Autumn: The Season for Letting Go

Now that fall has officially arrived, I watch the environment change slowly. It is the season for letting go and breathing in smoky and woody scents. It is the time to sit still, have a cup of spice tea, and agree with F. Scott Fitzgerald that "life starts all over again when it gets crisp in the fall." 

Have you ever reflected on the magnificence of a fall day? I found a digitized photo I created last autumn and began falling in love with fall all over again. The digitized image below is of a "second summer" day, the revised name for "Indian Summer".

"second summer" days

glitter in golden hues

nature's bequeathal

©CVarsalona, 2023, Virginia

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Nature finds its way to transition easily from one season to another. Living in New York State afforded me wonderful venues to witness nature's beauty. I thought those were strikingly appealing and peaceful but now that I am living in Virginia, I find the beauty of Autumn in another state. See below the beauty of the Virginia countryside I was able to capture in 2019 before we moved. 

I added a poem with a challenge presented by the Poetry Sisters. It is called a diminishing poem. I must admit this challenge was a CHALLENGE! You can read more about this poem at Writer's Digest and see samples written by Tanita S. Davis. Her blog post for today's Poetry Friday will point you in the right direction to read other Poetry Sisters' and #PoetryPals poems.

Autumn enters with plans to PLEASE.

Agrees to take an extended LEASE

Designing fall landscapes with EASE.

©CVarsalona, 2023, Virginia, diminishing poem

Autumn is the season of transformational beauty. The scenic vibes allow for peaceful contemplation and restorative feelings. I am ready to "just be" and let go of worries. 

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Nature's peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees. The winds will blow their own freshness into you, and the storms their energy, while cares will drop away from you like the leaves of autumn.” —John Muir in The Mountains of California

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Have you seen my Destination: Summer's End Padlet? This week Michelle Kogan added her image poems and Margaret Simon offered three poems by her students. Please take a look by clicking on the title above. I hope more writers, poets, and students add their artistic expressions to the padlet this week. Thank you, Robyn Hood Black, Linda Baie, Matt Forrest Esenwine, Karen Elise Finch, Patricia Franz, Jane Heitman Healy, Sally Murphy, Janice Scully, Anastasia Suen, for your poetic offerings.

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It is now time for Poetry Friday hosted by the marvelous hostess, Jama Rattigan. Be sure to follow me over to Jama's blog for some satire and poetic goodness.

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What's Coming Soon

Book Review of Amy Ludwig Vanderwater's The Sound of Kindness  published by Magination Press

Book Review of Matt Forrest Esenwine's The Thing to Remember About Stargazing

More poetry!

Nature As a Balm

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.

Endearing Poem

Nature Photo Greeting Cards

Handmade Bookmark with Color Changing Beads

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.

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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.