I went with 65 syllables. I combined three senyru 5/7/5 poems with two repeat seven-syllable lines that connected them. I used a “birth” and “faerie” theme 🙂 Title not included in count.
“This is a filtered version of a rose I photographed at the International Rose Test Garden in Portland.” Photographer, Terri Webster Schrandt, from secondwindleisure.com
I just posted a new poem over on Vocal for a challenge. Next week I’ll be posting a short story I’m working on, and will let you know when it goes live 🙂 I’d love for you to stop by and say hello.
I’m all caught up on my book reviews and thought I’d talk about something I’ve loved since I was old enough to grasp… rocks and crystals. Although this passion for collecting them hasn’t made it into my stories, I’m sure it will someday 🙂
I’m not sure when I picked up the first rock, but it was love at first sight. I kept them in my room tucked away in an old overnight case, and when I moved out, they came with me.
Since then, anytime I was out in nature, I would pick up a rock to remember my moment there. If lucky, I’d find a heart-shaped rock and add it to that collection.
One afternoon, I went through my original rocks, and thanks to the Rock Identifier on my cell phone, I learned what I had collected over the years. There were many types of jasper, rhyolite, quartz, limestone, agates, granite, chalcedony, petrified wood, and lepidolite. I was attracted to this as a child just by its beauty, but as an adult, I realized there might be some healing or protection properties that come along with them I might have needed and still do.
I display my heart collection at the front entry of the house, some rocks and crystals are by my plants and the rest is displayed in my bedroom. Some of these, I have found, others were bought or gifts, but in one why they have found their way to me. When I hold them, I feel a positive energy and love to wear jewelry that is rock/crystal adorned.
This last Christmas, I received a wonderful gift from my youngest daughter- and son-in-law, a rock tumbler. My husband added all the chemicals and did the rinsing for the required four steps. This meant going out into the snow to use an outside faucet. You don’t want any of that grit in your household pipes!
After listening to the loud tumbling in the garage for almost five weeks, the first batch that came with the machine was done! There are tiger eyes, amethyst, crystals, and many others that I will have to check and see what they are. I cleaned them up, and here they are:
The machine will get a small rest and then will start the process all over again. I can’t wait to see how some of my rocks will come out.
There are many possibilities for what to do with all these rocks I want to polish, but making jewelry and other creative projects come to mind—or simply enjoying them.
Rocks are a part of nature which has found its way into my house and became part of my life. Poetry is the easiest place to explore my love of nature which rocks and crystals are a powerful part.
blessed abundance
wrapped in minerals… crystals
nature’s healing gift
I sat on the bench in the new year’s chill, watching the ocean waves crash against the barren shoreline. This is where I used to meet Charity… before. The day it happened, I was late because of my engagement party. Although I liked the woman I was to marry, it was not with the same passion and depth I had for my sweet Charity. It had to be this way since our families wouldn’t let us be together. I accepted that we would have to steal our precious moments. Charity accepted nothing and refused to marry out of duty like I was about to do. My love was much braver than me that day. We had talked about doing this, but I was afraid. So, she left without me, stepping into the raging waters and letting this reality slip away. Every day, I went to our place, where she stood silently by the shoreline—waiting.
ghostly love beckons…
I enter her stormy sea
eternity ours
My husband and I went for a Harley ride last Saturday. It was a beautiful day in the low 80s, with no wind, cloudless blue sky, and the road to ourselves at times. I didn’t think I’d be inspired to write poetry until we drove by two tall rock walls that got me thinking and creating. It was a much-needed moment where all my stress and worries disappeared, and I became a part of the surrounding trees and nature.
The format is 3/5/3/3/7/5 and has a title. I went with an experience I just had with a little hummingbird when I finally got outside after the smoke cleared for the day. It was so beautiful and fresh that I thought it was a good day to write poetry. The hummingbird, a male ruby redthroat, came inches from my face and we looked at each other for several seconds—or eternity. I took it as a good message 🙂
As you know, I love nature. I am at peace amongst the trees, by the river, or with an animal. You find this in my poetry and writing. There are times, though, when I lose my way. Stress builds up, and things get scattered. I take those times to sit and be in the forest or by any water. Usually, I get the balance I am seeking.
Sometimes, though, I seem to need a bit of extra help when messages from beyond come in different packages. I won’t go into the full message, but my takeaway from it.
Recently there have been many messages. The first one to get my attention was a bite from a black widow. Unusual since they usually hide. This one was sitting mid-air where I turn on the hose to water the plants. With very few side effects, I took this seriously and gratefully because it could have been so much worse. Spiders coming around me have always carried the message to be more creative. I apply this to my writing. Black widows can also warn that we are on the wrong path. To work on oneself and work on artistic endeavors. They are powerful females, and I believe here is the message I am one too.
My next event followed soon after with being attacked by several ground nesting bees on my ankles, while my husband and I were clearing our property for our home insurance (it was renewed.) 😊 They didn’t appreciate me raking over their nest. One clung to me as I raced back to the house. I finally got it off and got inside. Bees rarely bother me, so this was a new message to pay attention to my surroundings and trust my intuition. Got it! They are close by when I go outside, so I am paying attention to what is around me.
Coyotes have been making their presence more known lately. I’ve seen three this summer when I’ve never noticed any around the house or forest through the years. Maybe I’m paying more attention? One was walking through our front yard, and I only glimpsed it. The second time I was leaving the house in my car, one crossed the street and then stopped and stared at me. The third time I was exercising and saw two out the window. This couple headed for the Magical Trail. Seeing them includes the need to be more playful, adaptable, patient, and even having good luck. Also, I can handle what is coming to me.
Not a good picture, but here is the frog from that night.
Now the oddest of the bunch. A couple of days ago, I was in bed watching a movie while my husband played music. It was a calm, warm summer night. Right then, something wet splatted onto my arm, and I immediately hit it away. Then I jumped out of bed, flipped all the lights on, and began my search. Soon, I saw a little frog hopping along the floor. I have no idea how he got into the house or my bedroom, but he was there. The little frog gave me the most intense stare when I captured him. He was soon moved to the outside water fountain. I looked up a frog’s meaning and was relieved to find it was good luck. Jumping on me could mean a period of growth, abundance, and getting to know myself better.
Then there are the white feathers. I see many of them on my walk, and we don’t have white birds here, gray yes, white no. I feel only love coming from those, though.
So, many messages lately signal to me that a change is coming. I can already see the start of it and my part to play. It may involve a helping role while ensuring I take care of myself. A balancing act. I’m hoping that it will all work out for the best. It sounds like everything will ultimately be okay according to the messages received. Fingers crossed.
What about you? Do you get little messages too? Does it make it into your writing?
I’ll end this with a haiku:
gentle breeze
blows forest magic
in my soul
Embrace your inner child by reading a magical book! D. L. Finn
