The Sun Yawned

Posted by karynhenleyauthor

It’s the first day of Spring.

With a slow stretch,

the sun yawns into the deep, still sea of sky,

softens the clear, cloudless blue,

reddens the top branches of the elms,

slowly slides its smiling light down the trunks.

I watch from my upstairs window.

Oh, Spring, at times

I thought you had forgotten us.

But your name is on the calendar square.

I’ve underlined it.

And here you are!

Warmth is drifting through the air, I think,

anticipating a day without a coat,

maybe even without a sweater.

I’m thinking bluebirds,

white blossoms on the dogwood,

seeds to be planted,

spring-fresh air to breathe.

Then I notice the roof of the first floor

just beneath my window.

The shingles glitter with frost.

I flick my phone to the weather.

Twenty-six degrees.

Twenty-six!

Oh, Winter,

you may be gone,

but in your wake, you’ve left a chill.

Of course you have,

for it’s only

the first day of Spring.

– kh –

Nurture peace, cultivate kindness, and carry the calm.

Nature of the week:

Shadow of the Week:

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Silent Green Tongues and Blushing Petals

Posted by karynhenleyauthor

The sun peeked out once today.

Clouds barely gave way,

then slipped back across her bright face.

“Our day,” they said.

And, truly, it was.

They cried,

softly, quietly,

leaving tears in droplets

on window screens,

on the silent green tongues of lily leaves,

on the blushing petals of Lenten roses.

The wind sighed.

“It will pass,” she said.

And, truly, it did,

for the clouds moved on

to weep somewhere else,

and the sun smiled.

– kh –

Nurture peace, cultivate kindness, and carry the calm.

Nature of the week:

Shadow of the Week:

If you want me to send these thoughts to your email each Sunday, simply sign up on the right.

When Evening Edges Soften

Posted by karynhenleyauthor

Tip of shadow,

rimmed in light,

your sharp edge softens

in the lowering sun

and you melt

into the quiet peace

of night.

– kh, Linger: 365 Days of Peaceful Pauses –

Nurture peace, cultivate kindness, and carry the calm.

Nature of the week:

Shadow of the Week:

If you want me to send these thoughts to your email each Sunday, simply sign up on the right.

Sun and Shadow

Posted by karynhenleyauthor

“Turn your face to the sun and the shadows fall behind you.”

– Maori proverb –

Nurture peace, cultivate kindness, and carry the calm.

Nature of the week:

Shadow of the Week – two vases:

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The Unvanquished Sun

Posted by karynhenleyauthor

“The huge great clouds move slowly, gently, as

Reluctant the quick sun should shine in vain, . . .

In all the myriad grey,

In silver height and dusky deep, remain

The loveliest

Faint purple flushes of the unvanquished sun.”

– John Freeman –

Nurture peace. Cultivate kindness. Carry the calm.

Nature of the week:

Shadow of the Week – kitchen tools in my dish drainer:

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Lighting Up Our Whole Lives

Posted by karynhenleyauthor

“One day the sun shall . . . perchance

shine into our minds and hearts,

and light up our whole lives

with a great awakening light,

as warm and serene and golden

as on a bankside in autumn.”

– Henry David Thoreau –

Nurture peace. Cultivate kindness. Carry the calm.

Nature of the week:

Shadow of the Week:

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Like the Sun, Silent and Still

Posted by karynhenleyauthor

“Be like the Sun,

King without courtiers,

silent and still as a fulcrum.”

– Rumi –

Wishing you moments of silence and stillness this week. Close your eyes. Listen to your breath. Feel the subtle messages your skin receives from the air and the textures you touch. Catch scents that drift to you. Open your eyes and focus on one small object. Notice its shape, size, colors. Listen to your breath again. Feel the peace of the moment. You’re a fulcrum, a support, a point of balance calming the world around you.

Nurture peace. Cultivate kindness. Carry the calm.

Nature of the week:

Shadow of the Week:

If you want me to send these thoughts to your email each Sunday, simply sign up on the right.

Shadows Falling

Posted by karynhenleyauthor

“Quiet shadows falling

softly come and softly go.”

– Scottish poet Meta Orred –

Because of the angle of the sun, spring and autumn are good times to catch a glimpse of interesting shadows – at least in my part of the world. Shadows “softly come and softly go,” reminding us to softly come and softly go.

Nurture peace, cultivate kindness, and carry the calm.

Nature of the week: