A Day to Remember Forever

Did you hear the bell ring for the 9/11 fallen heroes yesterday? 24 years ago, New York City first responders, police, firemen, and newscasters flooded the streets and the media with traumatic news. People ran from their buildings under a shower of dust and darkness. Cement covered the streets as people tried to find a passage over the Brooklyn Bridge. While I did not witness all of this in person, I felt the weight of fear and grief as did the Village of Rockville Centre in Long Island, New York, where I lived. 

Forty-nine people in my village died during the 9/11 catastrophe. The Patch news named it the "deadliest terror attack on American soil". Of those people, Cantor Fitzgerald, American financial services firm, lost the most lives, one of whom was the mother of my daughter's senior high school friend. Because their friend suffered such a loss, my daughter and her two friends organized a candlelight vigil parade. Three hundred people gathered together. Tears flowed throughout this silent passage from the high school througout the village. For a long while life was worrisome. Memorials were erected so people could remember that horrible day in 2001 and be hopeful about the future. 

I remember September 11th each year and so does the world. Families  gather together to honor their fallen loved ones. A bell tolls like the sound of grief. Names of 9/11 victims are read as tears flow like water. Now life continues with a different thought. It is the time to bind the world together as a connected global society. Rid the world of hatred and unkindness to find peace.

September 11th

unpredicable hatred 

swept across the sky

New York City was attacked

fear and sorrow opened their channels

to all fallen heroes

draft CVarsalona, 9/11/2025, cherita

Listen to Fallen Heroes (9-11)

Hope for Tomorrow

Bind the human race into

a connected global society

with hatred extinguished

and unity established.

©CVarsalona, 2025 quick write draft

Thank you to author, poet, and educator, Rose Cappelli, for hosting the Poetry Friday Roundup today. She added Mary Oliver's poem that can be a call to action.

Welcome the Season of Renewal

I welcome a new season into the world but am perplexed that it rushed in with loud whooshes of wind. Night winds turned into early morning winds with slower speed and different swirling sounds. It was then that I realized it was Day 2 of the new season of renewal. Did Mother Nature open its azure skies to remind me, and the world, that "When one flower blooms, spring awakens everywhere" (Walter C. Hagen)?

Life is fragile, uncertain, and when you least expect it becomes a bump in the journey. I am in the middle of a unexpected happening that is gushing with whooshing winds. Yet, the beginning of spring soothes my soul. Holding on to the idea of spring, a season of renewal, alters the fragility and uncertainty of life. Spring becomes the magical potion for a spiritual awakening.

See entire poem by CRossetti here.

INVITATION to CELEBRATE the SEASON of RENEWAL

Reception this weekend-please attend.

Enjoy ebulating excitement and the

Newness of nature's season.

Embrace life's awakening and  

Wonder about the beauty of cherry blossoms. 

Applaud the sweet song of the birds-Pause,

Let's all launch the season together.

©CVarsalona, 2025

The above logo was created by Rose Cappelli, the host of the Poetry Friday Roundup. Rose shares spring poems by E.E. Cummings and Billy Collins. She also has a draft poem on Spring. You can see the poetic goodness offered by the Poetry Friday community at Rose's Imagine the Possibilities.

Today is Day 21 of the March SOLSC #SOL25.

Thank you Two Writing Teachers for the space to write 

with a reflective, worldwide group of educators.

"Picture Perfect Poetry"

It's Back-to-School time. As a reading specialist and administrator, I like many other educators found the time to make classrooms and offices inviting. New and old book titles decorated my space.  In my unretirement days, I continue this practice. My library has many titles waiting for my little grandgirls who can always find a new book to read. As a consultant, I search for new children's books to read and review. My 7-year-old grandgirl assists me when I need a child reader involved in a review. As a reader for several years, she can tell me when a book is inviting.

I am pleased to introduce Picture Perfect Poetry, An Anthology of Ekphrastic Nature Poetry for Students. My Poetry Friday friend, educator, and poet, Carol J. Labuzzetta, edited and published a gem of a poetry book for middle-grade students. Besides 5th-9th grade students, teachers, librarians, parents, and community members including homeschoolers will be delighted to read the never-published ekphrastic poetry in this book. Twenty-five author-photographers were inspired to capture a photo and write an accompanying poem for the book. An ekphrastic poem is a type of writing that involves creating original poetry or prose in response to a work of art, often a visual art. As an Indie publisher, Carol J. Labuzzetta spent considerable time producing this book so teachers and students could explore this type of poetry. Picture Perfect Poetry will become an excellent mentor text for the classroom library. 

An appealing part of the book is the addition of color. Each page pops with color. The photographs are beautifully presented, the layout is impressive, and the font format is universal. 

Ekphrastic Poem by Carol Labuzzetta

The book includes instructional resources found in the back matter. Different styles of poems are noted as well. Carol asked me if I would send a photograph without a poem to include in the book. It would become a prompt for writing. More extra photographs (without poems) are included for young writers to compose an Ekphrastic poem. 

Instructional resources are included in the back matter of the book, along with website references for each style of poem included in the anthology. In an interview with Jone MacCulloch Carol Labbuzzetta stated.

I wanted to provide a volume of Poetry that could be used as a mentor text, an instructional manual, or a self-instructive text for highly motivated students. Thus, I included back matter that could be reference easily by teachers, students, homeschool groups or anyone interested in writing poetry. 

Thank you, Carol, for your creativity, preparation, and perseverance in creating a unique poetry anthology centering on nature for young writers. I am honored that you chose three of my Ekphrastic poems for insertion in the book. Next week. I will share more on this gem of this book that blends poetry with photography. 

While this book was published during National Poetry Month due to medical issues, I was delayed in sharing a book review. Virginia's back-to-school opening is an opportunity to showcase Picture Perfect Poetry for classrooms and school libraries. Thank you, Carol Labuzzetta for bringing this amazing book into the world of Kidlit poetry.

It's Poetry Friday hosted by Rose Cappelli. She and her writing group studied line breaks and the revision process using a "Make it and Break it" exercise. She offers an inspiring beach scene photo to ignite her thoughts. 

Seasons Transition

Spring is here but Winter holds on with its brisk winds and upcoming storm.

It's time to remember: "No winter lasts forever; no spring skips its turn." (Hal Borland)

My dwarf weeping cherry tree enjoyed

its first bloom at the end of winter. 

It's now waiting for spring to nourish it. 

*******

winter winds wistfully whisper

a tingling tune across night sky

rejecting departure, earth's resistor  

allows spring to sashay by

a tingling tune across night sky

welcomes brisk weather 

allowing spring to sashay by

until seasons blend together

welcoming brisk weather

spring sun sways

until seasons blend together

in a playful way

spring sun sways

reigning as the sole survivor

in a playful way

spring becomes the advisor

Draft, CVarsalona, March 2024, pantoum

*******

Heartnote to Spring

💖

"Blossom by blossom the spring begins." 

Algernon Charles Swinburne

My pear tree showcases her white blossoms.

*******

I am ready to offer my blog post to Poetry Friday and 2024 Two Writing Teachers Slice of Life Story Challenge.

Logo created by Tanita S. Davis

Thank you to poet and author Rose Cappelli for hosting this week's Poetry Friday Roundup. She offers a post on her new birdfeeder and the number of birds making frequent visits. Click here to find more poetic goodness.

 

I am also offering this Slice of Life to the 2024 Two Writing Teachers Slice of Life Story Challenge. Click here.

A Single Moment in Time

I had never heard of boketto poetry until fellow poet, Alan Wright shared it on his blog recently. As I read his description of the format, I knew that it fit nicely into my journey to just be in the moment. I quickly entered information presented by Alan in my digital poetry notebook. The boketto consists of two stanzas; the first stanza has five lines with a total of 30 syllables - 7,7,7,4,5. Stanza two has three lines and 17 syllables-7, 7,3). In addition, Allan wrote.  "The boketto is akin to staring at the sky or into the distance without a thought...getting lost in one's own self; removing the self from a place mentally. There is no regard to the past and no connection to the future. There is only THIS moment."

Below, you will see the end product of my getting lost in nature for a single moment in time. There was stillness in the heat of summer when I captured the nature photo. The words came days later and were refined tonight. I designed the photo and poetic words into a freeze frame, thus becoming an image poem of late summer. Have you felt the yearning to just be, sit still staring at the landscape, and feel surrounded by quietude? 

Today, I stopped to capture a field of wildflowers in the back of my granddaughter's elementary school. What was unusual was dancing pieces of small white fluff following one another in a horizontal pattern. As the progression increased, I realized that the fluff was in reality floating pollen. I was not quick enough to create a small video but did capture the beauty of nature in this photo below.

wildflowers swayed in the heat

basking in nature's sunshine

while pollen floated gently

irritants felt

on this summer day

ragweed season brought itching,

reminder of childhood and

allergies

©CVarsalona, 2023, draft

Do you have ragweed allergies? It can be a nuisance and a distraction when trying to enjoy a late summer day but make the most of each day. Enjoy the end-of-summer!

🌻🌅🌻

It's Poetry Friday and I am ready to join Rose Cappelli, our host, at her website. Click here. Rose shares her best season of the year through a reverso poem invented by Marilyn Singer.

I am hosting Poetry Friday next Friday. I invite everyone to find their favorite end-of-summer nature photo. Share a moment in time photo and write a poem to accompany the photo. Destination End-of-Summer will have its own Gallery of Artistic Expressions.

Being in the Moment

Have you ever wanted to drift away on a pool float or an inflatable device during the summer? I often think of the times I laid on a lounge chair listening to the ripple of my turquoise vase cascading waterfall instead of rushing around trying to catch up. To just be in the moment without disturbances is a calming experience.  

I quietly reflect bringing me back to memories of several delightful family vacations in Cape May. While on the beach a few weeks ago, I watched three dolphins splashing in the Atlantic Ocean. Although they did not jump up out of the water, their splashing caused many beach lovers to stare into the waves and marvel at nature. More memories float in of many by-the-sea days digging my toes in the sand while reading novels. There is so much relaxation and renewal while enjoying beach time.

 Mind Emptying to Feel Calm

Tomorrow I shall listen

to nature's whisperings

undaunted by unfinished tasks.

Sleep, please help me remember

the promises I made to myself.

©CVarsalona, 2023

****************************************

Another way to empty my mind is to write poetry. The Summer Poem Swap under the event creator, Tabatha Yeatts, has been a creative venture into "being". I enjoy the time alone designing and writing for partners. The third swap was delightful since my partner, Rose Cappelli, and I share similar interests, traveling to Cape May, NJ, gardening, and nature. Below is the creative and bountiful gift Rose sent to me.

 Paper Flowers to adorn my buffet, seeds for my garden, and an Edna St. Vincent Millay Postcard for inspiration (read the poem below)

My candle burns at both ends;

It will not last the night;

But ah, my foes, and oh, my

friends-it gives a lovely light!

The floral card Rose sent has a lovely note and a Mary Oliver poem.

See an Original Poem by Rose below. It is full of visuals and inspiration

The stain happened while I was enjoying both Rose's poem and a cup of tea.

****************************

My last Summer Poem Swap was sent out today to Carol Labuzetta today.

****************************

The photo above is from our host of Poetry Friday this week, Linda Baie.

The temperature in Denver is 100 degrees but this does not stop Linda from celebrating her grandson's movement to the adult world of work and her granddaughters' transitions to upper grades. Linda shares thoughts from her heart in an original poem titled Resistance. Please saunter over to Linda's blog post, TeacherDance, where you find her poetic goodness and hospitality plus poetic posts from other writers.

Tranquility at the Cape May Beach

My recent trip to Cape May Beach was the balm needed to slow down, refresh, and renew. The grittiness of the warm sand and the sinking feeling of burying my toes brought back memories of days at the Long Island, NY shore. Rolling waves sparkled under a blue sky filled with billowy clouds. Lapping noises rolled against the beach. The rhythmic motion soothed my soul. Nature whispered softly, sometimes loudly depending on its mood. Streams of light filtered from the beach to the dinner venue across the street from the beach.

sun streams while dining

tranquility surrounds

evening celebrates

©CVarsalona, 2023

Pause here to listen to the sound of the Atlantic Ocean waves washing ashore

and find some virtual tranquility at the shore.

Molly Hogan hosts the Poetry Friday Roundup with a bouquet of haikus and gorgeous photos of late summer in Maine. I enjoyed her celebratory post and hope you do also. Click here to see what Molly offers and find more poetic goodness from the Poetry Friday writers.

I have a Summer Poem Swap with Rose Cappelli that I will share in another Poetry Friday post. I also will share my book review of Irene Latham's fabulous new picture book with its unique perspective on items on the moon.

Autumn Arrives

There she was immersed in sunlight just waiting for the warm breeze to move her onward. Hiding in the brush, she was caught between the end of bright summer days and the first breaths of autumn. I spotted her among the bushes and thriving flora along the trail.

©CV, 2022, autumn digital art

Some wildflowers of soft yellow and bright purple stood tall in anticipation of Mother Nature's entrance. Sunset was not yet upon the scene, so the tiny visitor was easy to spot. Alongside the trail was her large counterpart, a unique token of autumn. 

Fresh and untouched, two leaves, different in structure and color found their home along the creek, pausing for a short stay in the afternoon warmth. I chose the larger one to create a bouquet for my front porch, a tribute to Mother Nature's changing of the guard when the sky darkens earlier. 

one single leaf, then

two caught between two seasons

paint a new canvas

©CV, 2022, haibun

©CV, 2022, autumn digital art

There comes a day each September when you wake up and know the summer is over and fall has arrived - Ann Rinaldi, writer

Soon the leaves will fall and drift by my window.

Autumn Arrives

Shorter and shorter now the twilight clips.

The sunset hangs on a cloud.

Now watch this Autumn that arrives in smells.

Every leaf speaks bliss to me

Falling from the autumn tree.

Be close to the trees

As they whisper together.

The first winds of autumn,

A golden storm of glittering sheaves,

Of fair and frail and fluttering leaves

Sing a song of seasons!

©CV, 2022, Cento poem

Cento Lines Credited to the Following Poets:

Line 1: Alice Cary, Autumn 

Line 2:         Sarojini Naidu, Autumn Song

Line 3:         Elizabeth Jennings, Song at the Beginning of Autumn

Line 4-5:    Emily Dickinson, Fall, Leaves, Fall 

Line 6-7:     Katherine Towers, Whim Wood

Line 8:        Saigo, Winds of Autumn 

Line 9-10: Sarojini Naidu, Autumn Song

Line 11:        Robert Louis Stevenson, Autumn Fires

🍁🍃🍂🍁🍃🍂🍁🍃🍂🍁🍃🍂🍁🍃🍂 

I pause to look back at my six Autumn Galleries of Artistic Expressions. Take a  journey with me to see the galleries filled with poetry, digital art, nature photography, and inspiration.

2014  -  Finding Fall

2015   -  Autumn's Palette

2016   -  Autumn Venture

2017   -  Autumn Ablaize 

2020 -  Abundant Autumn 

2021 -  Bedecked in Autumn

2021   -  Bedecked In Autumn(comprised of three previous sections: Unveiling of the Bedecked in Autumn Gallery, A Slice of Bedecked In Autumn Gallery, In Praise of Autumn)

 

So many poets, writers, artists, photographers, family, and friends added their talent to my galleries over the years. Perhaps, you would like to find your name and offering, or you might enjoy taking a brief look through the gallery on a fall afternoon.

Have a Happy Fall!

🍁🍃🍂🍁🍃🍂🍁🍃🍂🍁🍃🍂🍁🍃🍂

Since it is Poetry Friday, I'm adding my post to the Poetry Friday Roundup. My longtime professional friend and author, Rose Cappelli is the host of Poetry Friday this week. She is sharing her birthday poem to her 3-year-old granddaughter that starts a new, yearly tradition. Join me at her blog, Imagine the Possibilities, to read the poem and learn how the tradition had its roots with Jacqueline Kennedy.