Autumn's Dances On

Autumn has moods of changing hues. From bright summerlike suns to dark sweeping rains, this splendiferous season transforms her landscape. Here, in Northern Virginia, wisps of colorful sunsets often streak across the sky. 

Crisp and crunchy,

Russet and golden-orange leaves,

Pile in heaps,

Ready to adorn Autumn.

Then, on a windy day in fall,

With a jubilant sway

Autumn dances her way

into the sky's dancehall.

©CVarsalona, 2023, Virginia, draft

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While passing by holiday storefronts, I noticed a mannequin dressed in holiday green. It reminded me of a photo I shot years ago in a nursery on Long Island, NY. The image below sparked an idea for Poetry Friday's host, Anastasia Suen's #smallpoem challenge. 

Anastasia shares her delightful poem on a memorable first snow day for this week's Poetry Friday Roundup which will surely be filled with poetic goodness.  Below is my response to the writing challenge.

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. 

Gratitude for Our Veterans

 "The willingness of America's veterans to sacrifice for our country has earned them our lasting gratitude." - Jeff Miller

November is #GratitudeMonth, the time to share thanksgiving for the large and small moments of life. On this Veteran's Day, I look back to thank those who fought for our country and freedom, especially my Uncle Johnny, World War II veteran who passed on at 94 years this spring.

Remembrance

a single flag

silenced by time

rests in tribute

©CVarsalona, 2023 #smallpoem

Thank you to Anastasia Suen for her Veteran's Day #smallpoem challenge.

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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Goodby Kindergarten

It was a beautiful day six years ago just like today. My husband, son, and I were driving from Long Island to Virginia to arrive in time for the arrival of our first grandchild when my phone started ringing. Sierra  Kathryn was just born and we were still at least two hours away. Fast track to yesterday, Sierra, my oldest granddaughter celebrated her 6th Birthday. Plus, today she finishes her year of Kindergarten. It is difficult to believe that time has past so quickly and Sierra is now ready for 1st grade. Last night, we celebrated with the extended family.  Without further ado, I share snippets of the outside dinner party through a series of photos.

Homemade number cookie I baked for the dinner party

Sierra enjoys her cookie.

She attempts to read her birthday cards.

I am proud to see her trying.

Two sisters enjoy the celebration at Medium Rare.

Recently, I read Amy Ludwig Vanderwater's blogs which spoke about occasion poem and making souvenir poems. Below is my souvenir poem that I will read with Sierra.

Your kindergarten life,

a whole year of delight,

whooshed away

in a fantastic way!

Your sweet teacher was swell!

It's time to bid friends farewell. 

Memories will last

through your summer-life dash.

Then, first grade will come

for more school-life fun.

©CVarsalona, 2023

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Thanks to Anastasia Suen for sparking a poem for her June #smallpoem challenge.

sweetened sangria

delicious and bright

as the birthday girl

raise a glass to celebrate

©CVarsalona, 2023

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Last year, my artist and poet friend, Michelle Kogan created a 5th-year birthday card for Sierra. This week she is hosting Poetry Friday here. You can find much poetic goodness on her site, including the Poetry Friday community blog posts. I look forward to joining everyone this morning.

Logo created by Michelle Kogan

Gently Pushing Students' Learning Forward

Because learning is messy

and perseverance key,

we keep moving forward,

as creative artisans  

inspiring our students

to be careful observers of life. 

As observers, they notice

and naturally wonder. 

As wonderers, they explore 

and discover new horizons.

As discoverers, they seek 

new boundaries to cross.

They learn; 

inquire; converse;

engage with diverse partners.

Under our guidance,

they pursue a path of inquiry

becoming “21st century pioneers.”

                                                          

Adventurously, these young learners

meet tomorrow with open hearts,

boldly pushing on,

undaunted by missteps,

failing forward on the reflective pathway 

toward success

because learning is messy

and perseverance is key!

2014 Carol Varsalona © All Rights Reserved.

-Dream Big-
and now stroll over to Anastasia Suen's Booktalking #kidlit for the Poetry Friday offerings. You will be delighted with Anastasia's site.  

If you are interested in submitting a poem and photo for the Finding Fall Gallery of Artistic Expressions, I can still accept your offering since I have not started the design of the collection. December crept up on me what with NCTE and the quick turn around to travel to snowy Syracuse for Thanksgiving and now to spend an entire week at the NYS Curriculum Conference with State Ed. I will have the gallery ready as my Christmas gift to all.