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
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!”
Honored to be featured along with poetry by Harmony and Annette on Sally’s blog today… Special thanks to Sally for featuring Liz Gauffreau’s wonderful review of MY MAINE… Thanks for stopping by to check them out at Sallys! ~ Bette A. Stevens
Welcome to the Smorgasbord Christmas Book Fair with a selection of books from personally recommended authors on my bookshelf I believe will make wonderful gifts for friends, family and for you.
Poetry is an art form and has been enjoyed by readers for thousands of years. Today I am sharing some of the collections on the bookshelf that I am sure you will enjoy too.
The first is A Tanka Picture Book by Annette Rochelle Aben.
About the collection
Life is alive with poetry; all the sights, sounds and smells. Blend it all together in your mind and you will begin to sing songs in your heart. You deserve a reason to smile, to feel good while pondering the magic of your world. You are closer than you think.
Open, A Tanka Picture Book! Consider the story each picture shares through its visual. Enjoy how each is enhanced with…
Although it’s been a dry summer and monarch sightings have been sparse here at the Farmstead in central Maine, these amazing pollinators continue to stop by to visit, lay eggs on our milkweed plants, emerge from their chrysalides, metamorphose into monarch butterflies and fly off on their annual migration to winter inMexico, where their life cycle will begin again next spring… ~ Bette A. Stevens, Maine author and monarch butterfly advocate
A monarch butterfly visited our flowers. S/he was determined to stay, in spite of excited children and adults reaching out to touch. This butterfly is endangered, so the visit was very special.
I always give the children I teach roots- the foundation to become strong and happy. That comes naturally for the teacher in me. Wings are the final journey, after roots have become secure and sturdy. The monarch was showing me the power of wings.
This monarch butterfly stayed for a very long time. I knew there was a reason and a message:
Jennie, never forget how important roots are. The more you give to children, their wings can grow.
Yes. I thanked the monarch butterfly. What a gift!
Thank you, Liz, for your insightful and extensive review of MY MAINE and its ending, “Finally, I highly recommend My Maine to anyone looking for a constant in tumultuous times. The book will be a comfort.” Thank you, Sally, for sharing Liz’s wonderful review and for introducing us to Sue and her awarding-winning books as well. ~ Bette A. Stevens, Maine author
Over the course of the summer months I will be sharing the recommended authors who feature in the Smorgasbord Bookshelf along with their books and a selected review.
The first book today is a poetry collection by Bette A. Stevens – My Maine – Haiku through the seasons.
About My Maine
Inspired by The Pine Tree State—Maine’s diverse landscape, natural beauty, rural communities, and independent people—the author’s 150 haiku poems, along with her photographs, reflect the Maine she knows and loves. Bette A. Stevens’s imagery draws the reader into her world of wonder and delight. My Maine takes readers on a poetic journey through Maine’s four seasons. Whether you’re a native Mainer or from away, Stevens’s short story poems and photographs will resonate.
The collection opens with a haiku tribute, “Maine Pines and People.” The journey continues with the rejuvenating spirit of “Spring Awakenings” and “Summer Songs”; then on to…
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
Poverty, prejudice and social justice… I invite you to visit Rosaliene’s blog, read her comprehensive review of Dog Bone Soup, and check out the nsightful comments from Rosaleine and her readers. Come join the conversation. It takes a village! ~ Bette A. Stevens, Maine authorhttps://www.4writersandreaders.com
Come join me at our Sixth Annual #RRBC Conference & Book Expo…
Be sure to visit Bette’s Author Booth and leave a comment at my Author Booth—you could be my $25 Amazon Gift Card winner!
Bette’s Giveaway:
(1) $25 Amazon Gift Card
Inspired by nature and human nature, Bette A. Stevens is a multi-genre author, retired teacher, wife, mother and grandmother. Stevens lives in central Maine with her husband on their 37-acre farmstead where she enjoys reading, writing, drawing, gardening, cooking, walking and reveling in the beauty of nature. Stevens 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).
No matter the season, a daytrip from our farmstead in central Maine provides a getaway that is both relaxing and invigorating. A scenic drive over forested hills, across verdant valleys and along pristine lakes makes Maine a place like no other. Whether heading to the coast or inland, there is always something fresh and new on the horizon. The photo inspiring the haiku Lighthouses stand tall was taken by me aboard Schooner Olad out of Camden Harbor in late June. I invite you to read more MY MAINE haiku and to plan a trip of your own. To me, Maine is poetry. North, south, east or west, The Pine Tree State is a land that enlivens the spirit and soothes the soul—a special place to bask in the unspoiled beauty of inland and coastal cities, towns and villages all year long! ~Bette A. Stevens, Maine author
“To me, Maine is poetry…a place that enlivens the spirit and soothes the soul.”
Bette with daughter Lori aboard the Schooner Olad out of Camden Harbor.
Curtis Island Light (upper right in photo) is located at the entrance to Camden Harbor, at the southeastern end of Curtis Island. It is an active U.S. Coast Guard aid to navigation and is now owned by the Town of Camden. The lighthouse is a 25-foot tall, white, cylindrical brick tower with a light beam range of six nautical miles. There are 65 lighthouses along Maine’s coast, inlets, and islands.
Summer Songs
(excerpts from MY MAINE, Haiku through the Seasons by Bette A. Stevens)
Loons at lakeshore wail
Campers bewitched by the sound
Sacred summer songs
Waves play taps on shore
Tall pines salute by moonlight
Waking stars stand guard
Refined grains of sand
Calming the footfalls until
Shattered shells splash in
Lighthouses stand tall
Regaling stories of ghosts
From a bygone age
Highlands and ocean
Bound by granite cliffs sing of
Ageless adventures
Take a peek inside MY MAINE (Poetry & Photography Collection/150 haiku poems, 49 original photos + symbols and interesting facts about Maine) and all of Bette’s books at https://www.amazon.com/author/betteastevens
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.
![A Tanka Picture Book by [Annette Rochelle Aben]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51Ggl-Ntu4L._SX260_.jpg)
“To me, Maine is poetry…a place that enlivens the spirit and soothes the soul.”
Bette A. Stevens, Maine Author 
Written
on 06/18/2024