December Joy

When I opened poet-slicer, Margaret Simon's blog this weekend, I found a delightful photo she took while her little grandchildren frolicked in the sun. See This Photo Wants to be a Poem: Fountain. 

I decided to crop Margaret's photo to observe it closer. What evolved was a  #haikuofhealing and an elfchen of peace. 

Main Street Fountain, Louisiana by Margaret Simon

joy explodes

when water splish splashes

nature applauds

©CVarsalona, 2024

When words become unclear, I shall focus with photographs. When images become inadequate, I shall be content with silence.-Ansel Adams

May you capture the spirit of the holidays this year through nature.

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Christmas Eve is upon us, so I wish everyone a silent pause for a moment of presence on this soon-to-be-luminous evening of joy.

in chilled moments

silent stillness holds its breath

world awaits joy

©CVarsalona, 2024

#haikuofhealing

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Thank you, Two Writing Teachers, for bringing a world of reflective writers to your silent space each week.

A November Conversation

This week, November's weather swung back and forth like a playground swing. Conversations arose: Chill in the air. 36 degrees to 70 degrees." Beyond human talk, there was a huge stir in the sky when my son and I were in the parking lot of Tyson's Corner Mall in Virginia. A mass of blackbirds swarmed the sky above the building. Dipping, diving, screeching they flew up and down. Loud conversations were heard as in the chasing scene in the movie, The Birds by Alfred Hitchcock. Immediately, my son shot the photo. We stood in awe of what we witnessed.

This week I thought about that stunning but eerie scene. When Anastasia Suen posted her #smallpoem challenge with the theme "Conversations", my mind started sparking ideas.

Photo by Derek Varsalona edited in FotoJet

Poem and digital artwork by CVarsalona

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November is the month to reflect on what we have learned over the past months. The holiday season begins and conversations are full of opportunities to listen and pause with hope, gladness, and appreciation. It is time to reset our journey with gratitude. 

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Thank you to Irene Latham, poet extraordinaire for hosting Poetry Friday and filling my thoughts with wonder. Today, she brings the gift of reflecting, pondering, and poetic goodness. 

Pumpkin Picking

Last week at Poetry Friday, Anastasia Suen, invited writers to create #smallpoems for October. Since my family was planning an outing to the local pumpkin farm, I thought I might have inspiration there. What started out with excitement for a fall excursion, ended up with disappointment. The beautiful October weather took on grey tones and damp drippings. The missed opportunity left me with store-bought pumpkins instead of plump pumpkins from the pumpkin farm.

pumpkin picking

is quite an art

but weather is tricking

there goes my heart

©CVarsalona, 2023, #smallpoem draft

After I sent my October #smallpoem draft to Anastasia Suen, she replied. "Even your comment is a small poem when I add line breaks!" I felt her thoughts made my small poem complete. See the revised poem.

I am missing

picking pumpkins

with the grands today.

Weather issues

are preventing

the fun play.

©CVarsalona, 2023, #smallpoem

BUT, the story is not finished. With a quick change in weather patterns, the sun came out. Plans quickly changed again and off we went to a pumpkin patch in Great Falls. When we arrived, there was a distinct briskness in the air. I was happy that I brought a new pumpkin hat and booties for Baby Lila, our little pumpkin. 

It's Time To Be Grateful!

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I 

partake of

fall's juiciness,

it's succulent beauty,

and inspiring moods.

I am grateful for

Fall.

©CVarsalona, 2023, #smallpoem

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I keep playing with words. Perhaps, I should blend thoughts into one poem.

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Fall

feels crispy on

this sweater-weather,

scattered-leaf day.

Pops of pumpkin-colors

decorate landscapes.

I am in awe of

Fall!

©CVarsalona, 2023, #smallpoem

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I lingered over these poems long enough. I will join Two Writing Teachers for the weekly Slice of Life and enjoy reading friends' Slices of Life.

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