Souls of the Heart Speak

It is nearing St. Patrick's and St. Joseph's Days, fun days in my life.

Both were parade days, different types of food days, and even prayer days. I attended an all-girls high school that was closely linked to the all-boys high school. The Irish-American and Italian-American boys shared the fun and rivalry between them during the two saints' days. The parade of cars and the wearing of the green and red jackets created a festive environment for the day's events. Even though the girls were not present, they heard of the  My family still celebrates both Saints' days in March during Lent. 

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Last week, my fellow poetry friend, Karen Eastlund, shared with us part of the Celtic Daily Prayer: Prayers and Readings From the Northumbria Community on her Spiritual Journey Thursday blog.

Come swiftly, O Lord, to the dark moments when we are lost. Make us aware of Thy presence. Strengthen us to resist the urges and pulls to deeper darkness.

Our Spiritual Journal Thursday prompt, strength, was provided by slicer, writer, and educator Leigh Anne Eck. I offered my thoughts on "Strength Needed" that can be found here. Then, I found a beautiful quote from Mother Teresa:

Souls of prayer are souls of great silence. In the silence of the heart, God speaks.

I decided to blend the partial Celtic prayer with the second line of Mother Teresa's inspirational quote as an extension of my blog post on strength. Thus, the first part of my "Souls of the Heart Speak" poem is a blackout poem created from part of the Celtic Daily Prayer" and the last line is from Mother Teresa

Come swiftly, O  Lord , to the dark  moments when we are lost. Make us aware  of Thy  presence .   strengthen us to resist the Urges and pull s to deeper  darkness

Souls of the Heart Speak

Lord, moments

of presence

strengthen us.

Urges pull darkness.

In the silence of the heart, God speaks.

(c) CVarsalona, 2026

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According to AI, St. Patrick was "rooted in spiritual resilence, faith, and unwavering courage". St. Joseph's strength is "defined by 'quiet strength,' characterized by obedience, profound trust in God, and protective, humble service rather than vocal or physical force." Most people in this century understand the strength of Mother Teresa, who spread kindness and love throughout the world.

The 40-day religious season of Lent in the Christian Church brings souls of the heart together. 

Day 9, March 9, 2026

 12th year with Two Writing Teachers

Thoughts on a Journey of Self-Discovery

On Day 21 of Laura Shovan's February Poetry Project, Marilyn R. Garcia invited writers to explore the mystery between sadness and joy in their lives or the world around them. She challenged writers to write a poem about a time or period of life where the coexistence of sadness and joy was strong for you.

It is difficult to believe that it has been 10 months since my husband passed away suddenly. I found the above digital artwork that I created years ago. My journey since then has been one of unbelief, to anxiety, to grief. But it has also been a time of discovery. I tackle questions, such as who am I and where am I going.

My goal is to restore my soul, mind, and body. Plus, I realize that it takes many miles of walking on my spiritual journey to find peace. With sunlight not making regular trips this winter, grey clouds seem to agitate my mind. Recently, I wrote a blog post about holding the sun close to my heart. As the song, Restore My Soul, states, "revive my heart" is what I need.

I started this blog post with a proposed prompt to write a poem about a time or period of life where the coexistence of sadness and joy was strong for me. During the winter season, I have felt the sadness of loss and grey skies along with the joy of being with family, especially my three little grandgirls. The prompt by Marilyn R. Garcia asks us to take the lyrics from one of the Beatles' mysterious songs and make them make sense.

Keeping in line with the sorrow and joy of winter without continual sun is a mystery to me. Winter doldrums have brought unrest. The ending line of my blackout poem is what I would like to bring an optimistic point of view during this bereavement time.

Here Comes the Sun by the Beatles

Here comes the  sun ,  doo-doo-doo

Here comes the sun

And I I say, "It's all right"

Little darlin'

It's been a long, cold onely , l winter

Little darlin'

It feels like years since it's been here

Here comes the sun , doo-doo-do

Here comes the sun

And I say, "It's all right"

Little darlin'

The smiles return ng to the faces

CVarsalona, 2026

A simple prompt helped me realize that sorrow and joy can coexist. If I hold on to hope and faith, my journey may not be as bumpy as it has been. I look forward to a smile opening each day.

Writing grounds me!

✎

I thank Irene Latham for her recent blog post with an inspiring ending line to her poem "Watermelon, you"-:"Teach me how to hold the sun when the day is anything buy joyful".

winter's sun offers

both darkness and light with love

mystery of weather

CVarsalona, 2026

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In addition, I am adding my draft poem for today's Poetry Sisters' February Challenge with Sara, Tanita, Tricia, Mary Lee, and Laura. I choose to use the 25th Poet Laureate of the USA, Aurthur Sze's First Snow poem as my mentor text. I offer a Golden Shovel draft poem with the strike line: the world of being is like this gravel.

dreams melt like the

falling snow in our swishing world

that holds the challenges of

of my swirling life - being

part of continual uncertainty is

unmeasurably worrisome - like

rabbits jumping from here to there this

journey reminds me of winter's icy gravel

(trying to melt what is in my way)

draft-CVarsalona, 2026

The companion photo will be created at a later time.

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I join the Poetry Friday Roundup with our host, Margaret Simon, educator, author, poet, and friend. Margaret is offering us three lovely poems she penned for the Ethical ELA Open Write.

created by Margaret Simon

Love One Another-Spiritual Journey Thursday

It's Spiritual Journey Thursday and this month Maureen Ingram is hosting with the theme, Community. This is particularly pertinent to me since we recently moved into a new community that has shared interests, values, and hopes. Many settled here before me to be closer to their families. I did the same and am grateful that there is a sense of belonging and acceptance in my new neighborhood. 

It is necessary when being part of a community, whether it be a social, educational, or political one, to find a common bond. People do not have to be of the same personal mindset but have common goals for the betterment of all within. 

Mother Teresa spoke in inspirational terms about communities, alluding to the fact that we need to bond together in peace and love. "If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other." Mr. Rogers reminded us that we need to bring kindness to our neighborhoods. Both inspired people to do, not just be. As Mother said, “I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples.” A tiny ripple can cause a change in attitude, as can love and peace.

I feel a great need to live in peace, to be part of a community of faithful individuals who understand the value of being neighbors, friends, and co-workers. One of the songs of the late 60s, "Get Together" by the Youngbloods, inspires me to continue to be community-centric. These stanzas are relevant then and still today.

If you hear the song I sing

You will understand, listen.

You hold the key to love and fear

All in your trembling hand.

Just one key unlocks them both.

It's there at your command.

Come on, people now

Smile on your brother.

Everybody get together.

Try to love one another right now.

I created a blackout poem from the lyrics to Get Together. The words remind me to find the right measure of positivity as a member of my community.

Love's song sings.

Mountains ring.

Smile everybody now.

We are a moment.

Love now.

Get together.

Try, people.

Get together.

Hear, understand, listen,

Unlock.

Love now,

right now.

©CVarsalona, 2022, black-out poem

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In the early morning, I send out my thoughts to my Spiritual Journey Thursday community of faithful friends. Thank you, Maureen Ingram, for hosting and choosing a theme that let me ponder. I look forward to reading all of the different blog posts.

Peace to All.

Spring Gifts Spring Forth

A spring-inspired world surrounded me as I drove to the northern edge of Long Island for a professional development workshop yesterday. Signs of springtime were popping all over. Bushes were accentuated by vivid colors and multi-hued florals saluted the sky. The sun shone brightly and the world was gifted with a gorgeous day. Listening to music and feeling the breeze made me rejoice in spring and think about all the poetry gifts I received during the season. 

To all those who brought sunshine to my mailbox or computer screen, I send thoughts of gratitude.

Special feelings of gratitude are being sent to:

-39 Poetry Friday poets who offered their poetry at the Poetry Friday Roundup I hosted

-Irene Latham for her beautiful Live Your Poem poetry card

-Jone MacCulloch who sent me an original photo with a poem poetry postcard

-Sylvia Vardell and Janet Wong for co-hosting #WonderChat/#NYEDChat at the beginning of National Poetry Month plus an added bonus: an aromatic gift from Janet (Coffee from Brazil)

I created a blackout poem with the Bean Box sweet smelling label.

-At the end of National Poetry Month, some of my poet friends joined me at #NYEDChat for an exciting fast chat, Inspiring Children to #ThinkPoetry Beyond National Poetry Month. You can find the archived transcript here.

-Have you seen the 2019 Kidlitosphere Progressive Poem with its playlist and an original song created by Donna Smith? 

Now, I am ready to join the Poetry Friday Roundup at the wonderful Jama Rattigan's delicious blog,  Jama's Alphabet Soup, An Eclectic Feast of Food, Fiction, Folderol and Chewy Culinary Verse. While you are there, please check out the following from Jama by clicking here. 

There were so many poetic gifts during the past National Poetry Month. 
I hope you enjoyed some of them and continue to #ThinkPoetry.

March Musings #19: Lucky To:

When growing up, I always heard about the luck of the Irish. Good luck is for everyone and is often developed from positive mindsets. I am fortunate to have been raised in a talented family with strong female role models. From my grandmother and mother, I learned how to be nurtured by my passions. Creativity is a gift and developing it is a lifelong journey of persistent observation, practice, and patience. Below is my digital inspiration on being lucky created with Buncee. 

Close-up of a blackout poem I created based on Wonderopolis' Wonder of the Day, #1649, "Why are Four-Leaf Clovers So Hard To Find?".

 I am lucky to be part of several writing groups and the Connected Educator initiative where positivity is at the foundation. 
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Day 19 of Two Writing Teachers' March Slice of Life Story Challenge.

Silence

Have you ever sought comfort in the darkness? When darkness covers the earth, we can listen to its evening sounds. There you can find peace in the silence as the sky shows its last rays of light and night settles across the land. 

While creating my poem of the day for National Poetry Month, I decided on writing a blackout poem using a popular song from the past, Sound of Silence, as the spark. 

The image below was captured during a winter evening in New York State and digitalized 

for the blackout poem's visual. 

Darkness, I've come

to talk with you.

Within the silence,

I listen,

sharing sounds 

I know.

Silence G R O W S.

Hear my words.

Like silent raindrops fall

                                            ing,

                                                                                        they form - are written.

©CVarsalona

My twitter/writing colleague, Kevin Hodgson, created a blackout poem today also. Please take a look here because Kevin used an interactive site that you may be interested in searching. 

Are you interested in learning more about blackout poems? You can read a quick summary with procedural steps here. 

Luck of the Irish

Stories about St. Patrick's Day grow from lore and reality. 

Their words find a home as pen lays to rest. 

It's the day of days in Rockville Centre, my hometown. Green is everywhere. Irish flags, high on the poles sitting next to American flags, flow in the breeze. Green and yellow painted stripes line the village route. Restaurants and bars prepare traditional Irish food and green drafts. The luck of the Irish is anticipated by all. 

Putting on the green is a town ritual. Whether you are Irish by heritage or Irish for the day, there are songs, food, the annual St. Patrick's Day Parade, and blessings to be shared. 

Even our parish rector recognizes that everyone in town thinks "Irish" on St. Patrick's Day. There is a wink in his eye and a smile upon his face as he recounts a true story about the importance of the parade to the village folk. 

Reporter: Monsignor, will the cathedral be open in time for the St. Patrick's Day Parade? 

Monsignor to the congregation: What do you expect? After all this is Rockville Centre!  

It's the day of days in my hometown today but this weekend is the parade the village waits for all year. 

Below is a poem I created after reading Wonderopolis' Wonder of the Day #1649. The informational text, Why are Four Leaf Clovers So Hard To Find?, proved to be a worthy resource for my blackout poem attempt.

This year I did not have time to purchase a shamrock plant so the blessing below will be my gift to all who read this post. 

May your blessings outnumber
The shamrocks that grow,
And may trouble avoid you
Wherever you go.
~Irish Blessing

A special thanks is extended to Denise Buchman, founder of #couragecafe, for posting the beautiful St. Patrick's Day image above, created by @Heatherstilluf. Unknowingly, they cleared a path for me to write this post on celebrating the luck of the Irish.

The Poetry Friday Round-up is being hosted by the artsy poet, Robyn Black at Life on the Deckle Edge. Robyn also is showcasing award-winning student haikus. Please visit.

This post marks the eighteenth post of my Clearing A Path series for Two Writing Teachers' March SOLSC-Day 18.  Please visit the site here to read what other small moments slicers are writing about.