Poetry

[caption id=“attachment_2625” align=“aligncenter” width=“480”] “The living owe it to those who no longer can speak to tell their story for them.” ― Czesław Miłosz, The Issa Valley[/caption] Another colouring page finished! What good use could this be put to? This could be used for sharing poetry - my father’s. It’s no accident that this desire to share and remember should take place at this time. After all, we remembered five days ago that he’s been gone fifteen years. He would love his poetry on a page that I had coloured - he was that type of man! I remember when I started to learn to play the accordion shortly before he died - and he told me that he listened when I was practicing and how many pieces I could play - and there was a pride in his voice. I didn’t show my appreciation as much as I should have at the time. I understand now why it was important for him to say these things. ...

Fall has already officially begun. I was reminded of this when my September newsletter arrived in my Inbox this morning from Gratefulness.org - a network for grateful living. It referenced this beautiful poem called “Equinox” which I’m going to share with you. There are many insightful thoughts here about what our gardens give to us and about life in its raw elements. In so many ways, life is like a garden - sowing, reaping, growth, decay, changing seasons, and changing crops. What a good summer it’s been and this poem lights the way to let go of it - the right way. Enjoy! ...

[caption id=“attachment_1356” align=“aligncenter” width=“584” caption=“To A Pink Peony”][/caption] My Dad passed on thirteen years ago this week. He loved all the flowers in the garden but was particularly devoted to the peonies. On this anniversary of the heart, I’m sharing this poem he wrote in 1998 which was two years before his death. To A Pink Peony Unrivalled, the pink peony outshone the other colorful flowers in the garden. ...

 [caption id=“attachment_722” align=“aligncenter” width=“584” caption=“I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud”][/caption] I wandered lonely as a Cloud I wandered lonely as a Cloud That floats on high o’er Vales and Hills, When all at once I saw a crowd A host of dancing Daffodils; Along the Lake, beneath the trees, Ten thousand dancing in the breeze. The waves beside them danced, but they Outdid the sparkling waves in glee: – A poet could not but be gay In such a laughing company: I gaz’d–and gaz’d–but little thought What wealth the shew to me had brought: For oft when on my couch I lie In vacant or in pensive mood, They flash upon that inward eye Which is the bliss of solitude, And then my heart with pleasure fills, And dances with the Daffodils. ...

[caption id=“attachment_542” align=“aligncenter” width=“584” caption=“Autumn Leaves”][/caption] As I did the last post and was thinking of this Autumn/Fall season, I remembered a beautiful poem my Dad wrote called “Autumn Leaves.” He was reflecting on when it is that the leaves are really showing their true colours and whether each change is not really part of the whole process in Nature. My Dad did most of his writing in the Winter of his life. When he was alive, I didn’t appreciate his writing as I do now. I will share this beautiful poem with you. ...

 [caption id=“attachment_530” align=“aligncenter” width=“584” caption=“Remembering Daddy”][/caption] Today is an Anniversary of the heart. It is the day on which my father transitioned from this Earth. This collage is in memory of him. I took all the images at different times and in my remembering of him, I put them together. The best tribute I could pay to the father, who despite all his human faults and failings, raised me, is to share a poem he wrote. It really tells me that he knew that he was part of something bigger than just the family he raised and this makes me feel good. Hope you enjoy! ...