What I’m really loving about this blog tour is the personal touch that my friends are softly including into their posts. I love reading how my book connects to them. My heart is full! A Huge thanks to Jacqui for helping me spread the word about this special poetry collection that pays tribute to a very special family member, our beloved chocolate lab mix, Copper, who received his angel wings on March 3rd.
Comments are turned off, so please visit Jacqui to learn more about my book. And if you’ve missed prior posts, you can check out my sidebar to catch up. 🤗 Also, if you haven’t met Jacqui, take some time to peruse around her blogging world. She is a fantastic writer of non-fiction, fiction, action, and prehistoric fiction. Simply click on the link below that will gently carry you over to her site.
I shared a poem about The Natchez Trace Parkway here after visiting our daughter and son-in-law a couple of weeks ago. So today, I’m sharing about the famous Natchez Trace Parkway Bridge located in Williamson County, Tennessee. I’m including one of the photos I took, along with a gorgeous photo found on the National Park Service website during autumn. I’d love to visit during this season, but we’re home now so maybe next year!Of course, inspiration stirred some poetic thoughts, but I was in the mood for a challenge. So, I wrote a septet for the first time, and I hope I wrote it correctly. I could only read it so many times before the words began to blur. So, go easy on me, please. 😁
Anyway, bridges are always special, holding some kind of significance, so we were literally in awe. I hope you enjoy!
Arches curve with honor and elegance as we gaze in awe beneath sun of gold enticed by crimson autumn elements. A phenomenal vision to behold, motorcyclist’s freedom to unfold. Praised for design and historic facets – homelands of the Chickasaw, Choctaw, and Natchez.
Note: The rhyme scheme of a septet poem: A 7-line poem that is also known as a Rhyme Royal. Traditionally, Rhyme Royals have the following rhyming sequence: ababbcc.
After almost two months on a break, it’s good to be back because I’ve missed you all, and I hope I haven’t been forgotten. 🙂 Before the break, one of my friends, Resa, and I had decided to collaborate on a post. First of all, if you haven’t had the pleasure of meeting Resa, you can find her at https://artgowns.com/ & https://graffitiluxandmurals.com/.
We were talking one day about limericks (during my limerick phase) and she suggested adding some artwork with a few that I had written. Thus, the collaboration commenced! Resa is a costume designer of gorgeous gowns. She is a passionate photographer of outdoor ephemeral art. And her artistic talent is incredible, appealing to our emotions as seen in her sketches below.
Two limericks I sent to Resa were about my lovable canine, Copper, who is almost 14 years old. He doesn’t go fast or far anymore, and his hind legs are weakening. But he is the biggest sweetheart with amber eyes that see right into your soul. The other limerick was about blooms because of my love for nature. Then Resa suggested that I find inspiration from her sketches to write some poetic thoughts. This was challenging because of the writer’s block I’ve been up against. But in its own time, inspiration arrived, which turned into shadorma poetry both serious and soothing. Resa’s beautiful artwork inspired, along with our current political climate, and Nature herself. So, I hope you enjoy our teamwork!
My limericksMy photo that inspired ResaResa’s Copper processAll the love in black & whiteCopper in colorMy limerickResa’s blooming processResa’s lovely creation
My responses to Resa’s blooms…
Nature’s Therapy
She lounges in nature’s embrace in a world that rages unsettling to the core blooms provide comfort
Her country spins and twists and turns an outcome uncharted she finds a place of respite reveling in silk
Blooming Comfort
Colors of nature offer hope golden, pink, purple, red evoking elation for tomorrow’s sunrise
She sinks her soul into their hues, fragrances, spring softness, being a part of their world a setting divine
Ariel’s Song by Dawn Pisturino is a beautiful and evocative collection of sixty-five poems – a collection that she lovingly dedicates to her daughter whose name is Ariel. The poems were written over a period of three decades touching on topics of love, family, children, death, nature, and the unique. Some rhyme and others are free in their styles from traditional sonnets that invited me to contemplate, to twisted limericks that made me laugh. I had many favorites, but I’m sharing snippets from a few, otherwise, this review would turn into a novel.
Many poems brought a sense of nostalgia. “November” evoked memories of when the season changed into golds, yellows, and reds, the air brought a chill, and my parents were still with us, enjoying family weekends at our cabin – everyone was young, and the future looked brighter than ever.
When November came, We sat around the kitchen table after dark, Telling chilling tales Of ghosts and other phantoms of the night, While wooden logs crackled and burned On the old stone hearth, And a cold wind wrapped its spectral arms Around the ancient wooden cottage…
Dawn writes of her late father in “Rapping” which stirred emotions of my mother-in-law who departed from our world over thirty years ago. Our daughter was born the same year that Diane passed, and one evening from downstairs, we heard footsteps on the carpeted staircase when our little girl was sound asleep in her crib. No one else was in the house with us. So, was it Diane stealing a glance at her first precious grandchild? We imagined it was, and so we believed.
As a nature lover with a grateful heart for each new day “When the Morning Comes” hit home and really should be hung on refrigerators:
When the morning comes, Sun will shine with a different light, Earth will glow in a brand-new way, Moon will dance to a gayer tune, Clouds of pain will float away. Broken hearts will beat again, Empty eyes will see new life, Throats will open up and sing, Hands will break the chains of strife…
“I Hate Snakes” made me laugh out loud, but I can relate so well to the sentiments. Dawn’s vivid imagery summoned me along to explore with her in ‘the jungle’ and her frightening experience with snakes reminded me of my first encounter with a spider, which eventually turned into arachnophobia, causing a never-ending turbulent relationship with the creepy-crawlies.
I HATE SNAKES
I pushed open the creaky door to look inside And froze in shock at what I saw: Slithering, crawling, scaly snakes Formed a moving carpet on the floor, Entwining in an intimate embrace, Lying together in a clump of shimmering bodies, Moving slowly and surely in the rotten shadows. We beat a hasty retreat And never visited our ‘jungle’ again. And that’s why, even today, I HATE SNAKES!
Dawn’s collection of lovely, witty, and occasionally dark poetry, offers a verse and a sense of familiarity for everyone. Highly recommended for all poetry enthusiasts!
Thank you for stopping by, and enjoy your weekend ahead! ❤️
My latest collection of poetry, touching on nature, love, and the mysteries of life that would make a great for any holiday! Click on the image for your copy. Thank you! 💚
Can you believe that I’ve never written a limerick? Well, I felt inspired and had fun with these attempts. Some are witty, but a few are more serious. So, I hope you enjoy, and if I made you laugh or others resonated, let me know in the comments below. And remember, these are attempts, so go easy on me! 😃❤️
A teen Copper. He’s now a senior.
Copper
There once was a dog named Copper Who sported a nice set of choppers. He’d wiggle for treats. His favorite were meats. He’d be the best eager shopper!
Clouds
The clouds hang gloomy and gray Not making for a very fine day. But joy lives in hearts. Takes one thought to start invoking a warm, glowing ray!
Doe
There once was a beautiful doe. She didn’t know which way to go. Her hills were so dry, She wanted to cry, Still, some say change isn’t so!
Mallards
Mallards relax on the water Unaware of the human spotter. They find their mate, A temporary date, Then succumb to the steadfast stalker!
African Gray
The African Gray talks up a storm. His conversing is part of his norm. He’ll say “Good morning!” Flap his wings for soaring. He mimics and loves to perform!
Sam and Pam
She lives in a web and her name is Sam. She loves her twin sister whose name is Pam. Their conduct is friendly. They spin their silk gently. But they keep to their own, so scram!
She’s Smart
She’s smart but lacks self-confidence. She builds many walls and a fence. Prefers to stay home, Would rather not roam, Her way of thinking doesn’t make sense.
Women
Women’s bodies are a topic. Some thoughts are myopic. It is their choice. They have a voice. Their value is not microscopic!
Diagnosis
The diagnosis came September. Sad news I will remember. I had to adjust. Accepting, a must, Though pain like a burning ember!
Young Lab
There once was a friendly, young lab With energy delightfully fab. He loved belly rubs. Hated baths in the tub. He gave big, toothy smiles, never sad!
Bloom
Flowers delight in vivid bloom To adore through the month of June. Their colors so brilliant, Grown with resilience, Brings sneezes and a feeling of doom!
Baydreamer Writes ~ Lauren Scott, Author 