The poetry of nature is a balm for stormy times. - Friends of the Everglades
Stormy times are certainly happening in the world. Climate change and political unrest continue to cause issues while personal problems taunt us. Humanity needs slow-down moments to breathe in new life. Allow nature's rhythms to recharge and bring quietude into troubled spaces.
Poetic Peace
There's nothing left
to call this a home.
Doorknobs found
amongst the debris
paint a new canvas.
Storms may destroy
years you lived here.
Life goes on.
Forests planted by you
need replanting
in today's world.
There may be nothing left except
for what's left of your light
so find a simple way to be.
Let slow-down moments
spark the light within
with the gift of grace.
Let's find hope
for this land in
moments of joy.
©CV, 2023
The above is a found poem based on Carol Labuzzetta's image poem, Debris, and words from yesterday's blog poem posted here and my haibun at Autumn Arrives blog. {Italicized lines are from Carol Labuzzetta's poem.}
Nature as a balm thought is reflected in the awesome poem swap package Carol Labuzzetta sent to me. It is such a joy to have Carol, the amazing environmentalist, nature photographer, poet, and jewelry maker, create something especially significant to me.
Nature Photo Greeting Cards
Carol and I are in tune with one another with our love of nature, photography, crafting, and poetry. I am eager to see color changes in the leather cord bookmark when I place it between the pages of a book to mark my spot. I have just the right book for this, A Field Guide to the Heart - Poems of Love, Comfort, & Hope by Georgia Heard & Rebecca Kai Dotlich.
Special Note: Carol Labuzzetta is inviting interested poets and writers to submit ekphrastic poems for her upcoming children's book, Nature Poetry in Pictures Anthology. The submission window is August 1, 2023-November 1, 2023. You can find the Anthology Guidelines on her blog, The Apples In My Orchard. Click here. I captured nature in photos last weekend and hope to draft some poems soon. I hope you join in also.
In closing, I leave you with a beautiful thought about nature from Anne Frank.
I firmly believe that nature brings solace in all troubles.
🦋 🦋 🦋
Now, I am ready to join Poetry Friday Roundup at poet and children's book author, Amy Ludwig VanDerwater's blog, The Poem Farm. She is giving some (writing?) advice so check out her post and all the poetic goodness that comes from the Poetry Friday writers.
It is serendipitous that Magination Press sent me a box of books to review and share with teachers and inside was The Sound of Kindness by Amy. I can't wait to read the book and enjoy the illustrations by Teres Martinez.
