Friday, July 15, 2022

Summer Rainstorm Thoughts

 The storm is an artist: the rainbow is its masterpiece." -Matshona Dhliwayo 

This week, storms were explosive. Although rain was predicted, darkening clouds became the indicator that sent me scrambling to pick up my decorative pillows. The rains continued. The knowledge that my plants were being watered was a blessing.  That night, I watched in surprise. The night storms were like a show in themselves. Sudden and strong lightning bolts jolted me. All sightings were mesmerizing. I wanted to write to describe what I saw so I took a photo of my flowers enjoying their soaking. They may not look like the rains were showering them but they were tossed around quite a bit. 

 Let the rain touch my soul.
Let the rain splash my flowers with cooling drops.
Let the rain sing me to sleep.

The rain makes puddles of hope in my garden.
The rain makes loud splashing sounds on the patio.
The rain meets lightning and strikes through cracks in the sky at night-

And I watch in fascination.
©CVarsalona, draft

The mentor text I used to create this poem is April Rain Song by Langston Hughes. There is a lovely short video shot by the NY Botanical Garden that can be accessed on You Tube.


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I continue to add poetic offerings to my Poetryliscious Padlet for another gallery af artistic expressions. Lester Laminack, children's author, was honored to join the gallery as in the past. I gratefully uploaded his inspirational image poem. Please add a poem or artistic inspiration to the padlet please do.

Today is Poetry Friday and Elisabeth Norton is our host at Unexpected Intersections. She shares an original poem written while challenging herself to break routine and change directions. Her site is alreading filling with offerings of poetic goodness.

Friday, July 8, 2022

Fourth of July 2022 Memories

The 4th of July is always a festive event. Baking, enjoying time with family, having barbecues, and watching fireworks are traditional expectations. This year brought another set of photos and great memories. 

cook ready
hands steady
picnic treats
frosted sweets
outdoor fun
children run
flags waving
songs playing
evening sky
Fourth of July
cheers, applauding
sparklers soaring
celebration
our proud nation
©CVarsalona, 2022

The above poem was written after reading Fran Haraway's poem, The Fourth of July Parade.

The Fourth of July Parade

Stripes and stars,
Antique cars,
Pretty girls,
Baton twirls,
Spangled gowns,
Friendly clowns,
Smiling folks,
Papered spokes,

You can read the rest of the short poem at the Poetry Foundation.

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The following poem was written for Slice of Life Tuesday at Two Writing Teachers. My blog post, Firework Magic, shares more digitized photos of Fireworks 2022 in Reston Virginia.

dazzling fireworks
dart into evening sky
pop, whizz, sizzle
like popcorn kernels bursting
showstopper entertainment
©CVarsalona, 2022

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It is time to join Jan Godown Annino, this week's Poetry Friday host at her blog, Bookseed Studio. Jan is showcasing author Linda Sue Park's book, Tap Dancing on the Roof SIGO (Poems). Jan is also sharing her own sijo poems that include good twister lines. Enjoy the poetic goodness that can be found in the Poetry Friday Roundup.

Thursday, July 7, 2022

Be Still-Spiritual Journey Thursday

Lately, life is full of storms, both physical and emotional ones that cause anxiety, fear, and damage. These "storms" can come out of nowhere or they can be predicted. This month, Chris Margocs, the host of Spiritual Journey Thursday, offers the topic, Be Still, for us to ponder. Her thoughts are succinctly provided at Horizon 51. Margaret Simon, the coordinator of Spiritual Journey Thursday, kindly created a link-up for the community at her blog post, Presence.

Credit: Photo by Max Larochelle on Unsplash

Last night, the sky opened with quick bolts of lightning and thunderous sounds. The rains pelted down but I did not hear or see the commotion. Only my husband did. I was surprised when I awoke to the news and yet, I felt relieved that I could sleep through the commotion. After all, there have been many downpours that stormed through my life these past months and I was spared a night of interrupted sleep. Perhaps, I am learning to quiet the storms that rage through faith. The following scripture verse is one that found me on my route to finding peace.

Then, they cried out to the Lord in their trouble, and he brought them out of their distress. He stilled the storm to a whisper. (Psalm 107:28-30)

Credit: Don Moen - Be Still & Know

Be still, my soul.
Find rest.
Just be and know
Storms are a test.
Breathe in.
Find rest.
Forget what's been.
Know what's best.
Be still, my soul.
God brings rest.
©CVarsalona, 2022

This evening, I spent over an hour listening to different meditations on stillness and presence that I found on YouTube. Some involved yoga breathing practices that provided a gentle entrance into centering my thoughts. Being still when I am used to activity is a welcome change. If interested, you can visit the Daily Calm: 10 Minute Mindfulness Meditation, Be Present. Click on the image below.


It is essential to find stillness and be present to block out the horrific happenings in the world and pray for peace. Finding stillness to just be is my Spiritual Journey Thursday goal for this month. I send positive vibes out to all the Spiritual Journey Thursday writers and those inclined to seek ways to be in the moment.

Tuesday, July 5, 2022

Firework Magic

There is a magical effect to fireworks shooting into an indigo sky on a warm summer night. I imagine most people have witnessed this on the Fourth of July but let me relive my experience. A soft glow settles over the lake as it prepares for the festivities of an exploding night show. 

Pontoon boats and kayaks circle the lake as the night sky surrounds. With a gentle tug, party lanterns float into the air skyward prior to fireworks exploding with multicolored sensations.  

Excited hoots and applause from viewers follow with each burst of shooting light as a crescent moon nods with delight. Sparkling patterns burst into the darkness from one end of the lake to the other. The brilliance of multicolored patterns emerges.

As darkness covers the sky, sparkly lights go off with a boom, creating a dramatic contrast.

The star of the nighttime show debuts with a puff cloud of brilliant circles of billowy sparkles.
dazzling fireworks
dart into evening sky
pop, whizz, sizzle
like popcorn kernels bursting
showstopper entertainment
©CV, 2022

I hope everyone spent a relaxing day with family and friends on the Fourth of July as I did.

It's Slice of Life Tuesday at Two Writing Teachers and I am grateful for this international meeting of writing friends.

Friday, July 1, 2022

Celebrate Summer with Ice Cream

June is ending and summer is officially here. My eyes are healing and my vision is so good that I do not need glasses. Now, all of that gives me enough reason to celebrate, so the family decided to investigate the two best-rated ice cream shops nearby. Swirlies lures us to its shop with soft-serve ice cream twists. I chose a childhood favorite, a chocolate-dipped cone of swirled, vanilla chocolate ice cream on a sugar cone. Not only was the night filled with the warm essence of summer but the ice cream was as delicious as I remembered it.


"Life is like ice cream: Enjoy it before it melts."
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It's Poetry Friday and the Roundup is at Janice Scully's blog, Salt City Verse. She focuses on SuperNovae information, shares a video, and debuts an original poem.
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Happy National Ice Cream Month!

Friday, June 24, 2022

Wondrous June

Are you surprised that June is almost at its end and spring turned into summer two days ago? It's time to sing June's praises.


The solemn hour of midnight breathes
sweet thoughts everywhere.
It is the month of June-
So mellow the gentle breath of June day breeze. 
The sun is rich. 
The summer morn is bright and fresh.        
I know well that the June rains just fall.

Do you recall that night in June?
We watched the moonbeams quiver.
In golden hours, silver days, 
The month of June trembled like a butterfly.

June, hushed and breathless, waits and I wait too, with June.
The time is ours to spend.
©CVarsalona, 2022, Cento Poem & Nature Photo

The cento poem (or collage poem) is a poetic form composed entirely of lines from poems by other poets.  I organized the lines from the following poets to create the cento poem, Wondrous June.

Lines 1-2    -  Emily Jane Bronte
Line 3         -  The Month of June by Nathaniel Parker Willis
Line 4        -  June by Francis Duggan
Line 5         -  June by John Updike
Line 6         -  William C. Bryant  
Line 7         -  Onitsura
Lines 8-9  -  Daube River by Charles Hamilton Aide
Line 10       -  June by John Updike
Line 11         -  Pablo Neruda
Lines 12-13 -  In Fountain Court by Arthur Symons
Line 14        -  June by John Updike

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Logo created by Michelle Kogan

The poem below was created while designing my Summer Poem Swap #1.


In muted morning, earth moves
Like swishing, melodic chimes
Breezing through June's gentle winds.
Nature nurtures us, framing each
Glorious moment in time.
©CVarsalona, 2022

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This month I have been so busy with end-of-cataract-surgeries' doctor visits and my first Summer Poem Swap 2022 hosted by our marvelous organizer, Tabatha Yeatts. I did not have time to begin The Poetry Sisters' June challenge: write a byr a thoddaid. Perhaps I shall  try the format at some other time, albeit it appears to be complicated.

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"What is one to say about June, the time of perfect young summer, the fulfillment
of the promise of earlier months, and with as yet no sign to remind one that its fresh young beauty will ever fade."-Gertrude Jekyll

"June is the gateway to summer." - Jean Hersey
Enjoy the relaxation that summer brings!

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Catherine Flynn, the host of the Poetry Friday Roundup, is greeting us this week with a beautiful end-of-the-school-year poem that you will enjoy reading. Join me at Catherine's blog, Reading to the Core. She is sharing the delightful logo above. It is so lovely that I wanted to add it to this post.

Tuesday, June 21, 2022

Remembering the Celebration

Oh, to be five again. I tried to remember far back to my fifth birthday. Nothing came to mind so let me savor a fond memory of Sierra's family birthday party that marked the ending of a magical birthday week. 


The celebration was deemed a Queen for a Day event. Presents, cakes, cookies, and lots of love filled the backyard with its fairy garden scenery. The weather was delightful. Sweeping winds powered a flower windmill that spun with delight. Multiple cascading waterfall fountains adorned the pathway leading up to a children's house with Adirondack chairs and a tree-stump area with a miniature table and chairs. What could be more delightful than this nature-inspired, magical wonderland?   

Come fairies, take me out of this dull world. 
For I would ride with you upon the wind and dance upon the mountains like a flame
-W.B. Yeats (The Land of Heart's Desire)

Nature creates a magical place
Of delightful, shaded open space.
Children play upon the ground
Where faires step and gnomes abound.
Throw a stone; make a wish.
Dream of the prince's magical kiss.
Spin a windmill in the breeze and
Listen to chimes sing under trees.
Then, say goodnight to the swooning moon
Who finds its rest one night in June.
©CVarsalona, 2022


According to Lewis Carroll, the best gift we can give is a lifetime of adventures. The 5th birthday party was only the beginning of adventures for my grandgirls. Their magic forest will be the setting for many remembrances.

Thank you to Two Writing Teachers for the magical space it has provided for writers.

Friday, June 17, 2022

Turning Five

June 15, 2022

Dear Sierra,

Just one year ago, you turned four and everyone cheered with pride for the sweet little girl you became. Since then, I watched you spark many adventures with your imagination, become a wonderful big sister to Aurora, and enjoy various loves, including skiing, baking, and drawing. For months, we have talked about your 5th birthday and entrance into Kindergarten. It is hard to believe that five years have gone by since you graced us with your sweet presence.

 
Happy Pre-Birthday Party with the cake you suggested we make.
Sierra at birth in 2017

Grandma love 
is a kiss,
a sweet smile.

It flows from
one heart to
another,

creating
one solid
foundation.
©CVarsalona-Grandma, 2022


Birthday Wishes to My Little Miss!
Love, Grandma
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Thank you, Linda Baie, for sending me the above poem from a Victorian book, Lilies of the Valley, during the Summer Poetry Swap of 2016.
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Thank you, artist, poet, and friend Michelle Kogan, for hosting the Poetry Friday Roundup this week and creating a fairy birthday card for my granddaughter, Sierra that can be seen at her lovely Etsy shop. I look forward to watching Sierra open Michelle's whimsical card.


Join me at Michelle's blog to read her poem for Dad's Day and for more poetry goodness.

Thursday, June 9, 2022

Celebrating The Small Things

Celebrations are often thought of as grand occasions but this month Spiritual Journey Thursday is writing about the celebration of small things. What if I start looking at small everyday accomplishments as building blocks to something larger? As Mother Teresa says, "Be faithful in small things because in them that your strength lies."  

While healing from cataract surgery, I try to accomplish one small thing. This past week, I gardened to beautify the beds. We purchased a cascading water fountain that added an ornamental touch and a pleasant zen-like trickling sound. 


Nature calls me to slow down and go with the flow like my gardens do daily. I need to listen and just take small steps to accomplish larger goals; meditate to find peace. As Rachel Carson says, 'Those who contemplate the beauty of the earth find reserves of strength that will endure as long as life lasts."

I imagine my Virginia garden to be a place for rest and meditation like the one in my Long Island home. If there is a sign to be made for my garden, it should read "Nature is the art of God." (Dante Alighieri)

  • Tomorrow, I shall share the beauty of God's blossoms with my toddler granddaughters.

  • I celebrate my time with my sweet little grandgirls.


I celebrate grandma & grandpa sitting tomorrow.
I even celebrate the challenges of feeling overwhelmed
that will be erased by the girls' smiles.
There is much to do each day
but 
there must be time to celebrate the little things. 
Don't you agree?

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Thank you to Ramona Behnke, Washington poet friend, the host of Spiritual Journey Thursday for our topic. She shares a splendid photo gallery of her recent celebrations at her blog, Pleasures from the Page.


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I celebrate poetry with the host of Poetry Friday, children author Buffy Silverman. I thank her for  for her beautiful nature photography and poetry at her website link, that you can visit here.


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Poetry is the rhythmical creation of beauty in words.
-Edgar Allan Poe

I am in the midst of slowly designing my Poetryliscious Global Gallery of Artistic Expressions but you can see the recent additions from Alaska, Kashmir, Estonia, and poets from across the United States at the Poetryliscious Gallery Padlet here.