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Keeping current in wellness, in and out of the water
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Languages and Roses
April 7, 2015
— 9 Comments
yellow rose
blooming in unison with stars, moons and constellations
each petal says something unique as it opens to the sun
fleeting art of the garden speaks directly to the soul
translation is not needed or available for the subtle message
of color, light, scent, flavor and soft petals dropping to the ground
pink sister and red red roses
red red rose
NaPoWriMo 2015
To ride the poetry train in April check the poet participants’ sites here.
Poppy Pollen
April 6, 2015
— 9 Comments
Poppy pollen is a magnet for the bees
Outfitted with tiny sacks on their legs
To carry pollen back to the hive
They work the center of the blossom
Harvesting the precious particles
Loaded with heavy fragrant flower dust
The flight home is an odyssey for a hero
At the end of her brief and useful life
Wings flutter with all their might
red poppy
NaPoWriMo 2015
Enjoy reading and writing poetry during the month of April here.
Heidi’s Haroset
April 5, 2015
— 4 Comments
Heidi in the hood
My next door neighbor Heidi is the perfect friend
Back fence border crossing is a frequent event
We share garden cuttings, flowers, seeds, and fruit
We taste each others’ recipes, passing portions of special foods
Each year at Passover I accept her yeast and other puffed up sin
I take it to my house so her great symbolic unleavening can begin
Heidi downtown
I am richly rewarded for turning cookies into nothing
I receive a container of Heidi’s haroset, the mortar of the Seder
Chocolate and cinnamon sugar covered matzoh bites are also my to savor
It is such a deal, believe me, to have my favorite items catered
No sweet red wine or reading all night, I am simply favored
chocolate and cinnamon matzoh
NaPoWriMo 2015
Jump on the poetry train and ride for free all month in April here.
Renewal
April 3, 2015
— 3 Comments
thorny issues
Renew belief in daily magic and mystical retreat
Throw caution over the cliff into the turgid water far below
If time waits and your ideals simmer on low heat for too long
Regret and confiscated creativity will overshadow your talents
Hourglass of weakening resolve spills multi colored sands
Through the narrow opening, sliding down toward eternity
With clear, smooth and unequivocably final gravitas
NaPoWriMo 2015
Find poetry fun all month here.
Elemental Journey
April 2, 2015
— 5 Comments
clouds in sky
Alchemy begins with me, a vessel for every need and purpose
My heartbeat connects to ancient chains, invisible bonds, and flying
Rhythmic rangers ride through dreams, telling tales of other planets,
Hold on to the reins and plot your flightplan, check your engines,
Clear the active runway for take off and ascend to your fated glory
NaPoWriMo 2015
Read write, enjoy poetry all month here
Hawks and Hummers
April 1, 2015
— 2 Comments
hawk and hummer
Hawks and hummers build peace on earth in the pine tree
Nesting next to each other for social and security reasons
Flying out at dawn in search of different kinds of sustenance
Flowers gently lift their cups of nectar while mice scatter and hide
The tree takes care of hidden family members not yet prepared to fly
Above our heads and beyond our vision the world revolves and evolves
Peace on Earth
NaPoWriMo 2015
For more fun during the month of April, hop on the poetry train, which has just pulled out of the station.
April Fool Romance
March 31, 2015
— 2 Comments
Jurgen and Ardell
Born to be together, nobody would ever guess
How destiny had formed their souls into a perfect fit
He is concerned with systems, mathematics, digital hacks
She is an intuitive healer, in possession of everything he lacks
They found themselves in Big Sur, a classic hippie venue
Aires attraction brought them in sync, and the magnetism continues
Sharing a birthday on April first these lovers celebrate diversity
Cherishing home grown romance, more abundant with each anniversary
These fools know the secret in taking risks is usually on the surface
Be the lover you were born to be by ignoring what makes others nervous
Happy birthday to my favorite foolish couple!
NaPoWriMo 2015
Please enjoy the poetry party this month by clicking here. Read, write, recite…be corny, gentle readers. There is no such thing as too corny.
Schedule Success
March 30, 2015
— 6 Comments
sunrise on the Rillito
Today I am preparing for the verbal marathon of #NaPoWriMo, during which I will produce 30 poems in 30 days. April in Arizona is a very rapidly changing display of flower to fruit to summer heat. We have hit 90 already and are staying just below that 90 degree mark for our high temperatures this week. Wild flowers and cactus blossoms are liberally painting the desert with saturated colors. Nights are cool, with a drastic differences between the low and high temperatures. Our climate is one of extremes, and we seem to be drifting into ever more unpredictable weather and endless drought. By May the heat will keep many folks inside for most of the day. April, however, is the perfect time to enjoy the outdoors and appreciate nature. My preparation to become a poet has fostered a schedule change in my routine. I started going to the gym as soon as I awake in order to log my exercise and clear the slate for the middle of the day. Much to my delight my gym is not yet very crowded at 6:30 in the morning. I hit the weight room, take a walk along the river, then linger in the steam room as long as I can. The accomplishment feels good, but the steamed clean body is also a wonderful benefit. I leave feeling uplifted and energetic. I had such a great time today I am sure it will be easy to implement this new routine for April, and maybe for the entire summer.
I have been gathering my strength as well as my supplies for this challenge. I have a few notes, some art I have been preparing, and a notebook for freehand writing. I normally do all my composing on a laptop or iPad, but all the poets say longhand unlocks a certain part of the brain not accessed on a keyboard. I am interested in illustrating my own poems, so I will jump back and forth from paper to digital formats in creating the visuals. Anything goes. I am not educated in all the themes and forms that poetry takes. I always end up in iambic pentameter if I make up a rhyming ditty out loud (limerick style). On paper it is fun to write in different colors, applying doodles, notes, mind mapping, or any device that fills and shapes the page. My goal is to stretch creatively in both my written and visual material. I am looking forward to reading the other participants poems because I know from past years that is where the real inspiration occurs.
I am also setting up my sewing machine on my office desk for daily use. I believe that creativity runs in streaks, and to capture it all, one must work in different mediums. I have a stash of beautiful fabric; and who doesn’t like to have new wardrobe options that nobody else has? The tactile, somewhat mathematical activity of sewing a garment is a good balance to word craft. I plan to make clothing suitable for wear at poetry readings and gallery openings, in other words, unusual. I am seeing this challenge as I might perceive a duck that looks and quacks like a duck. If I look and act like a poet, I am on my way:
- I will be in nature for the sunrise because that is what I think poets should do.
- I will conclude my active work out early in the day to make plenty of uninterrupted time for art and poetry.
- I commit to sewing some new garments designed to tell the world that I am a poet (or at least an eccentric).
- I will mingle daily with my fellow poets who are sharing this month with me
- I hope to turn on some of my gentle readers to my fellow poets and their work
Following the hashtag #NaPoWriMo will take you to the source. I wish you pleasure, perception, and connection during this special month. Enjoy!!!
NaPoWriMo 2015
spring green
Family Day at the Poetry Center
March 29, 2015
— 1 Comment
Yesterday I visited the U of A Poetry Center to find inspiration for my month of writing poems. Much to my surprise I arrived in middle of a special event. Family Day is held once a month in the winter months. Graduate students lead activities designed to stimulate interest in different age groups. I was given a name tag and asked what age group I wished to attend. Since 60 and over was represented by the docents I hung out with them for a few minutes asking questions. The groups were gathered with leaders coaxing them to collaborate. The toddlers were drumming and drawing on the floor. The teens were making up ironic statements about dental hygiene (which were very funny). The middle school group was on the patio writing odes. I took a place at the end of the table where I could hear them, but would not disturb them.
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- writing odes
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- reading odes
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- bamboo shade
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- my poets’ corner
I listened to them praise mother and father, bamboo and bugs. The work was brilliant and astute. I spoke to the leaders after the session. They are graduate students studying creative writing. They said that the activities here leave them completely uplifted and amazed every time they do it. The kids blow their minds, just as they had mine. I did some drawing and free writing while half-tuned into my fellow poets on the rock. That was what I had come to do, so I spent 15 minutes on the task. The snacks were being served and the band was playing in the courtyard, so I hustled on out to see what else was happening.
hula hoop and band
Chalk was provided and words had been applied to the concrete. Hula hoops and a live band made the festive atmosphere complete. The kids clearly loved Family Day. The parents were pleased too. A beautiful work of art was made on the spot by graduate students in art education. Poems written by the kids that day were written on the background. It was a resounding success. I realized that I had come at the perfect time after all because the kids have the pure innocent free wheeling creativity I want to generate next month.
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- prompts for odes
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- draw and write
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- ode
There were two typewriters set up for people to try, and they were popular. The catering consisted of perfectly ripe fruit and muffins, perfect child fare. I enjoyed the ripe pineapple, strawberries, and honeydew melon. I felt like I had attended one of the best children’s parties ever. The band even included a saw player, and what could be better than that?
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- chalk on concrete
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- chalk on concrete
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- chalk on concrete
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- play area
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- mural
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- typewriter
April in Fool’s Paradise
March 27, 2015
— 2 Comments
deep center
My dear gentle readers, it is with some trepidation that I embark on a voyage that will take this blog into new territory. During the month of April, National Poetry Writing Month, I will be publishing 30 poems in 30 days right here. It has been my desire to portray my persona in a writing. I like covering subjects like my family tree and current events because it gives me a fact based framework, like news reporting. I do enjoy that kind of research, so I will resume my prose posting when my 30 poems have been produced. Do not fear. I will not turn this into my own little garden of verses. I think it is fun to be a scribe, choosing subjects that I find intriguing. Your fact finding reporter will return in May.
One aspect of creativity and psychic phenomena I notice and follow is the way willingness to practice opens new frontiers. I believe we are all psychic, and all poets. These talents or gifts can’t develop unless they are used. Another belief that I hold strongly is that we create art that has a specific audience. The audience can only find us if we publish or otherwise give them a chance to read it. During April contests and events will be held to teach and share poetry writing. By following the hashtag #NaPoWriMo on social media you can tune into happenings in your area and share fun with folks from around the world. You may decide to participate in a group poem or attend a reading. Of course you do not need to publish 30 poems to enjoy reading them. I started on my path by tuning into this a couple of years ago and writing only a few of my own. I think it is contagious in a very good way.
psyche
I was a production potter for years, selling my pots to make a living. Some of the best and most interesting pottery I made was done when I was a beginner and had very little skill. Later I made technically better pieces, but I was always producing something to sell, so I was influenced by that thought. I hope that my poetry will follow that pattern. My April adventure is intended to break out some new area of my ability in order to stay truly creative. I count on beginner’s luck, but am working hard to find good subjects. Please stay tuned to find out where this leads. I appreciate any suggestions you may have.
pitcher plant
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