The World Whispers in Wonder

December marks the end of this year. Winter arrives quietly, and the Poetry Sisters (Tanita, Laura, Mary Lee, Liz, Sara, Tricia, and Kelly) encourage #PoetryPals to join their December challenge. They are composing haibuns, beautifully brief melanges of a prose poem and haiku, as created by Matsuo Bashō.

I reflect on the winter scene photographed by my daughter in 2015 and the quote by the marvelous poet, Lee Bennett Hopkins to write my haibun.

The world whispers in wonder as winter's serene beauty glistens across the snow. Trees at ski resorts tipped in white frosting create a snowdrop wonderland. Areas without sparkling snow find beauty among leafless trees and seasonal greenery. Some days reflecting on nature's serene beauty is a common practice. Other days are pampered by the sun in the south or drizzling rain in drought-ridden areas. Whether you find winter etched in a canopy of frosted elegance or enveloped in a golden sunrise, know that winter blankets Earth in various styles. Time for a quiet self-care pause.

early december stillness
embraces fall's fading breath
winter arrives

CVarsalona, 2024 haibun

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Is hosted by Artist/Poet Michelle Kogan

who is also participating in the Poetry Sisters December Challenge.

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Note: My book review of Clara's Kooky Compendium of ThimbleThoughts and WonderFuzz created by Sylvia Vardell and Janet Wong can be found here. I am honored that my poem, Would You Like To Bake?, is published in the new book.

October's Beautiful Change

Lady Autumn's seasonal changes surprise me each year. This season, she chose sunshine-summer attire and switched to raincoat-weather clothing. The last few days, she was clothed in leafed designs for a stroll under a bright blue sky with pillowed clouds. Variety is Lady Autumn's wish so I cannot wait to see her October sneak preview. Will it be dazzling with Crayola colors or soaked from rainy weather? 

Beautiful Change

Autumn lets go

moving slowly

with season's ease

In mindful pause

gentle winds blow

Autumn lets go

releases leaves

dancing  to earth

gathering  begins

leaves fall 

Autumn lets go

flits across earth

sunsetting peace

dazzles nightsky

with fall crayons

Autumn lets go

©CVarsalona, draft

4 x 4 poem-see information here.

Photo from Unsplash

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• Anyone who thinks fallen leaves are dead has never watched them dancing on a windy day. - Shira Tamir

Autumn woke in the morning with a crispy feel of summer-like weather and bright blue skies. Watching in awe, a gentle flight of assorted leaves moved gracefully toward the cars.  October's first dance of the season brought a beautiful change.

autumn's flight of leaves

free-float and dance in the breeze

October's gift

©CVarsalona, 2024, haibun

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Welcome to my Slice of Life, which I am sending to the Two Writing Teachers, a reflective community of writers.

Wholeheartedly Feeling a New Season

Another season will soon be here. A variety of leaves will scatter across sidewalks. Nightsky will turn into an inked mass earlier and I will hear my first crunch-crunch sounds underfoot. Autumn will dramatically enter slowly swooshing through a carpet of leaves. With a wholehearted spirit, Lady Autumn will bring the brilliance of Fall.

a season unfolds

offering a new pathway

life is a gift

©Carol Varsalona, 2024

Photo from Pixabay

I look forward to Autumn's debut and the opportunity to offer a new perspective on life. Her rich colors, cooling breezes, and longer nights remind me to pause and breathe in the fragrant essence of fall's scents, such as cinnamon, pumpkin spice, and crackling bonfires. Beauty is not the only side of Fall. Autumn also has a spiritual side to her.

Autumn walks a pathway of reflection and growth. As Ecclesiastes 3:1 states, "For everything, there is a season and a time for every matter under heaven." I honor nature's graceful embrace as the cycle of renewal soon begins. With wholehearted commitment, I look forward to linger and notice each glorious moment of the upcoming season. 

Please see yesterday's blog post,  Wholehearted Spiritual Journey. Today's blog post offers a follow-up connection.

©Carol Varsalona

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Thank you to Heidi Mordhorst, the amazing educator and poet, for hosting today's Poetry Friday. Please join me as I link up with the Poetry Friday Roundup at Heidi's blog site, my juicy universe.

Stay in the Now

Burgeoning signs of spring cuddle the earth in warmth. Morning begins its ritual of awakening. A bluish, spring sky and its cottony puffballs of clouds float on by.  Time moves quickly so I pause to breathe in the essence of springtime. 

spring morning unfolds
blossoms drink in life's essence
stay in the now
©CVarsalona, 2024, haibun 

It's time to slowdown and stay in the now
as fellow slicer friend, Terje Akke from Estonia, would say. 
Small treasures from Estonia
Nature Photo by Terje Akke

On this last day of National Poetry Month, I will continue to watch the blossoms in my garden and on my Poetry Parade Padlet bloom. The above photo and the combined image poem below will be showcased on the padlet and be part of my new gallery of artistic expressions. Please add your offerings.

May spring's sunlit day and seasonal rains allow your garden to burgeon with joy.

 I now join the Tuesday Slice of Life at Two Writing Teachers, a meeting place for reflective writers.

Flutterings of the Heart

Spring is the time when God's magic is at its grandest. ~ Toni Sorenson

A magical Spring day opens with softly wrapped gentle heat and a sun-blinking sky. It is time to "Be", breathe in Spring's sweet-scented perfume, and listen to nature. The mallard duck and his partner walk silently to green places of repose, birds swing by waiting for their turn at the feeder, and bunnies hide until they hop to nibble on bird seeds. Small simple observations lead to artistic visualizations. Poetic goodness flows near the fountain waiting to be awakened during May's plantings. The garden is at rest and so are those relaxing in verdant, manicured lawns. Spring provides a restful environment. 

The above prose and image poem haiku combine to create a haibun.

While designing the Springsations Gallery of Artistic Expressions, soft musings from poetic hearts led me to write the following haikus.

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small observations

nature sits on dewed petals

spring's marvelment

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be still moments

brushed by the Divine artist

earth's creative art

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quiet birdsong

chirping sounds of springtime

nature speaks of bliss

©CVarsalona, 2023

(If you are reading or creating, you may want to listen to Music of Nature here. The sounds and photos are soothing.)

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I am signing off now, wishing everyone a Happy Mother's Day!

May Spring's seeds bring you blossoms to add color to your springtime days.

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I am eager to join the Poetry Friday Roundup with today's host, the haiku wiz poet, Robyn Hood Black. My humble poems are inspired by her work.

You will find a sweet haiku about new mothers at the blog post.

Thank you, Linda Baie for creating this small moment photo.

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You can see the new blend of art with poetry at my Springsations Gallery Padlet.

If inclined to add another spring-theme image poem to the gallery, please do so.

echoes of spring

Let yourself become living poetry!

-Rumi

Yesterday, spring was in its glory. Warmth swaddled earth. Birds chirped their song of praise and the woods showcased its bent-over limbs. While walking I noticed little wishweeds anchoring the path, waiting for gentle hands to send their white, feathery tufts parachuting into the calmness of afternoon. 

be silent.

listen to the sounds of earth

whispering grasses call

rippling creek burbles

be present in its movement

springsations echo

©CV, 2023, haibun

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May you find peace in your spring days!

I invite you to add your poetic thoughts to the online Springsations Gallery. Vol. 2.

You can see some of the artistic expressions in the gallery by clicking here.

The sample below shares two slicers' image poems, Denise Krebs and arjeha.

I join Two Writing Teachers for the Tuesday Slice of Life.

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

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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!

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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.

Be Filled With the Beauty of Nature

Imagine a day in early November. Walking trails at the nearby state park overflow with glorious sights and sounds. Colors of autumn vary in cinnamon tones; crispcrunch leaves fill in dark wooded spaces. Strewn across paths, patterned leaves and broken branches artistically placed wait for visitors to tread lightly. Nature's beautifully-crafted, undisturbed spaces alive with natural light. Filtering through cracks between majestic trees a dazzling luster surrounds the woods. We walk in awe, noting a distinct silence. Curving paths continue inviting us to pause, reflect, and let outdoor harmony move inward. 

leaning in silence

autumn's spirit surrounds

silent sacred space

©CV, 2020

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Lately, there has been much talk about influencers. Those who thrived in the before but live in the now, continue to influence others. Without hesitation, autumn has been an influencer in my life, providing a diversion from upside-down issues of this pandemic-filled world. This year more than ever, autumn thrives, offers inspiration in a variety of forms, and affects my mindset in a positive way.

awed by autumn's art

earth-painted masterpieces

inspired beauty

©CV, 2020

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afternoon light falls

on trails adorned in russet 

gratitude sweeps through

©CV, 2020

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autumn sunset inches closer

hovers over a silent lake

brilliantly sharing  a layering of colors

passersby sit reverently

watching earth slowly fill

with evening beauty

©CV, 2020

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This week's Poetry Friday Roundup is hosted at my long-distance writing friend, Linda Baie's blog site, TeacherDance,  this week. She is writing about a wonderful new poetry anthology, Friends and Anemones by authors of The Writer's Loft. I attended the virtual book launch so I am interested in Linda's thoughts.

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The autumn photos and poems are part of the #AbundantAutumn Gallery of Artistic Expressions.