Light on the Pathway

On one specific night when a torrential rainstorm arrived, my landscape lamps froze and stopped shining.  The darkness was overwhelming, not just in its reality but in the emotion that I felt. Grief rushed in as rain poured from the darkened sky. I sat inside writing, remembering the stillness of sunlit afternoons and the beauty of nature glowing against the light. The darkness was haunting. The discomfort of grief created a dark moment. I needed faith to calm my soul. One Bible verse from John 1:5 offered solace. "The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it." With this thought, I leaned on faith, remembering that God's light has led me through many darkened paths, providing hope.   

be of good faith

in life's darkened corners

thy Light leads me on

©CVarsalona, 2026

This blog post is an extension of last week's Poetry Friday blog, Light Unto My Path, based on Kim Johnson's prompt. Due to the hectic weekend, my post with two poems ended being shared on Saturday morning. Below you will find my digital art pantoum poem with a sunrise photo captured by my son from my blog.

This week, Jill Dailey, our host of Poetry Friday is inviting us to her creative Summer Camp. I enjoyed watching Jill's video on how to create a zine. Since I never worked with paper to make one, I am eager to do so.

Breathe in Spring's Air

I breathe in spring's air.

Morning freshness fills life.

Scents gardens; welcomes prayer,

Negates the gray and bitter strife.

Morning freshness fills life.

Pollen drops with gentle ease,

Negates the gray and bitter strife.

Birds coo from tree to trees.

Pollen drops with gentle ease,

Under awnings of sky clouds.

Birds coo from tree to trees.

City parks bring spring to crowds.

Under awnings of sky clouds,

Raindrops cascade leaving puddles.

City parks bring spring to crowds.

Nature lovers run in huddles.

©CVarsalona, 2026, pantoun poem

"Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass...it's about learning to dance in the rain." -Vivian Greene

Mother Nature seems to love the month of April. Maybe this is because she can play with different weather patterns. She surprised me on Sunday with a long, whooshing rainstorm as I drove to Church and then to my grandgirls' house. Not until late afternoon did Mother Nature change her tune and let the sun shine. 

Another Surprise

As I sit writing, I hear little pings. Four colleagues have sent their image poems to my "Spring Seeds Grace April Gallery and Padlet". Thank you, Arejha (Bob Hamera), Ramona Benhke, Joyce Ray, and Denise Krebs. I invite others to add their artistic expressions to the theme.

Two Writing Teachers, a meeting place for a world of reflected writers.

National Poetry Month-Day 20/30

National Poetry Month Marches In

It's time for another Poetry Parade during National Poetry Month. April is the month I refine past poems and write new ones. Spring brings renewal to life, so I dedicate this month to a revival of life. Some of my poems need to be revived and others need to blossom. 

During the month I will visit other Poetry Friday friends who enjoy playing with words and writing poetrylicious poetry. Another wonderful stop this month is the 2024 Progressive Poem, now directed by Margaret Simon. Click here to see the opening lines. Leo Tolstoy's statement below with my digitized nature background inspires me to observe the season's evolution and add new plants, poems, and digital artwork to my collection of spring's blossoming time.

April comes once each year

with raindrops spilling onto earth.

Winter does not disappear 

as daffodils begin rebirth.

With raindrops spilling onto earth

blossoms whisper in delight.

Daffodils begin rebirth.

Little buds try to sprout upright.

Blossoms whisper in delight

as the weather turns and tosses.

Little buds try to sprout upright.

Earth pleads its causes.

As the weather turns and tosses,

 nature continues nurturing life.

Earth pleads its causes

Despite environmental strife.

Winter does not disappear

but slowly pauses and retreats.

April comes once each year.

Spring refreshes and takes its seat.

©CVarsalona, March 2024, pantoum

Welcome to my Poetry Parade

for National Poetry Month 2024

I invite you to join my Poetry Parade this month.

If interested, create an image poem on any spring topic,

such as nature, sports, animals, etc.

I will create a Poetry Parade Padlet to insert your poem.

More information will be offered later in the week.

Thank you Two Writing Teachers for the March 2024 Slice of Life Story Challenge. 

Even with life's interruptions, I wrote 20 slices during the month-long writing challenge.