Category: Writing

Native American poetry, poetry, Writing

Sunday Share: Photos, Poetry, Prose

Mona Alvarado Frazier

The week began with a text that barely made a sound, but I knew it was from my son. He was on a train from the east coast to the west coast. It’s a long story to explain why he prefers a train to a flight, so I won’t.

My children are young adults, but they’re always my kids, with every concern and hope for their safety. So when my cell vibrated, I grabbed it.

Clicking on the text opened up a gorgeous photo of the sunrise. The cotton candy clouds swirled over silhouetted mountains captured the moment’s symbolism. My son was entering California. He was coming home.

The image filled me with gratitude and peace.

Later in the day, I glanced at the books stacked behind my computer. American Sunrise by Joy Harjo met my eyes. The title, the colors, and the photo of people, who I interpreted as family, greeted me.

I flipped through the pages to one of my favorite poems by Rainy Dawn Ortiz- even her name refers to a sunrise.

Directions to You

East

The sunrise,

Red,

Morning heat on our face even on the coldest morning.

The sun creates life,

Energy,

Nourishment.

Gather strength, pull it in

Be right where you are.

Have a wonder-filled week. Sign up for the monthly newsletter, which arrives on the fourth Saturday.

Soon, I’ll receive advanced reader copies (ARC) of my debut novel, THE GARDEN OF SECOND CHANCES. Subscribers will have the first chance at a giveaway, using a random generator, for an ARC. I’ll mail this to the winner, if within the USA.

Inspiration, poetry, Writing

#SundayShares: Poetry, Prose, Photos

Mona Alvarado Frazier
From Beth Frates, MD, on Twitter

During the week, I often come across poetry, a bit of writing, or a photo that gives me pause in a satisfying way where I reconnect with the present. I’d like to share these moments with you.

by Pixaby

This poem celebrates the colors of Fall. Yaskhan writes about poetry, haikus, and photography. I felt this poem as I read.

October Chill:

autumn comes
upon trees
coppery soft
frail amber blooms
gather shadows
north winds stir
rosette twilight
birdsongs hush
the whispering breeze
orange, red maple leaves
ignite a crimson light
October lilts
frosted sigh
pumpkin moon
adorns ebon frilled sky

Yaskhan

The poem put me right into the treescape above. “rosette twilight” is a beautiful description.

My grand-niece turned four yesterday. Her mom put on a Halloween-themed party with homemade treats for the kids. I thought they were adorable, even if the eyes were staring.

purple and orange decorated chocolate balls and ghost treats for Halloween
Halloween Treats

Maria Popova publishes a newsletter, The Marginalian: Reflections on keeping the soul intact and alive and worthy of itself.

This week was her 16 Life-Learnings from 16 years of blogging. My favorite pieces of prose:

“Be generous. Be generous with your time and your resources and with giving credit and, especially, with your words. It’s so much easier to be a critic than a celebrator. Always remember there is a human being on the other end of every exchange and behind every cultural artifact being critiqued. To understand and be understood, those are among life’s greatest gifts, and every interaction is an opportunity to exchange them.”

“Expect anything worthwhile to take a long time.” This is borrowed from the wise and wonderful Debbie Millman, for it’s hard to better capture something so fundamental yet so impatiently overlooked in our culture of immediacy. The myth of the overnight success is just that — a myth — as well as a reminder that our present definition of success needs serious retuning. The flower doesn’t go from bud to blossom in one spritely burst and yet, as a culture, we’re disinterested in the tedium of the blossoming. But that’s where all the real magic unfolds in the making of one’s character and destiny.”

That’s it. Have a pleasant week, and enjoy your Sunday!