery
flings open its budding petals 
while dancing under a canopy of blue
spring removes any doubt of seasonal change
brings renewal and hope to earth and humanity
as watchful eyes wait patiently for cherry blossoms to
bring glorious gardenscapes of color that make one's heart sing
©CVarsalona, 2023, draft

It's time to join Poetry Friday RoundupThank you author/poet, Rose Cappelli for hosting Poetry Friday this week. Click here.

Logo by Linda Mitchell

AND

Two Writing Teachers Slice of Life Story Challenge Day 23.

17 comments:

  1. Thank you for explaining the structure of this type of form of poetry. your poem is a beautiful and fitting ode to Spring. Heidi (Wordsmithing blog)

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  2. I needed this cherry blossom post on this grey rainy Friday morning. I also need the spring to arrive to Estonia. Not something anyone has control over.

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    1. I hope that your wish is granted, Terje. Light and rain are needed so I am glad that you enjoyed my slice. Wishing you well_Carol

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  3. 81 degrees?! Spring sizzled there for a moment! Love your etheree, Carol, especially the strong verbs: flirts, flings, dancing! :)

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  4. Carol, I'm so glad you have your own weeping cherry tree. How beautiful your garden is! I have not been to Washington to see the cherry blossoms at peak. I would love to see that. And 81 degrees! That sounds like a lovely experience on a nice spring day. No humidity, I take it. "flings open its budding petals" I like spring flinging open its petals!

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    1. Denise, spring has her own mind. She brought us 81 degrees yesterday and right now 48 degrees. Can you imagine? Have a great weekend.

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  5. Carol, a few years ago, we and some friends took a but trip to D.C. to see the cherry blossoms in bloom. What a sight! Your poem speaks of the beauty and wonder of spring. I especially like this line, "brings renewal and hope to earth and humanity". Hope is what keeps us going. We all need it.

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    1. Hope is needed in this world, Bob. Feeling renewed is important to me, too. Thanks for telling me about your trip to D.C. We keep missing the peak .We thought today would be a good afternoon for us to visit the Tidal Basin but it started raining from early morning on. This weekend is my husband birthday and a special community brunch so if we have time maybe we will see the flowers next week. At least I have my dwarf weeping cherry tree to look at.

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  6. Love the "fling" and "flirt", Carol. Yes, I read that the cherry blossoms are in full bloom this week, but love that you found your very own cherry tree at home!

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    1. The rain stopped for a bit, Linda, so I am opening the door to photograph my little trees with buds. Thanks for reminding me with your comment.

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  7. Thanks for sharing your process/beginning, Carol! When Randy and I were last in DC, in spring of 2021, we happened to hit it right at cherry blossom time. I've seen them before on visits there, but they felt extra magical that time! "Flirts" is such a perfect word here!

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  8. Some year I hope to get to Washington during peak bloom. It's on my bucket list! I agree - Spring brings renewal and hope.

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    1. Rose, we still have not seen the cherry trees in full bloom. Each night we watch the local news to hear about the weather. When it's nice out, we plan on traveling to the Tidal Basin.

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  9. I love the etheree form, Carol, and that you are modifying it. That's how art happens! You've so conveyed the recharge of spring here, with every lovely line.

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  10. It would be grand to see the cherry blossoms, and I hope you can. I would like to! Your etheree inspires me to write one also. Thanks for sharing your spring wish and poem.

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  11. I love your verbs "flirts" and "flings"!

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  12. Your etheree is budding and blooming! :) I'm feeling the hope of spring, too. So needed!

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