Garden of the Phoenix, Hyde Park, © 2022 Michelle Kogan
Happy Poetry Friday!
I’m giving Fall a farewell goodby hug as our temps drop over the next few days into the 30’s and then 20’s… My image is from the lovely Garden of the Phoenix, in Hyde Park where my husband and I soaked in the overflowing nature solace, and my dansa poem found it’s roots…
DEALING WITH EACH DAY…
Nature’s golden ripples rise above political mayhem…
What exploit will hit us this week,
increasing interest rates, RSV, groceries peak?
Toss all din aside, each one of them,
nature’s golden ripples rise above political mayhem.
Wash yourself in sun’s shining ray mystique,
shed layers of anxiousness and all that’s bleak,
embrace, unwind, and welcome states of refueling rem
nature’s golden ripples rise above political mayhem.
© 2022 Michelle Kogan draft
Robin, Hydrangea, and Hawthorn Berries, © 2022 Michelle Kogan, watercolor and watercolor pencil.
Here’s a new Holiday Card I just added to my Etsy Shop!
It’s called Robin, Hydrangea and Hawthorn Berries, and it comes with a seasonal haiku on the back,
robin revelry,
share berries ripe and ready
for holiday joy!
© 2022 Michelle Kogan
Nature author, poet, and photographer Buffy Silverman is hosting this week’s Poetry Friday Roundup at her blog by the same name, be sure to stop by. Thanks for hosting Buffy!
Michelle Kogan Illustration, Painting, & Writing 
What a beautiful park, Michell. I love your watercolor and watercolor pencil card. I love how the red of robin’s breast brings out the red of the cherries, the rust of the stems and flowers, and the color of the fence. The fallen snow seemed to give me the feeling of winter. Yet, your green shrub or tree and golden ripples warmed the beautiful winter scene to me balancing it. Love your haiku-robin revelry/share berries and all your r sounds. Kintsugi is new to me, but I love the philosophy of it, which can be applied to more than ceramics as you have done so beautifully in the refrain “Nature’s golden ripples rise above political mayhem…” in your powerful dansa poem, photos, and the golden ripples you painted in your holiday card. Thank you for your inspiration and the gifts of your creativity.
I had not heard of a dansa before–a new form to try! The repeated line works so well here, adding calm amidst the chaos. And your card is lovely!
Thanks for this lovely post, Michelle. Nature is the great healer, a calm and comforting solace for what ails you. Enjoyed your dansa and the beautiful photos. Love the new holiday card too!
Michelle, I was so taken by your dansa poem and how you deftly blended nature against the political mayhem that hovers. This line is my call to action: shed layers of anxiousness and all that’s bleak. Your trip seems so relaxing so thank you for the lovely virtual trip. I am ready for holiday joy as your beautiful card wishes all.
Nature is such a solace for me these days. I am shielding myself from the mayhem. What a beautiful holiday card!
Beautiful dansa and photographs!
Your repeating line is so beautiful, Michelle. That koi fish seems to be blowing you a kiss!
Three cheers for “nature’s golden ripples.” We got in one more long bike ride in the glorious weather before Tropical Storm Nicole blew in. (Side note about that — during the rain, the air smelled of ocean! Such a fun reminder where that storm originated!!)
Nice dansa, Michelle, and beautiful card. And I love that koi’s look of surprise!
Well, I like your reFUELing rem better than the FUEL in my post! Your new card is lovely, but it’s 70* here again and I’m not ready to contemplate snow yet…