Just a quick write while we’re on the road to Florida! We made it all the way to Savannah, Georgia last night. Today we drive a few hours to stay the night with my BFF Marianne & Brian at The Villages. We’ll check out the town and have dinner, always a good time! Then Sunday, on to Disney World to meet Katie, Brenton, Posie and Hatcher for a fabulous time in Disney World! After that, we spend a few days with Vince and Natalie and do some relaxing and fishing.
Rather than drive the whole boring I-95 corridor down to Florida, we started our trip on I-81 and I-77 through Virginia, NC and South Carolina. The colors were spectacular, even though I was driving during the most beautiful part in southern VA/North Carolina! Wishing everyone a wonderful weekend!!
Xoxo Colleen
Week 16.14 Harvest Moon Hard Bonus: Include your favorite song title – “Come Undone” by Duran Duran Easy Bonus: Mention Fire
I was determined to write a pantoum this week, as it’s been a while since I wrote one. After looking at a list of Kevin Bacon movies, there were some good titles… but “The Darkness” stood out for me. (TRIGGER WARNING: she’s taking a walk on the dark side again, haha!!!!) The poem just sort of morphed from there. I threw some lines down and worked it like a jigsaw puzzle. Fun!
I tried to take elements of autumn, darkness and the changes of this season to illustrate moods we sometimes feel. Darkness, hopelessness, feeling paralyzed, frustrated, like things are spiraling out of our control. We’ve been hearing an owl hooting out there in our backyard, and there’s been a bit of moody weather. It’s getting darker earlier, and sometimes that makes you just feel like nesting and not going anywhere or doing much of anything at all. I’m not really a prisoner in my own room, but after recovering from surgery and working long hours from home… it kind of makes you feel that way!!
I love writing dark, it’s my therapy and a constructive release of pent-up emotions. Sometimes it is just a fleeting thought or memory that comes out of the blue and doesn’t necessarily reflect anything negative that’s going on in my life. It’s just poetry – so no need for worry!
The good news is that I’m released from my surgeon, back to my regular exercise schedule and an ALMOST normal diet. I still have to watch fat intake, I rarely eat fried foods so that helps. Last night I baked a homemade veggie pizza on my new pizza stone, it turned out delicious. Our intention is to get out and enjoy the autumn weather today. The leaves are starting to change color, and I want to experience it in person (not just from my window)! So we will head out to a winery and listen to music. That’s our special thing. I am also hoping to get outside for a run tomorrow, as well. That is always good for my spirits.
Seize the day! Get out and enjoy something you love this beautiful autumn weekend!
xoxo Colleen
Inspiration: “Rain of Feathers” Sophie Hutchings Mood: Dark
I’m so happy to see that Blogophilia, my old blogging group, has relaunched!! YAY! This group has always been very effective in making me write poetry consistently each week. I’ve missed it, and I have really slacked lately. Their format has changed a bit, with no scoring anymore. That’s cool, I don’t really mind. Actually, I rather like the freedom of using/not using the prompts. I’ll keep on trying to use them, as it sometimes makes me go in a direction that I normally wouldn’t…like this week!
Sometimes just being in the moment or a thinking on a prompt inspires a poem. The wind started whipping up a little bit last night and kind of reminded me of Halloween coming. The line from Blake “thousand spirits stray” kept sticking with me. I envisioned some estranged spirits in the netherworld being in a kind of purgatory. I changed this up many times and ended up with a Kyrielle sonnet. I tried experimenting with a pantoum, but just couldn’t make it work.
Autumn is finally in full force, and I love the changes it has brought. The temperatures are cooling down, and we’ve had a fire in the fireplace a few nights this week, which is so comforting. This week there’s been an owl hooting out in our backyard, too! I love this, that sound is so soothing. This is my absolute favorite season of year, and living in Virginia we truly get to embrace the beauty of autumn! Some of the maples are already turning red in town, most of our own trees are young and haven’t started turning just yet. Today is a beautiful day, we are going to go to get some pumpkins for the front porch from Nall’s Farm Market. I will also pick up some squash and mums to add some color.
I’m doing much better recovering from my gallbladder surgery last week. Many thanks to everyone’s advice and kind thoughts. I have a post-op appointment next week. Food has been hit or miss, if you know what I mean. I’ve been trying to stick with a low-fat diet. This week, I cooked up some homemade chicken noodle soup and some teriyaki salmon with roast yams & asparagus last night for dinner. Both of these meals made my stomach very happy! The good news is I’ve gotten my energy levels back…can’t wait to return to my running and workout routine once I’m cleared. I hope you all have a wonderful week!
xoxo Colleen
Inspiration: “By the Roes, and by the Hinds of the Field” Johann Johannsson Mood: Thoughtful
This is a poem I started a month ago, when I experienced a very brief period of vertigo that lasted for only a few hours one morning as I was trying to work from home. I threw down a couple of lines and left it unfinished. I came back to it this morning and it morphed into a Kyrielle Sonnet. That is kind of how I’ve been rolling of late, lol.
Life has been extremely busy with work. This week was the September 15 tax deadline, and I ended up working many hours of OT. Whew! Lots of things (mostly all good) coming up in the next month, though. Tomorrow night, the concert I have been long awaiting – PORCUPINE TREE!! Haha, not many people even know this progressive band. I can hardly wait to see lead guitar genius Steven Wilson and his band perform at The Anthem in DC. We are spending the night at the DC harbor. Then on Wednesday night, PET SHOP BOYS! Yes, that old pop band from the 80’s. I just love them. Remember the song “West End Girls?” AH!!!! They were the soundtrack from the 80s for me, great memories of when Dan and I got together. Our kids grew up listening to their music. It was originally scheduled in 2020, but was postponed twice due to COVID. I don’t know how this old gal is going to handle two rock concerts in one week, but I will hang!
Then on September 27, I’m having gall bladder surgery. Yippee…. NOT! Yeah, this wasn’t in my plans…. but I had some URQ pain over the summer that I finally got checked out. After some testing and a surgeon consult, I was diagnosed with multiple gallstones, so that organ is soon going to be history. Wondering if that has been contributing to a lifetime of GI issues? We shall see…. I’m not nervous about the actual surgery, just a little unnerved at the possible after effects. You know how I love my food and red wine!
October will be a busy work month, with lots of deadlines to meet before a long Florida trip we have planned. It’s a driving trip, with three stops: my BFF Marianne’s house in the Villages for one night, Disney trip with Katie, Brenton and the grandkids, then to Vince and Natalie’s house for some relaxation and fishing! I can hardly wait to see everyone!
Through all of this, I intend to enjoy the pleasures of my favorite season – AUTUMN! My house is already decorated with shades of gold, red and pumpkin. I can feel the crisp change in the air, ever slight that it is. I am looking forward to the beautiful hues that will soon bloom all around us. Take care, friends and remember to cherish the beauty all around you!
Cast off your blindfolds with open eyes, The golden dawn morphs in blue skies. Emerald grass with dewdrops pearled… Stark beauty beckons in this world.
Behold the jewel colors of fall, Noble maple stands bare and tall. On the ground, its crimson leaves whirled… Stark beauty beckons in this world.
Blue jays frolic in pure white snow, Deer cavort in fields of fallow. Each day new treasures are unfurled… Stark beauty beckons in this world.
Cast off your blindfolds with open eyes… Stark beauty beckons in this world.
This Kyrielle Sonnet was written for the Instagram Group @hergrowthcollective. The topic for 11/11/2021 was “Appreciation.” Appreciation is such a broad term, and there are so many blessings and things that we should appreciate in our lives. I narrowed the focus of my poem to appreciating the beauty of nature all around us in this world.
We get so busy with day to day life and tasks that we often don’t take the time to just look out our window or move away from our computer screens. There is a world of beauty to behold each day, whether it be in our family members, friends, music, food, or nature. Take the time to slow down, breathe deep, open your eyes, observe and appreciate.
Today, I see beauty in the colorful autumn leaves, squirrels burying nuts in the yard, cats gazing out the window, crystal blue skies dotted with puffy clouds. And that makes me grateful and calm. Tell me, what do you see? What things you appreciate in your life?
xoxo Colleen
Mood: Wonderful Inspiration: “We Played Some Open Chords” by A Winged Victory for the Sullen
Ecrits Blogophilia Week 36.13 Topic: The Final Sonata Hard Bonus (2 points): Incorporate a quote by Laurie Colwin (“Outside the rain clattered,” “How simple it could be”) Easy Bonus (1 Point): Include a prism in your blog
SECRET PHRASE GUESSES:
This week’s picture
1. Moonlight sonata 2. Luna 3. Blood moon 4. Man on the moon 5. Purple haze 6. Pink moon 7. Full Moon Madness 8. Dancing in the Moonlight 9. Moondance 10. Bad Moon Rising
As the clouds dance their pas de deux In the blue reverie of the night sky, Moonglow reveals the spirit of you, And my heart is lifted up so high.
In the blue reverie of the night sky, Stardust mingles with the shooting stars, And my heart is lifted up so high Above the treetops, so very far.
Stardust mingles with the shooting stars. Birds serenade with gentle lullabies Above the treetops, so very far As wistful tears sting my weary eyes.
Birds serenade with gentle lullabies, Invoking memories from long ago. As wistful tears sting my weary eyes, A restless breeze blows through my window.
Invoking memories from long ago, My senses stir within, the past reborn. A restless breeze blows through my window, Imparting sweet essence of apples and corn.
My senses stir within, the past reborn, Walking hand in hand through fields of gold. Imparting sweet essence of apples and corn, Countless chapters remain unwritten, untold.
Walking hand in hand through fields of gold, The autumn colors paint their brilliant hues. Countless chapters remain unwritten, untold. Oh, to have just one more day with you!
The autumn colors paint their brilliant hues As amber sun plays in periwinkle skies. Oh to have just one more day with you! I have much more to say than a final goodbye.
As amber sun plays in periwinkle skies, My heart breaks with the call of the solitary loon. I have much more to say than a final goodbye, But the hour of parting has come too soon.
My heart breaks with the call of the solitary loon, Moonglow reveals the spirit in you. But the hour of parting has come too soon As the clouds dance their pas de deux.
I remember Coulée de Serrant
the tempting taste of 1973
never-ending summer days
wandering amber fields
our sun warmed fingers
plucking succulent grapes
sticky and delicious
from bounteous vines
fruit of the valley’s womb.
The finest vintage
decanted into cut glass
its bouquet awakens my senses
sweet honey on my palate
lucid liquid gold
toasting chilled bones
as melting wax drips down
trails of molten lava on
wooden candlesticks.
Autumn harvest looms
as early snow descends
in blankets of white
threatening vineyard yields
their virtue choked by
temperamental terroirs
frozen broken branches
crying out in despair
as empty cellars echo.
Now, nothing remains
of the Coulée de Serrant
in this barren basement
but a hollow jade bottle
haunting memories
the lingering essence
of your saccharine kiss
as I thirst eternally
for you.
Colleen Keller Breuning 