Unveiling Embraceable Summer Gallery 2019

 "Nature's beauty is a constant and a reminder that life continues with hope for a better tomorrow." 

Inspired by Long Island's ocean shores, you are cordially invited to

stroll through the second segment of Embraceable Summer Gallery, an unfolding collection of glimmering sights, calming sounds, and wistful moments of summer 2019.  This collection is a seasonal gift showcasing the beauty of nature.  Linger awhile in the above digital inspiration where glistening sand lines a tranquil shoreline of northern Long Island.   Reflect on this past year how your life has been affected by the unforeseen pandemic and find peaceful moments in your end-of-summer days.  Please start your gallery walk with the introductory segment of Embraceable Summer Gallery that was unveiled on September 3, 2020. Click here for a playlist that accompanies the gallery.

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Looking Back to Summer Past

The Embraceable Summer Gallery is created in segments due to the vast array of artistic expressions spanning a two-year journey of summers around the globe. Messages of gratitude go out to a group of patient global contributors who crafted individual stories via digital platforms. I share snapshot moments of quiet inspiration from nature across the globe during Summer 2019.  Enjoy your gallery walk.

Summer of 2019 was

mind-freeing,

energy-lifting,

spiritually renewing,

and wrapped in sunshine

from dawn to sunset.

©CV, 2020

Tara Coulter, Vancouver Island, BC

Amanda Potts, Ottawa, Ontario

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summer freshness

gardens bright, lines of laundry -

daily enchantments

summer's allure

gift of rest, relaxation -

call to slow down

You can hear an audio version of Kiesha Shepard's poem here.

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Summer evenings blanket earth in 

 “bursts of gold on lavender melting into saffron.  

It’s the time of day when the sky looks like it has been spray-painted by a graffiti artist.” 

- Mia Kirshner

Laura Toledo, Southold, Long Island

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September brings

new routines for summer's end

notice the change

"When summer gathers up her robes of glory, And, like a dream, glides, away." 

-Sarah Helen Whitman

Northport, Long Island at day's end, ©CV, 2020

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When summer of 2019 neared its end, an autumnal equinox approached.

A Harvest Moon amazed earth!

"Harvest moon: around the pond I wander and the night is gone."

-Matsuo Basho

Friday the 13th, September 2019

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Parting Digital Inspirations

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Contributors to the 2nd Segment of #EmbraceableSummer Gallery:

#chazchaz via Al Dhalla

KumudAjmani

Terje Akke

Linda Baie

Lakshmi Bhat

Les Buchanan

Tara Coulter

Al Dhalla

Karen Eastlund

Matt Forrest Esenwine

Fred Harwood

Michelle Kogan

Anne LaBlanc

Rachel Murat

Sharon Norden

Amanda Potts

Joyce Ray

Kiesha Shepard

Donna Smith

Laura Toledo

Carol Varsalona

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I send this gallery across social media to celebrate the beauty of nature as a constant reminder of what we have to be grateful for as opposed to what we are missing. The first stop is Poetry Friday,  hosted by Texan teacher/poet, Kiesha Shepard. You can read Kiesha's poetic offering above.

NOTE: Continue to stop by for more unveilings of the Embraceable Summer Gallery. There are many more offerings from 2019 coming in future installments.

Enjoy your end-of-summer weekends.

Beachside Calm

In search of peace and calmness, I travel to the boardwalk to stare out into the Atlantic Ocean waters. There is a gentle mix of tranquility and exhilaration found on this windy spring day. 

I search the ocean's extensive vista, watching foaming waves rush against shore in a cyclical pattern. Within this panoramic view, gulls playfully swoon in between slices of billowing clouds and spiral down to meet the undulating wisps of sweeping sea. Under a canopy of blue-grey sky and amidst churning ocean sounds, beachgoers engage in their ritualistic routines while I momentarily rest, acknowledging the presence of nature. Slowly, I breathe in springtime freshness, letting go of stagnant thoughts. Transfixed on the majesty of the day, I become one with nature. With gratitude for life and living, I cast pent-up emotions out to sea, letting the gusty wind carry them far away from this placid day.

I am intrigued by the endless passion of the sea and the inviting nature of the beach. Staring into the ocean, I  temporarily remove myself from the hectic pace of life. 

Quietly, I walk along the beach,

calmly

observing

nature's

beauty,

calmly

breathing

in

freshness.

Calmly,

I quietly walk along the beach.

©CVarsalona, 2018, Long Beach, NY

Skinny Poem Format
I have been intrigued with the skinny form of poetry since I heard about it this past winter. It is a challenging short poem form that consists of eleven lines. The first and eleventh lines can be any length while the eleventh and last line must be repeated using the same words from the first and opening line (however, they can be rearranged). The above skinny poem is my final version after many iterations. 

Poetry Friday is here this week at Kiesha Shephard's blog site. Kiesha is ushering in summer at the ridge with her poem, Summer's Song. 

Self-Portrait

Self-expression is an important aspect of who you are. It is the manner in which you present yourself. Have you ever thought how you would portray yourself? Would you draw, paint, illustrate, create a digital, or a hand-hewn expression of you in the limitless expanse of life? 

Last week, Brenda Davis Harsham created a self-portrait poem, Self-Portrait as Wildflower, mirrored on Irene Latham's amazing poem, Self-Portrait as Tangerine. I was so taken by their poems that wove words and visuals so beautifully that I have been reflecting on the form all week. Using Irene's and Brenda's poems as inspiration, I designed a poetic expression and digitized it to represent a side of me that has emerged over the years. Knowing that Irene and Brenda's poems are concise and metaphorically inspired, I humbly present my image poem. It is filled with flourish depicting the image that expresses the inner me. 

Self-Portrait as Calligraphy Pen

A self-portrait is an artistic expression of the inner you.  

"Calligraphy is an effective way to communicate a message in a beautiful way, and adding illustrations/embellishments only adds to the striking nature of the art piece."-Lindsey Bugbee 

                     Self-Portrait as Wildflower            Self-Portrait as Tangerine

      

This week, Poetry Friday is hosted by Kiesha Shephard at Whispers from the Ridge. Kiesha sent out a lovely invitation to remind us to stop by the Poetry Friday Round-up and asks us to think about the shape of our year so far and where we find joy in our daily routines?