Sacrifice of a Glorious Life

Posted on by jonicaggiano
Photograph by Joni Caggiano – Poem by Joni

falling like grand flakes of golden paper are the leaves from my body
singing, a playful gust of wind takes my yellow dressing to the soil
venerating the glory of my clapping in harmony with nature’s voice
ageless limbs stretch out, grasping the sun’s rays, bringing me life
fertile like the human that watches me from her floating windowsill
I am the golden leaves of summer that beckon to her pain and fear
hummingbirds tend closer than I as they circle the glass with dance
tears breach the dam by night, bringing brackish water to my roots
her solace comes from the sun’s reflection on my golden life of light
slowly dying, as her salty wails keep me from drinking rain God offers
joyfulness is bursting bark off my brown-gray trunk, for she is smiling
created to be a habitat for earth’s small creatures who nest with me
giving my life for hers as she also will produce energy, and I am a tree
providing play for children, stability for soil and many houses for thee

61 thoughts on “Sacrifice of a Glorious Life”

  1. My dear Joni. I’ve read and reread this. I absolutely adore the imagery you have used with leaves “falling like grand flakes of golden paper are the leaves from my body” – and the synchronicity and relationship between tree and the fertile, the feminine, and the human. Between life and change and living and death. You write so beautifully. I hope you are well dear friend xoxoxox

    Reply

    1. I am and it is always a blessing to hear from you dear friend. I love your comments how you understand my poetry. It is always such a blessing to hear from you Rachel. It seems difficult at times to keep up and still read other people’s work the way I would like too. Still working on my writing. You are still one of my very favorite poets on line. You are an amazing talent my friend. It would be hard to do this if I had a small child. Thank you so much for writing and reading. I am sending you and your daughter love and lots of prayers for all your dreams to come true. Love you Rachel, Joni ❤️🤗😘🥰🙏

      Reply

      1. It is difficult to keep up sometimes isn’t it? That’s a big reason why I had that big break, I felt like I couldn’t do it justice, I felt like I was always letting others down, I felt like my writing just wasn’t good enough.

        To have one of my favourite poets to call me one of her favourite poets…. that fills me with joy. Thank you Joni. You are a blessing to me. Sending love to you Joni, my heart is connected to yours ❤️🌏❤️ xoxox

      2. Dearest Rachel I am guessing that we would both be shocked at all the things we do have in common. I never feel like my work is where it should be either. Your work took my breath away when I read it. I immediately thought I could never be that talented. I have always felt the same about Gabriela (Button) she has something unique, different then anyone I have ever read and I love her work. You don’t give yourself enough credit and yet I understand. It is so much and I have many other things I have to do. I feel so blessed for meeting such talented people and I am happy for everyone successes. Buttons book is beautifully expressive every single poem. Yours are amazing too. My heart is connected to yours my friend definitely. Love you and thank you so much for being my incredibly talented friend. Sleep well my friend. Love you ❤️❤️Joni

  3. We should all be so generous as the trees in aiding renewal through cycles of dormancy (introspection and contemplation) and rebirth. I love the trees in my yard in all seasons and am always sad when I lose an old friend. Stay well Joni. Hugs. Allan

    Reply

    1. Oh thank you my friend for reading and your comment. I love every tree and that photograph is actually what my view is from where I write. Thank you Allan. Love to you and your family. 🤗 (I wish more people felt that way about the trees) ❤️Joni

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  4. Woww!! My friend joni! This post is awesome! And wonderful piece. I loved it very much.. and the imagery was so fantastic. You are awesome my friend!❤❤

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    1. What a beautiful compliment Brenda. Thank you for your kindness and support it means a lot to me. I am glad Mother Earth is starting to get attention from more people. Everything you said is true. Love you sweetie ❤️❤️🤗😘Joni

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    1. Hi dear Judy, thank you so much for reading my work it means a lot to me it really does. I know you’re extremely busy and don’t have a lot of extra time. We have a little dog that’s been recovering from surgery and you have to watch her like a shadow to keep her from taking our her stitches. Sending love and always prayers for a better, kinder, and less discriminating world to live in. Love you Judy. Stay safe my friend. ❤️🤗😘🧚‍♀️

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  7. Such beautiful imagry in your poem Joni!
    of for the wonders of nature housing our spirits and the trees to give their healing and respite with the leaves and birds.
    lots of love to you dear friend!💖

    Reply

    1. Oh thank you so much my closer than far, friend. Have had you on my mind and in my prayers and hoping that you are getting your strength back. I know that you love nature like we do and it certainly is a piece that glorifies God, nature and how important our existence is with the trees. Thank you so much for reading and your lovely comment as always. Love to all your sweet family and hope you are taking it easy. Sending boatloads of love your way. ❤️🤗😘🥰🦋🌹🌹🙏

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      1. Hi my dear… Everyday is better and soon I’ll be back in my tip top shape… I hope.. 🙏❤️
        You’re sweet and your piece is fabulous my closer than far but too far for a walk friend. Throwing on my shoes to take my class on the road today.. easier on the bod. love and hugs today.. xoxoxoxo 💖❤️🙏🌷💗🤗

      2. So glad to hear you were on the mend Wise and light one. Thank you so much for reading and your kind support it means a lot to me. I think walking right now is a good ideal. I was so tired after my second vaccination I couldn’t even walk for more than a block for about a week. Love you Cindy, please be kind to your body. ❤️🤗😘🥰

      3. you are so kind and thanks for the wishes. It is a delight to read your work and support you and I appreciate yours as well so very much!💖💖❣️
        It’s amazing the wipe out but I’m hearing it means we’re really strong in immume function so that’s the good news. Love you and thanks for the wishes Joni💖. I’m be kid and smart, don’t worry💖❣️🙏🙏

      4. Glad to here it sweetie. Love ya, you will be back to your work outs combined with great yoga moves in no time. ❤️🤗😘🥰🥰💕💕💕

      8. Love you sweetie and ditto. Thank you so much. Seriously though not to sound like a bug but if you are not feeling normal before too long please at least go have a blood panel done. Call your regular doc. I am starting to get a bit worried about you. Love you sweetie❤️❤️❤️🤗🤗😘🥰🙏

      10. Yea well that would be a prayer answered. Love you , My precious friend Joni. This is really good news thanks for letting me know. ❤️❤️❤️

  8. Hello, honeybun, what a wonderful surprise. Beautiful … Beautiful … the imagery is so vivid, so enticing… I truly love the use of words in this piece. They shine like jewels.
    Sending you plenty of love
    xoxoxo..

    Reply

    1. Oh Beautiful Button thank you for your kind words. They touch my heart so much. I was disappointed that the picture showed up so well from my site where I always prepare my post. It does not look good from the reader just more to learn. When you touch the photograph you can see a hummingbird at the feeder and a squirrel upside down on another feeder. This is what I see when I write. I am sending back so much love and warm hugs my friend. 😘🤗🥰❤️❤️🦋🦋love honeybun

      Reply

      1. My pleasure honeybun and sorry for my late reply. Yes, I can see the hummingbird and the squirrel.

        “This is what I see when I write.” This is wonderful.

        Thank you for the love and hugs.
        Sending you more.
        xoxoxoxoxo
        G (button)

      2. Thank you sweetheart.
        Sending you love and hugs Beautiful Button,
        Love ❤️ honeybun ❤️🤗😘🥰😘🤗❤️

  9. Beautiful poetry, Joni! And your yard, wow! Absolutely dreamy! Even the hummingbirds and squirrels think so!😍 My studio faces the back yard also, my yard is much smaller than yours, but watching the wildlife while creating is so rewarding! The more we can combine nature and art the better! All the best to you my dear friend! 🥰🐦🦉🌼🌞

    Reply

    1. Thank you Tiffany my red haired friend. It is such a blessing to have land to enjoy. Nature is so inspirational while you create. I agree with combining nature and art and love the way you find ways to incorporate flowers, leaves and other things from Mother Earth into yours. I bet you get great light facing the yard for painting. I have never been to your neck of the world but know I would love it. So many artist there. Your work is so bright and happy. I love the piece you showed in the interview with the bright red lines. I always blow art up so you can see what lovely things you can find on the piece. I hope you have an amazingly wonderful and creative day dear Tiffany. I am sending tons of birds your way carrying lots of budding flowers for your beautiful art. Love you Joni ❤️🤗😘🦉🦉🐝🌹🌹

      Reply

    1. Thank you so much and thank you for the hugs. I miss them so much. I am a hugger. I really need the coffee right now. Sending you love back my friend. Have an amazing day. ❤️❤️❤️❤️☕️☕️☕️🤗😘🤗😘

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    1. Yes I believe in green and try to lower my footprint whenever possible. Looking forward to checking out your site. Happy Memorial Day weekend. Love ❤️ Joni

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  14. I absolutely love what “In mind and out” said in her comment about this work. She put it so beautifully. I love how you honored the mighty tree in this writing. Your way with words takes my breath away. ❤️

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    1. Thank you Jill. I appreciate every word you have written tonight you are so good to me. She is an amazing writer, her name is Rachel. I do have a true love for trees. We are watching them all be pulled up around us for more incredible unnecessarily enormous homes. It breaks my heart. Thank you for your gracious friendship dear Jill. Love you. ❤️

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  15. I agree with you 100% my friend. All this building and it’s driving wildlife out of homes, destroying so many trees and forests…it makes me sad every day. I wonder if there’s anywhere on Earth to move, to escape it. I daydream about that. I love you- your works are incredible!

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  16. You received such wonderful feedback on this piece Joni. I know you love trees, I do too. I spotted the hummer right away, I had to do a double look on the squirrel, the color blended in with the feeder! This poem made me think of that song Big Yellow Taxi by Joni Mitchell. Love you

    Reply

    1. Oh thank you my friend, what a compliment, I love the song and Joni Mitchell too. (Yes like we need more parking lots) Looking forward to having you as a guest photographer again real soon. I love you Janette and miss you terribly. Hugs and Love coming your way. The fairies saw that I was writing and talking to you about our next collaboration and they packed their bags and we headed to your house. They said your plants were nicer, and they love hummers and not only that but they said you were a much better cook. When they left they were in such a hurry one of them tore my earring right out of my ear. Love you xoxoxox

      Reply

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