Two Versions of My Garden Beds

This past November, there were challenges in the world and some in my personal life. Life is fragile and uncertain, just like my gardens but both are full of "beautiful memories sprayed with a million tears." 

In November the  Poetry Sisters' invited #PoetryPals Challenge to a writing challenge: Pluck a line or a theme from Jane Hirschfield's Two Versions and let that inspire your poem. When I was ready to write, a passing in the night of a dear friend took precedence. While November is no longer, my poem still sits waiting for me to have one more look. 

Two Versions of My Garden Beds

In the first version, my garden bed thrived

Under auspices that Autumn supplied.

Leaves blanketed the garden's flow

As flowers met in an undetermined row.

I listened for nature's quiet stroll.

That often touched my heartfelt soul.

In the second version, one garden bed

Did not follow Fall's design and spread.

In a misconceived, wildflower stance,

Leaves hid amongst wild mint plants.

Shadows of time passed. A single leaf

Hovered in a mix of frosted grief.  

draft ©CVarsalona, 2024

Heartstrings tug during November's memories but December brings the good news from a tiny creche. May there be peace and goodwill in the world.

Thank you to the Poetry Sisters for November's prompt. You can read other poems at Tanita S. Davis' blog here. Tanita hosted the event and there are wonderful poems to read. 

Thank you to Two Writing Teachers for offering a reflective space for writers worldwide. I am turning my attention to the December 19th Slice of Life.

Blessed Beyond Measure

 

It's nearing Thanksgiving and our community is having its first Friendsgiving event. I decided my offering would be seasonal cookies from the heart of my kitchen. My son is my assistant. As I search for recipes, I remember baking with my Nonnie as a little girl. Memories of her rolling dough on her large breadboard come to mind. For many years of her life, my mother would make holiday cookies with me, using the Susan Branch cookbooks or recipes she found. One year my aunt passed down Italian cookie recipes from my Nonnie who did not read, write, or speak English. I laugh now reading that all of those recipes used lard, a staple during the war years.

 

Like my grandmother and mother, I enjoy being creative while baking. Above is a new group of pumpkin spice chocolate chip cookies I made this morning with a pumpkin that was previously roasted. To get the right taste I added various spices. Tomorrow I will add a dark chocolate frosting.

"Baking is the poetry of the kitchen."

Jean -Anthelme Brillat-Savarin

I was delighted to find this quote this morning. Baking is not only an art but a tradition in my family. It is a way to express creativity, emotion, and feelings as does poetry. 

Baking Memories

Memories float through my kitchen today

as sweet smells waft through the air.

Nonnie's large breadboard sits in the corner

reminding me of loving hands

that kneaded the dough to create

delectable cookies and honey dolls.

I pause to offer my son finger licks

of the leftovers in the bowl,

an after-baking tradition.

The art of baking has become

a blessing beyond measure.

draft, ©CVarsalona, 2024

August 2021

SPECIAL NOTE:

I am passionate about baking. I love the art of baking so much that I wrote a children's poem, "Would You Like To Bake?', that was published in "Clara's Kooky Compendium of ThimbleThoughts and WonderFuzz". This fabulous book was recently published by the amazing duo, Sylvia Vardel and Janet Wong, high-spirited and talented poets, authors, and editors. Frank Ramspott illustrated the book with clever designs and artwork to delight children. This is a book that you will want in your classroom and school libraries.  Stay tuned for my full review of the book. 

************************

This is my Tuesday's Slice of Life that I send to Two Writing Teachers,

a meeting place for a world of reflective writers.

In Awe of Autumn

🍀🍁🍀🍂🍃🍁🍀🍁🍀🍂🍃🍁🍀🍁🍀🍂🍃🍁🍀🍁🍀🍂🍃🍁🍀🍁🍀🍂🍃🍁🍀🍁🍀🍂🍃🍁🍀🍁🍀🍂🍃🍁

It was a crisp mid-October day that opened its expansive blue sky to the beauty of Autumn. We drove on the country road bordered by a canopy of huge green trees splattered with the colors of fall, umber, russet, gold, maize, crimson, pine green, and raw sienna. The rows of trees stood close together like crowds watching a parade. One leaf danced in front of our car and another followed the leader. I paused and wondered. Do leaves whisper to each other?

We continued to drive in awe of Autumn's beauty. Gravel roads took us to Wegmeyer Farm with a quaint barn that led us to pumpkin fields. The orange pumpkins against a backdrop of green trees enhanced the beauty of this magnificent fall day.

Outside the barn was a glorious array of nature's finest farm-raised items and a cutout board for photos Inside the barn were wooden bins of gourds and pumpkins in various sizes. The large bumpy ones I had never seen before. Little Lila did not enjoy those gourds.

Goosenecks were fun to pick up and share with the little grandgirls. Outside there was a glorious array of nature's finest farm-raised items. There was even a cutout board for photos in the cutouts outside but our baby was not in the mood.

It was time for the hayride, so the family climbed into the wagon and sat on large haystacks. We traveled through the farmland. The ride was bumpy but the scenery was lovely. The grands were delighted with the scavenger hunt that encouraged them to find interesting objects in the woods. Besides farm tools and a group of tiny scarecrows lined up like a football team, Halloween characters were hiding in the trees. After twenty minutes of a fun bumpy hayride, the farmer returned to the corn maze and the barn. The ride was delightful but getting up from the haystack was difficult for me; the barn's bakery smells led us forward. There were apple cider and glazed donuts for a treat. After taking in autumn's magic at the farm, we traveled to the next stop, a brewery and a playground for the children. The slogan Virginia is for lovers is a true statement. We bid the little girls goodbye with kisses. The spirit of autumn was in the air.

Virginia's scenic roads led us to discover new country places to wander and pause while Autumn was all around. Perhaps next weekend we will find more hidden gems to explore.

🍂🍃🍁🍀🍁🍀🍂🍃🍁

sunshine spilling,

leaf-dancing

nostalgic memories of crisp autumn mornings

recall kaleidoscopic scenes that changed weekly-

nature's invitation:

gather outside

find fall

©CVarsalona, 2024

trinet poetic form

🍂🍃🍁🍀🍁🍀🍂🍃🍁

INVITATION for WRITERS:

Join me at my blog as I host Poetry Friday on 10/25/2024.

My topic is Awe-Inspiring Autumn.

🍂🍃🍁🍀🍁🍀🍂🍃🍁

This is my Tuesday's Slice of Life that I send to Two Writing Teachers,

a meeting place for a world of reflective writers.

October's Beautiful Change

Lady Autumn's seasonal changes surprise me each year. This season, she chose sunshine-summer attire and switched to raincoat-weather clothing. The last few days, she was clothed in leafed designs for a stroll under a bright blue sky with pillowed clouds. Variety is Lady Autumn's wish so I cannot wait to see her October sneak preview. Will it be dazzling with Crayola colors or soaked from rainy weather? 

Beautiful Change

Autumn lets go

moving slowly

with season's ease

In mindful pause

gentle winds blow

Autumn lets go

releases leaves

dancing  to earth

gathering  begins

leaves fall 

Autumn lets go

flits across earth

sunsetting peace

dazzles nightsky

with fall crayons

Autumn lets go

©CVarsalona, draft

4 x 4 poem-see information here.

Photo from Unsplash

🍃🍂🍃

• Anyone who thinks fallen leaves are dead has never watched them dancing on a windy day. - Shira Tamir

Autumn woke in the morning with a crispy feel of summer-like weather and bright blue skies. Watching in awe, a gentle flight of assorted leaves moved gracefully toward the cars.  October's first dance of the season brought a beautiful change.

autumn's flight of leaves

free-float and dance in the breeze

October's gift

©CVarsalona, 2024, haibun

🍃🍂🍃

Welcome to my Slice of Life, which I am sending to the Two Writing Teachers, a reflective community of writers.

Labor of Love

Have you ever stared at your laundry loads and knew it would keep coming? I am trying to find the humor in this chore. After my little grandgirl's visits, dirty socks and other clothes lurk in corners. Also, my husband's and son's laundry baskets are always full so I need to find some humor in daily chores.  

Take a peek at my laundry room when it is quiet. Then, read the trinet poem I created to bring humor to this rainy, damp day.

 Staring at Dirty Laundry

dirty laundry

daily quandary

a challenge when cleaning soiled deposits

that's why I have several products 

muddy socks

need soapbox

neverending chore

 @CVarsalona, 2024

🧦🧦🧦

Let's remember that laundry is the real Neverending Story!

Above is a Getty Image of a 1950s woman doing her laundry. 

See more here.

🧦🧦🧦

I hope you enjoy my Slice of Life that I am sending to the Two Writing Teachers world community of writers.

Sunkissed Summer Days

It is almost the end of August. I have seen many sunkissed summer days alive with trees showcasing their colors, bees buzzing while circling gardens, and floral scents perfuming the air. On other days, nature painted the sky with dark gray swirls. In my mind, each summer day fluttered like a butterfly. I watched the flow of nature as I tried to recuperate. I stared at the glowing moon in an inked sky and the morning sun peeking through the clouds. Another season will soon be here. Leaf prints will scatter across sidewalks. Have you discovered the warmth and beauty of a sunkissed summer day?

There is still time to watch sunkissed summer days fill the air with various scents and settings. Will the ending days of summer gracefully transition to the next season?

Emily Dickinson reminds me

"How softly summer shuts, without the creaking of a door." 

Will Summer find herself resting among the leaves to create a carpet for the Earth?

It's Slice of Life Tuesday and I am happy to join Two Writing Teachers (late at usual).

Celebrating Earth Day 2024

With ups and downs in weather, Spring, the season of rebirth, broke out afresh after being quiescent throughout the winter months. Nature welcomed spring rains that brought verdant landscapes and blossoming flowers. Even the calendar has celebrated springtime each year on April 22nd. Since 1970, billions of people across the globe have celebrated Earth Day, an annual event to support the cause of environmental protection. 

This year's Earth Day theme is "Planet vs. Plastics". It is a theme that has been wrestled with for years. According to earthday.org, the goal this year is "to reduce the production of plastics by 60% in 2040 and ultimately build a plastic-free future". Our children deserve a better world and so does our planet. As residents of the earth, we are its stewards. This year's initiative strives to rid the earth of plastics "for the sake of human and planetary health." Many educators have created lessons and events to honor the earth by bringing the message of stewardship to their students. The artwork below is the 2024 NASA Earth Day poster that can be visible in classrooms.  "It is composed with real satellite imagery from NASA's Terra, Aqua, and Landsat missions." 

In 2019, a 32-foot, 2500-pound hand-crafted metal sculpture was installed at Jones Beach on Long Island, NY. Jonesy the Whale has its own Twitter (X) account. I remember when it was first installed. Recycled plastic bottles were stuffed inside to remind us of our civic duty to protect our world.

You can see the YouTube video, The Story of Jonesy the Humpback Whale Jones Beach, Long Island here.

Stewardship

springtime spills over in abundance - we are stewards of the earth

observe the verdant landscape and smell fragrant buds blossoming

pause, breathe in winds of change needed for future generations 

©CVarsalona, 2024, sijo poem

Slice of Life Thought for the Day After Earth Day:

"Plastic pollution-free world is not a choice but a commitment to life - a commitment to the next generation. - Amit Ray

INVITATION

Please consider offering one image poem, photography, or inspirational quote on springtime or Earth Day for my

Padlet and later Gallery of Artistic Expressions.

Students' work is welcomed.

Three more image poems by Tricia Stohr-Hunt, Linda Baie, and Bridget Magee have been added. 

Thank you Two Writing Teachers for the space to add my slice of life.

Solar Eclipse 2024

Parts of North America silently waited for nature's moments of totality. on April 8, 2024. News stations aired programs. Libraries distributed solar eyeglasses. People huddled in parks, yards, and special event areas to watch a spectacular sight, the moon passing between Earth and the sun. News stations captured the event minute by minute as the moon blocked the view of the sun. We watched ABC News coverage. Each area from Mexico to Maine shared their 4 minutes of totality as the sun darkened the sky followed by sunlight. 

My son, husband, and I moved between the news and our backyard as we waited for the event. Then, the sky clouded. What would we see? My son asked Siri, "What time will the eclipse occur here in Northern Virginia? Much to his surprise, we would only see a partial eclipse. Regardless, I decided to capture the event even without solar glasses. How did I do this? I cleverly moved my iPhone toward the sky but did not face the sky. I started clicking my iPhone camera. Click! Then, I remembered the Pink Floyd song, Total Eclipse of the Sun, that my husband likes. You can listen to it below and then read my trinet poem introduced to me by the Australian poet, Alan J. Wright during a Poetry Friday Roundup. This poem has seven lines and lines three and four have six words in each line. All the other lines have two words per line. The trinet has no restrictions for rhyme, subject, or syllable. 

Total Eclipse of the Sun

The above photo was captured while watching the sky, shapeshift. Can you see the yellow light around a black object in the middle of the photo? Shortly after I took the photo, the sky became more gray in color and the weather became cooler. What a surprise! I came inside to watch ABC's coverage of the awesome totality moments-solar eclipse in New York State. I can imagine how fabulous it was to be there. 

INVITATION

Please consider offering one image poem of

⤵

for my 2024 National Poetry Month Project

⤵

See more information on my new Gallery of Artistic Expressions and take a peek at my Poetry Parade Padlet. which will showcase my poems and other artistic expressions by writers, poets, and others.

I offer this Slice of Life to Two Writing Teachers. with gratitude for accepting my slice late.

Easter Sunday Thoughts

Today, morning broke with sunshine that pierced through the sky. Churchbells chimed in sync to verify the truth. Resurrection Sunday brought renewal to life, whether it be human life or nature's tending to the earth. Spring's path will continue with its sweet scents floating through the sky like burning incense rises and perfumes an altar. 

As the 40 days of Lent ended, so has the 31 days of the 17th Annual Two Writing Teachers Slice of Life Story Challenge. Challenges may have created pauses along the way but faith brought each writer closer to the end of a faithful journey. May each new friend I met find continue to write with zest and the many slicers I have met throughout my 10 years of slicing continue to meet each Tuesday of the year. I look forward to continued friendships.

As evening slows life down,

Memories of this Easter Sunday family day

Spins around like a top.

Faith and love connect.

Blossoms open.

Hearts renew.

©CVarsalona, 3/31/2024

Successful Easter Egg Hunt  

Day 31 ends the journey. I extend sincere gratitude to the leaders of Two Writing Teachers for opening their space that brings reflective writers together from across the globe.  

The Easter Triduum

Last night started the Sacred Tridum, a solemn three-day period leading to Easter Sunday. These final days of Lent are honored by my family each year. I offer a sigo poem from today's Good Friday service,  7 Last Words.

A sigo consists of three lines of 14-16 syllables each. Each line contains a pause near the middle. The first half of the line contains six to nine syllables; the second half should contain no fewer that five syllables. The first line introduces an idea or story, the second supplies a turn, and the third provides closure.  

 The Sacred Tridumm

Disciples gathered at the Lord's supper unaware

treachery brewed within, scourging, crowning with thorns, crucifixion

until Resurrection Sunday when a miracle evolved.

Draft©CVarsalona, March 2024, sigo

icon written by Julia Stankova

gathering of friends

sleeping not waiting

as requested

do we also not listen

not hear spoken words

time to awaken and renew commitment

©CVarsalona, March 2024, cherita

Thank you arjeha, aka Bob Hamera, for suggesting a sijo poem. 

I offer this Slice of Life to Two Writing Teachers Slice of Life Story Challenge.

Day 29. The month-long writing challenge is nearing an end. I am delighted to have met new slicers while chatting with writers who have become friends.

Poetry Peeps Challenge as March Marches On!

A few years ago, I was invited to view my first hummingbird. It looked like a little fairy as it flitted around my friends' upper deck. I tried to take a photo but it popped up and down playing peek-a-boo with me. Hence, no photo was captured, but I was delighted ans inspired by the tiny bird's sight.

The above creative invitation is from the Poetry Sisters.

Tanita, Laura, Mary Lee, Liz, Sara, Tricia, and Kelly.

Pantoum poems are marvelous nuggets of repetitive lines.

You can read more about this poetic form here.

Hummingbird's Flight

a small fairylike bird hummed

while moving through the windless sky

with no care in the world, it shunned

my camera as if it were shy

while moving through the windless sky

playing peekaboo it avoided

my camera as if it were truly shy

then flitted away - beak pointed

playing peekaboo it avoided

photos though fancily dressed

then flitted away - beak pointed

flying backward toward the west

©CVarsalona, 2024

I also penned a pantoum to two seasons, winter and spring  

You can read my "Seasons Transition" blog post with the pantoum here.

Exciting News!

Laura Purdie Salas' new kidlit book, Oskar's Voyage, arrived. 

Stay tuned for my book review of this amazing story.

 is hosted this week by

 one of the talented Poetry Sisters, Tricia Stohr-Hunt,

 at The Miss Rrumphius Effect blog. 

Enjoy the Poetry Friday Roundup!

I also offer this Slice of Life to Two Writing Teachers Slice of Life Story Challenge.

Day 28 with thanks for their month-long writing challenge.