Silence's Sacred Space

blazing artwork

silently layers the sky

nature's gift of gold

©CVarsalona, 2025

For this month's Spiritual Journey Thursday, our creative poet, artist, librarian host, Jone Rush MacCulloch, offers a quote from Thomas Merton, "The world of men has forgotten the joys of silence, the peace of solitude, which is necessary to some extent, for the fullness of human living!". Following that, Jone poses a question, "What are you doing to promote periods of silence each day?" 

The world is saturated with chatter that encourages loud noise regarding political, environmental, financial, family concerns, etc. I sometimes feel overwhelmed by the news and humanity's lack of kindness across the world. Often, I slip and stumble when grief sweeps over me. Internal noises lead to sadness. Yet, I know that "For God alone my soul waits in silence" (Psalm 62.1) Nature brings the essence of love from the Creator. With thanks, I lean into the beauty of the land, the flight of birds, and glorious garden grounds wondering if is this enough for me to remain present in still moments pondering what life will bring on my spiritual journey. Some days seem dark. Restlessness sets in and shuts out stillness. I reach out to nature to nurture my soul so I can find silence's the sacred space where I can contemplate in peace. 

I sit here now listening to the sounds of silence, feeling the rise of breath and the exhale of what does not belong. This sacred space refreshes me and lets me contemplate about reaching the fullness of human living. I realize that I need to embrace silence more and revere it as a sacred space for inner growth.

In the book, "Healing After Loss, daily meditations for working through grief" by Martha W. Hickman, December 4ths' meditation speaks of silence. The ending thought brought clarity. "In the flurry of the next couple of weeks, I will try to spend a few moments each day in prayerful silence-my own particular stay against the emotional and physical tumult of these days." I thank Jama Rattigan  for sending me this book that helps me slowly move beyond loss and friends that have walked this journey before me. 

My Closing Thought on Silent Meditation: 

• I will continue to write and provide time to ponder on how to remain calm in the midst of disquiet. 
• I will quietly await for peace to settle in my soul.

 

The image above is a magical scene I

photographed before we moved to Virginia. 

It has an ethereal quality reminding me.

Thank you Jone, for the creative, amazing Holiday Poem Swap she sent me. Thanks to Tabatha Yeatts for organizing the Holiday Poem Swap.

More will be shared in the future.

☁☁☁☁☁☁☁☁☁☁☁☁☁☁☁

I am also offering this blog post for the Poetry Friday Roundup hosted by a talented poet, author, and cellist, Irene Latham.  You can find Irene's blog at Live Your Poem where she is sharing information on her Open Call submission, a Barbara Crooker poem, and offers her new poem, "ArtSpeak Picasso.

autumn leaves

flitter-flutter in silence

winter's coming

©CVarsalona, 2025

Understanding Grief

On July 2, 2025, Tabatha Yeatts (this week's Poetry Friday host) sent me an email about a Poetry Workshop at 7 pm that I might be interested in attending. One hour before the workshop began, I emailed Jena at Evermore and inquired about "The Mystery of Grief-Writing into the Loss" with Evermore Poet Laureate Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer. I was happy to join the  Zoom event on short notice. Over 45 attendees were on the Zoom call. Each person experienced grief in different ways. Rosemerry, the poet presenter, was a caring poet with a genuine spirit who encouraged everyone to write for themselves. I heard the words, "Today, grief is settling in my heart". With this prompt, I knew I was in the right place.

During the two-hour workshop, there were poems to listen to, comments to be made on Zoom or in the chat box, writing time, and small group chats. Rosemerry led us through each step in her calm manner, encouraging everyone to use as many senses as we could when writing.  Prompts such as "Write directly to grief and about it.", and "What is your relationship to grief?" were shared. The small groups opened the door to deeper conversation. There was something solemn and safe about being with a community of people who experienced grief in their lives. Rosemerry let us know that she also felt the pangs of grief at an earlier time, but she continually smiled sharing her hopes with us. You can read about Rosemerry at her website. In her Daily Dose of Poetry section, there is one poem that really touched me.

It's the Forth of July Again July 3, 2025

And I didn't go buy fireworks today. Not yesterday, either. Nor will I buy them tomorrow because you will not be here to light them. I realize now what I loved about fireworks was how much you loved them, the way you brightened when the fuse was first lit, the way you glowed near incandescent as the sparks and colors fountained and flashed. And […].  -Rosemerry

During the 15-minute writing section of the workshop, I composed the following quick write prose poem based on Rosemerry's prompt suggestions:

All I know is grief comes with a sigh, caught between sorrow and acceptance. It floats on memories that settle in my heart. Grief tugs, flows, and drops words like acorns quietly falling from autumn trees. Grief knows no boundaries. It is heavy until the day it moves on. It never removes itself totally, at least not now in the raw stage that I am in. - CVarsalona, 7/2/2025

Post-Workshop Thoughts:

I have felt the pain of loss and overwhelming sadness about losing my husband so unexpectedly. Yet, tears don't flow as much now with help coming from faith. "He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds." Psalm 147:3 is comforting and allows me to hope that it will bring renewal. I thank Evermore and Rosemerry for The Mystery of Grief-Writing into the Loss workshop. It was a safe spot to speak to others who understand grief as an emotion that surrounds life during this new, raw period. Rosemerry's soft voice, story, and songs inspired me to pen the following poem a few days later.

Post-Workshop Inspirational Quote and a Golden Shovel Poem:

The faith that I love the best, says God is hope!

-Charles Peguy's The Portal of the Mystery of Hope

 I walk into the heat of the

Summer season with strong faith

Reliving past moments that

Belong to our summers. I

Feel the warmth of everlasting  love

Along with challenges during the

Years we shared our best

And worst times. Who says

We walk alone when God, 

Our protector  is

Sending hope. 

CVarsalona, July 2025

Join me at Tabatha Yeatts at The Opposite of Indifference for the POETRY FRIDAY Roundup. Each week, she has different types of poetic goodness, artwork, and interesting thoughts for the poetry community.

Year of the Wood Snake

2025 is the Year of the Wood Snake. The last celebration occurred 60 years ago so there is excitement for this year's event. Years ago, my family traveled to Chinatown in New York City and watched the colorful parade followed by a delicious dinner. 

To celebrate this momentous Year of the Wood Snake, Jone Rush MacCulloch invited writers to join her annual New Year's Postcard Project. Below are the names of poets (Linda Baie, Patricia J. Franz, Michelle Kogan, Denise Krebs, Linda Mitchell, Mona Voelkel, and Tabatha Yeatts-Lonske) who sent me offerings on various topics: Year of the Snake, florals, light, and hummingbird poems that share creativity and artwork. Since my computer is acting up, I will need to delay the sharing of these wonderful poems for another date.

*My Poetry Postcards will hopefully be sent out this weekend. I thank all of the poets who sent me their postcards. Each one is unique and interesting to read.

Below are two poems I created for the Year of the Snake.  

Happily, I added my one little word to the above poem
with advice that I need to remember. Below is another short example.

2025 Year of the Snake
r

I recall many Chinese New Year's parades in the streets of Chinatown, New York City. Colorful costumes dazzled onlookers. There was music, dancing, and a costumed animal, symbolizing the year of a specific animal. Streamers and firecrackers added to the excitement of the parade. Many people shared Chinese cuisine throughout the day. 

This year the wise wood snake encourages people from different parts of the world to gather together in joyful merriment. As a sage filled with wisdom, the wood snake reminds us to:

 Embrace new beginnings.

Paint a blank canvas.

Walk in stillness.

Join a parade.

Unfold the new and

Let go of the past.

Be mindful of 

Wood snake's wisdom:

Growth requires patience,

Adaptability, and inner strength.

A year of newness and

Transformation awaits!

draft © CVarsalona, January 2025

Thank you, Tabatha Yeatts, for hosting today's Poetry Friday Roundup.

Join Tabatha at her blog post to enjoy the poetic goodness of poets and see the online booklet she created with poems from a variety of writers.

I thank her for adding my poem to the Brave Poetry Project.

 Within yesteryear's corners

darkness held hidden patches of fear.

An image, a sound, and thoughts

bring flashing moments to life

haunting a withered soul.

Is there enough moral strength

to sweep away persistent fear?

Within corners of today,

life finds a light to extinguish

grief-stricken moments.

A mindful pause searches to

release hidden patches of fear.

Bravery finds its soul.

©CVarsalona, 2025

Change & Transformation-Spiritual Journey & Poetry Friday

Today as I Grandmasit for my grandbaby, I ponder the theme, change and transformation, Leigh Anne Eck offered for October's Spiritual Journey writers. In addition, Lee Anne included a personal thought: "I love fall and all the goodness that comes with it. It gives us a time to reflect on the words 'change and transformation' and what this means to our natural world, our personal lives, and our faith."

Autumn is a magical season that transforms landscapes, shortens days, brings cooler weather, and provides reflection time. Migratory patterns begin, and trees change color. "There is something so special in the early leaves drifting from the trees–as if we are all to be allowed a chance to peel, to refresh, to start again."(Ruth Ahmed) This week, rains continued and leaves scattered across the driveway and sidewalk waiting for recognition. I found a single leaf with a tinge of color. It reminded me of Autumn's beauty, even when its leaves wither.  

Falling leaves also remind me of the importance of letting go. If trees can shed their leaves during Autumn, I must be willing to release old habits and beliefs. Embracing change is a process that will bring calmness to my life. A slowdown pace would be beneficial instead of a hustle and bustle life. Shedding the old and making room for new growth 

"Falling leaves are nature's way of showing us how beautiful it is to let things go."

-Unknown

 As for faith, Romans 12:2 tells us not to conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. "Then, you will be able to test and approve what God's will is."  Lately, the patterns of this world are mixed up so rethinking my actions would be beneficial as would letting go of stress.

creekside pathway ends 

leaves scatter in fall's light

enchanted autumn

©CVarsalona, 2024

Last year, I walked the Creekside trail. The photo above shares the path that does not continue past the bridge. I was in awe of Autumn's scattered leaves waiting to change. If nature can change then I can also. I shall embrace the opportunity for personal growth this Autumn.  

Tabatha Yeatts is the host of Poetry Friday this week.

She shares a photo from a neighbor who photographed the perched owl

that she also saw. She also offers a poem, Murmuration.

"In every leaf, there's a whisper of autumn's magic."

Slowdown Summer Overflows with Poetry

What started this afternoon continues throughout the night. Crackling noises, flashing lights, and sudden darkness break through the sky. I sit here remembering the flash announcements and the fear of traveling home amidst a terrifying twist of nature. Passing by a five-car accident, fire trucks, and police cars brought the reality of the situation. What I thought would be slowdown moments of summer's ending became Earth in motion. The severe thunderstorm moved from one section of the highway to another. Six hours later, rain continues to make its mark on life. With a deep care for life, I sit and read William Wordsworth's thoughts and ponder the magnitude of what poetry is.

"Poetry is the spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings: it takes its origin from emotion recollected in tranquility." 

This summer during slowdown moments, the annual Summer Poetry Swap found its way into fellow Poetry Friday friends' hearts. Under the superb direction of Tabatha Yeatts, writing to my poetry swap friend, Denise Krebs, became a reality. Denise became a Grandma for the second time as I began my swap writing to her. I was overjoyed by the blessing of her little pink blossom, the growth of her grandson, and the surprise mailing she sent me. The crocheted pieces for my kitchen made me smile but the clever poem from Health itself was a joy. The gift held a special message "to ponder the bounty of living in full abundance". 

Then, after receiving Denise's poetry swap gift, I found mail from Tabatha Yeatts awaiting my read. She focused on my thoughts about 48 years of my married life and created a Golden Shovel poem using the strike line from Kahlil Gibran, one of my husband's and my favorite poets.

I look back on the torrential rainstorm that just calmed down and compare it to the artistic card that Tabatha sent me. Stilled tranquility appeals to me more than an intrepid storm. The power of poetry brings sensory thoughts flowing from the corners of my mind. 

🌅 

 For the August Challenge the Poetry Sisters, Tanita, Lauras, Mary Lee, Liz, Sara, and Kelly, invited writers to create an ekphrastic poem. I decided to use the artwork sent to me. #PoetryPals

Photo from @TwinDesigns

🌅 

Today's Poetry Friday Roundup is hosted by Susan Thomsen at

Chicken Spaghetti. She shares a funny poem that will make you smile so stop by.

🌅 

May a sense of peace and quiet fill your weekend as August hands the baton to September.

Loveuary's Emotional Ties

As one of the #PoetryPals, I'm joining the Poetry Sisters, Tanita, Laura, Mary Lee, Liz, Sara, Tricia, and Kelly, for their February challenge.

This month the Poetry Sisters invited all writers to create epistolary poetry in the form of a love poem. Epistolary poems are, quite literally, poems that read as letters. As poems of direct address, they can be intimate and colloquial or formal and measured (Academy of American Poets). I decided to create a small bank of heartnotes (aka valentines) that tugged at my heartstrings and led me in different directions. 

I see love through my family as they share precious life moments, smiles, laughter, and joy. Ordinary moments bring us together to discover what love is. 

💘❤💘

Love's Emotional Ties

This poem is dedicated to my 2nd grandgirl who has a bright smile. 

Childlove is the beginning of lasting friendships!

small poem

It is my hope that this little 4-year-old miss will grow in love to bring

continuous sunshine to those around her.

💘❤💘

The poem below shares the love of little sisters who happen to be my grandgirls.

childlove 

priceless treasure

like glistening shells

swishing in ocean waves

keepsakes 

©CVarsalona, January 2024

Elfchen poem

💘❤💘

Dear Me,

There have been six and a half years of being

a Grandma like my mother and Nonnie.

What have you learned?

There is a special love 

seated deep inside a heart.

It is a thumping, wondrous love

that offers more 

sweetness than chocolate and

warmth on cold winter days.

It is an intangible love

that melts hearts,

mends broken wings,

and floats in imaginative minds.

It is the purring of a gentle kitten,

the whoosh of baby's sleeptoy,

and the softness of a furry blanket.

It is the God-given gift

to Grandmothers who

cherish family life.

Love, Me

©CVarsalona, January 2024

epistolary poem, #PoetryPals

💘❤💘

💖

⇣

Grandma Love Is...

gracefilled

a gift

of enduring love

fountain of perpetual devotion

forever 

©CVarsalona, January 2024

Elfchen poem

💘❤💘

Look, at me!

I love this french fry,

Mommy gave me.

Yummy in my tummy!

Do you love food

As much as I do!

Meme Poem, Created by Grandma,

©CVarsalona, January 2024

💘❤💘

May love surround you and your family.

💘❤💘

Is at

Tabatha Yeatts blog,

"The Opposite of Indifference" where she is

 "Open for Poetry Business".

Tabatha has a wonderful story poem about Scheherazade. Check it out.

💘❤💘