UPON SPRINGTIME BREEZES -- Collab with Photos

UPON SPRINGTIME BREEZES

Fields of butterflies
flying so free in the Spring,
free as the wind blows
and as the sun is high,
they float upon breezes
before landing at my feet.
Their colorful beauty
catching my eye,
the butterflies touch my heart
as they playfully pass by.
Wings in flight connected
as we all become one,
miniature painted canvases,
they sparkle in the sun.

On this springtime afternoon,
as I watch them spread their wings,
we soar together in my mind
up past the clouds,
way up in the sky.
And I waltz with the butterflies
as they float through the air,
not a dry eye in this flight so fair.
But soon our tears will dry and fade
as spreading their wings,
they’ll fly high and away,
leaving us their beauty
and memories rare and sweet,
as out of their cocoons
they’ve emerged and left
treasures behind for us to behold,
as the butterflies are free.
most precious gifts
to each one of us.



(c) barbara kausteklis 4-28-12

Thanks to the following Pals
for sharing their lines with me:

Angel Love, Bettie, Michelle K, Mary Margaret,
Flossie, and Me, Barbara

Lines selected in addition to my own:

Butterflies are free (Angel Love)
Fields of butterflies flying free (Bettie)
Free as the wind blows and the sun is high (Bettie)
Their colorful beauty catches my eye (Michelle K)
As I do gauge as they pass me by (Bettie)
Flights of wings connected all becoming one (Mary)
The beautiful sights as we pass by (Michelle K)
Soon these tears in our eyes will dry (Angel Love)
Tomorrow will be a brighter day (Angel Love)
Out of the cocoon in a new world to see (Michelle K)
Spread your wings and fly free Flossie

****************

Thanks always for your visits and comments.


~barb~

WITH THE SPRING (with photos)

WITH THE SPRING

Lost in emotion,
these words falter
and hesitate,
beginning and
and ending,
finding a voice
and written
across life's pages
like flowers opening up
as the snow melts away.



(c) barbara kausteklis 4-24-12

Written for CPC "Pic-Apart Poetry,"
this month featuring Robert Frost.

http://www.friendburst.com/blog/87391/pic-apart-celebrates-april-robert-frost/

The idea of "Pic-Apart Poetry" is to choose 25 words from the posted piece(s) and create a piece of your own. It's always a joy to co-host each month with Silver Lining/Cherie.

Thanks for your visits and precious comments.

Big Hugs.

~barb~

BLOOMING WITH JOY (with photos)

BLOOMING WITH JOY

The sun in the sky,
hints of blue
and muted clouds,
every bird that sings
shares its song
with my heart.
A breath of wind
flows silently
through the passes
and across the hills;
where it starts
and where it ends
there’s no one
who really knows.

But on this morning
that has brought with it
raindrops spilling over
from yesterday,
the sun begins to shine
through a break in the clouds
as the warmth of joy returns.
And once more,
as far as my eye can see,
poppies dance within
the springtime breeze,
upon a canvas of
green and gold,
vibrant and joyful
in the sweet glow
of the sun,
blooming again
for all to see.

And upon this page,
words dance once more
across the pages of my heart
and lift me up again,
bringing joy to my day
that I had a bit of trouble
beginning to find before.



(c) barbara kausteklis 4-18-12

Written for CPC "Wonderful Wednesday Writes for Joy."

http://www.friendburst.com/blog/87001/wonderful-wednesday-writes-joy/

Thanks always for all visits and comments.

~BARB~

WITHIN THE BLOSSOMS OF SPRING -- A Springtime Collab with photos

WITHIN THE BLOSSOMS OF SPRING

Opening up to see the morning sun,
the flower buds begin to bloom,
their colors painting the fields galore;
bountiful beauty the Creator has in store.
Brightening Mother Nature's room,
new birth replaces pain and gloom
as beautiful fragrances fill the air,
Spring replaces Winter everywhere.

Mother Earth nurturing
each blossom with care,
hope springing eternal
within the lilies of spring;
forever a spark in my soul to ignite,
spring gives me a feeling
so full of delight.

Spring's delightful fragrances
take my breath away
as fruit trees explode in quilts
of pastel pinks and whites.
And I can't help but notice
that Spring has finally arrived
and that from now on
everything will be alright
as the rose and the dandelion
are clearly meant to be.




(c) barbara kausteklis 4-7-12

Thanks to the following Pals for sharing their lines with me:
Angel Love, Bettie, Dee, Russell, Scotorum, Michelle K, Diane,
Mary Margaret, Marcia, and Me, Barbara K

Written for the last week's "Saturday Share."

http://www.friendburst.com/blog/85934/saturday-share-22/
Lines selected in addition to my own:

"THE FLOWER BUDS BEGIN TO BLOOM (required)

Blooms opening up to see the morning sun (Bettie)
Colors painting the fields galore(dee)
Fields filled with beauty and bountiful blooms (RUSSELL)
Brightening Mother Nature’s room (Scotorum)
The Rose and the Dandelion were meant to be (Marcia)
New births releasing gloom (Diane)
A beautiful fragrance fills the air (Angel Love)
Nurtured with care from mother earth (Michelle K)
A fragrance so sweet it takes away all the gloom (Bettie)
Forever a spark my soul ignite(Mary)
Spring giving me a feeling so full of delight (Michelle K)
Making me feel that everything is alright (Angel Love)

Thanks always for your visits and precious comments.

Sending love and hugs from springtime-blooming Southern California.

~barb~

SPRINGTIME SMILES (Blogophilia 6.5 with photos)

Blogophilia week 6.5 - "Hilaria"

Bonus Points:
(Hard, 2pts): include the Pacific Northwest tree octopus (Octopus paxarbolis)
(Easy, 1pt): include a jackelope

Final date to post BLOG: April 7, 2012 - Saturday, midnight Pacific Time
Final date to post ALL GUESSES: April 6, 2012 - Friday, midnight Pacific Time

Please highlight or otherwise point out your bonus points attempts.

Guess correctly who submitted the topic... and a correct guess at who submitted the picture earns you additional points!!

Guess correctly the secret "word or phrase" earns a chance at more points. Including the secret word or phrase within your blog content earns an additional point!!

-------------------------------

SPRINGTIME SMILES

So many things
put a smile on my face,
more than I can count,
but I'll share just a few.

I can't help but smile at
the ducks having fun
as they're paddling about
in the afternoon sun.




And dragonflies of summer,
laced-winged beauties of gold,
resting on lily pads
a sight that never gets old;
and squirrels taking naps,
dreaming the afternoon away;
and butterflies and rainbows
as the sun appears after the rain;
and kites soaring so high
on a day at the beach




and bubbles floating in front
of my face at the fair.




But there are a couple of things
I had forgotten up till now,
that put even more
than a smile on my face,
adding a welcome bit
of springtime hilaria
to an otherwise serious day,
as I recall the astonishing events
that made me feel this way.

The sky was crystal clear,
not a cloud in the sky,
waves of heat rising,
a desert mirage far away;
and suddenly an apparition
never expected appeared
right before my eyes,
a giant jackrabbit
with antlers so tall,
a jackalope wonder,
no doubt at all.





And not far away,
I swear that it's true,
an octopus in branches
hanging upside down
in clear view.
I don't know how it got there,
a Northwest PacificTree Octopus,
I have to presume,
quite out of its element
in this desert at high noon.





But there they were,
jackalope and octopus
right before my eyes,
fast friends already
certainly to my surprise.
I never expected
that trip to be so much fun
but when we got home
a great story to tell
and a springtime celebration
of Hilaria as well.


(c) barbara kausteklis 4-4-12
Written for Blogophilia 6.5/"Hilaria"

(Photos of tree octopus and jackalope
are internet images . . . .
and the other photos are my own.

http://www.myspace.com/blogophilia/blog/545525481


GUESSES:

TOPIC SUBMITTED BY: Ruggi

PICTURE SUBMITTED BY: Tyler





PHRASES:

April Fools, canned air, empty can, hot air, bogus, water under the bridge, empty air, airtight, joke, tin can alley, gas can, canned, evaporated into thin air, vaporized, invisible, scam, snake oil, Bernard's Baloney, Bernie's Blarney, hoax, jokes, tank of gas

A few interesting links:

Pacific Northwest Tree Octopus info

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pacific_Northwest_tree_octopus

Jackalope info
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jackalope

Hilaria info
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hilaria

****************

Thanks so much for your visits and comments and for sharing another Blogophilia week with me. These are always such a fun challenge.

Big Hugs.

~barb~

NATURE'S BLISS (with photos)

NATURE’S BLISS

My thoughts play

in the solitude

of the hills,

dancing to notes

heard in the breeze,

measured bliss

of every flower,

every cloud,

every leaf,

and enjoying

Nature’s sweet company.

(c) barbara kausteklis 3-27-12

Written for CPC "Pick Apart Poetry Welcomes Spring."

this month featuring Wordsworth and a couple of

his well-known spring poems.

Co-Hosting with Cherie/Silver Lining. 

All are welcome to participate and share.

http://www.friendburst.com/blog/85245/85245/

Thanks always for your visits and comments.

Big Hugs.

~barb~

UPON THE VERGE OF SPRING (A Simple Sunday)

Photographer: Angel Love

UPON THE VERGE OF SPRING

Our hearts danced and sang
on the day you were born,
so tiny and precious,
a true miracle of birth.
And when the time came
for you to test those new wings,
we knew you could fly
and do so many wonderful things.
We all knew you were ready,
you and us as well
because you were
and so were we.

And we were glad
to step back
and watch you
spread those wings
as you took
your very first flight.
We watched
as you began to fly
and as you then
began to soar,
your confidence growing
with every passing day.

And on this day
on the verge of Spring
I witness a new life,
a new journey begins,
miracles each one
whether big or small
as I'm reminded by
the tiny bird that sings
that there's so much beauty
that I miss within the chaos
that life often becomes.

And I'm reminded
on this day just before
the arrival of Spring.

(c) barbara kausteklis 3-18-12

Written for CPC "A Simple Sunday/
Baby Wren Singing Spring"
featuring the photography of Angel Love.

http://www.friendburst.com/blog/84636/84636/

Thanks so much for your visits and comments
and to Angel Love for sharing her precious
and darling photo with us.

~barb~

NO DOUBT AT ALL (a Collab with photos)

NO DOUBT AT ALL

BY BARBARA K

A CPC COLLAB

Open the windows
and feel the warmth;
let the sunshine in
and forget all the strife.
The breezes of springtime
feel so very good;
another long winter
we have withstood.

Bright yellow daffodils
have started appearing
for even they know
that springtime is nearing.
Budding trees in the park
are ready to flower
after a refreshing
and cleansing
early spring shower.
Even the robin builds
her nest to prepare,
twig by twig constructed
with the greatest of care.
And as Nature spreads
her colorful buffet,
there's simply no doubt,
no question at all,
that spring is in the air
leaving winter behind.



(c) barbara kausteklis 3-10-12

Thanks to the following Pals
for sharing their lines with me:
Angel Love, Diane, Bettie, Michelle K,
Mikey, Scotorum, and Me, Barbara K

REQUIRED LINE -- "Spring is in the air."
Thanks always for your visits
and precious comments.

Big Hugs and Happy Sunday.

~barb~

"WINDS OF CHANGE" (with photo)

WINDS OF CHANGE

I can feel the wind
as it blows
through my hair,
here and there
and everywhere,
as it kicks up the sand
and the leaves in the air;
puffy white clouds
so high in the sky
changing to ominous gray
and back to white again
in a springtime March wink.

Nothing is the same
from day to day
and so very often
(and most of the time)
I really like it that way.
Always something different
something new to try
to figure out,
not necessarily
much fun at first
but certainly guaranteed
to pique my curiosity,
to exercise my brain
and keep my interest high.

But I must say
it's not easy
and frustrations abound
as I try very hard
to navigate around,
to find my way
on these blustery
March days
through the maze
and the puzzle
of this adventure
known as life.

So I keep my eyes open
and look for the clues
that others have found
to help make things work
in a way that reduces
frustration and stress
as I try to make note
of what seems to work
(or not)
on this blustery March Day,
an adventure once more
as I continue to find my way.

(c) barbara kausteklis 3-6-12

For CPC "Wonderful Wednesday
Meet and Greet/A Blustery Day."

http://www.friendburst.com/blog/83514/
blustery-day-wednesday-meet-greet-elfwing-cpc/

Thanks always for all visits and comments.

Always such treasures.

~barb~

UPON THE BRINK (A "Magic Monday" Piece)

UPON THE BRINK

I stand again,
quite precariously,
upon the brink
of what's in store,
upon the edge
of the future
and what lies ahead
as time marches
on once more.

It has no intent
of slowing down,
time moving
oh so fast;
and in my dreams
of night and day,
just a tiny hint
of what might
come my way,
though I don't
really know when;
maybe tomorrow
or maybe someday.

Maybe magical moments,
maybe adventures bold;
I don't really have any idea
what the future holds;
But I'm glad to
have had the chance
to speed things up a bit,
for just last night
I got a jump start
as I set my clock ahead.
And as the hands
move 'round the clock,
I'm not too far behind,
for I know once more
I'm on my way
as I drift off to sleep
dreaming of
come what may.

But I know that
by jumping forward
in this way
I'm not getting
too far ahead,
as before I know it,
October will be here,
and I'll fall
once more
behind.

(c) barbara kausteklis 3-12-12

Written for CPC "Magic Monday/
Changes in Springing Forward."

http://www.friendburst.com/blog/82191/spring-magic-monday/

Thanks always for your visits and comments.

~barb~

AS THE SUN EMBRACES ME

Artist: Kismet/Evil Twin


AS THE SUN EMBRACES ME

Upon the verge of springtime,
the sun finds me where I am,
in the center of my being
and exactly where I stand.
And within this special moment
I feel the power surrounding me,
embracing my heart and soul,
wonder renewed and rekindled
as I awaken from the long sleep
that had overtaken me.

I feel my senses stirring,
the sun enveloping me,
reborn and renewed
as the chill of winter
dissipates once more
and the ice melts away
within Spring’s sweet embrace.

(c) barbara kausteklis 3-11-12

Written for CPC "A Simple Sunday"
which featured the art of Kismet/Evil Twin.

Thanks always for your visits and comments.

~barb~

HIGH FLYING (with photo)

HIGH FLYING

Flying up so high
at the end of a string,
I’m just a small kite,
but I can do
‘most anything
in the breezes
of spring.

I can soar
with the seagulls
when the wind is just right;
I can float with the clouds
so puffy and white;
I can dance
with the raindrops
if they happen to fall;
and I do tricks
and somersaults
when the wind’s
blowing really hard.

I love it up here
and would never
trade the view
that I have
as I’m flying
way up in the sky.
And most of all,
the very best thing,
I love making
the children smile
down there below,
even on a cloudy day
when the chilly
March winds blow

(c) barbara kausteklis 3-8-12

Written for "Thematic Attic Thursday/March Winds."

http://www.friendburst.com/blog/83607/cpc-thematic-attic-thursdaymarch-winds/

Thanks always for your visits comments.

~barb~

IN THE SOUND OF THE WIND (or A BIT OF MARCH MADNESS) with photos

IN THE SOUND OF THE WIND
(or: A BIT OF MARCH MADNESS)

I hear my name
in the sound of the wind,
March breezes blowing
and spring ushered in,
sometimes marching,
occasionally dancing
to its own special song.
And when I look up at the sky
from down here below,
and see what I see
way up there so high,
I’m as puzzled as can be
as I try to figure out
what March is saying to me
in such unpredictable ways.

Sometimes I’m simply
left scratching my head
and thinking that surely
I should have stayed in bed
as on some days there’s
no logical explanation of why
things happen the way they do
and seem to go so very awry.

It’s madness, I say,
March Madness to be sure,
the comings and goings
from just who knows where,
sometimes so exotic
and other-worldly it seems
at other times just the opposite,
so calm and serene.

So for now I just take it
one step at a time
and day by day,
considering everything
that happens to come my way.

And as winter turns
once again into spring,
I’ll be looking for the rainbows
that come after the rain;
and I’ll be watching for butterflies
and puffy clouds in the sky;
and I’m sure that madness
that March seems to bring
will be be behind us soon
as we soar toward April
with the flowers of spring.





(c) barbara kausteklis 3-5-12

Written for "Magic Monday/
“Marching Into A Magical Madness.”

http://www.friendburst.com/blog/82186/marching-magical-madness/

Thanks so much for your precious comments
and for finding this piece and the others posted.

~barb~