She protects with arms of strength and adoring love, embodies splendor of many colors, bold for confidence, pastel for giving support
She is the butterfly on the breeze, flying with style, the hummingbird outside our window she graces our presence a lovely blessing
She will swim upstream with vigor if need be a sister, daughter, friend, lover, a caring spirit like no other an angel on earth
(My mom passed away 12 years ago and my mother-in-law at a very young age, three decades ago. But these two amazing women live in our hearts, and not a day goes by without thinking of them.) 💗
My bridal shower in 1988. Mom in red stripes and my mom-in-law in red flowers.
And thank you to my amazing daughter and son for making me feel so blessed! ❤️🙏🏻
I found this form of Cinquain poetry and decided to give it a try. I’m sharing eight poems and would love to hear if any of them resonate or stand out for you. Don’t be shy. Some are serious and some are simply fun. The rules are:
Didactic Cinquain Poem Form 1:
This is a very popular form of cinquain that instead of incorporating stress and syllables, it uses word counts.
The first line is one word which is the title of the poem.
The second line contains two words which are adjectives that describe the title.
The third line has three words that tell the reader more about the subject of the poem or show action. Many times these words are gerunds that end with -ing.
The fourth line has four words that show emotions about the subject of the poem and may be individual words or a phrase.
The fifth line is one word that is a synonym of the title or is very similar to it.
And now for the poems and some of my photos:
Emotions
Emotions Raw, hurtful Aching, reeling, falling Catches you by surprise Reactions
My husband and I recently attended The annual Motorcycle Gathering at The Quail Lodge and Golf Club in Carmel, CA. This location is prestigious and absolutely gorgeous. The guests are directed to park on the fairway, and the system is a well-oiled machine. With my husband being a motorcycle enthusiast, going to this event for him is like me perusing a book store! But I enjoy it too, and this time was our second year. It’s interesting to see the variety of bikes, custom, vintage, even scooters, for adults and for youth. The unique styles definitely exude the Wow factor, but the beautiful colors are also appealing. There are some real beauties, along with some wild bikes. I hope you enjoythe visuals!
Very cool!
Wow!
😎
Who are these people?
Best of Show!
Cute little mini.
Pretty!
Nature always finds herself included.
And a photo from one of our past rides…
And to close, I wrote a Double Ennead poem about our experience, and this is my first try at this poetry style. I learned about this form on Balroop’s blog and her lovely poem, “The Last Kiss.” You could say mine is also about love, but a different kind – a love for riding in the wind. A Double Ennead is a 99 syllable form, comprising three stanzas of syllables (6, 5, 11, 6, 5).
A Motorcycle Gathering
Beautiful bikes admired aesthetic differs but enthusiast’s passion runs parallel Like-minded people walk the lavish, green grounds
breeze swirls around faces sunshine drops in now and then, but scarves stay swathed, blowing in the wind bikes glisten for adults mini styles for youth
engines roar in distance friendships established though strangers when doors open, stories disclosed history respected a valued event
Thank you for dropping in, and “let us journey among redwoods, seacoast and rolling hills, drawing in breaths and exhilarating thrills.” ❤️
In the midst of working on my upcoming poetry collection, I carved out time to read some wonderful books. They piled up, waiting for reviews to be written, and I finally finished. All are well worth the five stars I give them, and the order in which they’re presented is irrelevant, as well as the length of my reviews. I enjoyed all of these books equally. There is something here for everyone: for poetry lovers, crime novel enthusiasts, and those who enjoy an entertaining and authentic memoir. I hope you dive in!
Lion Scream by Robbie Cheadle – An effective poetry collection conveying a vital message.
While I turned the pages of Robbie Cheadle’s new book, I became enlightened. I absorbed the information she includes about South African wildlife and the vital message that flows seamlessly from beginning to end. Lion Scream is a unique and touching collection of poetry that takes the reader on a journey to learn about the wildlife in South Africa from Robbie’s personal experiences in the bush, but not to omit “their plight in the face of the Sixth Mass Extinction.” Her passion for wildlife is surely felt throughout the pages.
A wide variety of animals are highlighted in this collection with stunning, color photos. Animals range from lions, tigers, cheetahs, hippos, and elephants to the Hadeda bird that I had never heard of before. Robbie profoundly expresses how the habitats of these incredible animals have been lost due to global warming, and how the animals’ safety has been compromised due to the evil actions of humans, all because of greed. Robbie’s emotions are palpable through her powerful and sometimes distressing poems. The book takes a detour in the end with a short story that touches on mental health, but the story ties into the initial issue of global warming and the lost habitats.
Robbie’s poem entitled, “Lion Scream” may be short, but its message is concise and effective:
There is no jungle/Only acres of smooth stumps/There is no jungle/No habitat, no food source/Hopeless lion screams tonight
And below is a verse from the heartbreaking poem “Rhino Dilemma” –
Savage men move quickly/Hack out valued horn/Animal left bleeding; awakes to sure death/Tears of pain and anguish/Slide from fading eyes
Years ago, I read two non-fiction books about elephants, and I instantly fell in love with them. So, reading Robbie’s poems about these amazing animals and the poaching horrors they endure is beyond heart wrenching. But a few poems are playful, painting a delightful picture:
Now it’s time for some fun/Trunk draws in water/Up it comes, spraying a fountain overhead/Cool drops sprinkle downward/She trumpets with joy
A few of Robbie’s poems made me smile, but most tugged at my heart because of the serious issues of extinction, human actions that result in the animals’ suffering, and climate change. Anyone who wishes to become educated on these issues or who wishes to foster a solution where humans and animals can contentedly coexist should read Lion Scream. Highly recommended.
Poet’s Touch by Kamal Roohani – Beautiful expressions of loving life!
Poet’s Touch by Kamal Roohani is a delightful collection of freestyle poetry that I savored over several days. Each poem evokes an emotion, most are uplifting, but a tinge of sadness lies in a few. I kept Kamal’s lovely book on our coffee table, so each morning I read a few poems while enjoying my cup. I’ve followed Kamal’s blog for a while now, and I find her passion for living is just as apparent in this collection as it is in each of her blog posts. She writes about life, her love of nature, adding a touch of romance. After reading Kamal’s beautiful poetry that often exudes wisdom to live by, I had no doubt that she views life as beautiful, which is reiterated in one of her poems:
Life is a beautiful journey/Do what makes you happy/Let go of things you do not want/And she will take you by her hand/Upon the spiritual doorways of bliss
Kamal inspires her readers effortlessly to feel elation and gratitude as she does when receiving the gift of a new day. Her poem entitled “Key to Happiness” is a leading example:
Unlocking the key to happiness Is purely in your gentle hands. Break open the chains Of tarnished rust Smeared with greasy stains Worn out beyond repairs. Let go of fears that befall you, Oil the locks with golden waves. They will fall as thunderous roars And shatter to imaginative pieces. Once the doors are wide open Happiness enters with a wide grin Radiating the entire room With bundles of infectious delights Snugly tiptoeing in Hearts Made of song and dance And with a pinch of humor Opening gateways to love.
Another favorite is “I Thought to Myself” where Kamal pens “Happily upon the silvery greens/and in this profound silence/a captivating moment of peace/I realized that I am the sphere/and all life in rhythmic fragments/moves within Me.
Poet’s Touch is Kamal’s debut poetry book with a lovely cover created by her son, but I hope she releases more books in the future. Highly recommended for poetry lovers and for anyone who welcomes inspiration and a reminder that life truly is a gift.
The Lilac Notebook by Carol Balawyder – A compelling crime novel unlike any I’ve read before!
The Lilac Notebook touches on three intense subjects: Alzheimer’s, Incest, and Murder. The mystery component is accompanied with the main protagonist, Holly, being diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer’s. Sadly, she follows in her mother’s footsteps. She’s also been married for two decades to a controlling man who can’t be burdened with her disease. So, Holly finds herself on her own, dealing with the slow declining of her mind. But she meets and befriends two women along the way; both have been abused in their childhood, but both view the abuse from opposite spectrums. And of all things to happen, Holly discovers a dead body! She loses her ability to speak and write, but she can formulate thoughts, and perseveres to the end to find the killer!
Carol Balawyder does a superb job in keeping the reader engaged until the last page. Along with telling a story that kept me on the edge of my seat, she incorporates facts about Alzheimer’s. My brother-in-law passed away years ago from this horrible disease, and even though my sister is a nurse, the effects drained her. It was heartbreaking for her to see the love of her life transform through the various phases, and it was heartbreaking for me to witness her caring for him.
Throughout this compelling murder mystery, I felt compassion for Holly, fearful for her safety, and questioned the trustworthiness of her two new friends. Other supporting characters had me wondering if they were the murderer. This book is a real nail-biter for those who enjoy crime novels, but also for anyone whose life has been intruded by Alzheimer’s. Carol inserts a plethora of information, so reading this story is a way to gain more knowledge on this disease. Highly recommended!
Hidden in Childhood – A moving poetry anthology edited by Gabriela Marie Milton.
Hidden in Childhood is a poetry anthology consisting of the works from 150 poets and edited by Gabriela Marie Milton. The poems are written about the good and the bad as indicated on the cover. Some reflect upon wonderful memories in childhood, the fairytales, while others return to the horrors, the memories wished to be erased. The writing is beautiful, raw, emotional, delightful, and heartfelt in varying styles. It was difficult to read about the horrors, but I respect the authors for telling their story to the world through this poignant collection. My heart broke when reading about the unthinkable scenarios that were so very real. But throughout the book, I also felt joy.
There are too many poems to list that stood out. Several either made my heart sing or cracked it in two. And with the length of this anthology, I prefer not to name any favorites. Every poem is well written, and I congratulate Gabriela in compiling this large collection of emotional writing. I applaud all the contributors, and my heart goes out to the authors whose horrific memories continue to haunt them. I highly recommend this book for all poetry lovers but warn your heart of the hidden truths. We were all children at one time but reading the ‘stories’ in this book will inform that everyone’s experience simply is not the same. Highly recommended.
Grow Damn It! By Cheryl Oreglia – An honest, entertaining, and relatable telling of life!
Grow Damn It! is a collection of essays that interlace into a memoir of moments that made me double over in laughter and turn inward, reflecting on my own life. For anyone living their second half of life, this book is for you! Cheryl tells it like it is. She doesn’t hold back, speaks the truth, and adds humor that is the perfect ingredient to make this book an enjoyable read. But along with laughter, some stories tugged at my heart, and many were relatable being around the same age as her. I also found subtle messages of wisdom to grasp and live by sprinkled throughout the turning of the pages. Her writing is so relaxed that I felt like the two of us were sitting on the patio one summer evening enjoying a glass of wine, catching up about marriage, children, grandchildren, and even dealing with loss of loved ones.
I had many favorites, but to name a few, I could relate to “After You Say I Do” when she writes about her long-time marriage. Having been happily married to my husband for thirty-four years, her words truly touched home. “Life Turns On Small Choices” made me pause when I read about her finding out that her son had been in an accident – the phone call no parent wants to answer. In “Can I Tell You About My Day?” Cheryl talks about sheltering in place during the early days of the pandemic. An example of her humor begins the story, “Good, because if I don’t let it out, it’s going to escape in some other form and, at my age, excessive flatulence is unbecoming!” But setting humor aside, this story ends on a serious note with a valuable life lesson from three precious little girls.
Another favorite is “Honey, I’m Home Forever” in which she inserts these lines that I agree with, “The thing is, home is not the house, or the town in which you live. It’s the people you love and the ones who love you, and it’s not just when you get together. It’s not a place but the experience of each other that creates a shelter as if bricks, one that you carry with you for your entire life, that’s home.” And yet another story that resonates since both of my parents have passed, and my father-in-law just turned 100 years old is “25 Things I Wish I had Asked My Parents.” My father-in-law still gets peppered with questions from his family, and his mind is as sharp as ever. But new questions pop up now and then that I wish I had asked my parents. I can’t help but hold a few tiny regrets.
I could go on and on telling you about the stories that were special to me. All the essays form a wonderful memoir full of life, love, laughter, and tears, and yes, Growth! Highly recommended for entertainment, reflection, and for being reminded that life is meant to live fully!
Grief Songs by Elizabeth Gauffreau – a beautiful, poetic tribute to loved ones who have passed.
Grief Songs is a beautiful memoir written as a collection of poetry about the author’s loved ones who have passed. Most of the poems are written in tanka style which is a syllabic form of Japanese poetry consisting of five lines: 5/7/5/7/7. But even though the words are few, they portray memorable images and pack in emotions that are easily felt. Elizabeth’s words are emotionally personal and complemented by lovely family photos. I found this collection to be a wonderful tribute to her family members who have passed but whose love for them remains in her heart. It is also a book that keeps the special memories alive.
A couple poems that warm my heart are:
On the Porch
brother and sister brave howling winds, snow’s cruel bite safely on the porch snowsuit swish, smile for Daddy no memory of that day
Time
nightly ritual strategic choice of story Daddy called it Time wait till your father gets home not a threat but a promise
“Boy Scout Badge” reminds me of our son’s great experiences in Boy Scouts and all the badges he earned with my husband’s guidance:
walk a dusty road distance meritorious no badge without proof Daddy matched him step for step hot August sun beating down
“For a Crooked Smile” made my heart pause:
oh, that crooked smile he was my little brother teller of tall tales he smiled for me one last time around the tube in his throat
As well as “Grief Song III” –
I held her hand/as she lay dying/death rattle/in my throat
I highly recommend this lovely poetry collection for a chance to remember, to smile, and to even let a tear slide once again. After reading Elizabeth’s poems, I appreciate her opening the door into her life through her heartfelt writing. We all have lost loved ones, so this book is a comforting reminder to keep those precious memories in the forefront of our minds.
Thank you for reading, and I do hope you find one or a few of these amazing books to snuggle up with in those much-needed quiet moments.
I’ve been on a break and during that time, my husband and I visited our son in VA . He was able to dust off his ‘tour guide’ and ‘host’ hats again, and of course, he did a fabulous job. Just spending time with him in his apartment, catching up about life and enjoying wine and good food, is something special we’ll never take for granted. But he did have fun playing tour guide, so a few places we visited were Arlington National Cemetery, Harper’s Ferry, Shenandoah National Park, and the Teddy Roosevelt Island. Some sights were simply breathtaking while others such as the Cemetery were somber. We couldn’t help but get teary-eyed. It was relaxing driving around the area too, reveling in the sights of acres and acres of lush green grass. Just gorgeous! Here are a few photos that I hope you enjoy;
Arlington National Cemetery – The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
Iwo Jima
Harper’s Ferry, W.V. – Potomac River
The Appalachian Trail runs through Harper’s Ferry, and I am proud to say we walked a few miles on this iconic trail! It was fun and inspiring to talk to some hikers who were just beginning their 1000-mile trek up to Maine!
Harper’s Ferry, W.V. – Potomac River
Shenandoah National Park
Tunnel on Skyline Drive (105 miles long) in Shenandoah National Park
Another vista inShenandoah National Park
Walking from our son’s apt. to our hotel – a 5-minute walk.
Teddy Roosevelt Island Memorial – an 88.5-acre island and national memorial located in the Potomac River in Washington, D.C. The land is generally maintained as a natural park, with various trails and a memorial plaza featuring a statue of Roosevelt. No cars or bicycles are permitted on the island, which is reached by a footbridge from Arlington, VA on the western bank of the Potomac.
Teddy Roosevelt Island
And to top off this post, today is my father-in-law’s 100th BIRTHDAY!! He suffers with pain but walks with a walker, and his mind is as sharp as ever. It’s beyond amazing! He didn’t want a big party, so we had a small gathering with family and friends, and he was very appreciative. When the celebration was over, we took him home so he could take a nap!!! 🎉🎉
He doesn’t eat cake often, but he indulged in this delicious cake for his 100th!!
Thank you for stopping by! Work continues on my upcoming book, and the release month is now June for ‘summer reading.’ I’m also working on reviews for some wonderful books I’ve read this year. I hope you are doing well, and I wish you a bright start to this new month of May.
This will be short, but first of all, thank you for your continued support to my little corner in the land of blogging. It’s been over ten years and I’m still truckin’ along, loving the journey and wonderful connections this community offers. Not to mention, the online classroom, so many forms of poetry and writing tips shared.
More gratitude for those who have offered tremendous support in any way for my latest book, More than Coffee. You are greatly and graciously appreciated. I apologize for the sappy component. Then again, it’s intentional. 🙂
And in closing, I’ll be taking a little time off from blogland to focus on family. So, I regret to miss your posts, but we all know the feeling that whirls around us when a break is needed. And perhaps, life nudges us with clues as well. Comments are also closed. But I look forward to seeing you all in the beginning of May.
Take care. Stay well. Be happy. Hugs of gratitude coming your way…
Don’t forget to enjoy the sweetnesslife offers!And the beauty! So much beauty! ❤️
Baydreamer Writes ~ Lauren Scott, Author & Poet 