A Slice of Sky Pie - Shadorma
Blue and white
A slice of sky pie
Massive tree
A redwood
Leafy lollipop heaven
Steep climb to the top!
My poem is inspired by a recent trip to the botanical gardens in Cambridge. I noticed this magnificent tree and the wonderful slice of blue and white sky.
Here are some other magnificent champion trees that I saw on my walk. Enjoy!
And a bee hotel.
I intended to go for another walk today but it’s pouring with rain so I’m writing this blog post.
I managed to go for a walk in the rain later!
Check out this wonderful review post from Balroop Singh for Colleen Chesebro’s Wordcraft Prose and Poetry and my poetry and prose book – Mr. Sagittarius.
Isn’t it totally surreal? No one could predict such a catastrophic situation and in some ways, it feels like we’re living in a terrifying novel, or a modern day war! Our immediate enemy has become a devastating virus, not a person carrying a gun. But we have two enemies – the virus and our human selfishness.
The toilet roll fiasco is unbelievable. My husband David and I have encountered old couples in the local supermarket looking for a single roll of toilet paper who are disturbed to find there is none. David didn’t have any in his trolley, so instead he gave an old guy his kitchen towels as he was crying. So shocking. It demonstrates the level of selfishness that pervades our modern society. Is this what we have become?
Perhaps this virus is natures way of teaching us a lesson?
Be less selfish and save our beautiful planet.
What can we do? In my opinion we must listen to medical advice, support each other, create online communities and stay apart for now. How sad, but how necessary. It’s strange that social media has now become even more important. It has become our friend, our link to our ‘real life friends,’ our ‘family abroad and in other cities.’ BUT it is not always trustworthy there are scammers out there praying on the vulnerable and elderly and the added threat of false news and misinformation. So be careful, only trust in legitimate sources of information such as the WHO and the NHS.
So, keep safe, wash your hands meticulously, avoid going to crowded places such as pubs, restaurants, and clubs. And God forbid you go to the gym. It’s a sweaty germ factory. Instead, take a walk in nature, or a meander in your back garden. Perhaps consider buying gym equipment at home to use, or try an online yoga class, or mindfulness.
I know what I will be doing if I have to self isolate, as long as I am well, in my spare time (as I still have to work,) I will be reading, listen to audio books, watching TV, writing and running around the garden!
Take care of yourself and your loved ones. Remember to tell them every day you love them. This is a war and we must fight. In all wars the depths of the human spirit will astound us. Let’s be kind, and unselfish in our actions. There is a lot of good in the human race, so let’s keep that coming. A huge thank you to all the nurses, doctors, care workers, educational key workers and medical staff, who put their lives at risk to save others. They are our heroes, let us praise them.
I will be writing about the magic of trees on my blog as part of our group The Spiritual Sisters, originally known as The Sisters of The Fey.
I discovered this magnificent tree, (which you can see in my photographs above and below,) on my lunchtime walks in Cambridge Botanical Gardens. It inspired me so much that it is featured in the first short story (and photographs,) in my new release – Mr. Sagittarius – a magical collection of poetry, prose and photography.
This particular tree is a Golden Willow Tree and a very stunning one at that. You can see how it bends as if yearning to sink into the water below it.
The Willow tree is known for its wondrous connection to the moon, water, the Goddess and all that is feminine.
Its association with dreaming, intuition and the deepest held emotions makes it a wonderful tree to commune with.
It has an affinity with the season of Spring. When life begins to awaken after its slumbers, making it a truly remarkable tree full of energy and potential.
The Willow tree has a magical link with creativity, fertility, female rights of passage, inspiration, emotion, love, protection and the healing arts.
Many say that it is the tree of immortality, growth and healing because of its powerful ability to grow from a fallen branch if it finds the right conditions: moist ground – water and soil to sustain it.
A wand made from the wood of a Willow tree has many uses:
Perhaps you might be inclined to sleep with it, to release vivid dreams, use it to draw the moon down from afar, or use its powers of protection to keep you safe.
Magical witch’s brooms are traditionally bound with a willow’s branch but before you take a piece of branch remember to respect the tree and ask for permission to cut!
The Willow’s weeping posture reflects its association with grief, allowing the person who connects with it to gain healing and inner strength.
The Weeping Willow is without a doubt a beautiful, soulful tree.
Her branches often bend toward’s the water’s edge whilst her roots journey below its surface. She has a great wisdom, so spend time with her (preferably with a source of water nearby) and let the sounds of flowing water and wind rustling leaves soothe your mind, body and soul.
This is the perfect way to reconnect with the intuitive part of you.
If you struggle to sleep at night take a piece of willow (preferably one that has already fallen) and place it under your pillow.
In the Bach Flower Remedies, Willow Flower Essence is a helpful remedy for bitterness and resentment.
First of all, a big thank you to Colleen for encouraging me to write poetry with her Tanka Tuesday prompts.
Without this encouragement I doubt I would be producing a poetry/prose book.
Also, if I hadn’t joined my current employ who offer free Botanical Gardens passes I doubt I would be either!
A combination of influences and prompts: writing, poetry and photography have helped me create Mr. Sagittarius – Poetry and Prose. This collection celebrates the wonder and the magic of the natural world and the circle of life represented by the enigma of twin brothers Harold and William. Who are they really?
The book is a mix of poetry, short stories and my photography plus I hope to add a couple of images generously donated via friend and blogger: Samantha Murdoch’s son Alex Marlowe.
I’d like to extend a huge thank you to Rachael Ritchey for producing such a wonderful ebook cover so quickly. I’m thrilled with the result and look forward to working with her to produce the paperback in due course.
So here is my Tanka:
Hey, what’s happening?
My new book project that’s what!
Poetry and Prose
Mr. Sagittarius
So loves the natural world.
I will be releasing the book as soon. It is my intention to donate my royalties from the first month’s sale of the ebook to the Australian bush crisis.
So with that in mind, please let me know below if you’d like to part of my blog tour. The more the merrier!
If you could reblog and share this post widely I would be so grateful!
Unique Selling Point: Unique, Imaginative, ‘Charming, enchanting and richly layered this is purely delightful.’
“This delightful book will appeal to teens and young adults who love stories filled with magical crystals, dark family curses, and mysteries waiting to be solved around every corner. Each chapter leads you on a journey of discovery where Amelina earns the right to use three wizard stones to reset the balance of time and finally break the curse that holds her family hostage. A captivating tale!” – Colleen M. Chesebro (Editor)
It’s been a while… I’ve missed writing poetry but I’ve been very busy trying to finish editing the second book in my series The Curse of Time and to be honest I’ve been struggling with it as it is a very ambitious project, especially as I work full-time. I’m getting there but still lots to do. My beta readers have been an enormous help and I’ve had lots of feedback after attending the SCBWI conference in November.
The robin was very tame and stayed with me for some time. I was feeling sad, (it was the day after the terror attack on London Bridge, in which two young Cambridge University graduates died,) so his visit was very welcome and his gentle, unobtrusive time with me lifted my ailing spirits.
