Autumn

Photo and words by Michelle Kroll

As we see the leaves

begin to turn and sway,

chaning all their colors

like the changing of our days.

Let us be reminded

of the length of day and sun,

that we had a short time ago

when summer has begun.

Let us now reflect

of the days now gone.

Days spent in splendor
of the warm summer sun.

And now that autumn

is finally hear,

the wind so crisp,

and falling leaves appear.

Let us too rejoice,

in the autumn now,

when leaves do fall

it is time to slow down.

Slow down and celebrate

the glory of it all.

The marvelous season,

it is here, it is fall!



s p r o u t

- to begin to grow
- to shoot forth
- to develop
- a new growth



We all started out, a sprout. A new growth. Some of us continue that everyday. Sprout TV says “Learn something new everyday, because the more we know the smarter we grow.” Growth takes many forms however. Growth can be physical, emotional or spiritual. What pure joy to watch the growth of a child, a pet, a garden, a relationship, or the growth of oneself. How do you grow everyday? How has this group grown? Evolved? What words come to mind when you think of your own growth? What seeds will you plant today?

Green
Oh what a way to start,
a sprout.
A new beginning, growth,
to start out.

Life so new,
the color green.
You surely knew
what this would mean.

Green, fresh, light,
and true.
And all simply
because of you!

Because of you
we have this life.
Mostly good,
a little strife.

But growing is what
we continue to do,
because you chose green
instead of blue.

Peaceful Reflections

Below are some reflections from a gathering I did this weekend and co-facilitated.  I thought this might be a nice platform to share.  The delphinium flower was drawn by me :)  Enjoy!

I see you,
before that...
I felt you.
I know that you
are always there
watching over me,
to help me
right the wrong.
You are there
to calm my storm.
I am cautious
and carfeul
to be only my best
for you!
If I fall,
you are there
helping me to rise.
I try to see only good,
for you.
For you always
see the good in me.
You are there,
I ssee you,
helping me, be me.

I had several people in mind when I was writing that.  So, I think it goes out to all my family, moral and creative support.

Passion Engaging All Calm on Earth

_______________________________________

And a special haiku for someone near and dear.

Abundant is she,

So good and strong and love filled,

Inspires you and me!

Yarn Haiku

Some yarn gauge haiku for another contest. 

Always in the search of free, cleverly won yarn!

Fingering or sport,

it's worth testing your gauge,

or else you'll be short.

To make a small swatch,

just to test the yarn gauge,

waste of my yarn, rage.

Few minutes to test,

my pretty yarn and my needles.

Now sweater or vest?

NEST

(This was written in conjunction with some nests that I have been knitting for a spiritual reflection.  The nests are still in progress, I'll post a picture when they are complete.)

When you think of a nest, what is it we most often think of? A container or shelter made of twigs, grass and other materials. Have you ever thought about these definitions:

     : a snug retreat or refuge, resting place, home
     : a cluster of similar things
     : to settle or place in


So as you begin to settle in, as a cluster of similar women, begin to think of your nest. Where is it you go when you need retreat and refuge? What do you nurture during that time? Think of the nest you are holding. What does it hold for you? What message lies within the egg? How does that message resonate with you at this time?

Oh so delicate a nest
Made up of organic best
Aloft so high up in a tree ,
who belongs to what I see?

Who seeks respite
high up there?
To build a nest,
delicate, with care.

A refuge for
a little bird.
A little home,
a big, big world.

Such wonder ‘bout
this AWEsome nest.
What a perfectly lovely
place to rest!

(another little gem made for work)

Knit Wit

So for a contest at a LYS (local yarn store) the objective was to write a limerick about knitting. So clever for the month of March, I thought. So, with my uber poetic and rhyming mind this is what I came up with.

I knit a lot of knots,
especially for my tots.
One purple and pink,
the other black like ink,
like a mommy knitting robot!

I wish I had a ewe,
a llama and alpaca too,
to shear and to spin,
divine yarn I win,
from a veritable knitter's zoo!

Oh boy how I love to knit,
In a comfy place to sit.
A place just for me,
my yarn and my tea,
for a little knitting respite.

I am sure that I could keep them coming.  It was rather fun to think of knitting rhymes. I hope you got a giggle or two out of the gaggle!

Write Now

As written for Simple Beauty & Contemplation


It doesn’t have to be
the blue iris, it could be
weeds in a vacant lot, or a few
small stones; just
pay attention, then patch

a few words together and don’t try
to make them elaborate, this isn’t
a contest but the doorway

into thanks, and a silence in which
another voice may speak.

-Mary Oliver


… a silence in which another voice may speak. To whom does that other voice belong? To what? I know that for me, that other voice is my inner voice. Writing and journaling offers one an opportunity to share, learn, and remember. It is a sort of stirring of the soul, but more than that it is a chance to feel. Journaling, recollection, gives you an opportunity to savor events past and present. Writing gives you that chance to describe to the reader every minute detail. You could either write about how you went for a walk and stopped to smell the roses OR you could say:

I went for a walk this morning, an opportunity that has been lacking all winter. I stepped outside into a freshness that reminds me spring is on the way. There were just enough clouds and enough sun that I left the sweater at home. I so look forward to when these walks can happen more frequently. You can see evidence of spring already. Crocuses and their delicate green leaves are forcing their way through the soil. You can see the starts of the daffodils and tulips too, a sort of floral calendar that unfolds its way to summer. Summer seems so distant when you afternoons are currently occupied with splashing in puddles. But summer offers the chance to take said walk at the Rose Garden. How glorious is it that we have this in our city. What a wondrous gathering of roses with their velvety soft petals and over protective thorns. They always lure us in with that sweet, decadent smell.

Doesn’t that sound much more worthy of reading again than some sort of hand written log of days. Embrace writing! I have recently started to embrace it again. I took a 10 year hiatus. One writing exercise offered me a chance to write about coffee for 10 minutes, or rain, or a memory I have about being on a bicycle. There are so many memories inside, wouldn’t it be nice to get them all out? The good, the bad and the ugly. I know that I am finding it therapeutic. Natalie Goldberg tells us, “You have the right to write it down. Throw it out, rip it up, swallow it down. Build up a capacity to bear up- don’t let fear run your writing life. Hide your notebook in a good place.” The key is to keep writing and get it all out, I am.

Books to try out:
Old Friend From Far Away By: Natalie Goldberg
With Pen in Hand By: Henriette Anne Klauser
Journaling as a Spiritual Practice By: Helen Cepero