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Nature's Gift...

10/21/2025

31 Comments

 
Hello, blog friends...

I'm daily in awe of Nature's growing pains. She certainly knows how to measure time. If only we humans could do it as beautifully as she. 

​Yvette is the host this week for Tanka Tuesday, and she invites us to reflect on the season and use one or both of these two words in our poem: absorb and repel. I've decided to write an Etheree (ten lines, 1 through 10 syllables), which you will see below.

Given some of the posts I've seen recently, I believe nature serves as a respite for most of us. While neighborhoods explode and cities draw battlelines and countries taunt war, nature offers us peace. I escape every day and focus on creatures big and small.

Some of you may recall that my husband and I discovered two wild Guinea pigs in a field near us. We check on them every day, and they are still quite happy. I wish they could write a book about their adventures. Wouldn't that be fun -- a mystery about escaping human owners and building a home under a bush. 😊

My poem . . . ​
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Have a wonderful week, dear friends... 
31 Comments
Priscilla Bettis link
10/22/2025 06:06:47

Gwen, I LOVE this poem! It makes me want to rush outside right now and dance and breathe!

Reply
Gwen M. Plano
10/22/2025 09:16:11

When I walk outside, without a thought, I take a deep breath. My spirit feels free - of worries or preoccupations or whatever. I'm so glad you could relate to my poem, Priscilla. ❤️

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Liz Gauffreau link
10/22/2025 07:55:46

I love your poem! What a fantastic way to start my day.

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Gwen M. Plano
10/22/2025 09:16:47

Thank you so much, Liz. We all need more outdoor time. ❤️

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Timothy W. Dittmer link
10/22/2025 08:06:05

Great autumn poem, Gwen. Seeing wild guinea pigs would be nice, indeed.

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Gwen M. Plano
10/23/2025 08:22:59

Thank you, Tim. You'd enjoy seeing these two little ones. I don't know how they survive, but they look healthy and appear happy. 😊

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Ange link
10/22/2025 08:12:37

A sublime autumn poem Gwen 💞

Reply
Gwen M. Plano
10/22/2025 09:17:51

Thank you, dear Ange. ❤️

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John Howell link
10/22/2025 09:26:58

A lovely poem, Gwen. The news of the guinea pigs brought a smile to my face. Thanks for the information.

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Gwen M. Plano
10/22/2025 12:17:32

They do the same for me, John...big smiles. Thank you for the kind words. 😊

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Marsha link
10/22/2025 10:20:51

I love guinea pigs and even wrote a very poor children's book about mine. I'm amazed they could exist on the loose in AZ, where there are so many predators. I hope they stay safe.

I love your poem. Every line is perfect. Continue to breathe in the wonders of nature and write about it. It's beautiful.

Reply
Gwen M. Plano
10/22/2025 12:19:24

Thanks so much, Marsha. I'm amazed by the little ones, but they seem happy. Have a wonderful day and 'continue to breathe'... 😊

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Dan Antion link
10/22/2025 11:53:34

I love the poem, Gwen, and I think I'd like that book about the guinea pigs.

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Gwen M. Plano
10/23/2025 08:21:21

Wouldn't it be fun?! Thank you, Dan. 😊

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Balroop Singh link
10/22/2025 13:36:47

I love how you breathe the rushing streams - beautiful expression that transported me to the landscape you've described, Gwen. Yes, I could feel the embrace.

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Gwen M. Plano
10/23/2025 08:16:36

Thank you so, so much, Balroop. All smiles. 😊

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Thomas Wikman link
10/22/2025 19:11:57

It is a lovely poem and beautiful poem. I also think a book written by two escaped Guinea Pigs would be great for children and young adults. Sound like a lot of fun. However, I think a human needs to do the writing.

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Gwen M. Plano
10/23/2025 08:18:09

😄 Yep, a human needs to write or transcribe it. Imagine the little feet trying to form letters. Too cute! Thank you, Thomas.

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selma
10/23/2025 01:37:55

exquisite, dear Gwen. Thanks.

Reply
Gwen M. Plano
10/23/2025 08:18:38

Thank you, dear Selma. 😊

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Annette Aben link
10/26/2025 13:23:51

my favorite season, presented in such a way that I could feel it

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Gwen M. Plano
10/27/2025 15:30:00

So pleased to read this, Annette. Thank you! 🤗

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Colleen link
10/26/2025 13:39:08

Gwen, this poem is so beautiful. I LOVE the last line. Did you say two guinea pigs, like pet-type guinea pigs? I wonder how they will survive the winter? Poor things. But that would make a sweet little book, wouldn't it? 🧡🎃

Reply
Gwen M. Plano
10/27/2025 15:32:09

The little guys are incredibly cute, and I'm certain they were once pets. But now, they munch away under some bushes by the road and otherwise seem to be very happy. 🤗

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Freya Pickard link
10/27/2025 01:37:35

Such a beautiful poem, Gwen. I truly identify with it! Unfortunately, we're losing our green spaces here in the countryside to miles and miles of solar panels... Feeling quite depressed about it. So your poem lifted my spirits. Can't believe you have wild Guinea Pigs!!!!

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Gwen M. Plano
10/27/2025 15:33:53

Thank you, dear Freya. I'm pretty sure the little Guinea pigs were once somebody's pets, but I've seen them for months -- living in the wild, feeding off of weeds. They seem very happy. 🤗

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Paul Cannon link
10/27/2025 08:07:41

Yes to breathe life, this speaks to me, energises me.

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Gwen M. Plano
10/27/2025 15:34:50

Thank you, Paul, for the kind words. I'm so pleased you liked the poem. 🌞

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Paul Cannon link
10/27/2025 08:08:50

Well, you'll have to help them write their story Gwen :)

Reply
Gwen M. Plano
10/27/2025 15:35:36

LOL...someone should write it, but I'm not sure I'm the one. 😊

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Melissa Lemay link
11/8/2025 22:07:36

I love the form you’ve used!

Reply



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Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms—to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one’s own way. ―Viktor E. Frankl, Man’s Search for Meaning


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