Inspiration for February

“Don't be pushed around by the fears in your mind. Be led by the dreams in your heart.” Roy T. Bennett, The Light in the Heart. 

Time steals minutes, hours, days away.

Fear enters interrupting life.

Look around.

Find possibilities.

Cast uncertainty

into the abyss.

©CV, 2022

While I was intent on doing just that (casting uncertainty away), inspiration floated in when Margaret Simon's balancing stones photo (see below) for This Photo Wants To Be A Poem popped into my FaceBook feed. I immediately sent Margaret a comment, "Thank you for the brief moments of restful existence", and my small poem.

-tranquil moments of peaceful existence-

balancing stones

mindfully placed

nature hugs each

©CV, 2022

Photo by Margaret Simon, 2022

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Letting dreams in my heart lead me, I offered prompts for Day 9 of Laura Shovan's Annual February Poetry Project. I was inspired by research to find two videos that provided a choice for the poet writers. Below my digital graphic invitation, you will find my poem.

Side Note:

When I open Laura's February Poetry Project each day, I am dazzled by every poem that passes by. Sometimes, a quick jolt of fear and/or uncertainty pangs charge through my mind. Despite this interruption, I continue to write in short spurts knowing that the practice is more important than the end product. 

 

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Commitment:

In order to accept the challenge of my one word appreciate, I shall acknowledge the wisdom of the Japanese proverb, "Fear is only as deep as the mind allows."

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Sweet Valentine Wishes to All!

I hope you enjoy my humorous Valentine image poem created from the photo prompt  below. Diane Mayr offered the snaky creature image

during Laura Shovan's 6th Annual February Daily Poem Project in 2018.

I transformed the image into a  humorous Valentine poem.

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It's Poetry Friday so join me at TeacherDance, where Linda Baie,  the sweet host opens her blog to the Poetry Friday community and guests for a Valentine treat.

I send gratitude snaps to Linda for always bringing sunshine to the Poetry Friday community. I look forward to reading what Linda offers today. 

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Special Note on the February Poetry Postcard Exchange created by Jone MacCulloch.

I have been fortunate to receive small image poems from the Exchange. Since the mail must be delayed, I will share my collection when I receive more postcards. For now, I thank Robyn Hood Black, Carol Labuzzetta, Linda Mitchell, Sarah Grace Tuttle, and Tabatha Yeatts, for their creative designs and poetry that have been delivered to my mailbox.

Helping Hands

A new term popped up in the news this week. Although it rang of truth, I was disheartened by its nomenclature, Long-Haul Pandemic. With this said, I am thankful for helping hands during these trying pandemic times. The following are thoughts and images on the need for thoughtful acts of kindness delivered by helping hands.

The golden shovel poems below are based on the strike line, "Since hands exist, you have had hope", from the poem, Hands by Hawre Khalid.

Helping Hands

Dedicated to All helping hands during pandemic times.

Life has changed since

COVID 19. Your gentle hands

Comfort those who exist

In closed quarters. You

Know pangs of sorrow that have

Evolved each day. Your hands had

Leaned into pain and despair on the wings of hope!

©CV, 2021

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Hope crouched in corners since the beginning of the pandemic. Gentle hands continue to reach out to those who exist under a veil of sorrow. The collective you touch lives who have known the confines of a sterile PPE word and those who had few pathways to hope. 

Thank you, Laura Shovan, for offering space to write during 

your 9th Annual February Daily Poem Project.

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Remembering Her Hands

Dedicated to my dear grandmother whose hands brought joy to my childhood world.

When Nonnie's hands held mine,

summer unfolded in simplicity.

Fragrant flowers bloomed.

Caterpillars tickled the path.

Clothing hung to dry.

Time stood still.

When Nonnie's hands held mine,

Books became my friends.

Curiosity awakened.

Nature's wonders explored

And childhood dreams celebrated

with a hopeful heart.

As summers passed

And hands grew still,

Rose-petaled memories

Carried me home

To when Nonnie's hands

Gently held mine.

©CV, 2021

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I give thanks today to Jone Rush MacCulloch, host of Poetry Friday who also provided the Poetry Postcard Exchange for the start of the new year. At her blog, you will see her poetree she created to showcase each of the eleven poems in the exchange, one of which was mine. Her project brought joy to our small group of poets. 

Postcard Collecting

Collecting postcards has been part of my practice for many years. Many of my  postcards are dated between 1904 and 1914, the time period when "postcard collecting caught the national eye." I am a postcard collector, a delitologist, who really enjoys the feel and look of antique and vintage ephemera. Over the past few years, I have added to my Victorian and vintage postcard collection with poetry postcards. 

Last week, after posting that I received more poetry postcards, some new ones were delivered by my friendly postman. The three that arrived were sent by Poetry Friday friends.

Diane Mayr created a Year of the Rat poetry postcard for both the calendar and lunar New Year's celebrations.

Molly Hogan offered this beautiful photograph and inspirational poem.  

Christie Wyman mailed this wonderful poem on waiting for the falling snow to come.

I wish to extend my thanks to all my poetry friends who sent me their original poetry postcards. Each was unique and beautifully rendered. I showcased all of them with my winter decorations in my foyer and living room. For those who did not receive my New Year poem on a digitized photograph postcard, I would like to share it.

Oh my, I found a typo too late!  

On this Thursday, February 5, 2020, I am hosting Spiritual Journey Thursday. My topic is "Seasonal Bliss". Stop by to enjoy reading the posts or join our small group of writers. at my #blogpost. I designed this piece of digital art for Spiritual Journey Thursday.  

It's Poetry Friday, hosted by the marvelous librarian poet, Jone MacCulloch, who created the Poetry Postcard Exchange. Jone shares some of the poetry postcards sent to her provides news of a giveaway, showcases a special, original haiku. Join me.