Opal Reflections
Perspectives through Prose, Poetry and Photography
Empty Nest
We were warm and nestled in our bed
this morning, filled with life and joyous song,
Until she left, without a pat on head,
Confused that she’d abandoned us, alone.
She spread her wings toward the ether zone,
She ne’er looked back to heed her fledglings’ cries,
We only know that we’re not fully grown,
We’re not prepared to test our wings in flight.
The dampness of the dawning morning light
Reminds us that we’re hungry and we’re cold,
Yet she’s not here, alone we huddle tight
Our fate unknown (but soon it will unfold).
Against the golden sun, a welcomed sound,
As toward the nest she flutters, homeward bound.
Weekly Photo Challenge: Evanescent
This photo was taken one morning at our bed-and-breakfast in Cape May. Awaking to the sounds of urgent chirping, I discovered this abandoned nest, just outside our window, sitting precariously amid the wiry protuberance designed to discouraged such inhabitants. Then, literally, out of the blue, mom returned to her hungry brood.
View from the Front
Rigid, toe to toe,
Crimson fortress wall, stalwart
‘gainst the market maul.
It seemed a beautiful sight, as I arrived at Trader Joe’s, moments after the store had opened. Absent were the frenetic shoppers flitting here and there, jockeying for a cart, rushing into the fray. No, I was alone. Happily, I faced the lovely, red line of shopping carts, as yet undusturbed from their overnight formation; shimmering in the slanting rays of morning sun.
Ah! Simple pleasures!
Photo Friday: #perspective
Traditions: Celebrate Heritage
As if entranced, I paused to gazed upon
these well-worn ivory keys and ebony,
Though under glass, this once-blank slate lives on,
For all to see, artistic legacy.
I see each famed “John Hancock” on these keys
Perhaps the greatest tribute to the man,
Star-studded, world-renowned, celebrities,
They surely, were in awe, with pen in hand.
Traditions, silken threads that long sustain
humanity and history, preserved
by mothers’ sons, to sons of sons, engrained
in our subconscious, tree of life conferred.
His music lingers, as our music rings
“Traditions” woven deeply, we will sing.
🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶
In response to this week’s photo prompt, “Heritage,” I post the
photo of the storied, white piano, on which John Lennon composed “Imagine”. The signatures of music legends, poignantly written on the keys, eloquently speak of heritage and legacy of the composer and his instrument.
I feel a striking consistency of theme, as I prepare for this weekend, when The Masterwork Chorus will present “Traditions,” in celebration of diverse musical traditions and heritage; cultural glimpses of distant shores and places closer to home and heart.
https://dailypost.wordpress.com/photo-challenges/heritage/
Concert Day
Getting ready for tonight’s concert, with anticipation and focus. Concert dress is ready, the music has been reviewed and organized, with tricky passages highlighted. Even a bad hair day like today, with non-stop downpours, can’t diminish my excitement and anticipation.
You’d think, after all these years, I’d grow weary of this, but I am still in awe of how every piece of music somehow has an effect on me. There is always something new to learn; always an emotional tug that emerges, even with familiar works. What a wonderful gift…music! As ABBA sang: “Thank you for the music…”
“LOVE” is in the air…
Out of the blue, emerging message strewn,
Where wishes made on stars do oft come true,
Across the azure sky, each letter drawn,
I could not turn away from what I knew.
First “L”, then “O”, (the thermals softly blew),
The bus on which I rode went faster, still
as if in trance, I stared as “V” came through,
And hearts of all who stared were warmly filled.
I pressed my nose still nearer ‘gainst the sill,
To watch the full completion of the note,
As Magical Express sped onward, ’til
Polynesian Village gates were op’ed.
I waited as the final note wrote clear,
At Disney, “LOVE” is truly in the air.
photo Friday:#sky
Wilderness
There was a time when mountain springs ran clear,
There was a time when red fox roamed a-near,
There was a time this pump house served the town,
There was a time when water flowed on down,
There was a time when trailheads weren’t seen,
There was a time when sheer cliffs carved this scene,
There was a time when hidden lakes were filled,
with trickling runoff, pure and glacier-chilled.
Caution!
Please use caution…
Though water’s sparkling clear,
There’s danger lurking near.
Please use caution…
Tall grasses waft and sway,
But warning signs allay.
Please use caution…
Below the glimmering pond,
Sea creatures ‘neath the fronds.
Please use caution…
The wafting, shallow marsh,
Conceals a hazard harsh.
Please use caution…
Serenity and calm,
May, with a splash, be gone.
Weekly Photo Challenge: Danger!
Bouquet of Daisies
I’ve never seen a sight as white and bright,
As brilliant when the bud, though still entombed
in purple deep, becomes a vibrant sight,
Near blinding, once that flower’s fully bloomed.
Emerging one by one, these daisies’ flumes
bestir the heart and take the breathe away,
Distract and turn the heads of hardened grooms,
Who tend to disregard the gentler sways.
For soon his bride will carry this bouquet
so brilliantly and vivid ‘gainst her gown,
He’ll don a boutonnière that long will stay
on his lapel, and she will toss her flowers down.
Here comes the bride and tearful mom will swoon,
Mid bridal suite of glorious buds and blooms.
#photo Friday:bright
Wanderlust
In March, while on a SHU Booster Club trip to Indianapolis to support Seton Hall at Butler, we made side visit to the fantastic and historically significant Indianapolis Speedway. Not a racing fan, I was less than enthused, until we got there.
The enormity of the track, the steeply banked turns, the historic bricks, did, indeed impress me.
Then we visited the museum, where in addition to being up close and personal with the remarkable driving machines on exhibit, spanning the decades, I happened upon the enormous trophies on exhibit.
This one, in particular, captured my imagination and I think epitomizes this week’s theme…Wanderlust.
This Earthly Plane
This earthly plane on which we mere subside,
Seems other worldly, wistfully serene,
A plane between where sky and sea collide,
Where humankind do live and dare to dream.
Is earth a conjured backdrop for our schemes?
We know it’s mere a sphere amid the vast
of deep, dark space; yet more than it may seem,
Especially when morning breaks, at last.
Midst golden rays we waken from our fast,
The night has been too long, too long we slept,
The world kept turning, as our dreams amassed,
Now we seize the dawn; bright, golden-flecked.
It’s still a mystery – from whence we’ve come,
Ne’er mind, we’ll glory in the rising sun.
🌅
The Daily Post: Weekly Photo Challenge: Earth
Photo Friday: #Bright
Village Nights
My “village” wears a shawl of winter snow,
Yet folks return each year to take their place,
And lighting from within the homes we know,
Create an air of warmth and welcoming space.
”T was only hours ago they lay in crates,
Securely stored to spend the warmer climes,
Anticipating joy on grandson’s face
that lights, when thoughts of Christmas come to mind.
‘Til finally, we face the attic climb,
Retrieving well-stacked cartons, to unpack
together reawak’ning joyous times,
By setting up the village railroad tracks.
Suspending disbelief, we gaze and dream,
As, hand in hand, we join the festive scene.
photo Friday: #night
Lighthouse in the Mist, Cape May, NJ
Bandit
Festive View from the Pub, Peddler’s Village – Lahaska, PA.
Home Sweet Home
Opal Reflections 