Reflecting on Summer

A heatwave is upon us and it isn't even the dog days of August on Long Island.  I step outdoors each day moving from cool air conditioning to the warmth of the sun's rays. Summer's breath is intense.  My pansies on the patio cry out for a spritz of cooling water at noon.  I respond and reflect on summer's embrace.  

My thoughts revert to Salvador Dali 's beautiful, summer day painting on a summer day, Figure at the Window. This scene reminds me of the sublime beauty of Long Island in summer.

She waits.
Thoughts float on by
into restful waters.
Stillness fills empty space
as a gentle breeze sweeps in,
softening the air.
Life rests under
a blanket of
sweet summer's
breath.

©CV, 2020

If it were not for the pandemic, I could visualize me luxuriating in a mud bath of salt water at the shore. But groups of unmasked young people are caught on the news congregating too close together without masks. What I can do is imagine, reflect, and respond to this dreamy photo by art teacher/photographer, Jennifer Graycheck, found at Margaret Simon's blog, This Photo Wants to be a Poem.  

nature's cure

swirled swooshing sounds break at shore 
tranquility's hush
salted-sea mudpacks rise and
dreams floats in ocean's warmth
©CV, 2020

Continuing the urge to engage in peaceful thoughts while caught up in the midst of a next- -chapter-of-life move to Virginia, I found another restful sight. Twitter friend @lucky_budd photographed the Milky Way and I took the opportunity to comment poetically.

For those who want a respite from the news and noise of pandemic life take a jaunt over to Poetry Friday hosted by Margaret Simon. Delve into the essential question, What is Poetry? to unlock more poetic goodness for poetry lets us bathe in summer bliss without traveling to the shore.

News:

Recently, I was sent an email of distinction from Anuj Agarwal,  FEEDSPOT, #Feedspot Founder of Feedspot.com, a place to keep up with all your favorite blogs, news sites and rss feeds in one place.  

I would like to personally congratulate you as your blog, Beyond LiteracyLink has been selected by our panelist as one of the Top 40 Children's Poetry Blogs on the web. 

 This link accompanied the email: https://blog.feedspot.com/childrens_poetry_blogs/.

Daily Writing Workout

Day 22 Prompt #foundobjectpoem
contributed by Buffy Silverman

hidden on a tree

game playing with predators

camouflage ante

©CVarsalona, 2016 

A look backwards to Day 1 of Laura Shovan's Found Object Poem Project- 

you can read about the project here.

Since I did not create a poem for this mysterious box, I wanted to add my thoughts. The poem below is based on my knowledge of a antique box in my house.

delicate lacy treasures 

graced my lining decades ago

when ladies' gloves were in vogue-

some partner boxes carved 

with etchings were showpieces-

mine was rough-hewn,

dovetailed, and sturdy

suitable for travel-

a proud bearer 

of a treasure

in time

©CVarsalona, 2016 

Day 21 Prompt
submitted by Jone MacCulloch

Giddy-up Delight

Tiny, old-fashioned ponies

tethered to a ring

grace the streets of Portland

as a usual thing.

Bemused by horsey antics

on the streets of town

I thought of childhood memories

and carousels renowned.

©CVarsalona, 2016