Reflecting on the Last Day of #NPM

“The best remedy for those who are afraid, lonely or unhappy is to go outside, somewhere where they can be quite alone with the heavens, nature, and God." - Anne Frank 

As the pandemic continues on Long Island and the weather turns to rain and cloudiness, the human spirit longs for connections. During these types of days, I, like others, need to take a walk, smell the fresh air, and be comforted by nature. When this is impossible, I turn to writing, my #quarentainment that lets creativity bubble inside so voice flys.

Highlights of my week of reflecting and writing during National Poetry Month:

Look Into the Future is a video poem I created using Lumen 5. It holds my thoughts about what the future might be. This video poem is constructed with the first stanza of my Skinny poem series offered to Michelle H. Barnes for Today's Little Ditty April challenge.

While reading Fran Haley's blog post with Ode to the Wind, I was inspired by her words to create a Golden Shovel poem based on her quote. "The universe is a writer." From that, I designed my second video poem. You can access it here.

Following my evolving thoughts on the future, I designed an image poem for my #NatureNurtures2020 Gallery using a nature photo taken by an amazing photographer in South Africa, #chazchaz. I thank Al Dhalla, a Twitter colleague, who sent this photo.

In trying times like these facing humanity, nature is a healer. Stepping outside is a break from indoor quarantine life that allows me to find comfort, reflect on the here and now, and future. Hopefully, lessons learned during the pandemic will initiate a new call to action for mankind, increased problem-solving, and creative, innovative solutions to global issues facing humanity. For me, I will continue to write poems of hope to stir minds and hearts.

I am still collecting image poems, nature photographs,

and any other form of artistic expression for #NatureNurtures2020 Gallery.

Quick Challenge:

This inspirational photo by #chazchaz is waiting for poems of hope and haikus for healing to be written. Compose one for the gallery so we can extend poetry writing into May. Ask your students to create as well. Send all offerings to me via a comment below, on Twitter or Facebook.

I'm joining the Poetry Friday community this week at Elizabeth Steinglass's blog site for the Poetry Friday Roundup. Liz is sharing the new videos she was asked to create. Take a stroll over to her blog to hear her reading from her amazing children's book, Soccerverse, and to pick up some creative ideas for #remotelearning.

Look Into the Future

Into the future, I stare

pondering
its 
vast
unchartedness

pondering
a
new
normal.
Pondering,
I stare into the future.

Future life is unknown.
Virus
implodes,
changing
society.
Virus
affects
humanity's
existence
Virus,
is future life unknown?

With positivity, I imagine possibilities.
Wondering
what
life
holds-
Wondering
what
life
will
unfold.
Wondering
with positivity, I imagine possibilities.

Will mankind
create
cultures
of
trust?
Create
viable 
practices?
Reflect?
Create"
Will mankind?

This week's Ditty Challenge from Michelle H. Barnes

For this week's TLD challenge, Patrice Vecchione selected "Into the Future: Take Yourself There Now" (Chapter 53) from Part III of My Shouting, Shattered, Whispering Voice. 

Patrice writes:  Is the future a place you wish you could arrive at now? I remember feeling that way. Or maybe here and now is fine. For the length of a poem, venture into that place called future, as you imagine it; peer into its unknown terrain, and see what you find. The Padlet can be accessed here.  

I created a skinny poem series for this challenge during National Poetry Month.  

*****

I am accepting poetic/artistic expressions this week for my #NatureNurtures2020 Global Gallery. If interested in learning about the gallery or offering a piece of work, click here. 

Virtual Travel Diary

Each new day is a blank page in the diary of your life. 
The secret of success is in turning that diary into the best story you possibly can.
-Douglas Pagels

As the pandemic rages across the globe, colleagues practice social distancing Twitter-style. With no mention of quarantine life, a tweet chat turns into a travel diary. Places across the states and as far away as Brazil and South Africa are shared with those who shelter in place.

Honey blush sunrise stills Central New York.

Sunny bluebird feather skies shine in California.

with a similar sight in North Carolina.

Rose-pink florals cascade in Los Angeles.

Courtyard green vegetation thrives in Texas while

Colorado white snow snowscapes share faith over fear.

Kansas white downy clouds billow

and ducks congregate in Wisconsin.

Silver strand clouds brush across Brazil's sky.

Evening nears with a heartthrob sunset hovering over Los Angeles.


☵
as day closes
nature shades evening light
shelter in place
humanity needs peace
 ataraxia exists

Nature Nurtures

©CVarsalona, 2020

Photographs collected from Cheryl Abla, Robert Breyer, #chazchaz, Christelle, colldingwithscience, Al Dhalla, Eric Hayes, Faige Meller, Sharon Norden, 
Karl O'Leary, Dr. Jill Ries, Elizabeth Russell

I invite you to join me bring voice and the artistry of nature to heal troubled hearts during these challenging times. See the special invitation by clicking here. Reminder to add your offering to my Nature Nurtures! padlet and on social media using the hashtag, #NatureNurtures2020.

Nature Nurtures! Poems of Hope

The preponderance of rain-moistened days, gray skies, and news broadcasts moves me to paint the world in surrealistic color-gradient hues when slivers of sunshine break through. 

The human need for social connections cannot be more heightened than now when shimmers of hope rise amidst the early days of spring. The delicate balance of life is cupped in hands outstretched, faces masked, and fatigued sighs. Through veiled visages and muted horizons, determination gives rise to strong voices ringing with expectation and faith in the human existence. 

I offer the first installment of Nature Nurtures poems of hope rising from landscapes across the world. May nature nurture our loss of connections as we wait out the duration of this unexpected pandemic. I am encouraging more voices to join the chorus of united thoughts. Shelter in place is not a verdict of isolation, it is a chance to renew faith in life. 

Kevin Hodgson from Massachusetts is the first to populate my Nature Nurtures! padlet.

Kevin Foley from Ireland captured a fiery sky. My thoughts followed his lead.

Jessica Bigi captured a glorious sunset that set my thoughts on fire.

🔀

I invite you to join me during National Poetry Month to bring voice and the artistry of nature into focus. Consider sending visuals, original photos of what you see around you. Let your nature photography, inspirational quotes, image poems, digital art, drawings, musical compositions, and/or poetry, carry songs of hope for a world in need of connection. With the theme, Nature Nurtures!, a gallery of artistic expressions and stories will evolve to heal troubled hearts throughout the globe during these challenging times. All are invited. Deadline: April 30, 2020. Reminder to add your offering to my Nature Nurtures! padlet and on social media using the hashtag, #NatureNurtures2020.

I am traveling over to Poetry Friday led by a poet with voice, Heidi Mordhorst at my little universe blogspot. Heidi is highlighting shelter in poetry. 

Nature Nurtures! Special Invitation

The world is a place we do not recognize now. Silent, somber streets, masked faces, and loneliness exist. But even in the midst of these trying times, mankind is uniting and discovering a new pathway through the muddle. 

As April begins its spring ascent and Easter nears, it is time to recharge our senses. Discover quiet corners to read, write, or bring family together during our #QuarantineLife. Step outside your door, take a walk. Discover nature's beauty and bounty. Practice social distancing and shelter in place during your walk as you uncover what nature holds in its embraceable arms. Raise your voice, list your noticings, pen your poem, or tell your story of determination to heal troubled hearts.

I invite you to join me during National Poetry Month here at my blog and on social media to bring voice and the artistry of nature into focus.  If you supply visuals, original photos of what you see around you as the season opens, nature photography, inspirational quotes, image poems, digital art, and/or poetry, I will share the beauty of this world throughout the month. With the theme, NATURE NURTURES!, a gallery of artistic expressions and stories will evolve to heal troubled hearts and global lands during these challenging times.  

We must remember the healing properties of nature.

Nature Nurtures.

-Sanchita Pandey, Lessons from My Garden

Come together as a global community to let your voices rise with hope and positivity as we fill social media with the glory of nature's healing gifts. All families, educators, students, and community members are invited to join me in this creative endeavor. Student work can be created during remote learning writing or creative activities. Please use the hashtag #NatureNurtures2020 on Twitter where I will curate the collection and add to Nature Nurtures! Padlet that can be found here. All work must have your name and location at the bottom of a 450 px jpeg or png. Deadline: April 30th

Remember nature inspires,

nurtures, and

holds the secrets

to discovering a

positive pathway to peace.

#WaterPoemProject_SOLSC 28

In one drop of water are found all the secrets of all the oceans. -Khalil Gibran

While pondering the above quote from one of my favorite poet-philosopher-writer, Khalil Gibran, I realized the impact of the ocean on my life and mindset. During restless times, I stand at the shoreline where soothing waters bring a sense of calm. I listen to crashing waves roar as screeching seagulls soar in the sky. I watch the radiance of the sun creating glistening diamonds in the water. My senses fill my mind with peace. 

This morning I am left only with the visions of these beach sights for the boardwalk is now closed. While I understand the reasoning behind this move, I regret that the ocean is not available for peaceful walks and wandering thoughts, so needed during #QuarantineLife.

Yesterday, I turned to Laura Shovan's #WaterPoemProject for a bit of #quarentainment peace of mind. I started with Day 5's prompt, Taste of Water, created by my Louisiana poet teacher/slicer friend, Margaret Simon. Recalling a beautiful nature walk at the Marine Nature Study Area nearby, I created two image poems embedded in the same peaceful nature photo I took during my family walk. As the birds soared into the sky that day, I felt a lift, a surge of peace.

Today, I visit another wonderful poet/writer of children's books, another friend, Irene Latham at her Day 1 prompt, The Language of Water, at the #WaterPoemProject. Irene asks us to consider "how water speaks using onomatopoeia and/or dialogue to imagine a conversation with water. 

You trickle. I listen.

The distant rumble of the news flows like water.

You ooze with stillness. I come to your resting spot,

mirroring an image under the shining sun.
You sway with ripples of peace-a cool breeze passes.
A world beyond your waters knows discontent,

shrieking with incessant safety precautions,
"Wash your hands". But you lay quiet

in the same world, sharing your space with those

burdened who seek restful waterside peace.

Come swish your fears away in my waters.       -  © CVarsalona, 2020, Long Island, NY.        

☵        

Each year since March 2015, I have engaged in Two Writing Teachers' Annual Slice of Life Story Challenge. Slicing allows me to ponder life, literacy, and learning, capturing small moments poetically through writing, photography, and digital art. Welcome to Day 28 of 31 days of writing with Two Writing Teachers. 

*Please note the following statement from Laura Shovan: With so many schools closed or meeting online, I am adapting this project for kids. And to make it extra special for everyone during this stressful time, I have invited some author and poet friends to create the writing prompts for us!

Define Your Why Crowdsourced Poem_SOLSC 24

Surrender to the now.

Everyone is facing uncertainty.

When you know your why

you know your way. 

Our experiences inform

how we contribute.

We need each other.

The "we" supersedes the "me".

Understand the need

to move forward.

Daily reflection is important

for cleansing and growth.

Define your why.

Stay positive.

Share hope-

The only way out is through.

Call to action.

Take a deep breath.

Stop; find gratitude.

Every day is a winding road.

Be relentless.

Teach from the heart.

Designed by ©CVarsalona, 2020

☵

After pouring over 300 tweets from the 3/23/20 #NYEDChat that I moderated with Barbara Bray, I creatively designed a crowdsourced poem-a poem created entirely from words submitted by the public on a particular topic or theme. This is done through social networks like Twitter and Facebook, and by email according to Dan Simpson. While this was a new endeavor for me, I enjoyed the challenge of linking lines together to make meaning. I thank the following tweeters for their thoughts: @RealSeanatello, Barbara Bray, Darren Ellwein, Robert Frost via Rita Wirtz, Don Gately, Michael Hyatt, Nicolette James, Shilpi Mahajan, Faige Meller, Roman Nowak, Karl O'Leary, Craig Shapiro, and yes, I added a line, too.  

☵

Each year since March 2015, I have engaged in Two Writing Teacher's Annual Slice of Life Story Challenge. Slicing allows me to ponder life, literacy, and learning, capturing small moments poetically through writing, photography, and digital art. Welcome to Day 24 of 31 days of writing with Two Writing Teachers. 

Commentary on Social Distancing_SOLSC 14

A  cool breeze filters through the open window with a dull, grayish sky opening day. There are no birds singing their tunes. I wonder why. Is life here in my suburb close to Manhattan finding its way to cope with the pandemic? Is nature responding to the crisis? Do the birds understand the concept behind social distancing? I imagine this gray day moving toward Manhattan as I write. 

May this poem help us understand the gravity of the pandemic's reach and bring us closer together in thought as a global community during this trying time.

Each year since March 2015, I have engaged in Two Writing Teacher's Annual Slice of Life Story Challenge. Slicing allows me to ponder life, literacy, and learning, capturing small moments poetically through writing, photography, and digital art. Welcome to Day 14 of 31 days of writing with Two Writing Teachers. 

International Women's Day_SOLSC 8

On International Women's Day 2020, 

 I pause to celebrate the Voices of all women around the globe!

It is a quiet winter morning in my neighborhood but in the outside world, there is a loud outcry. The #EachforEqual hashtag is making its way throughout social media to bring awareness of this International Women's Day. 

It is still unfathomable to me that all women around the globe are not being recognized as equal partners in society. After all, it is the 21st century and the women's movement for equality has been in the news since the 19th century. I am posing as citizens of the world, we become difference makers, united in our mission to recognize women as change agents and influential models for a younger generation. Each small effort to do so will bring us closer to understanding and promoting the Each for Equal movement.

I encourage you to take 3 minutes to view the video of the history of women's rights and spread the news that International National Women's Day should be celebrated beyond today. 

Teachers, please consider using the above video and the IWD hashtag during Women's History Month as an informed call-to-action activity.

Each year since March 2015, I engage in Two Writing Teacher's Annual Slice of Life Story Challenge. 

Slicing allows me to ponder life, literacy, and learning, capturing small moments poetically

through writing, photography, and digital art. 

Day 7 of 31 days of writing March Slice of Life 2020 Story Challenge

at Two Writing Teachers.