March Musings: Day 1 of March SOLSC! #SOL21

 

Writing is a daily practice, an opening of my heart to the whispers of my soul. 

It just so happens that as I begin this ritual of daily writing with the Two Writing Teachers Community, I am in the process of leaving one life to create a new one. My one word 2021, begin, will be my guide as I pack my Long Island home of 39 years because a new adventure in Virginia awaits me. 

Why, Virginia?

I am moving with my husband and son to live closer to my daughter, son-in-law, and two delightful granddaughters, ages 3 1/2- and 1-years-old. My sister also decided to build a new home in the same community. Need I say more? Family First! But before I start a new chapter of my life story, I must cross one last hurdle as March chillingly marches in. Winter still lingers but time does not stand still. Packing continues. An estate sale commences. Movers arrive in one week. Then, off to Virginia and back to Long Island for the closing.

Today, with so much to do and so little time, I was able to pause for a brief moment this morning to listen to a sweet song.

During March SOLSC! #SOL21, I plan on documenting each day of my new beginning. Join me this month to reveal another page in the journal of life as I search to find meaning in a new life and gratitude in quiet corners.

Proud Member of Two Writing Teachers Community

since 2015

The Creative Mind is Restless

With my upcoming move, there is so much to do that my mind keeps racing. Sleep is interrupted and the to-do list keeps popping up at all hours. After reading Rebecca Brock, Day 17 prompt at Laura Shovan's 9th Annual February Poem Project, my brain kept churning. The floodgates of creativity opened and from beyond my comfort zone evolved the following poem. 

EARLY MORNING CREATIVITY PROCESS

early morning

brain churns-

waking from slumber

thoughts interrupted-

brain freeze

creative impulses

 searching for words-

no constraints

open the curious mind

to a new day

of imaginative thought.

©CV, 2021

The creative mind is restless. - Rishi Kapoor

The video I created with Lumen 5 is published on YouTube at https://youtu.be/UdF7zzCcARo.

Please visit to see the poem through a different lens.

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Tonight, troubled by Winter Blast #3 and continued COVID broadcasts, I created an image poem for Day 18 of the 9th Annual February Poem Project. Stacey JoyEleven Johnson offered an interesting prompt with a couple of shadow photos and a skinny poem. the poem below  uses the Shadorma format and was created with the FotoJet platform. It was prompted by the third winter blast, COVID-19 broadcasts, and my final dose of the COVID vaccine, all amidst endless packing for my house move to Virginia. 

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With an ample amount of snow covering our neighborhood once again, I toss my anxieties up in the air to enjoy some poetic goodness at Poetry Friday. This week, Ruth Hersey from Haiti, is our host. She is enjoying Carnival Week and creating a Facts of the World poem with facts offered from every Poetry Friday writer. Mine is about a surprising snowflake fact. 

I continue to collect winter photos with poems from across the world. Interested?

Send your offering to my hashtag , @cvarsalona, and #WintersEmbrace2021 Gallery on Twitter, Facebook, or my gmail.

Winter Snowblast 2021

Before the storm, 

Weather channels announced the "coming of a winter blast". Preparations were made, snowblowers in high demand. Most people snuggled indoors waiting for the event.

Storm brewing.

Winter wish:

Fill your day with cozycalm,

Mindful practice.

©CV, 2021

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Then, the Storm Came.

Snuggled in blanket-warmth,

white powder masses paraded in.

Nighttime darkness

masked the entry.

©CV, 2021

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Daylight Quietly Opened

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Cameras Flash

In haste

snowscape captured

before the rush to

 dismember its stilled existence.

©CV, 2021

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Why do we quickly tear down the beauty of winter snow

to enjoy the convenience of passing streets? 

When I was a child, it seemed that snowstorm pile-ups were left untouched for days. The sheer beauty of pristine snowscapes remains in my mind as a remembrance of winter peace.

Snow was falling

so much like stars

filling the dark trees

that one could easily imagine

its reason for being was nothing more

than prettiness.

-Mary Oliver

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I turn my Slice of Life thoughts over to Two Writing Teachers

in gratitude for their community of writers.

Take a look at what Letha Henry from Graceland, Quebec sent me 

for my #WintersEmbrace2021 Gallery collection.