Spring Seeds Grace April

 April 1st arrives with a bit of foolery. In the early morning hours, I witness nature's transformation. The beautiful buds on my dwarf cherry tree blossomed a few days earlier, as if they were announcing the Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington, DC. But, as fast as the blossoms bloomed, the tree lost its gorgeous softness of color. 

Mother Nature often surprises us with its timing. Recently, last year's pansies popped with wonder in my outside vase. Nature whispered a welcome greeting to the new season of Spring. I paused to praise the season and reflect. I, like nature, weathered many winter storms this past year. I grieved over loss, felt the pangs of hurt, and experienced fatigue, but there is something different floating in the air now. Springtime opened with blooming trees. Colors that turned from winter white to a dirty grayish hue in March waited for spring to share its runway of colors and open the doors to growth and inspiration.

Now spring seeds grace April as witnessed by my pansies unfolding and surprising me with their persistence from one year to the next. Pansies not only welcomed the season, but they also reminded me to prepare the soil of my heart for the seed of grace to germinate. 

I pray that this season will move me to a new level of growth while unleashing the grief that is deep inside. As a sliver of sunshine offers respite, some anxiety eases, and I hope for a transformation like nature's movement from winter to spring. 

April 1st marks the opening of National Poetry Month's 30th Anniversary. I will celebrate along with fellow poetry writers. Words and emotions will pop as spring seeds grace April. I shall write, read, and photograph nature's pathway through the month as my muse whispers to me and seeds of verse pop up. The richness of the soil and the germination of seeds will bring a level of calmness. 

Day 1/30

INVITATION

Join me this April as I look back on my Gallery of Artistic Expressions, Spring Seeds, which was unveiled in July of 2016.  If interested, write a poem and/or add a photo regarding spring seeds gracing April. I will gather these gifts of verse and create a new gallery of artistic expressions. Perhaps, you will find one of your poems or photos residing in the 2016 gallery. 

Let your imagination take you on a journey throughout National Poetry Month.

2016

Whispering Ink

🔏

spring seeds scatter

across palettes of color

gracing our world

soft whispers of words respond

bouquets of blossoms in verse

©CVarsalona, 2026

April Foolery

It's April 1st and that does mean it's April Fools' Day.  I remember my mother always starting off the morning with a bit of foolery.  It was so much fun that my children would giggle over the things Grandma said. Now it's nature's turn to play a trick. 

I woke up during early morning and was surprised to see the trees swaying at a rapid speed.  The howling was faint and the sun looked like it wanted to peek. Still groggy from not enough sleep, I crawled back into bed.  

Second round:  I woke to a bright April morning and stillness.  Naturally, I wondered if I really saw the wind sweeping across my neighborhood, so I opened the window and quickly closed it!  Eek!  It was winter-in-spring.  I turned on the news to hear weather words like brisk, chilly, winter-like.  What a trick of nature!

With nature and some digital tools, I conjured up what the original picture I saw could look like with trees swaying wildly pre-dawn.

Or perhaps, I contrived this scene as the sun appeared.

faint hint of winter 
march winds wind up monday -
april foolery
©CV, 2019

Celebrate April 1st Poetically

While many a prankster is having fun on April 1st, I am busy joyfully celebrating the debut of my Winter Wonder Gallery. It is lucky number 13 for me. 

After releasing Winter Wonders to the world, I present:

13 Reasons to Celebrate April 1st Poetically:

1.

It's National Poetry Month.

Poetry love reverberates

throughout social media.

2. 

Creation is the inspiration 

of the soul finding flight

in shades of winter.

3.

Pleasure comes from looking

positively as each day is

rocked in nature's arms. 

4.

Mother Nature delivers

her creative handiwork. 

Wonder spins in delight.

5.

Wintertime is frozen 

within clear crystals

of captured thoughts.

6.

Artistic expressions grace

gallery walls, honoring the

sweetness of poetic voice.

7. 

Friends gather at the door

of winter, unlocking its

artistry in shades of white. 

8. 

Global sensations swirl

as artistry reveals its

poetry in motion. 

9.

Pen in hand -

passion's tool of

creative expression.

10.

Noticing life's fragile

artwork brings wonder

to an inspired level.

11.

Wonder trails lead

to new wonders that

lead to a full heart.

12.

Givings of the heart

are random acts of

kindness released.

13.

Moments in time

transition with

seasonal change.

©CV, 2017

Today I am celebrating with Ruth Ayres at Celebrate This Week because celebrations are what makes each week sparkle.  

I will celebrate the month of April 

with poetrylicious poetry and 

a soon-to-be-announced spring gallery.