Smorgasbord Blog Magazine – Podcast – #Poetry – #DoubleEtheree The Robin -Size Doesn’t Matter by Sally Cronin

Today something a little different for the podcast… I have been tied up in recent weeks working on my new collection and have missed participating in Colleen Chesebro’s wonderful weekly challenge.. so today I have recorded my poem in response to this week’s prompt. Lessons from Nature

Double Etheree – The Robin – Size Doesn’t Matter

Sally Cronin – Smorgasbord Blog Magazine · Poetry Double Etheree Robin Size Doesn’t Matter By Sally Cronin

 

The
robin
might be small
with spindly legs
but he is feisty
the garden’s emperor
red breasted hunter of slugs
defender of the bird seed tray
squabbling starlings and rampant crows
show respect to this minute warrior
rooks are daunted by his commanding stare
veering away from plundering raids
he is though a gardener’s friend
perching on a fork or spade
eagerness to assist
in the removal
of garden pests
a feast fit
for a
king

©Sally Cronin 2022

My most recent book is a collection of poetry and was published in July 2021

One of the reviews for the collection

Harmony Kent  5.0 out of 5 stars Incredible  Reviewed in the United Kingdom

I’ve had this book on my Kindle for a while … too long, especially with the absolute gem of a read it is. This book of poetry may be small in size but it’s big in content. The poems use various syllabic formats and some of them are a work of art in themselves … such as the butterfly Cinquain, for example. Sally Cronin packs a lot of life into few words and evokes so many emotions.

Each poem is accompanied with a photograph, which adds to the artistry of this book. The topics covered include birthdays, ageism, secrets, friendships, advanced years, and so much more. The final section of the book treats the reader to slices of life in rhyming verse. I enjoyed them all, and The Lure of the Waltzer took me right back to my teenage years.

While the whole collection is wonderful, here are some lines which stood out for me …

“ In a house where the jungle merged with the sea.”

And …

“it’s good to know you can still come home
rebellion packed in your case.”

And …

“ So if I sound a bit pickled
The leftovers carry the blame.”

And, finally a poem in full … from FIRST STEPS:

“First steps
new beginnings
hesitancy and fear
one foot in front of the other
deep breath
Focus on smiles and
hands outstretched
for you are not alone
on this journey
through life.

Life is Like a Mosaic gets a resounding five stars. A must read book. 

You can find all my books and buy links: Sally’s Books and Reviews 2022

 

Thanks for dropping by and I hope you have enjoyed the poem.. thanks Sally.

 

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Smorgasbord Poetry – Colleen Chesebro’s Tuesday Weekly Challenge – #Themeprompt – #TankaProse – Useful by Sally Cronin

This week  Colleen Chesebro’s weekly poetry challenge is a theme prompt suggested by kerfe I have created a Tanka Prose using the prompt.

Tanka Prose – Useful

Her aim in life was to be useful. As a child she would do her chores expecting no reward except a smile. As a teenager she cleaned her room without asking and expected no acknowledgement except a smile. As an adult she always tried to be helpful at work and in relationships and expected nothing except a smile. Her smile always lit up the room in return.

It is important
Not to underestimate
The gift of a smile
To show appreciation
For someone who is useful

©Sally Cronin 2022

My most recent book is a collection of poetry and was published in July 2021

One of the reviews for the collection

Jacqui Murray VINE VOICE 5.0 out of 5 stars Expect to be challenged by this collection of poems Reviewed in the United States on July 23, 2021

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.

You can find all my books and buy links: Sally’s Books and Reviews 2022

 

Thanks for dropping by and I hope you have enjoyed the poem.. thanks Sally.

 

 

Smorgasbord Poetry – Colleen Chesebro’s Tuesday Weekly Challenge #TankaProse – Bear Witness by Sally Cronin

This week for Colleen Chesebro’s Tuesday Poetry Challenge 241 it is to create in a specific form which is Tanka Prose…

Here is my Tanka Prose –

Bear Witness

Images seared on the mind. Men, women and children fleeing a future they have experienced before. Faith lost in those who swore to protect. Fear that borders crossed only hold more danger. Spectators from afar can only look on powerlessly, grateful for the safety and peace they often take for granted.

Do not look away
bear witness to tragedy
give deepest respect
to those who flee tyranny
do not become complacent

©Sally Cronin 2021

There is still time to participate in this week’s challenge: Colleen Chesebro’s Tuesday Poetry Challenge 241 it is to create in a specific form

My latest book is a collection of poetry and was published in July 2021 and here is a recent review.

One of the recent reviews for the collection

Aug 29, 2021 Alex Craigie rated it five stars

Many people are familiar with Haiku, but there are many other forms of poetry where the writer is restricted to a strict pattern of syllables. One of my favourites of these is the Butterfly Cinquain. It has nine lines and the number of syllables allocated to each line gives the finished poem the shape of a butterfly. Just as an expert ballet dancer or gymnast can make what they do seem effortless, so, too, does Sally Cronin –weaving her words into syllabic poetry with a mastery that makes it easy to forget the constraints behind the magic she creates. There are beautiful butterfly cinquains in this book, plus delightful examples of other forms.

The poems in this volume are varied. The tone behind each can be angry, despairing, reflective, brimming with fun or life-affirming and hopeful. This makes it an ideal volume for dipping into when the mood takes you. These are poems to savour. They’re rich, like a box of expensive chocolates, and I enjoyed spending time sampling them in turn. This is another part of the charm for me – you never know what to expect when you turn the page.

Despite the strict syllable count, these poems manage to capture the essence of an idea in a way that doesn’t seem at all forced. In Washed Up and Silver Lining to Isolation, we are shown the positives in a situation. Other examples such as Persecution in the Garden and Is it Time? reveal an anger aimed at people and their disregard for the planet and the creatures we share it with.

Whatever the topic, the images conjured here are vivid and powerful. In Friendship she writes:

Those who hold onto their power/by creating distrust/ fear and hatred/ are weak.

In Cascade: Memories cascade/ tumbling down the precipice of time.

The topics are wide-ranging and include an eloquent attack on fake news and a heartfelt longing for human contact after the barriers created by Covid.

I loved the point made in Hope that Hope is no better than a wish/ needing effort to make come true

The final section of the book is called Slices of Life and concerns events in Sally Cronin’s life. Most of this poetry is in a longer, narrative style with neatly executed rhymes. Again, there’s humour here but also much that I found moving.

Another gratifying aspect of Life is Like a Mosaic is the careful selection of images to accompany each poem. This is a feast for the eyes as well as the ear.

Above all, it’s the closely observed understanding of people and the world in which they live that makes these poems strike a chord in all of us.

You can find all my books and buy links: Sally’s Books and Reviews 2021

 

Thanks for dropping by and I hope you have enjoyed the poem.. thanks Sally.

 

Smorgasbord Poetry – Colleen Chesebro’s Tanka Tuesday Weekly Challenge #Choka #Haiku – Primal Fear by Sally Cronin

This week for Colleen Chesebro’s Tuesday Tanka Challenge it is a photoprompt with an image suggested by Cheryl, from last month’s photoprompt challenge.

I have selected a Choka followed by a Haiku for my poem this week.

Primal Fear

There is primal fear
embedded deep within cells
passed on by our ancestors
who have been witness
for many thousands of years
to this spectacle
laid on by the universe
often predicting events
beyond humankind’s control.

Meteors rain down
perhaps a gift from the gods
or their displeasure

©Sally Cronin 2021

There is still time to participate in this week’s challenge: Colleen Chesebro’s Tuesday Tanka Challenge it is a photoprompt

My latest book is a collection of poetry and was published on July 19th 2021 and here is a recent review.

One of the recent reviews for the collection

Aug 11, 2021 Pamela rated it five stars it was amazing

I’ve read several of Cronin’s books, finding each of them easy to read and relatable. This Life is LIke a Mosaic book of poems, “random fragments in harmony,” is no different and yet I took it in as slowly as possible, because each poem is deep within its simplicity. Many of these short poems took my breath away in their sharp insight. I could list them, but the list would be too long. I will say that I’ll never think of being “washed up” the same way; that the Silver Lining to Isolation encourages us to look at what we’ve gained over the past year and a half; that Cronin knows how to celebrate the seasons in her poetry; and how aging and birthdays are “etched in our skin” to remind us of the beauty in each day. Lastly, the end section on Cronin’s own “Slices of Life” may be my favorite, as we learn about the girl and young woman who became the generous writer and blogger that she is.

You can find all my books and buy links: Sally’s Books and Reviews 2021

 

Thanks for dropping by and I hope you have enjoyed the poem.. thanks Sally.

 

Smorgasbord Poetry – Colleen Chesebro’s Tanka Tuesday Weekly Challenge -#Etheree – Pilgrimage by Sally Cronin

In this week’s Word Craft Tanka Tuesday Weekly Poetry Challenge  Colleen Chesebro has selected the prompt words ‘Sanctuary and Follow’ and I have chosen the synonyms ‘Temple and Pursue’ for my reverse Etheree.

Pilgrimage

Pilgrims travel ancient well trodden paths
stopping at temples along the way
to refresh body, mind and soul.
It is not an easy road
seeking enlightenment
enduring hardships
on this journey
to pursue
a life’s
quest.

©Sally Cronin 2021

There is still time to participate in this week’s challenge: Word Craft Tanka Tuesday Weekly Poetry Challenge

My latest book is a collection of poetry and was published on July 19th 2021 and here is a recent review.

One of the recent reviews for the collection

Terry Tyler 5.0 out of 5 stars Just perfect  Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 8 August 2021

I am somewhat blown away by this book – it’s a work of art.

The first part is a series of pictures – art, landscape, animals, birds, the fantastical, abstract, flowers, random objects, all sorts – each coupled with a short piece of free verse. The poems are so clever, often just a few lines that encapsulate an idea, convey a piece of ponder-worthy wisdom or paint a story in a flash-fiction fashion. It’s a delight from start to finish. I believe Sally Cronin is producing hardbacks in the not too distant future; I will be purchasing several for presents. And one for myself 🙂

Some of my favourites are astute comments on the darker side of the life we live now – notable are Scepticism, Westward-Two and The Future?. Another repeated theme is that of ageing – I love Ageism and the last verse of Birthdays, in particular. I name Ageism and Scepticism as joint winners!

The lovely Spices takes us into the second part, which consists of longer poems about Sally’s life. My favourite of these is The Lure of the Waltzer, which made me think of my early teenage years. The book is so perfectly presented; in an ideal world, the hardback ought to be on display in high street shops at Christmas with all those ‘little books of wisdom’ type publications; it’s better than most I’ve seen!

You can find all my books and buy links: Sally’s Books and Reviews 2021

 

Thanks for dropping by and I hope you have enjoyed the poem.. thanks Sally.

 

 

 

Smorgasbord Poetry – Colleen Chesebro’s Tuesday Tanka Challenge -#Themeprompt #Etheree – Peaks by Sally Cronin

This week on Colleen Chesebro’s Tuesday Tanka Challenge 236 it is a Themeprompt ‘ Expedition’ which has been set by Donna Matthews of the DJ Ranch – I have written an Etheree and hope you enjoy.

image Sally Cronin

Expeditions

All expeditions require careful thought
life and weather can change in moments
ignore those who say it’s foolish
to try to reach for the stars
pushing the boundaries
leaving comfort zones
finding courage
to achieve
all life’s
peaks.

©Sally Cronin 2021

Thanks for dropping in today and please head over to participate in this week’s challenge – Colleen Chesebro’s Tuesday Tanka Challenge 236 it is a Themeprompt 

 My latest book is a collection of  poetry and was published on July 19th 2021 and here is Colleen’s review.

Jul 25, 2021 Colleen Chesebro rated it five stars

Writer and blogger, (and I would add “POET” to that list), Sally Cronin, has compiled a stunning collection of syllabic and freestyle poetry in her newest book. Cronin says, “my intention was to share aspects of life and nature that we experience on a daily basis, but also can sometimes catch us by surprise.”

Through images and poetry, the author invites the reader along on a delightful journey filled with wonder and awe. Each piece begins with an image that delivers the first meaning. However, it is when you read the poetry that accompanies the photo that you discover a more meaningful interpretation from the combination of the two. Therein lies the surprise!

Nothing is mundane to this author. What looks like a bit of fishing gear washed up on a beach finds new meaning in the poem Washed Up, “where even the sea’s rejects provide us with beauty.”

Cronin explores the human condition with love, understanding, and humor. Some of my favorite verses were the rhyming prose poems that unfolded like stories sharing the author’s childhood memories growing up in Ceylon. Another favorite was called Farewell to Colourful Friends, which had me howling with laughter. All women of a certain age will completely understand.

Many thanks to the author for gifting me a pre-release copy of this book. I enjoyed the poetry so much; I had to share my thoughts with everyone. 

Buy the book £3.50 : Amazon UK – And for $4.79 : Amazon US

Smorgasbord Cafe and Bookstore – New Book on the Shelves – #Poetry – Life is Like a Mosaic: Random Fragments in Harmony by Sally Cronin

Delighted to share the news of my latest release which went live yesterday. A little light summer reading…

About the collection

 “Use a picture. It’s worth a thousand words.” Arthur Brisbane 1911.

An image offers an opportunity to see endless possibilities depending on the viewer’s perspective. Where some might see beauty and joy, others imagine sadness and loss of hope.

In this collection, images and syllabic poetry are brought together to tell a story based on the author’s perspective. The poetry explores our human experiences such as love, happiness, hope, aging, friendship, new beginnings, dreams and loss.

The world around us is an amazing playground and source of all our essential needs as well as sensory experiences that bring wonder into our lives. What lies beyond the horizon? What surprises will we discover as a garden bursts into bloom? Where do the night creatures live?

At the end of the collection there are some longer poems celebrating memories of the author’s life of travel, teenage exploits and love of food!

Buy the book £3.50 : Amazon UK – And for $4.79 : Amazon US

A selection of other books by Sally Cronin

One of the recent reviews for Life is Like a Bowl of Cherries

Jun 02, 2021 Colleen Chesebro rated it 5 stars

Short story and poetry anthologies are all the rage now, and Sally Cronin’s “Life is Like a Bowl of Cherries” does not disappoint. This eclectic mix takes the reader through a gambit of feelings that revolve around the themes of love, loss, humor, revenge, and life’s second chances.

A few of these tales brought tears to my eyes, such as “Long Lost Love,” which tells the story of Tom and Elaine, a pregnancy, and a visit from beyond the grave. However, the poetry is as exceptional as the short stories. The butterfly cinquain, “Ritual of Mehndi,” shares a glimpse into the traditional wedding custom of painting symbols in henna on the bride’s hands.

This author is known for an empathetic approach to her writing. She writes what she senses, sharing the ups and downs of her characters with love and compassion. A true storyteller, Sally Cronin’s stories will leave you wanting more feel-good moments.  

Read the reviews and buy the books: Amazon US – and: Amazon UK – Follow Sally  :Goodreads – Blog: Smorgasbord Invitation – Twitter: @sgc58 – Facebook: Sally Cronin – LinkedIn: Sally Cronin

About Sally Cronin

Sally Cronin is the author of fifteen books including her memoir Size Matters: Especially when you weigh 330lb first published in 2001. This has been followed by another thirteen books both fiction and non-fiction including multi-genre collections of short stories and poetry. Her latest collection, Life is Like a Bowl of Cherries: Sometimes Bitter, Sometimes Sweet, reflects on the absurdities and sometimes tragedies that drop into our lives.

As an author she understands how important it is to have support in marketing books and offers a number of FREE promotional opportunities in the Café and Bookstore on her blog and across her social media.

Her podcast shares book reviews and short stories Soundcloud Sally Cronin

After leading a nomadic existence exploring the world, she now lives with her husband on the coast of Southern Ireland enjoying the seasonal fluctuations in the temperature of the rain.

 

Thanks very much for dropping in and it would be great if you could hit the reblog or social media buttons to share the news of my new book… thanks Sally.