Tag Archives: .poetry

Unknown's avatar Jeff Flesch 6:00 pm on April 18, 2021
Tags: .poetry, , , , , , dhyana, , , , , , , , ,   

A Blogger’s Diary 4/18/21: On Writing and Reflecting, 2 New Series, Vaccinations, and Gentle Yoga

Wow, how is it that we are now in mid-April? Phew, not sure, time is moving, well, rather rapidly at the moment. Anyway, the past week was busy for numerous reasons. Yes, lots of work, and writing, and I did get my first vaccination dose last week. 

More on that in a moment.

Let’s first take a look at two writing reflections, and two new series, shall we? Okay, here we go.

Writing and Reflecting

Photo by John-Mark Smith on Unsplash

Sprite

The poem Sprite, was inspired by the WDYS #77 prompt from Keep it Alive, by Sadje. I had a lot of fun with this little poem. Sadje’s prompt reminded me of being at the coast. Many of you know how much I love the beach, or coast, or sea, or shore, or whatever the ocean is called where you live. I grew up near the ocean, and love it much.

As I was reflecting upon the picture, it reminded me about my trip to Yachats a couple of months ago, and an antique store I visited during my trip. The prompt picture looks like something that the little shop would have stocked and sold. From there, it was off and running. One insight after another; and then, the poem was finished. Super fun.

Becoming (2)

The Poem Becoming (2), was inspired by a breakdown I had last Saturday. It was a rather large breakdown, which, as you might surmise I would write, is perfectly okay, even needed and wanted. Why? 

Because it’s part of the process of being a human being. If we hold our emotions inside all the time, and actively resist them, we are resisting life. However, when we are with our emotions as they come, we are going with the flow of life.

I actually wrote the poem in intervals during the breakdown. Writing is, at times, how I process my emotions. It reminds me I am not alone; never, in fact, alone. None of us are. We are all connected. Always have been, always will be. Lovely.

Photo by Julia Joppien on Unsplash

2 New Series

Alright, some of you already know about one of these new series, Community Gardening, the first post of which was published this morning. As I wrote in the first post, it occurred to me this weekend that I’ll have many more updates from the community garden, which is why a new series made perfect sense. 

I am excited to continue to update you as we move deeper into Spring, and then Summer.

One of the things I love to do where I currently live, Corvallis, Oregon, is hike. I love hiking, especially during the Spring and Summer. The weather in this part of the US is gorgeous during Spring and Summer. Love it.


It occurred to me that a series on hiking the Willamette Valley, then, made sense. I will travel throughout the valley this spring and summer and hike, reflect, and learn more about areas in the valley I’ve not yet visited. And, we can hike, reflect, and learn together through my trips. Fun.

I’ve not come up with a title yet. If you have ideas, please let me know. I’ve already completed my first hike, which was lovely, and will create the first entry in this new series in a week or two.

Vaccinations

Yep, I got my first vaccination dose, well, two Fridays ago now. It was actually a super simple process. I am grateful to all of the people working and volunteering to make the vaccine more and more accessible. Thank you.

Gentle Yoga

Photo by Zoltan Tasi on Unsplash

Well, as many of you know, I do yoga everyday. Meditation is a step of yoga, which I’ve now practiced for almost 4 years. There are 8 steps in yoga, and while I have been meditating, or practicing Dhyana for years now, I am not as well practiced at body movement with the breath.

Therefore, my life coach and teacher has put me on a very gentle path to increase the movement and blood flow in and to my upper body. It is important that the practice is gentle, as I have two shoulder injuries, which happened some time ago, yet have been exasperated by the pandemic.

Anyway, the point is that I am finding great relief in the practice; and am excited about the movement returning to my shoulders. Awesome.

Alright everyone, that’s all for this entry.

Have a splendid week.

#poetry, #becoming, #bloggers-diary, #blogging, #communitygarden, #corvallis, #dhyana, #diary, #gardening, #hiking, #meditation, #poem, #poems, #sprite, #willamettevalley, #writing

Unknown's avatar Jeff Flesch 1:00 pm on April 18, 2021
Tags: .poetry, , , , , , , , , ,   

Forevermore

Photo by Anway Pawar on Unsplash

It at times feels so reminiscent,
when scars bear themselves into words;
and we feel as if there tearing open again,
just as the moment that preceded it,
was left on the line drying through time.

And you watch the line,
as the moments wave in the wind,
as you pull everything together, for
one more push towards your center.

Down deep, you stretch into the darkness,
leaving fear behind; and, wondering, if this time,
you’ll have the strength to carry on; and,

in the meantime

you look back at the line, moments there, some,
yes, fair, and some quite contraire. It’s enough,
you know, to face them all, one at a time,
giving them power once more,
while you conjure up the
courage to live

forevermore.

#poetry, #contemplation, #forevermore, #introspection, #life, #love, #past, #poem, #poems, #present, #within

Unknown's avatar Jeff Flesch 6:00 am on April 18, 2021
Tags: .poetry, , eflje, , greenhouse, , indoor planting, outdoor planting, peas, , ,   

Community Gardening: Indoor Starts, the First Peas, and a Sun Elfje

Corvallis, Oregon 2021

Alright, I’ve decided to turn My One Thing This Spring: Gardening, into a new Spring/Summer series. It occurred to me that I’ll have many more updates, which made making the community garden experience into a series an easy decision. Okay, here’s what’s new.

The plot is ready, and I’ve been continuing to work the soil, and have actually planted the first few seeds. A couple different varieties of peas. Delicious. Well, they will be eventually. 

Here’s a couple pictures of those first budding peas.

Awesome. And, yep, the soil is dry, only on the top few layers though; and, the water at the community garden is now on, which is grand.

I’ve also planted seeds indoors. Many of them. 50 to be exact! Here are some of the herbs and veggies I’ve planted into an indoor greenhouse.

  • Basil and Cilantro
  • Mixed Hot Peppers
  • Raddish
  • Beet
  • Various Lettuce Varieties
  • Chard
  • Kale
  • Cabbage
  • Broccoli

I purchased this nifty little Green House at the local garden store for $20.

Here is what it looks like; and, here is what it looks like as the seeds begin to sprout.

Pretty cool, yes? Yes, I think so too.

Oh, and here is my latest addition. I bought these 4 beauties at the farmers market today.

Corvallis, Oregon 2021

I adore tomatoes. One of my favorites. Yum.

Next steps?

Sowing seeds directly into the ground, which will happen around May 4. We’re very close. Excited.

Alright, once the indoor seed starts and the tomatoes are transplanted, and I sow some more seeds directly into the ground, I’ll have another update.

Until then, enjoy the spring sun. Hopefully it is shining wherever you are.  And, oh, before we go, how about a little Elfje on the sun to take us out. Yes? Okay, here we go.

Orange
Sun shines
Bright as a star
Taken into my being
Delight

Have a wonderful Sunday, everyone.

#poetry, #community, #eflje, #garden, #greenhouse, #herbs, #indoor-planting, #outdoor-planting, #peas, #poem, #sun, #vegetables

Unknown's avatar Jeff Flesch 6:01 am on April 17, 2021
Tags: .poetry, , , , , , , , , ,   

Becoming (2)

Photo by Andrew Johnson on Unsplash and Photo by Christina Deravedisian on Unsplash

On December 3, 2020, I wrote and posted the poem, Becoming, and then about a week ago I wrote another poem, yep, you guessed it, also called Becoming. I’m sure this has happened to you, and it has for me too; yet, this time, I wanted to post the second poem as it is, title and all.

In a way, I think it is perfectly appropriate for this past year. A time of struggle, death, and extreme hardship in so many different ways; and a time of hope, life, and extreme gratitude. I am holding these concepts with you, and the space inbetween, as I present this second poem on becoming.

As I sit and ponder, and also wonder,
and, yes, sometimes feel flustered with
the emotions coming, all the while I know
I’m becoming.

Something different each day, while sitting
in the midst of the presence of the thinking
and never ending feelings.

It’s hard as the tears come,
sometimes it’s a trickle and not a flood. While
at other times, the flood would feel like a respite,
with the tsunami of tears pouring forth.

Sometimes it’s a song, or a quick flash
of a not so distant past. It feels, moves, and
pushes the limits of the pain I think is possible
to bear, and then just when I think subside is in
stride, I break again.

Darkness envelops me, and I bend over
the pain pulling me towards the floor, where
at times I feel like I’ll learn more.

Just lay there and be, and let the emotions
wash over me. One wave and then the next,
they pass through, and time becomes something
extraordinary.

And, yet, my dear, just like you, they stop coming,
all the while there’s still more incoming. I pick myself up,
wash my face, and look at the person staring back
through the picture of my mirrored life forthcoming.

He wears a smile with swollen eyes, face damp
with the salted tears of years of trying. Yet, deep down
he knows, while trying is a piece of the whole, it’s in
the doing where the scattered fragments
become one, as we march towards
our continual becoming.

#poetry, #becoming, #death, #emotions, #hope, #life, #loss, #love, #pain, #poem, #poems

Unknown's avatar Jeff Flesch 6:00 pm on April 16, 2021
Tags: .poetry, , , , , , , , purple, ,   

Elfje #4

Photo by arhihou anas on Unsplash

purple
the sunset
deep and lovely
creating wonder inside me
heart

#poetry, #elfje, #heart, #life, #love, #nature, #poem, #poems, #purple, #sunset, #wonder

Unknown's avatar Jeff Flesch 6:00 pm on April 15, 2021
Tags: .poetry, , , , , ,   

Tanka #11

Photo by Sven Vee on Unsplash

leaves fall from the tree,
the sky is cloudy and gray,
autumn fades, winter
is now here, and I
bundle up and make ready.

Photo by Ian Keefe on Unsplash

#poetry, #life, #love, #poem, #poems, #tanka, #winter

Unknown's avatar Jeff Flesch 6:00 pm on April 14, 2021
Tags: .poetry, , , , , , , , ,   

Haiku #17

Photo by Nurullah نورالله التركي on Unsplash

meadow landscaping
tranquil, as the wind gently
blows, inside you know.

Photo by federica ariemma on Unsplash

#poetry, #contemplation, #haiku, #introspection, #life, #love, #meadow, #nature, #poem, #poems

Unknown's avatar Jeff Flesch 6:00 pm on April 13, 2021
Tags: .poetry, elf, fairy, , , , , , , , ,   

Sprite

Image credit; Andrew Morris @ Unsplash

It washed up on the shore,
she said
it would one day evermore;
we last were together,
when the sun was still shining down so bright,
and the blight we see now,
wasn’t even a memory,
nor in sight.

So much has changed,
yet it all is really
still the same underneath,
when you take a peek
to see what’s really there,
you’ll find that
it’s the same as before,
only the conditions in the
phenomena have transformed.

There’s still light by day,
and dark when it is night. And, yes,
things still show up on the shore,
when a loved one
last kissed you on the cheek,
and said, wait, I’ll be there
in the morn.

And, indeed, they were,
with a bundle of lights.
Though you’ve always known
the light they carry inside,
is the might of
the everlasting sprite.

In response to the WDYS #77 prompt from Keep it Alive, by Sadje.

#poetry, #elf, #fairy, #fairytale, #life, #love, #magical, #mystical, #nature, #poem, #poems, #sprite

Unknown's avatar Jeff Flesch 6:00 pm on April 12, 2021
Tags: .poetry, , , introspectionm, , , , , , , ,   

Depend

Photo by Anton on Unsplash

I hear that voice echoing
from the past,
every second, fast, oh,
how long will this last?

When a moment feels like an eternity,
we hold tight,
and try to let go of the fright we feel,
yet at times,
we hold too close to heart,
and it can feel as if we’re falling apart.

Seams coming undone,
once tethered together,
now bursting with imagination and dread
in this very cold weather.

Inside the drama’s milieux,
perspective is hard to find,
as we run after feelings that are a part of another
place and time.

Remember, then,
as thought precedes feeling, and
you know that you are truly dreaming,
watch, listen, and
observe the scene,
instead of entering into it with every
piece of your being.

Perspective can be regained as
we learn more
about ourselves inside the dance, and
begin to master
the waves of our second chance.

One, two, three,
just like that, is how they
are feeling. Come and gone in an instant,
when we slow down and
let go of our resistance.

Be with all that comes your way,
many a wise one
will say. Nay,
love all that comes your way,
because it is part and parcel of the entire play.
Choose wisely then,
my friend, for on your life it doth
depend.

#poetry, #contemplation, #emotion, #introspectionm, #letting-go, #life, #love, #perspective, #poem, #poems, #resistance, #thinkingandfeeling

Unknown's avatar Jeff Flesch 6:00 am on April 11, 2021
Tags: .poetry, , , , , , collaborativewriting, , , , , ,   

A Blogger’s Diary 4/11/21: On Writing, Reflecting, Collaboration, and Purpose

This past week, I’ve been reflecting upon purpose, which I’ll write more about in a moment, and planning in the unknown, which will be the topic of a post, well, I’m not sure when, yet will get to it eventually.

Before we get to my reflection on purpose, let’s take a look at a couple writing reflections.

Writing and Reflecting

Photo by hannah grace on Unsplash

Mind

The poem Mind was, as you may have already surmised, a reflection on my meditation practice. A large part of my life today. It is a beautiful experience, to sit and watch as the mind does it’s thing, and to become detached from it’s activity. It is also a wonder to sit and watch as your mind, over time, begins to slow and become more quiet. Magical.

The Mind poem was also my first foray into the Hexastich poetry style. I learned about this poem style, like many others, from a lovely blogger friend of mine. I’ve written another poem in this style already, and will have more to share in the coming weeks and months.

Gift

The poem Gift was a reflection of the many things I’ve learned in the past 4 years, as I’ve learned to go within from my life coach and teacher. It’s been difficult and one of the most wonderful experiences of my life.

And, like I write often, this nexus of the difficult and wonderful, a paradox (and not), is where the jewels of life live. When we slow down, go within, really get to know ourselves, we get back so much more. Beautiful.

Collaboration

Photo by Christina @ wocintechchat.com on Unsplash

As you may know, yesterday I posted The Dance Dances A Life of Its Own, which was a collaboration with Amber of DiosRaw. As a relatively new blogger, I’ve only done one other collaboration, which was the post, Vulnerability: A Paradox, with Maja of Lampelina.

Amber and I created the poem this past week, with the former, sending emails back and forth throughout the creative process. Was superb. A wonderful experience.

With the latter, I submitted a request to do a guest post on Lampelina, and Maja reached out to me to do so. Was also a great experience.

A lot of fun all-around.

There is another collaboration, of a different kind, coming soon, with another inspiring blogger. I’ll have more on that in the future.

I love the concept of, and practice of, collaboration. You learn so much more when you work with other people. It is by far one of my favorite things to do in this life, collaborate with inspirational people. I’ve been very lucky to have had these opportunities and many others in various areas of my life; and, I look forward to future ones.

Purpose

Photo by Derek Thomson on Unsplash

While I’ve written on purpose before, it is a concept and practice that I reflect upon, well, not quite often, yet it does come up now and then. This week, purpose has come up in regard to planning inside of the unknown.

There was a time in my life where I continually questioned my purpose. Was in fact, confounded by the idea of purpose. Maybe even a little afraid of the concept.

However, today, I accept my truth in regard to purpose. That, in fact, each moment we are alive, we can find our purpose in, well, exactly what it is that we are doing. Right now, typing this end of the week diary entry. In the next moment? Don’t know, it doesn’t exist yet.

What I am pointing to, is that purpose lives inside of us. Purpose is a concept that we attach meaning to, just like every other concept. If you believe that purpose needs to look and feel a certain way, and you don’t see or feel what you are looking for, well, then you’ll have a hard time finding your purpose.

However, if you believe that purpose lives within, and lives in each moment every day, doing exactly as you are already doing, well, there’s nothing to find. Your purpose is readily apparent in each moment everyday.

We can all develop an awareness of purpose that is different from the current one we hold. It just takes practice. Practice letting go of the concept of purpose as we understand it today, and learning a new way to think about and feel purpose.

Remember, purpose is first and foremost a concept. It is not a living breathing thing. We breathe life into the concept of purpose, as we do all concepts, when we give life to it by attaching meaning, which we create, to the concept.

And, just as we breathe life into the concept of purpose as we do today, we can learn a new way to breathe a different life into a new concept of purpose.

It is up to you, me, and everyone else; and, well, that’s quite empowering.

Alright, that’s all for this week.

Have a blessed week, my friends.

#poetry, #blog, #blogger, #bloggers-diary, #blogging, #collaboration, #collaborativewriting, #creatingpurpose, #diary, #poem, #poems, #purpose, #reflection