Celebrating #Maine’s Bicentennial through Poetry

Maine officially celebrates its 200th Birthday on March 15, 2020! Find out more about “The Pine Tree State” and help us celebrate all year long with a haiku of your own. #WritingChallenge
Did you know?
Maine (nicknamed The Pine Tree State) remained a province of the Massachusetts Bay Colony when America declared its independence from Britain on July 4, 1776. At that time Maine was not one of America’s original thirteen colonies because it had never been granted a royal charter from Great Britain. It would be decades after the American Revolution and the signing of The Declaration of Independence (summarizing the colonists’ motivation for seeking independence) before Maine gained official statehood.
The Eastern white pine tree helped fuel the region’s economy in an era when shipbuilding and lumbering reigned supreme. The value of those pines actually provided a spark for the American Revolution. Massachusetts didn’t want to lose any of those pine profits it gained after the war, while Mainers struggled for political and economic independence. Maine officially celebrates its Bicentennial on March 15, 2020.
“A nature-filled land that enlivens the senses and soothes the soul—to me, Maine is poetry.”
–Bette A. Stevens
The Power of Poetry
How Readers & Writers of All Ages Benefit from Poetry
- Improves Verbal Skills & Memory
- Enhances Cognitive Function
- Develops Empathy & Insight
- Encourages Creativity
Why Haiku…
Inspired by the beauty and bounty of my home state, I write poetry in many forms; but I chose haiku for My Maine to offer readers a collection of story poems and photo snapshots of the unique land I know and love.
I invite you to join me as I celebrate #Maine2020 by submitting one of your favorite photos taken in “The Pine Tree State” and writing a haiku too! I’ll be publishing submissions here on my blog throughout 2020. Simply email me at bettestevens@tds.net SUBJECT: “Maine Bicentennial Haiku.”
How to Write Haiku…
A Peek Inside the Collection
~Excerpts from “Spring Awakenings”~
March shakes the remnants
Of sleep from wintery boughs
White confetti swirls
Granite boulders rise
Above the winter mantle
Midway the meltdown
Dark mask shrouds the land
Soaking downpour foreshadows
Season’s renewal
Rivers spill over
While ice jams—slowly melting
Weep upon their beds
Pot holes irk drivers
As roadways turn to washboards
Kids giggle in back
Hills and vales exult
Rivers and streams sing arias
Mud season arrives
Verdant shimmering
Emerald fields bursting forth
Souls rise from slumber
Sunbeams composing
Springtime melodies, humming
Tapping to the tunes
About the Author
Inspired by nature and human nature, author Bette A. Stevens is a retired elementary and middle school teacher, a wife, mother of two and grandmother of eight. Stevens lives in central Maine with her husband on their 37-acre farmstead where she enjoys reading, writing, gardening, walking and reveling in the beauty of nature. She advocates for children and families, for childhood literacy and for the conservation of monarch butterflies (milkweed is the only plant that monarch caterpillars will eat). Stevens has written articles for ECHOES, The Northern Maine Journal of Rural Culture. As of July 2019, Stevens has self-published five books and has a second poetry collection on the drawing board. Find out more about the author and her books at https://www.amazon.com/author/betteastevens
Contact the author at DBS Publishing to order author-signed copies of her books or to schedule a Poetry Event tailored to meet the needs and interests of your school, community group, company or organization, or simply to find out more.
Thanks so much for stopping by today. I look forward to hearing from you. (Comment Section Below)
“Happy reading & writing poetry!”
Comments on: "Happy Birthday, Maine! + #WritingChallenge" (67)
[…] A Post from Bette: Happy Birthday Maine! + #Writing Challenge […]
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Nice to see some positivity Bette and lovely haiku. 🙂
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Thanks so much for the visit and lovely note, Marje! ❤ Wishing you a week filled with wonders… xo
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And you too Bette. ❤ x
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It really does seem like hills and vales exult in the spring, particularly this one. Lovely stuff, Bette. Sharing… : )
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Thanks so much, Cathleen! ❤ Spring has finally sprung and we're soaring! Have a great week and let's enjoy the wonder of it all… xo
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Delightful, Bette. Happy weekend and hugs on the wing!
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Thanks so much, Teagan. Hugs & Happiness right back to you… ❤
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200 years is a long while. Happy Birthday Maine 🙂 Love that you shared tips on how to write a haiku. As someone who isn’t too good at writing poetry, this is certainly helpful to me. Thanks for sharing such a lovely poem too. Really like the line ‘Sunbeams composing’. Sunbeams really do compose if you think of it – they start over in the East and end in the West each day. Take care, Bette 🙂
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Dear Mabel,
Thanks so much for your lovely note…
I’m smiling and humming a happy tune just thinking about those sunbeams as they travel around the globe–crossing oceans, islands and continents each day!
May your days be filled with wonders!
Bette
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That is such a lovely image – sunbeams crossing oceans and islands…and all of us. Have a wonderful day, Bette 🙂
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Beautiful poetry, Bette. and no – I didn’t know the history of Maine. Thanks for sharing!
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Hi, Cynthia. Thanks so much for stopping by and for your thoughtful note! ❤
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You are welcome!
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I love your haiku! Thanks for sharing this at Booknificent Thursday on Mommynificent.com!
Tina
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Thank you, Tina. ❤ Wishing you and yours a blessed Easter season and a lovely spring.
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This past week, daffodils were trying to peek out of the Earth, but we had rain/sleet/snow and cold temps. My guy raced out and covered the little yellow princesses with a sheet to keep them warm. We need all the yellow glow we can get! Your Spring Awakenings poem is lovely.
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Thanks so much, dear Pam. No yellow blooms here yet, but the daffodil green and peeking out from the little bit of snow left from the storm. You’ve been on my mind each day… Sending lots of love to you, your dear mom and all the family. I can only imagine how difficult it has got to be not being able to hold mom’s hand and hug her in person due to this pandemic. You and so many in the same position remain in my thoughts and prayers… ❤
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Thank you so much for your loving thoughts, Bette. They help! As do the daffodils who soon will grace us with their outdoor pleasure. xo
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Lovely post, Bette
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I did not know Maine’s history during our independence, nor the value of the white pine. Fascinating history! Thank you for this lovely post, Bette. Poetry is a tonic for everyone. 😍
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Beautiful poetry for a beautiful state!
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Thanks so much, Mark! 🌲 🦞 🙂 xo
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I have only seen beautiful photos and heard about Maine. Interesting information, Bette. Reading through the comments, it sounds like year long festivities are planned. Fun!
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Thanks so much for stopping by, Erica! We’re in for a year-long adventure…sure to be lots of fun. 🙂
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But the settlers of the Massachusetts and Plymouth colonies called the territory Maine almost from the first. It was first cited as the ‘Mayne’ territory by King Charles. A place where they could find lots of fish!
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Indeed! 🙂 It was 1692 before Massachusetts Bay Colony was able to annex all of what is present-day Maine although they had annexed today’s southwestern area as a province in 1642, Maine has a fascinating history. Thanks so much for adding more details for us, Noelle. 🙂 Have a great day!
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Mine is just a minor comment – Maine figures into my book in some important ways, though!
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I love learning new things! Thank you, Bette.
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Thanks so much for stopping by, da-Al. May your weekend be filled with wonders! 🙂
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Happy Birthday, Maine!! Thanks for sharing this awesome info, Bette!
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Thanks, Jan! ❤ So glad you stopped by to help us celebrate. Have a lovely weekend!
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I really enjoyed your March poem. Such an apt description of the change of seasons portrayed in visual images and sounds.
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Hi, Barbara. Thanks so much for your visit lovely note, my friend. Have a wonderful weekend! ❤
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Happy Birthday and thank you for sharing your thoughts and a part of your wonderful world!!… 🙂
Until we meet again..
May flowers always line your path
and sunshine light your way,
May songbirds serenade your
every step along the way,
May a rainbow run beside you
in a sky that’s always blue,
And may happiness fill your heart
each day your whole life through.
May the sun shine all day long
Everything go right, nothing go wrong
May those you love bring love back to you
And may all the wishes you wish come true
(Irish Saying)
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Thanks so much for your visit and well wishes, Larry. May your days overflow with blessings and love! ❤
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Beautiful post, Bette, and thank you for sharing history about Maine.
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Thanks so much for your lovely note, Eugenia. ❤ Have a blessed and beautiful day, my friend. xo
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😊
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We will be visiting Maine in late September for the first time. Thank you for the tidbits of information and your poetry is inspiring.
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Thanks so much for your sweet note, Karen. I’m delighted to hear you’ll be visiting us end of September–a spectacular time to experience Maine! ❤ xo
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I love the excerpt from “Spring Awakenings”! March is definitely shaking things up in my neck of the woods today. Can’t wait for Spring!
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Same here… Cheer for an early spring! We’re ready and waiting. 🙂 Have a great weekend!
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Beautiful, Bette! Maybe you need to write a sequel to My Maine. 🙂
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Thanks so much, Jill. 🙂 I’ve got another poetry book in the works, but it will be awhile before that one comes out. Have an awesome day, dear friend. xo
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I love the haiku form, one of the few verse forms I can manage. Sorry, I can’t provide a photo of a scene from Maine, but last year I wrote a haiku about pines in my Florida neighborhood:
The glowing spring sun
Melts over the tops of pine
Spreading like butter
Thanks for providing creative works in this space, Bette. Always an inspiration!
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Oh, Marian–your haiku is perfect! I’ll now think of the sun melting like butter over the pines every time I witness the magic. Wonderful imagery! 🙂 Thanks so much for sharing. I’ll try to take a photo to do your poetry justice and post it soon. Email me at bettestevens@tds.net if you don’t mind. xo
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I loved the background information on Maine, Bette. A perfect complement to your wonderful poerty!
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Thanks so much, Mae. Have a blessed and beautiful day!
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You, too!
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I’ve never been to Maine, but have always wanted to. I think Stephen King enticed me and now your beautiful poetry makes me want to see it even more!
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Thanks so much, Denise. 🙂 Hope you’ll get a chance to enjoy the magical Maine experience! Hugs.
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Me, too:)
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Beautiful poetry, Bette. Happy Spring.
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Thanks, Diana. The snow is melting, the sun in shining… Ah, Maine! ❤ xo
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A beautiful post as always, Bette. I would love to visit Maine.
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From chickadees to chowders–you’ll love my Maine! Hugs, my friend. ❤
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Its good to share facts about the beautiful home state you admire Bette. I hope spring is peeping in to be welcomed. Thanks for sharing those lovely verses that bring the changing season to life. Stay blessed.
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Thank so much, Balroop. Snow is melting and green specks are peeking through the winter mantel… Spring is in the air, although we’ll likely get another snow or two before the great awakening! Blessings and hugs, my friend. ❤
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May you guys have a wonderful day in beautiful Maine. Thank you so much for sharing Bette. ❤️💕🤗
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Thanks so much. You have a wonderful day too! 🙂
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Thank you Bette 🌸
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Bette, lovely to read some of your haikus from the book again here … and I realise I remember so many of them!😀 Will there be special celebrations across the state on the 15th? I imagine lots of parties and fireworks galore! hugs ❤️
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We’ll be celebrating all year long, Annika. It’s also a Bicentennial Year for our town (Hartland). From parades, fireworks, festivals– celebrating art, music,literature, movies, to Maine history and so much more… Here’s a link to a few https://www.maine200.org/calendar Maine 2020 is sure to be remembered! ❤ Thanks so much for your support. xoxoxo
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Wow! 😀 Bette, there won’t be one boring moment in the whole year! Enjoy them all … a year of culture! hugs xx
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That’s an interesting bit of knowledge about Maine and the Massachusetts Bay Colony. Happy almost-birthday to your beautiful state!
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Thanks so much for stopping by to help us celebrate…. Bicentennial festivities will continue throughout the state! It’s sure to be a spectacular year for Mainers and visitors alike. ❤
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