The Inner Soar

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Summer scenes and my daughter's fairy art remind me it's time to soar whether it's a bird about to fly, a bud about to bloom, a kite about to catch a gust of wind or a life that wants to unfurl. All this, much like a baby's first steps, requires an innate hope in possibilities that can get lost along the way, inspiring my take on the "important steps" prompt by Poets and Storytellers United and the first line of an Emily Dickinson poem.

If hope is a feather, despair is the gale that
flings the thing into sorrow's well where its
quill is a sword that pierces the soul and joy
is a forgotten, ensnared and tuneless chord 

Yet often when thrust into darkness, the mind
in defeat seeks a leap, plucking out the sting to
reclaim the inner flight, it finds the first step in
rising back up is to let in a single gust of light 


Check out my sites: Postcards from Penelope Puddle and Musings of A Puddlist In B.C. You can link to my B.C. Fairies page HERE.

Because the state of our planet is the most pressing issue of our time, link up and learn about the  Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Report.

HOLD ONTO THE LIGHT

Comments

  1. JimAugust 7, 2025 at 11:12 AM

    Beautiful.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Susannah AndersonAugust 7, 2025 at 11:43 AM

    "Time to soar". You reminded me; sometimes it's too easy to get bog-trapped. I'm going to post my naked turtle poem; "... of course, turtles sing ..."

    ReplyDelete
  3. Susannah AndersonAugust 7, 2025 at 12:27 PM

    Here's the poem. https://wanderinweeta.blogspot.com/2025/08/naked-turtle.html

    ReplyDelete
  4. TomAugust 7, 2025 at 12:34 PM

    ...soar as if you were a bird and hold onto the light! Maria, enjoy each summer day that comes your way.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Yogi♪♪♪August 7, 2025 at 1:18 PM

    I love the bird and your poem which plunges into despair and then comes out into the light.

    ReplyDelete
  6. an artist reflectsAugust 7, 2025 at 3:29 PM

    Love the 'take flight' ~ and staying in the light ~ beautiful words and photos ~ hugs ~

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  7. JocelynAugust 7, 2025 at 6:51 PM

    Fun shot.

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  8. MarjaAugust 7, 2025 at 7:44 PM

    Great words of wisdom That photo of the bird is absolutely stunning and that fairy as well What a talent

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  9. JoyfulAugust 7, 2025 at 10:00 PM

    Wonderful photos and a fabulous sky!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Shiju SugunanAugust 7, 2025 at 10:57 PM

    Beautiful shot of Steller's Jay! I appreciate the reminder that even in darkness, there's always a gust of light to reclaim our inner flight.

    ReplyDelete
  11. mvmaithaiAugust 8, 2025 at 7:57 AM

    Love the pictures, especially the bird and the sunflower.

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  12. Rose PAugust 8, 2025 at 9:22 AM

    The images and art are amazing!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Spare Parts and PicsAugust 8, 2025 at 9:40 AM

    Gorgeous photos. The kite and bluejay photos are sublime!

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  14. Light and VoicesAugust 8, 2025 at 1:22 PM

    That bird has the prettiest feathers.

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  15. Jae RoseAugust 8, 2025 at 5:19 PM

    I love the colour of your words and your reference to Emily Dickinson - all so uplifting- Jae

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  16. Rosemary Nissen-WadeAugust 8, 2025 at 9:00 PM

    Wonderful photos as always; and oh, I do love where the poem ends up taking us.

    ReplyDelete
  17. NandiniDekaAugust 8, 2025 at 11:30 PM

    lovely pics...loved the first one a lot

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  18. colleenAugust 9, 2025 at 5:57 AM

    Wow. I love this. The mind in defeat seeks a leap. That whole last stanza is epic.

    ReplyDelete
  19. LindaAugust 9, 2025 at 6:58 AM

    Lovely photos, reminds us of our trips to Clover Point in BC and seeing all the kites flying. Way back in 2011 on a trip to Ucuelet we saw out first stellar jay, and I have a mug with one on it that I used for my tea. Thanks for the memories.

    ReplyDelete
  20. JimAugust 9, 2025 at 7:51 AM

    Some things we have to run against the breeze to get things started.
    I'm Jim (Texas), not the first fellow.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Penelope NotesAugust 9, 2025 at 8:29 AM

      Sometimes we do have to run against the breeze. I love this insight, Jim. :)

      Delete
  21. ~Lavender Dreamer~August 9, 2025 at 8:16 AM

    The fairy is delightful! Makes me want to spread my wings!

    ReplyDelete
  22. eileeninmdAugust 9, 2025 at 9:16 AM

    Hello Maria,
    I loved all your photos, the Jay is a favorite. I love the sunflowers and they make me think of Peace and Ukraine. The fairy is lovely. Thank you for linking up and sharing your critters and post. Take care, have a great weekend.

    ReplyDelete
  23. DeniseinVAAugust 10, 2025 at 5:11 AM

    Always a joy to visit, thank you Maria. I leave smiling and inspired.

    ReplyDelete
  24. AnonymousAugust 10, 2025 at 10:36 PM

    Interesting mix of metaphors! I'm glad the poor little thing was able to take flight in the end! Like the Steller's Jay--beautiful.

    PK

    ReplyDelete
  25. purplepeninportland.comAugust 14, 2025 at 6:00 PM

    Beautiful fairy and bird!

    ReplyDelete
  26. Hena TayebAugust 21, 2025 at 9:23 AM

    Lovely photos and a beautiful poem.

    ReplyDelete
  27. YvonneAugust 23, 2025 at 4:40 PM

    Beautiful sentiment and a breathless photo of a Steller's Jay.

    ReplyDelete

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