Celebrating My Maine
Maine—The Way Life Should Be…
Find out more at https://www.theodysseyonline.com/10-reasons-why-maine-the-way-life-should
Did you know?
Maine is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States, bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the east and south, the state of New Hampshire to the west, the Canadian provinces of Quebec to the northwest and New Brunswick to the northeast. Maine’s long rocky Atlantic Coast is known for its frigid waters and an ample fishery—most famed for the Maine lobster. Maine has 3,478 miles of coastline.
Nicknamed The Pine Tree State), Maine was initially a province of the Massachusetts Bay Colony. In fact, it was decades after the American Revolution 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 economic 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 celebrated its Bicentennial on March 15, 2020. Due to the 2020 Pandemic, The Pine Tree State will continue to celebrate its bicentennial through 2021!
“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 Winter Tales~
Frozen polar winds
Wave the ice crystal scepter
Dawn’s magic appears
Silvery branches
Unveil the old, old folktale
A spellbound story
Pine cones and tassels
Mirrored in moonlight upon
White weighted branches
Chickadees dozing
Nestling, captive to pine boughs
Till dawn sets them free
Shovels and snow plows
Storm’s rook ravings unraveled
Till the next arrives
Soups, stews and chowders
Stories told round the table
Favored winter fare
Silently—Snowfalls
Reign over field and forest
Supremely sovereign
Winter white gemstones
Glistening across meadows
Perfect snowshoe day
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
“Happy reading and writing… May the bounty and beauty of each new season inspire you!”
- Find MY MAINE, Haiku through the Seasons and check out all of Bette’s books at https://www.amazon.com/author/betteastevens
Comments on: "Celebrate the Seasons through Poetry" (45)
We are finally planning our Maine trip for this summer. What can you tell me about Bridgeton?
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Here’s a link to Bridgeton, ME website. https://bridgtonmaine.org/ Know you will enjoy your Maine trip and summertime here is great! xo
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How are you feeling Bette? Will you be blogging in 2023?
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Starting cardiac rehab in two weeks. Surgery went well and recovery is slow but sure. Taking one day/week/month at a time. Hope all is well with you and Ruth!
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Hi Bette- Thanks for the Bridgeton website info. Speedy recovery- Jim and Ruth
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Hi Betty – I was wondering if you might comment on the two poems I recently wrote. Your experience in this kind of writing would prove invaluable to me. Stay well. Jim
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Look forward to catching up with your blog and poetry after recovery. Open heart surgery is scheduled for tomorrow so will be out of commission for a while. Meanwhile, happy traveling and writing, my friend. xo
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Hey Bette – I wish you a speedy recovery. Jim from Florida.
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I will be thinking of these serene snow scenes from main as I sweat out another blandly unchanging South Florida Florida writer. Enjoy your writing hiatus Bette.
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Thank you for sharing a part of your wonderful world and wonderful poetry!.. definitely brightens the day!.. as for me, I am not a poet and I just let my fingers do the walking and my heart do the talking!.. 🙂
Hope you and your family have the mostest wonderfulest holiday and Christmas ever and until we meet again..
May love and laughter light your days,
and warm your heart and home.
May good and faithful friends be yours,
wherever you may roam.
May peace and plenty bless your world
with joy that long endures.
May all life’s passing seasons
bring the best to you and yours!
(Irish Saying)
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Thanks so much for the visit and lovely note, Larry. By the way, I love all of your poetry! 💞 Wishing you and yours a most blessed and beaufiful Christmas and New Year too! xo
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Just this morning we had guests (friends we haven’t seen in five years) at our home. They moved from MA to ME and absolutely LOVE the state. You know why!! 🙂 I’m going to send them a copy of your MY MAINE. xo
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Thank you, Pam! 💞 Sending lots of love your way and wishing you and yours a blessed and beautiful Christmas and New Year, my friend. 🎄 xoxo
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Thanks Bette. I ordered your book and it will be mailed directly to our Maine friends. Can’t wait for them to receive it! xo
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Thanks for sharing about Maine and your poetry, Bette. You are indeed a writer, author and write poetry wonderfully. I can certainly feel the coziness of winter in your poem that you shared. Really like how ‘winter white gemstones’ refers to beautiful snow. Wishing you well this season and a wonderful end of the year 😊
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Hi, Mabel. Thanks so much for your lovely note, my friend. ❤ Wishing you a bright, beautiful and blessed Christmas and New Year! xo
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Always love your kind replies, Bette. Have a wonderful New Year ahead. Looking forward to visiting again 😊💕
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Definitely puts me in the mood for winter!
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Thanks, Jacqui! 🎄 xo
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Wonderful post, Bette! Your poetry is lovely. Most everyone here in Massachusetts vacations in Maine (Cape Cod is too crowded), and for good reason. Blessings to you this holiday season.
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Thanks for your lovely note, dear Jennie! 🎄 Wishing you and yours abundant blessings and love every day. ❤ xo
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Thank you, Bette. You always fill my heart. 🥰
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A lovely post, Bette. Your poetry is exceptionally beautiful.
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Thanks so much, dear Robbie! 💞
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This book is one of the best poetry books I’ve ever read, and I mean that, Bette. It’s beautiful, and the photos only serve to enhance it. I can easily and highly recommend it! Hugs!
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Hi, Jan! Thanks so much for your lovely note of support! ❤ Sending lots of love your way and wishing you and yours the Happiest of Holidays! xo
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What a lovely post Bette… I’ve never been to Maine but know it so much through your poems. Thanks for sharing. 🥰
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Thanks so much, dear Balroop! 💞
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I’ve read and loved all your books, Bette! You’ve made me love Maine even though I’ve never been 💕🙂
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Thanks and hugs, dear Harmony! 💞
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Beautiful, Bette. My family and I traveled to Maine for vacation a couple of decades ago. Loved it! We were in the Bar Harbor area. ❤️
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Thanks so much, Gwen! 💞 Delighted that you and your family had a chance to experience a bit of the Magic of Maine… Wishing you all a season filled with all things beautiful. xo
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You haiku so well, Bette. 🙂
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Thanks so much, dear Norah! 💞
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You are welcome, Bette.
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I have read My Maine and give it five gold stars.
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Thanks so much for your awesome support, Petek. 🎄 Wishing you and yours the Happiest of Holidays!
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The last line of a haiku is often a juxtaposition.
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Thank you, David.
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I just ordered Pure Trash through Amazon. Paperback of course.
Have a fabulous day, Bette. xo ♥
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Thanks so much, Sandee! Hope you enjoy it, my friend. ❤ Wishing you and yours the Happiest of Holidays! xo
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Your haiku are lovely, Bette. I have several of your books in my library and plan to nab my copy of My Maine during RRBC ‘s Holiday Popup Bookshop. As a matter of fact, I have included several of my own haikus in my upcoming memoir, My Checkered Life, a sequel to Mennonite Daughter. Cheers to a progression of seasons saluted in this fine verse form. ;-D
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Thank you, dear Marian. Congratulations on your latest memoir. Sounds great! ❤
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I love this, Bette. It’s really lovely.
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Thanks so much, Kymber! 💞
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