Tuesday, October 4, 2016

Retreat

Retreat

I'm overwhelmed
by my list of things to do.
Instead of doing more,
I need to escape,
relax, unwind, renew.


I need to find respite
in nature's soothing balm.
I need to stroll in the garden
and check on the mums.
Let the cool breeze make me calm.


I need to listen to seed pods rattle
and leaves rustle in the air.
I need to hear squirrels chatter
and blue jays shriek
as they issue each other a dare.


I need to feel the sun
warm on my skin.
I need fresh air to breathe,
 releasing the stress, 
stopping the spin.


I need to center my thoughts 
on the yellow begonias
and the flitting honey bees.
I need to sit and spend some time
in the shade of the maple trees.


I need to watch the clouds
drift by in the sky.
I need to clear my mind
and set free my spirit
before I give life's chores another try.


35 comments:

  1. Anonymous10/04/2016

    A beautiful Autumn poem. Are these flowers in your yard, Connie? They are so colorful. Happy October.

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    Replies
    1. Yes, we have three colors of mums and also yellow begonias still blooming in our yard. Fall is off to a slow start because the warm weather has lasted longer than usual this year. :)

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    2. glad u posted pics of fall - do you still get out and take walks - and take photos around your area - fall would be the perfect time - always is. I read somewhere there are two blooming seasons spring for flower and fall for beautiful leaves.

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    3. Hi Sandy! Yes, sometimes I take walks and take photos, although where we live now is not as good for walking as where we used to be. Yes, I agree it does seem like spring and fall are both seasons for blooming. :)

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  2. IDEALS Magazine would love this poem. It certainly makes me feel relaxed and appreciative of fall.

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  3. odd - i just checked in here a little over an hour ago and it wasn't updated - glad to see a new post. Love all the flower photos and I use to be able to relate to too many things but lately - not much at all going on. I love the poem and you described that rushed busy feeling so well.

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  4. Beautiful flowers and a very beautiful poem. I feel the same way. Autumn is such a beautiful season and renewing is something I need to do more. Thanks for your beautiful poetry.

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    1. Thank you, Susie! Autumn is lovely, isn't it? :)

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  5. Loved all your photo's Connie ...
    Loved your words too ...

    Happy October

    All the best Jan

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    Replies
    1. Thank you, Jan! Happy October to you too!

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  6. Just when I wonder if we'll get another post from you, one arrives. Splendid for Autumn - pics and poem. Thanks. This made me smile

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    1. Yeah, I've been lax about posting here, but I"m still around. :) Thank you, I'm glad you liked this.

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  7. I love the idea of listening to seed pods rattle and leaves rustle in the air!

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  8. There is nothing quite so soothing and therapeutic as spending time in and around nature. Truly. Thanks for sharing a little bit of your garden :)

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  9. Just the pictures gave me such a sense of peace, but that coupled with the prose... Beautiful!

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  10. Linda, Trish, and Crystal, thank you all for your kind words. Being in nature is my stress reliever. There is something calming in its beauty for me.

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    Replies
    1. I think we all need nature to help us unwind. Why do you think city dwellers are wound so tight? ;)

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  11. We ALL need to do that sometimes. Maybe it's human nature to be so attuned and comforted by nature?

    My grandmother used to say, "If you have so many things to do that you don't know what to do first, don't do any of them." Her solution was to go putter in the garden.

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  12. I think I know that feeling! Nice writing

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  13. I loved this one, Connie! But then, I love all your words!

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  14. Every visit to your blog is like a mini-retreat. This was so peaceful and relaxing. Thank you Connie!

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  15. this so resonates with me Connie as that is exactly how I draw in strength. Beautifully written. Happy Sunday.

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  16. "A AMIZADE VERDADEIRA SORRI NA ALEGRIA,
    CONSOLA NA TRISTEZA,
    ALIVIA NA DOR E
    SE ETERNIZA EM DEUS"(J.Calvet)
    UM GRANDE ABRAÇO, MARIE.

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  17. I love all the photos of your beautiful flowers! No wonder you enjoy spending time in your garden. A lovely poem with an important message that we all need to stop and smell the flowers.

    Julie

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  18. There is so much beauty in our own back yards. Thank you for this lovely poem, Connie. Reminds me of going for walks with the kids when they were preschoolers. They didn't miss a thing along the way!

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  19. You have captured in words, Connie, how wonderful it is to retreat into nature. We are enjoying our walks through a nearby city park now that the fall colors are starting to show their beautiful colors. Thanks for your comments on our fall walk too...we will be doing more walks.

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  20. beautiful photos and your words make me want to go with you!

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  21. "Ontem foi embora.Amanhã ainda não veio. Temos somente hoje, comecemos!!!Qualquer ato
    de amor, por menor que seja, é um trabalho pela paz" (Madre Teresa de Calcutá)

    Um grande abraço, Marie.

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  22. I love you photos and verses very much. How beautiful. I need to retreat to nature, too. The fall colors are awesome now.

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  23. Beautiful photos and a soothing poem for my stressful day. Thanks for sharing.

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  24. you are such a kindred spirit Connie. I often feel just let me be outside a bit in nature's calm and beauty and then I can come home and do anything and everything. Love the poem. Love the pics.

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  25. Nothing takes the place of taking care of oneself...first. We cannot pour from an empty vessel.

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  26. Thank you all for your kind comments. Nature is a place of escape and renewal for so many of us. I'm glad others feel this connection too.

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