Gazing upward like a coloring pad of indigo and cobalt blue
Joy effervescing inside her lingering indulgent bubble bath
Light as morning waffles clouds are whirling day time hues
Laying between two cotton fields plowed, left white fluff still
It smells of clay, honeysuckle and gardenias her feet inhale
Magical brush fashioned a cottontail that went against his will
Eyes breathing in the splendor of the heavens as a ladybug flew
Upon her once white dress as a welcoming sign of springtime
Winds blowing, the paints mixing on God’s palette something new
Forming slowly to prayers whispered, were fitting angel wings
Babies playing gleefully in the sky giving faith through love
Moving suntan legs forward for the red ant leaves his hot stings
Pattycake and teeming mud pies she had crafted in her youth here
Inspiration, oh how you paint my heart upon your delicious easel
A fairy alit on her finger; she let it drink the water from a grateful tear
Written by Joni Caggiano 03/26/20
Photograph by Joni
I have been having difficulty writing lately. Perhaps it is the sadness in my heart for those alone or frightened. It is my prayer that people everywhere remember you are loved. You are not alone. My stillness fills with hope, love, and supplication for all people in our world. Love to all Joni
Your poems brighten many hearts right now Joni, & that is your gift to share. Thank you for writing when your heart fills heavy & thoughts are so filled with uncertain times. I appreciate you helping us all keep strong & uplifted. Bless your heart. xoxo
Thank you my dearest friend for you kind and thoughtful words. We will talk soon whenever you can. Praying for you tonight and your family. Love you sweetie. Joni
This is so gorgeous my dearest Joni. The imagery is rich and beautiful.
“Pattycake and teeming mud pies she had crafted in her youth here
Inspiration, oh how you paint my heart upon your delicious easel
A fairy alit on her finger; she let it drink the water from a grateful tear”
Beautiful finale.
Joni I understand you are sad. Lots of people suffer. Lots are in need of many things. Many are alone. I hope people read your poem and fill your love and compassion.
Take care honeybun.
xoxoxo
Thank you beautiful Button I am grateful you are well. So glad you like the poem, you are so gracious with your words they always lift my spirits. I pray you stay safe and take great care of yourself. I am not afraid for myself but others. Love, hugs, and safe thoughts coming your way. Love Joni 🌸🌸🌸💕 PS I am excited to see your gorgeous poem win on Spillwords.
My pleasure Joni. I am really in love with your beautiful poems. I am glad I lifted your spirit. It makes me feel good sweetheart.
Sending you more love and hugs. Ten thousand times more.
xoxoxo
“I am excited to see your gorgeous poem win on Spillwords.” Joni, we don’t know if my poem is going to win but thank you for saying that. You are a gem. Have a beautiful day honeybun.
I know you are right I just get so excited for you. I can be a little girl at heart sometimes. Thanks for your kindness Button. Hugs, love, blessings and prayers to you. 🥰🥰
I think you should consider sending a poem to thrushpoetryjournal.com – they have the Orison Anthology and a Pushcart Award – Your work would be a blessing for them. Hugs Button – Love you Joni
Sorry for the typos sweetheart. I am on my iPhone.
I didn’t notice. I decided to respond to your message here and not publish-your sweet response thought that might be what you were thinking. Thank you so much again. Love 💕 Joni
Thank you Joni. You did the right thing. I am grateful to you. Blessings and love to you.
xoxo
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💝💕🌸💐❤️
Thank you for the time you put into your loving response. I read every word twice. I am glad you are going to check them out. Great advice thank you button. My husband appreciated it too. I am currently waiting to hear back on a Spillwords submittal but they are very busy right now. Blessings and thanks again for your time on my behalf it was a very helpful and encouraging response. Love always Joni 🌸🌸🌸💕😘
Beautiful imagery, Joni–I often look at the sky and say, “What a day you’ve painted for me, Lord!” And what thoughtful words you offer to those alone or frightened. It’s a bit strange to me when I read about people who’ve self-quarantined–as for most of them, their daily life has changed significantly (not going to work or school). For me, self-quarantine is the norm…I live alone, spend my time inside–days can go by before I even check my mailbox 🙂 So I guess I’m saying that it’s hard to imagine what it’s like to suddenly alter daily activities in the extreme. I don’t know if I asked you whether your husband works, or is retired–how much is he exposed outside your home?
My husband retired early. We have a small amount of land and it is very private. I feel very blessed in that our walking our two small dogs, his Tuesday church group, Sunday church and going to the market and Dr. appointments my life nor his has changed that much. I feel very blessed. My daughters life has been turned upside down. She is a VP in Kirkland and usually travels 2/3 of her time. She is very active. I can’t go to the gym but I can exercise at home. So we just spend almost all our time together. I am in prayer a lot as I know you are. Love you Rhen. Thank you for your kind words. I appreciate them very much. ❤️❤️
Oh my, thank you so much for sharing with me, Joni. It sounds like you live in lovely surroundings, and have a wonderful life–but I won’t be envious, just happy for you 🙂 I will certainly pray for your daughter–so stressful to have one’s life turned upside down in the way you describe. Is she also a Believer? It helps to have our faith, as you surely know <3 I will be starting to exercise on my treadmill soon–I've had it for 6 years, and had wanted to get rid of it–but I'm glad I didn't 🙂 I'm sending you HUGE SAFE HUGS, dear Sister 💕💝💟
Thank you for this kind message Rhen. She has tremendous faith and is a little prayer warrior. Exercise helps me feel so much better. You are so sweet to pray for her thank you so much. I am keeping prayers coming your way too. Love and hugs, blessings and prayers. Love you sister. 💕💕Joni
Oh good, I’m glad your daughter is on God’s team–we need more praying sisters, warriors!! I’m sure I’ll feel MUCH better when I get in the treadmill habit–it’s only difficult because I’m a sedentary person! But I’ll trust the Lord to help me with this, just as He does in every other area–HE’S SO GOOD and FAITHFUL!! Love and more blessings to you–have a fabulous weekend, Joni! 💕
Rhen I have been busy for two days but if I use my computer I miss comments on my phone. I don’t understand how I missed this very sweet comment. It showed up today on my phone. Yesterday I didn’t did very little. You are writing a lot. Good for you. Yes I taught my daughter about the Lord when she was tiny. She has great faith. You will get use to your treadmill. Just start slow and do it three times a week and then add more time. You will probably find you have more energy. Love and hugs sis. ❤️😘💕🌺🌸
Oh thank you–especially for the tip to start only 3 days per week on the treadmill! I needed encouragement, as I’ve been reluctant to get on it since having vertigo… Blessings to you!!
Don’t elevate it right away either. Just see how you feel. Then if it feels good up your time. Love you
Thank you, dear heart–it’s not at much of an angle 💕
Beautiful l. ❤
Thank you so much my friend. Love 💕 Joni
You’re welcome.
A lovely poem in these dark days 🙂 I am finding it hard some days to put pen to paper too, maybe it’s because I don’t get to see as many people as I did ha.
I am not sure why but it has affected my writing. We just have to stay positive and safe of course and have faith. Love 💕 Joni
Beautiful Joni…I am attracted to this verse “Winds blowing, the paints mixing on God’s palette something new…” you have really captured the essence of spirituality as it relates to our daily life. Lovely poem Joni, very emotional and very real. Reference the sadness, we all are feeling sad but faith must keep us strong and it is alright to feel emotions. I too pray for those who are alone in times like these and hope that we come through this as better humans. Love from Spain Joni, stay safe
Thank you so much for your gracious words Francisco. You humble me with your compliments. I agree I hope this tragedy brings some blessings and fruit. Glad you liked those lines I think I have been inspired by an amazing artist in Spain 😘 stay safe too. Love Joni
You are a gift Joni, I am so grateful for your friendship. My best to you both!
With love and peace and blessings,
Francisco
Thank you so much my friend. Love and Hugs Joni
The images you portray are very beautiful. I also like to look at the sky and let my mind run wild. Thanks for this post.
Oh thank you kind Geri for your kind comments. They really do mean the world to me. Thank you for following and commenting. May you have a blessed evening and a safe one love Joni 🌸🌺😘❤️
You are a gifted writer and your are so caring thinking of people that may be empty and hurting
Thank you Michelle. I appreciate your comment so much. I really enjoy your post as well. It has been such a blessing to write for me. Especially during these crazy times we are living in. I hope you have an amazing and blessed weekend my friend. Love an hugs and safety to you and all your loved ones. 🌺🌸❤️💕Joni