Poem in Your Pocket

Yesterday was National Poem in Your Pocket Day

and I took this day to heart!

I chose to share my poem with as many

that would listen to me.

I chose to carry along with me 

"The Road Not Taken"

by

Robert Frost

This poem has always meant a lot to me

and the last few lines

I have read over and over again in my life

" ... Two roads diverged in a wood, and I--

I took the one less traveled by,

and that has made all the difference."

I help lead a Creative Writing Group

with the Senior Adults 

at 

First Colonial Inn

every Thursday night

It is a group of about 20-25 seniors each week

We share Poetry together,

things we have written during the week,

We are given a writing prompt

every week

where we write to soft classical music,

we then share our writing together.

We have our own open mic each week!

The stories and poems and the

rich history these seniors share with us

is heartwarming and I am in awe of 

their life experiences.

This week also happened to be our

leader Judith's birthday

(my life mentor in so many ways)

How she loves our Senior Adults

and loves the written word.

She is an inspiration to all who know her!

So we shared

poetry readings

birthday cake,

giggles

and

Poems in our pockets

together 

last night

What a wonderful way to

spend a Thursday evening.

How blessed I am to be a part

of such a rich and diverse group.

I thought I was going to be teaching them,

in fact it has been the other way around!

The very first poem of mine that I ever read out loud

was to this group!

These precious senior writers have truly stolen my heart.

Next week our group travels to

The Poetry Society of Virginia

Open Mic Night

where we will all share our writing

with an even larger group!

Give of your time and talents

to those who need you,

you won't be disappointed.

WE all have gifts to offer someone,

don't keep them to yourself!

Donna Lee

Needed Time Away

My Morning View

I have just returned from a long weekend away

to the Outer Banks with my sister.

Somehow I always find myself

retreating there when I need time

for reflection, rest and quiet time.

I packed so much to bring with me

(I always say I am going to bring less the next time!!)

We were going to have a creative weekend together

Knitting, writing journal, Zentangle and watercolors . . . 

yet I hardly accomplished anything!

I realized that was exactly what I needed

time to slow my body rhythm down

catch up on rest, reconnect with friends,

absorb the beauty of the ocean

and have much needed time with my sis.

Happy lights at night

Our lives are spinning so fast these days

and taking the time to get away

to rest and restore

is hardly ever on the our list . . .

but I believe it really should be!

For me there is nothing more magical

than the sun rising over the ocean,

feeling the cold sand between my toes,

walking along the seashore,

being alone with my thoughts and prayers!

So I begin another work week today

where stresses are great

and time is again no longer mine.

I am determined to keep this sense of renewal,

knowing it will fade and I will again return to the ocean!

Always finding a self portrait

Take the time to get away

whatever that is for you in your life

don't get caught up in the busyness of life

feeling stressed and overwhelmed

we all need a fresh perspective!

Remember April is National Poetry Month

what a special time to focus on something different,

try your hand at writing a poem,

discover a new poet,

 attend a poetry reading!

My Favorite Place

How far I have come!

Photography has opened up a whole new world for me

How I love looking at my life

through my camera lens

I feel safe and connected there.

My photo prompt for 

52 Photos Project

this week

was "My Favorite Place"

I had to really think on this one!

I thought of my art studio

where of course I love to be

I thought of my back yard

which is my little corner of heaven

I thought of the ocean shore

in the Outer Banks

where I seek refuge

over and over again

I thought of my Poetry Books

where I retreat to

for nourishment

I even thought of my weaving loom

who has been with me for so long

None of these places were

exactly my favorite,

then I realized that it had to be

behind my camera lens

for that truly is my favorite place!

My camera is my constant companion

there is always something new that I

see and observe

and that I want to capture!

I am having so much fun with

my iPhone too

for I am an Instagram addict!

I love capturing snippets of my daily life

and seeing what others are doing too!

It is a way to keep us all connected.

I can always find inspiration there.

So yes to my favorite place

MY CAMERA

She is my friend, companion and teacher.

 She has taught me to look at life

so differently now!

I have learned so much along the way.

I can't wait to see what comes next!

Donna Lee

Now I become myself ...

poetry journal page

(created my flowers myself!)

"Now I become myself.  It's taken time, many years

and many places."

May Sarton

April is National Poetry Month

Today is the fourth of April

and I am celebrating

Poetry Month.

I am trying to write a new poem

for each day in April

in a painted journal

that I created from

an e-course I recently took with

Roben-Marie Smith!

I feel like it will be quite a treasure

when the month is over!

"She lives her poetry out loud each and every day"

I encourage you,

read a poem or two,

try writing a poem,

attend a poetry reading,

experience the beauty of poetry

this month.

I promise you this ...

It will open your heart

and

touch your senses!

April 18th will be

"Poem in your Pocket Day"

I am still trying to decide

just which one I will be carrying

with me all day long!

I am sure I will be sharing it

with you!

How exciting it is that a whole month

is devoted nationwide

to the importance of Poetry

in our daily lives.

Come and join us

won't you??????

Poetry for me is a way of life,
expressing how I feel
writing about those things
that matter most to me.
Poetry has changed
my writing life
and I am so very grateful!

Donna Lee

The finish of what I started!

My published work!

Yesterday my book came in the mail

and when I opened the box

emotions truly took over!

I was so excited to see my work

actually in book form

that I was overtaken with tears!

I started my 100 poems journey last year,

June 15, 2012 to be exact.

It was my son Drew's 29th birthday.

I had set a goal to create a blog

with my original 

photography and poetry.

I would title it

100 Poems Journey

(click on this link and it will take you there!)

I had no idea at the time 

it would be such a commitment of 

labor and love.

I thought it would be easy to 

write some poetry and take pictures

to go along with the poem.

What I discovered was that it took

a lot of effort and thought,

love and patience to accomplish

such a task.

One hundred days is a long time my friends!

I grew so much during that time 

and lived through words and images.

A sample page . . . one of my favorite photos

I know that I will never forget

the experience of it all.

For I am in love with photography,

for it is poetry in picture form.

Looking at my world through a 

camera lens is awesome

and life changing!

I have truly learned to look at everything

differently and with a poetic eye!

Matching my images with words,

my poetic words, 

was a gift come true.

I have grown as an artist,

in so many ways!

When my journey was complete,

it took awhile for me to come back down

to a normal life routine.

It was hard for me, 

I couldn't settle back into norm,

I didn't even want to 

for something was different within me.

There is great joy within oneself

when you accomplish what you set out to do,

knowing that you did it well.

I began to research how I could actually

publish my journey,

that wasn't an easy task.

I tried them all . . .

Shutterfly, Lulu, iPhoto, Blurb

the complication for me

was words and photos together.

Then came along Blog2print.

It was difficult to process a book for months,

because each page and image ran together.

I wanted one page for each day.

Until one month ago, 

they added a new feature

page breaks between one post and another,

the result is what you see here!

(I am truly convinced they added

that feature just for Donna Lee!)

I was able to design my pages,

my book cover, the spine

and more.

I ask myself will I do another?

Not sure . . . it truly has taken a 

long chunk of time

to get where I am this morning,

holding my precious baby in my hands!

For now I am going to sit with hot tea

and re-read my poetry,

share it at open mic night,

and revel in the accomplishment

of my own poetic works.

For I truly did finish what I started!

I Am One Who . . .

I Am One Who . . .

gets up early morning just to write

loves Chai Soy Lattes

always has a book in her hand

loves knitting socks

sings alto in her choir

practices hot yoga and loves it

is in love with Poetry

is an art journal junkie

loves her family with all her heart

escapes to the Outer Banks

enjoys her little blog

tries to learn something new everyday
finds time to be creative

has worked in the eye field for forty years

believes in a mighty God

loves candlelight and incense

meditates

loves senior adults

is a major Downton Abbey fan

loves time with her girlfriends

is in love with her life


This was a writing prompt I gave to my senior adult writing group,
I decided to share my writing from last night with you!

The Newness of Life

Delaney Elizabeth Watson

This week my niece had her second baby

a precious baby girl

while everyone was concentrating

on just how beautiful she was

(and she was)

I noticed her precious little toes 

sticking out of the blanket!

I just couldn't wait to touch them.

I took the above photo to capture that moment

in the hospital room

and all this week I have been thinking

about the newness of life.

How wonderful are new beginnings,

newness that opens up in our daily lives,

the excited feelings we experience

when something is brand new . . . 

a newborn baby

a new friendship

a new job

a new experience

a brand new puppy

a new art project

a flower blossom

a trip you have never taken before

a brand new book to read

a new class

a brand new sunrise

a new song to sing

a new journal that has never been written in
a blank canvas
a new knitting project

Newness in life is a very good thing!

Look around you at experiences of your own life 

and see something new,

let it have a freshness

all of it's own.

We get so bogged down from our

day to day living 

we forget to look for

new things.

They are out there

trust me on that!

Here comes spring . . . 

have you seen little beautiful buds 

beginning to find their way into the world yet?

Just look and see

you will find them

Have a beautiful weekend

and get out there

experience something

totally new for you!

donna lee

A Poetry Moment

"She keeps returning to the ocean shore

to find clarity, peace and inner strength"

Ocean Waves

roaring and tumbling

every moment

every day

God's mightiness is revealed

knows no time

has always been

a constant force to reckon with

beauty

majesty

calming 

healing

washing in

drifting out

fierce and mighty

damaging

respect is demanded

how I draw near to the

ocean waves

for here I feel safe and calm

a place to be with 

my inner thoughts

granting me renewal

calmness and strength

(artwork inspired from Somerset Journaling magazine)

What a great day!

It started early on a Saturday Morning,

8:00 am I arrived at the Hotel,

ready to set up and face the day!

I asked myself,

"Was this really happening?"

An Artful Spirit Workshop,

all the planning, working, and dreaming.

Was it really coming true at that moment,

oh yes it was!

How happy my colleague Suzan and I

were to see our name announced

It made it all seem so real!

There we were capturing every happy moment!

We knew it was going to be a day filled with 

creativity and spontaneity. 

We were eager to start our adventure!

We played with spray inks, acrylics, crayons,

stabilo pencils, spray paints, gesso, watercolors,

oil pastels, stencils, palette knifes, words, images,

papers, papers and more papers.

We learned the magic of painting with our fingers

and getting our hands dirty!
I have learned so many wonderful techniques
through e courses, retreats, books and magazines.
It was hard for me to realize that I was
now the teacher sharing what I have learned.

There were art supplies everywhere,

more than anyone could use in just one day,

there was relaxing music playing,

fellowship, conversation and giggling!

We created painted papers, 

journals, collages, bookmarks,

little notecards and

extras to take home and create

something unique of our own.

Each workshop was filled

with learning, experimenting,

a sharing of ideas and techniques.

Each class was two and half hours long,

there was plenty of time to relax

and enjoy the process

of learning something new!

We even enjoyed a nice lunch time

overlooking the

Chesapeake Bay!

A story read out loud

before beginning our next workshop 

The Art of Wabi Sabi Watercolor ... 

a Japanese view or process 

of accepting what is

and 

letting go of imperfection

It was the perfect workshop and ending to our day!

Learning to let go of expectations

Enjoying the process

Relaxing and Receiving

what was meant for each of us

that day

I even shared a little of my own poetry!

(For Poetry always finds it way into my life)

Gathering together

for just one magical day.

A day full of love and laughter,

fellowship, letting go and creating.

I am so very proud to have been

a part of this amazing experience.

YES to envisioning what you want to happen!

YES to making your dreams come true!

YES to stepping out and leading others!

YES to sharing your dream with others!

YES to happy successes!

YES to saying we did it well!

We are already thinking about 

our next adventure!

This time perhaps we will make it a weekend gathering.

Hmmmmm . . . I see a pajama painting party

stirring around in my head!

Thanks for letting me share today.

My heart is so full.

donna lee

A Poetic Artful Spirit

My latest collage

I have been quite busy preparing for my Art Workshop

"An Artful Spirit"

Just a day of fun creating with fellow art seekers

here in Virginia Beach!

I have always been the Attendee,

even taught art classes before,

but never have I been the Facilitator!

So I am reaching outward

and giving it a try!

I am so happy to say whether one person signs up

or we have a full house,

I am happy to be in this place,

right here and right now!

I have already learned so much.

You know I love my Art and writing my Poetry

so while creating this collage

the words just kept coming to me.

I began jotting them down as fast as they came

and was able to create this poem

about An Artful Spirit

(a way of living creatively)

so I wanted to share with you today

on my Wednesday Poetry Moment 

An Artful Spirit . . . 

It comes from way down deep inside

a thought, a feeling,

a certain way of living

an art of looking at things around you

An Artful Spirit

creativity inward and outward

a way of interpreting

the way we live our daily lives

Observing, Painting, Creating, Dreaming

Walking through this life

Soulfully stepping . . . 

Intuitively thinking

Being Artful is a

gradually acquired way of living

So grateful to have arrived here,

in this very soulful and heartfelt place.

Have a beautiful rest of your week!

I am headed to Myrtle Beach, SC

for some restful time with my hubby!

Looking forward to refreshing my spirit,

playing with my brand new Canon Rebel T3i!

For next weekend will be my art retreat!

I so wish you all could be there!

Donna Lee