Hello, blog friends ~

It's been a tumultuous week across our beautiful planet. Some claim "the end" is near, others talk of transformation. There's hope, and there's dismay. This upheaval rests upon our own personal challenges and compounds our sentiments--one way or the other. But, through it all, there is one constant. One universal constant. Nature. 

Nature is not political, nor is it explicitly religious. But, nature is part of our life force. We cannot exist without it.

This week, Willow hosts #TankaTuesday, and invites participants to write a syllabic poem of their choice. I've chosen an Etheree to express my personal response to exterior or interior challenges. Etherees are ten-lined poems with syllables of 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10. Easy to remember, isn't it? 😊

I've entitled my poem, Breathe. Whenever I step away from the tugs and pulls of responsibilities or issues, I take a deep breath and give thanks. I listen - not to the news - but to the whispers among the trees, the chatter of my avian friends, the breeze as it enwraps me. In nature, I find peace. I wonder if you do as well. 

I'd love to hear how you find peace. Have a wonderful week, dear friends.  

I hope you have a wonderful week full of joy - even if you're tilling among the weeds.

Hello blog friends,

I've been traveling this past week, visiting with family and friends. I so enjoyed the sound of waves crashing on the nearby beach. Here are a couple of photos -- my daughter-in-law and I, an early morning glimpse from the timeshare, and a later morning photo. 

Because of the above, my contribution to Tanka Tuesday is a little late. But, I've an additional legitimate excuse. I actually forgot my laptop on this vacation, and only realized this oversight when we arrived at our destination. I'll claim old age OR maybe the universe wanted me to relax. 😊

This week Melissa Lemay is the host. She's challenged participants to create a hainka - a poem that combines haiku with tanka and reflects on the season. The first line of the haiku repeats in the third line of the tanka. I'm not sure I was successful, but I'll claim travel weariness if it's not. 

It's good to be home, and I look forward to saying my hellos on your blogsites. I hope you've had a wonderful week. 

To all the mothers, Happy Mother's Day! And to everyone else, enjoy the week -- and your mountain. I'll try to stay in touch from afar--and catch up on some reading. I leave you with a poem I wrote a while ago. ❤️

Hello blog friends~ 

Today is #TankaTuesday, and super poet Colleen Chesebro offers the prompt. She invites us to reflect on our zodiac sign, identify our respective color, and use this color in a poem.

In Western astrology, I'm a Virgo, so my color is Spring Green. I kinda like this color and wear it often. How about you? Do you like your astrological color?   

In our area, geese have returned after a long winter. I see them almost daily and love to watch them along the river or the nearby pond. My poem is about these special visitors. I hope you enjoy it. 

Have a great rest of the week and, for fun, let's all explore our special color. 🌞💚🌞

Good morning, blog friends ~

My post today is in response to writer/blogger Sadje's prompt. She invites readers to consider the question, "What do you see?" And she included two images to stir reflection and elicit a story or poem. Here are the prompt images: 

Fascinating, don't you agree? We all see differently, and I became aware of that truth as a child. Friends would talk about the girl in the red dress or maybe someone with a new haircut. But, I'd notice none of that. I'd see a girl who was hurting inside or feeling insecure or longing to be held or... In other words, I'd sense the heart of a person--and still do. It's no wonder I became a counselor. 😊

My response to Sadje's prompt is a simple haiku. I've attempted to capture the unseen and perception in general. I hope you enjoy it.

Have a wonderful rest of the week!