Much of my poetry is inspired by the gardens, fields and woods here at the farmstead in central Maine as well as by the natural beauty and by the people of The Pine Tree State.
Maine pines and people Survivors, resilient souls Standing tall and proud
Pragmatic figures Independence their calling Rugged yet limber
Growing where they choose While rising ever higher Strong limbs branching out
Tempering spirits Amidst the boundless medley Solid, steady, proud
Diversity (A preview into one of Stevens’s poems to be included in her second—”Heaven and Nature Sing”—collection) was inspired by the early June blooms (photograph), a soothing balm after those long, cold Maine winters. One that never fails to enthrall us each spring. The natural world has much to teach us about life and living…
Diversity
by Bette A. Stevens
Splendor of countless pigments
In gardens they combine
Echoing grandiose harmony
Serenity you’ll find
And so it is with people
Of every thought and hue
Diversity’s resplendency
Reflecting me and you
Take all of your worries and all of your fears Cast them upon Jesus who’s waiting, He cares He came down from glory to save you and me His brothers and sisters who yearn to be free
He proved with his life that His calling is true We trust that He cares about all we go through His love it surpasses, His blessings abound His faithfulness throughout creation resounds
In Scriptures we find Him, His words and His deeds Imploring each brother and sister, He pleads Surrender your worries and all of your fears I’m here to walk with you in laughter, in tears
We’ll dance through the triumphs and trials together Good plans will prevail, no matter the weather God’s love is as sure as the sun, stars and moon Eternity’s waiting, there’s plenty of room
~Bette A. Stevens
John 3:16-17New International Version (NIV)
16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.
Loving God, loving others — Christ bought with his life
He epitomized love…
Not anger or strife.
God’s love is a precious gift we’re to share
Not with just those we know…
But with folks everywhere.
A Poem by Bette A. Stevens
“For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.” LUKE 2:11 (KJV) Bible
Christmas music in a 3 hours long playlist (tracklist below). Traditional Christmas songs & carols featuring piano, violin & orchestra – arranged and recorded by Peder B. Helland. Christmas songs in the mix: “O Holy Night”, “Silent Night”, “O Come All Ye Faithful”, “Angels We Have Heard On High,” “In The Bleak Midwinter” & “Fairest Lord Jesus.”
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.netSUBJECT: “Maine Bicentennial Haiku.”
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!”
Take all of your worries and all of your fears Cast them upon Jesus who’s waiting, He cares He came down from glory to save you and me His brothers and sisters who yearn to be free
He proved with his life that His calling is true We trust that He cares about all we go through His love it surpasses, His blessings abound His faithfulness throughout creation resounds
In Scriptures we find Him, His words and His deeds Imploring each brother and sister, He pleads Surrender your worries and all of your fears I’m here to walk with you in laughter, in tears
We’ll dance through the triumphs and trials together Good plans will prevail, no matter the weather God’s love is as sure as the sun, stars and moon Eternity’s waiting, there’s plenty of room
~Bette A. Stevens, Maine author
John 3:16-17New International Version (NIV)
16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.
Looking for the perfect picture book for the kids this spring?
AMAZING MATILDA’s got you covered!
One concern parents have is how to inspire their children to meet challenges with patience and persistence. This is the plot of the award-winning picture book, AMAZING MATILDA, A Monarchs Tale, written and illustrated by Bette A. Stevens. In this story a caterpillar wants to learn how to fly. She asks all of her friends in the meadow, but doesn’t find an easy answer. Yet, she continues the quest until, at last, she becomes what she wants to be—a butterfly. AMAZING MATILDA offers adults the opportunity to inspire the children in their lives to meet their own challenges with patience and persistence.
For a Limited Time you can DOWNLOAD the eBook of AMAZING MATILDA for ONLY 99¢/p at http://bit.ly/19Qr3Y0 GRAB A COPY TODAY!
Be sure to check out the #FREE PDFs. Amazing Matilda Finger Puppets and Fun & Learning with Monarch Butterflies— two excellent reading and life/environmental science resources to go along with the book. Find the download links below.
Missed the Limited Time Deal? NO WORRIES… Award-winning AMAZING MATILDA is available in paperback and eBook versions and it’s an AMAZON KINDLE MATCHBOOK every day—that means, when you purchase the paperback for $9.49, you can download the eBook version for FREE! Click the link to Order your copies today
Check out these #FREE Reading & Monarch Butterfly Resources from Bette
Stevens has put together two (2) FREE #PDF companion pieces to make talking to the kids about AMAZING MATILDA and learning about Monarch butterflies exciting and fun.
CLICK THE TWO LINKS ABOVE TO DOWNLOAD. These resources will not only keep the kids talking about the book with their finger puppets, they’ll learn even more about Monarch Butterflies, their endangered habitat, monarch and milkweed conservation and preservation. Fun & Learning offers activity sites and resources for butterfly gardeners and teachers as well. Don’t miss these two great resources for families, clubs, classrooms and homeschoolers.
Sunbeams composing Springtime melodies, humming Tapping to the tunes
April is a perfect month to get outdoors and get inspired. As a former teacher (grades four through eight), I know that kids of all ages love writing poetry and they enjoy illustrating their poems too. It’s simple and it’s so much fun to tell a story in the three short lines of Haiku. You’ll find a link to some great poetry writing tips at the end of this post. Of course, you’re not limited to writing one haiku poem—you can write as many stanzas as you wish. Give it a try!
Grab the kids, take out your pens, head into the great outdoors and get inspired!
~Bette A. Stevens, Maine author/illustrator
Check out more of Bette’s haiku poems inside MY MAINE, Haiku through the Seasons here. The collection includes the author’s 150 haiku poems, along with 49 of her photographs and illustrations. Travel through Maine’s four seasons and discover state symbols and interesting facts about The Pine Tree State with the author.
: an unrhymed verse form of Japanese origin having three lines containing usually five, seven, and five syllables respectively; also: a poem in this form usually having a seasonal reference.
Discover more about how to write haiku and other poetry
MY MAINE, Haiku through the Seasons reflects the Maine I know and love. ~Bette A. Stevens, Maine author The haiku above written February 2022. Photo taken from back field (farmstead peeking through) on a perfect snowshoe day as winter’s landscape begins to transform itself into spring.
Below is a sampling from Winter Tales.
Winter Tales 🌲
(Selections from—MY MAINE, Haiku Through the Seasonsby Bette A. Stevens)
Sheets of diamonds Glisten on frozen meadows Perfect snowshoe day
Icicles weeping Tears of joy from the rooftops Winter jubilee
Dawning feels warmer Daylight slowly grows longer North tilts toward the sun
Afternoon shadows Scrambling through frozen forests Sing—Joy to the world
Black and white portraits Etched below an azure sky Disappear at dusk
Thanks so much for taking time to enjoy a bit of late winter in MY MAINE, Haiku Through the Seasons.
Did You Know? 🌲
Maine’s official nickname is “The Pine Tree State.”
My Maine takes readers on a poetic journey through the state’s four distinct seasons. The collection of 150 haiku poems includes 49 of the author’s photographs as well as facts and symbols from The Pine Tree State. MY MAINE, Haiku through the Seasons is available in print and eBook formats. Take a peek inside and grab a copy at AMAZON.com.~Bette A. Stevens, Maine author
Bette in her garden with one of the monarch butterflies that emerged from its chrysalis at the farmstead in central Maine.
Monarch butterflies offer an amazing view into the intricate nature of the wild. Their scientific name—Danaus Plexippus— Greek for “Sleepy Transformation,” gets part of the story right, but not the epic whole. Monarch butterflies embark on an amazing migratory phenomenon as they have the ability to hibernate and metamorphose. International conservation efforts to protect and restore monarch habitat are ongoing. These efforts may help improve the near-endangered/endangered status of the species; but we, as ordinary citizens, can easily help the monarch butterfly recovery right in our own backyards and gardens.
Resources for kids, families, educators and gardeners Download Bette’s FREE PDF“Fun & Learning with Monarch Butterflies” where you’ll find: ★ Monarch Butterfly Facts
★ Coloring Pages
★ Gardening
★ Video: How to Make an Origami Butterfly
★ Butterfly Teacher Guide and so much more…
★ How you can help protect our monarchs DOWNLOAD Bette’s FREE PDFhttps://4writersandreaders.com/fun-learning-with-monarchs-2/
AMAZING MATILDA, A Monarch’s Tale (Award-winning Picture Book) by Bette A. Stevens—Purchase AMAZING MATILDA paperback and download eBook for #FREE
“For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.” LUKE 2:11 (KJV) Bible
Christmas Eve Pondering
A Poem by Bette A. Stevens
The last cookie baked, the final gift wrapped.
Christmas Eve is upon us…
It’s time to relax.
Christmas music is gently reminding us why
Lord Jesus, the Christ Child…
Came down from on high.
He came as a babe wrapped in swaddling clothes.
Lived among us on earth…
God’s gifts to bestow.
Loving God, loving others —Christ bought with his life
He epitomized love…
Not anger or strife.
God’s love is a precious gift we’re to share
Not with just those we know…
But with folks everywhere.
Wishing you Joy, Peace, Love & Hope—Gifts of The Christ Child—at Christmas and always…~ Bette A. Stevens, Maine author
Christmas music in a 3 hours long playlist (tracklist below). Traditional Christmas songs & carols featuring piano, violin & orchestra – arranged and recorded by Peder B. Helland. Christmas songs in the mix: “O Holy Night”, “Silent Night”, “O Come All Ye Faithful”, “Angels We Have Heard On High,” “In The Bleak Midwinter” & “Fairest Lord Jesus.”
Welcome to 4writersandreaders
I’m a writer inspired by nature and human nature. You’ll find great books, authors, writing tips and more right here. I advocate for kids & families, childhood literacy and the protection of monarch butterflies and their habitat.Happy reading & writing!~Bette A. Stevens, Maine author
Much of my poetry is inspired by the gardens, fields and woods here at the farmstead in central Maine as well as by the natural beauty and by the people of The Pine Tree State.
Bette A. Stevens, Maine Author 
Written
on 06/18/2024