Yes… Art, Poetry & SPRING! ~ Bette A. Stevens
Bird song on the wind
floral raiment dresses an
awakening world.
IMAGE: “Blue lady with parrots” by Walasse Ting
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Read Lorraine Margueritte Gasrel Black‘s bio at poemhunter.com.
Exquisite—poetry in motion! ~ Bette A. Stevens
Today I saw the dragonfly
Come from the wells where he did lie.
An inner impulse rent the veil
Of his old husk: from head to tail
Came out clear plates of sapphire mail.
His dried wings: like gauze they grew;
Through crofts and pastures wet with dew
A living flash of light he flew.
~Lord Alfred Tennyson
What an absolutely exquisite creature! Such as this winged beauty are so stunningly wondrous that I’m almost left speechless when I see them. Not only are they breathtaking in form and beauty but they are also valued predators in controlling populations of harmful insects. And the fact that their oldest known relatives date back over 300 million years ago seldom fails to bring forward for me images of what earth’s pristine splendor must have been like in the beginning. In addition I find it fascinating that they have been a subject of…
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Expert Bullying Prevention Tips from Author and Teacher Kate Walton.
Thank you, Kate, for agreeing to do this interview! We’re really looking forward to sharing your unique perspective on bullying as both an educator and an author. Can you tell us a little about your background as an educator?
I spent twelve glorious years as a public educator, two of them teaching second grade in Osteen, Florida, ten of them teaching middle school in Springfield, Pennsylvania. I loved every single minute I had as a teacher. I left the classroom and spent two years as an instructional coach, working with teachers on how to be highly effective in their teaching practice. During my time as a coach I co-authored a book on how to teach mathematics: Teaching Numeracy: 9 Critical Habits to Ignite Mathematical Thinking
CLICK THE LINK at the top to find out how YOU CAN HELP!
Gardens & Poetry… A perfect pair! ~ Bette A. Stevens
My Garden is a pleasant place
Of sun glory and leaf grace.
My lilac trees are old and tall;
They send their perfume over trees
And roofs and streets, to find the bees.
I wish some power would touch my ear
With magic touch, and make me hear
What all the blossoms say, and so
I might know what the winged things know.
And I would sing them all for you!
My garden is a pleasant place
Of moon glory and wind grace.
O friend, wherever you may be,
Will you not come to visit me?
Over fields and streams and hills,
I’ll pipe like yellow daffodils,
And every little wind that blows
Shall take my message as it goes.
A heart may travel very far
To come where its desires are,
Oh, may some power touch my ear,
And grant me grace, and make you hear!
~Excerpts from a…
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Shakespeare’s messages never get old… ~Bette A. Stevens
This video from Britain is called King Lear.
By Gordon Parsons in Britain:
Theatre: King Lear
Tuesday 4th February 2014
In its depiction of societal and personal breakdown, a new production of King Lear by Sam Mendes speaks directly and uncomfortably to our own times, says GORDON PARSONS
King Lear
4 Stars
More than any other of Shakespeare‘s plays, this great symphonic drama of the human condition has mirrored each successive age, often unbearably, with its own self-image.
Our own nihilistic day, obsessed with media accounts of what seems the dissolution of both civilised society and personal relationships, finds its ugly reflection in Sam Mendes’s eagerly awaited production.
From the opening, when Simon Russell Beale‘s ageing dictator enters his conference chamber walled with his own military imperial guard, we recognise a common scene of power and insecurity.
Ordered to express the degree…
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Take out a good book.
You’re sure to get hooked!
P.S. DR. SEUSS . Thanks so much for the fun…
I’m heading upstairs to read your best one
or two or three or more!~ Bette A. Stevens
In honor of Dr. Seuss’s birthday, I’ve come across a fun little collection of life sayings (from his books) to live by.
I know I’ve posted similar things in the past, but everytime, I come across one of his books or a collection of his work, I am amazed at how insightful he was. And I am amazed at how complicated adults must make things.
Note: sorry this is a few days late. I thought I published this piece but apparently word press had other plans.
READERS & WRITERS: Get your copy of Nonnie Jule’s latest book for FREE through March 8th. Then stop over to RAVE REVIEWS BOOK CLUB and sign up… MEMBERSHIP is this fabulous new book club is FREE too! ~ Bette A. Stevens http://www.4writersandreaders.com
I know I’ve been away for a while but you’ve gotten to enjoy some really great posts from other author friends of mine. Although I was happy to introduce other authors and their work to you, I’m sorry you weren’t getting your usual dose of RANTING me. The reason that I’ve been a tad bit absent, is because I’ve been spending so much time over at my new place (although, I still love you all here at my old place!). RAVE REVIEWS BOOK CLUB has taken off and let me tell you, it’s been, and still is, a wild ride! We are having so much fun over there and if you haven’t joined yet, you’re missing out on a lot.
My readers (you all) have been so good to me since I jumped on this social media scene. I mean literally, some of you guys have been with me…
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Dickinson & Emerson… Perfect! ~ Bette A. Stevens http://www.4writersandreaders.com
O such a commotion under the ground
When March called,”Ho there! ho!”
Such spreading of rootlets far and wide,
Such whisperings to and fro!
“Are you ready?” the Snowdrop asked,
” ‘Tis time to start , you know.”
“Almost, my dear! the Scilla replied,
“I’ll follow as soon as you go.”
Then “Ha! ha! ha!” a chorus came
Of laughter sweet and low,
From millions of flowers under the ground,
Yes, millions beginning to grow.
“I’ll promise my blossoms,” the Crocus said,
“When I hear the blackbird sing.”
And straight thereafter Narcissus cried,
“My silver and gold I’ll bring.”
“And ere they are dulled,” another spoke,
“The Hyacinth bells shall ring.”
But the Violet only murmured , “I’m here,”
And sweet grew the air of Spring.
O the pretty brave things, thro’ the coldest days
Imprisoned in the walls of brown,
They never lost heart tho’ the blast shrieked loud,
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There’s nothing like birches and snow. Perfectly captured in poetry! ~ Bette A. Stevens http://www.4writersandreaders.com
.
.
.
parchment paper birch
standing bravely white on white,
deep in snow… on snow.
its textured history bared
like ours… in subtle details.
.
.
slow nuanced layers,
peeled away in time… with trust…
from pretense and fear.
.
.
patiently waiting…alone,
hoping our Truth will be found.
.
.
.
.
pencil, watercolor pencil, acrylic paint,
paint markers, approx. 8″x8″ on vellum paper
sourced from various Google pics and my imagination.
click image to enlarge
There’s nothing like birches and snow. Perfectly captured in poetry! ~ Bette A. Stevens http://www.4writersandreaders.com
.
.
.
parchment paper birch
standing bravely white on white,
deep in snow… on snow.
its textured history bared
like ours… in subtle details.
.
.
slow nuanced layers,
peeled away in time… with trust…
from pretense and fear.
.
.
patiently waiting…alone,
hoping our Truth will be found.
.
.
.
.
pencil, watercolor pencil, acrylic paint,
paint markers, approx. 8″x8″ on vellum paper
sourced from various Google pics and my imagination.
click image to enlarge
Come join us!
Bette A. Stevens, Maine Author 
Written
on 03/20/2014