SAGE TREES SERENELY CANVASSING
Quiet tree branches,
Lean as if in prayer;
Leaves soon to be graved:-
Indeed, Spring will soon pass on;
Leaf-falling Fall, awaiting:-
salt-softened stillness drifts inland
storm-shattered shoreline finally tranquil
sand-swept silence lingers here
surf-stilled sky offers quiet solace
shell-strewn span becomes calm
sea-sighs soothe wounds with calming winds
sun-slowed minutes glimmer softly
Autumn stirs effervescent dreams awake,
In crisp, cool mornings when light burns
Harbinger of joy that the night will forsake,
As the narrow breath of a prayer turns
Blessing away the past with all its heartbreak,
Arousing the melodies as starlight returns
What love is becoming, is never a mistake,
As leaves fall gently, with prayerful concerns
This is the love that my heart hopes to partake,
Like a psalm of praise, only life’s spirit discerns
WOODS
like a
church temple.
I walk winding paths,
past painted wildflowers,
to where the trees touch the sky.
"Here I find my serenity. "
Inspired by the Painting "A Girl With A Pearl Earring" by Dutch Golden Age Painter "Johannes Vermeer"
What are you telling me, My timeless Beauty?
You turn and stop..,
You look at me with your plaintive eyes,
Your luscious lips are apart, but you remain voiceless…
The pearl in your ear shines ~
Light on your face shimmers mysteriously,
Your eyes are serene ~ reflecting, refracting
The depth of your emotions…
Those dove-like eyes are the artist's inspiration!
The topaz blueness of your headscarf
With which you have covered your sensuality,
Surround your face with a serenity of
The ocean, gleaming emerald green
Of your attire evokes the unspoilt
Magic of your youth…..
You are not what you appear
To many souls in this mundane world…
They don’t see the painter’s Muse.
You are the nymph, who visited me
For a rare moment of tranquility.
The Pearl shines, an iridescent
Gem shimmering, unfolding your heart~
You remain eternal in my imperishable creation...
You linger in hearts..... my masterpiece!
A LAKESIDE VIEW
Crabs crawling the shore,
Fish flip flopping the water;
Smiling crocks, resting.
I opened a sliding glass door
and watched the Wolf River
as in shadows it flowed
behind the motel room.
The television was turned off
my co-worker in bed.
I gazed outside and wondered
What life lingered outside
in the deep, dark night.
A lamp filled the room with a soft glow.
I pulled a book from my suitcase
and read. A long workday lay ahead
but such wonder was found
as we worked in The Great North Woods.
A sign was posted over the bathroom sink
a warning of high nitrate levels,
mostly meant for pregnant women,
but the motel owner said I was safe.
Earlier in the night I was drinking
hot chocolate in a cozy lobby
and reading pamphlets of folklore
about the woods. One article told
how you could safely fell a tree.
The door to the owner’s quarters
was open for conversation.
Such serenity taken in—
this was my home for the week.
I wish I could give myself completely
surrender to the arms of the unknown...
Bask in the sea of meditation and
find the serenity I have been seeking
AP: Honorable Mention 2026
Along the quiet ocean shore,
Where restless thoughts are heard no more,
The silver waves in gentle rhyme
Wash worries from the sands of time.
The gulls drift softly on the breeze,
While sunlight dances on the seas;
Each foamy crest and whispered spray
Invites the cares of life away.
Barefoot upon the cooling sand,
I feel no need to understand
The hurried world that lies behind,
The sea brings calm unto the mind.
The distant horizon, vast and blue,
Speaks ancient truths forever new;
No voice is raised, no burden pressed,
Yet all within is soothed and blessed.
As evening paints the sky with gold,
And twilight's peaceful arms enfold,
A quiet joy begins to bloom,
A sacred stillness fills the room.
Near ocean's edge I gently see
The gift of simple harmony;
And in the rhythm of the tide,
Serenity walks by my side.
I can take you to the quietest of places
Where you get to hear nature in its very essence
The crows of the cocks
The hums, soft in contradiction, of the birds
The rustling of leaves
The sway of trees
All of a sudden, charged
The cock's crow returned
The birds,
Both small winged and big winged
Own the sky.
The clouds high as I
In the zone,
falls back in the horizon.
In violets one day I lay,
my sweet yesterdays recalling.
As the purple swayed a ballet,
in violets one day I lay.
Oh, in this peace I wished to stay,
in serenity enthralling !
In violets one day I lay,
my sweet yesterdays recalling.
Whimsy wind furrowing
white torn pieces of cotton clouds.
In seamless sky
luminous Moon is allowed
Glory of rufous auburn Autumn
stepping loud.
Carrying pearly pristine peace
Autumn feels proud.
Calm tranquil serenity to awaken
all around.
Serenely waking up, I'm blest with vibrant ray
all the way bestowed by God each day.
Grateful for gracious peace*, filled with radiant delight
my heart aims for daily triumph of miracles' height.
Optimizing days of quietude's bliss along life's race
my faith overcomes woes while glowing with divine grace.
Basking under tranquil light toward wondrous loving acts
my gifts of care I share, distributing kindness' packs.
Brightened by hopeful calmness toward success' gain
my spirit soars with prayer upon joy's terrain.
*Philippians 4:7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
June 13, 2026
2nd place, "2026-06-09 Serenity" Poetry Writing Contest
Sponsored by Constance La France; judged on 6/14/2026
"Serenity is not found in the absence of chaos, but in the presence of peace." Author Unknown
Seaside villages with boutiques and coffee shops and along the bay with -
Exquisite antiques shops with rare treasures on display.
Reading a good mystery book with an iced coffee treat while,
Enjoying the summer warmth and watching birds perched to eat.
Nights with a full moon and an aurora borealis show with
It’s spectacular northern lights with the sky all aglow.
Time spent at home relaxing with my husband and my pets.
Yearning for continued good health and to live life fully with no regrets!
“Pensive wander, the breeze does move in lull, then swept away, left in serenity.” Quote by poet
Quiet and unbroken serenity
A dreamlike ambience
As I’m in its trance.
Sitting on the rock ledge,
Where the autumn sun nestles
Above a calm, hazy blanket.
A sea of snow-white clouds,
In sweet air.
While in peaceful grace
Follow the flyby of birds.
With wings outstretched,
They soar high into the woodland
Toward the vast horizon;
Nature’s ethereal doorstep.
Whispers of sound
And fragments of dreams
Drift away as time sweeps on.
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