Smorgasbord Blog Magazine – Podcast #Poetry – Rain and The Power of Trees by Sally Cronin

Some more poetry and flash fiction from my various collections.

Nature is a fascinating and wonderful addition to our lives from the rain and wind that bow to the power of the sun, to the wisdom of trees.

Sally Cronin – Smorgasbord Blog Magazine · Smorgasbord Poetry – Rain And The Wisdom Of Trees

 

Rain

It can be daunting
to find beauty in the rain
when it drowns the earth

Summer flowers strive
to retain vibrant colours
under such onslaught

Wind joins its cousin
laughing at the destruction
combined efforts bring

Birds sit and shiver
in the glistening hedgerows
desperate to feed

Then a ray of light
as sun fights its way through clouds
it has come to play
The wind and rain pause
waiting for the sun’s next move
in nature’s board game

They admit defeat
no match for the sun’s power
and leave in silence

Birds begin to sing
and flowers lift up their heads
to smile at the world.

The Wisdom of Trees

Trees
ancient
observers
of history
have stories to tell
of man’s time on this earth.
Stored within each leaf and seed
the cellular memories wait
to be discovered by those that ask
for the gift of their infinite wisdom.
From green saplings to the giant redwoods
messages are carried on the winds.
Listen for the rustle of leaves
and the music that they make.
For as long as they sing
the world will be safe
but woe betide
should we cut
them all
down.

©Sally Cronin 2023

One of the reviews for Life is Like a Mosaic

Jacqui Murray VINE VOICE  5.0 out of 5 stars Expect to be challenged by this collection of poems  Reviewed in the United States

In Sally Cronin’s first collection of poetry (I think–she has a lot of fiction collections), Life is Like a Mosaic: Random Fragments in Harmony (2021), be ready for a lilting collection of well-selected words, expertly managed and enhanced by images. Her stated goal:

… to share aspects of life and nature that we experience on a daily basis, but also can sometimes catch us by surprise.

Goal accomplished. The words rely on the images and vice versa–neither is complete without the other. Not only does the message challenge the reader to think deeply but to see beyond what’s on paper.

Some of the fifty+ poems are there just to be enjoyed, to lift your day, but others are to make you think.

…nature takes advantage of the break from progress…

Time can be fleeting or last a lifetime

Some made me think. At first read, I thought I knew what the words meant, even the subliminal message, but on a second read, realized I’d missed the point:

We leave, driven to pass on precious genes, of strength and stamina, humans will need to thrive

Dreams often open pathways, clear of the wakeful detritus, leading our minds in a direction to that sweet spot of perfect clarity.

One of my favorite poems was Skepticism. It touches on politics but not one side or the other. It picked those truths I think everyone believes, hard truths but said so beautifully, instead of anger, I felt sadness.

Politics where truth is scattered on the wind. Media mines dirt from fake news to mislead Agendas wth facts spun to fit planned outcomes Climate change based on flawed research creates wealth Our money works to pay banker’s bonuses Pinch of salt. needed to prevent brain washing.

And my favorite line:

To challenge is to be labelled a nut case.

I had planned to read this slowly, over time, but found I couldn’t stop. Highly recommended for any who have loved Cronin’s other fiction or those who want to be challenged.

Thank you for listening and if you would like to know more about my books and their reviews you can find them on my books page My books and reviews 2023