"Singing the "Blues"

Every year, when my Siberian irises bloom, thoughts of my Dad return to me. Below is a poem about the irises that he brought to me many years ago. He commented, "They're your flower, Jeanne Iris. The blue matches the blue in your eyes and they bear your name." This was a significant statement, for my genetic 'flaw' of blue eyes had always made me feel like an outsider, for everyone else in my family had brown eyes. 

Blue Irises

My Dad brought me some irises

one day

I planted them,
and when 'moving day' arrived,

those bulbs were dug up
brought along for the ride.

Now, in late May, they appear

bearing memories of his smiles 

more vividly than the previous year

keeping his beautiful memory alive.

As I strive to achieve daily goals,

his voice rings clearly in my ear:

"You can be anything you want to be, my dear...

if you just persevere."  

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The poem below describes the first thing I experience in the morning. One of my favorite times of a day is that moment when I first awaken, sometimes still dreaming, and I look out my window to a lovely little forest, night animals still calling to their mates, no human sound outdoors at all. It's just before dawn, and just after that 'darkest hour,' and for only a few minutes, everything is blue. 

Just Before Dawn (The Blue)
Eyes open slowly.
Still, I walk along that lovely beach
and glance up to see a small village.

That same, intriguing dream,
now, it fades away
with the early morning mist.
 I feel a gentle, cool breeze
waft across my face
and turn my head
toward the choir of crickets,
still calling to their mates.

An owl wings its way
midst entangled branches,
eerily hooting through the blue.
My gaze reaches the maple tree
standing tall in this tableau
all blue, shades of blue, no other color
but blue... everywhere!

Leaves, tree trunks, even the lone deer,

all blue.

It's no longer evening, not yet dawn.
Sky and sea are one magic hue.
The song of one bird greets me:
a prayer for the new day
in this tranquil moment of
blue.

© Jeanne I. Lakatos

To hear me read these poems, please click HERE.

And Now, A Word from Plato...

"Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle." ~ Plato

I took this photo at an International Performing Artists Competition, Merrion Square, Dublin, Ireland.

Happy Mother's Day!

I've posted this poem on both of my sites. This doesn't have anything to do with iconic realism, but realism, yes. It's a verse that, hopefully, illustrates the flowing bond of memory and emotions between Mother and Daughter. 

Sleeping Mother with Child by Christian Krohg, 1883

Breath 

Behind her sleeping eyes,

a youthful face remains within

the gentle embrace of her heart,

impish blue eyes, trying her patience,

the quiet soft puffs of sleeping breath.

She smiles, wondering

what this wee one dreamt,

so small, so peaceful.

Sixteen years later... erupting passion

and the sighing relief in its passing,

growing, knowing that surely

there will return a forgiving kiss.

Eyes closed, she remains

in cherished supplication,

while quiet breaths 

waft through the dreams

of the one who calls her Mom.

© Jeanne I. Lakatos

Always Looking Up

  An angel hovers over my house in the calm sky. 

'Morning' Recitative

(from my operetta, Luminescence)

A graceful breeze embraces feathered wings 

of russet, crimson and blue.

They touch extended branches of clustered trees.

Selected boughs move in a synchronized dance

to brushed rhythms

of these singing birds in flight.

Desire reigns gloriously in this place

as passion prepares for another day 

of feeling 

the buoyancy.

© Jeanne I. Lakatos

Reading Sydney Owenson

My collection of Sydney Owenson (Lady Morgan) books

Studies of Sydney Owenson’s novel, The Wild Irish Girl, generally center on the history of the era in which she wrote with particular emphasis on her personal biography. Such renowned biographers include Julia M. Wright, Mary Campbell, Thomas Flanagan, and James Newcomer, and these biographers provide significant insight to the understanding of the history of Sydney Owenson’s life and the Romantic era in which she wrote.

However, the language, which she used to deliver her message to the British aristocracy, determined the success of her National novels, as James Newcomer observes, “a noticeable love of the flamboyant, in language as in the process of living, was to characterize her writing and living”(28). Thus, another effective way to study Owenson’s skillful use of language is to analyze her technique by looking at her linguistic structures in relationship to her cultural background. 

In my doctoral dissertation, I explored the innovative paradigm shift in Owenson's writing of the national tale through her romantic novels, biographies, travel insights, political observations, and poetry. Now, you may add my name to the list of those whose inquiries delve into the unique, sociolinguistic approach to historical representations of Sydney Owenson (Lady Morgan).

My published doctoral dissertation

Abiding Love and a Spring Day

What happens after a Spring thunderstorm can be a true Blessing.

My holly bush, glistening in the sun after a thunderstorm

Abiding Love and a Day in Spring

I looked out my window one morning after a storm

and discovered something sparkling and not the norm.

It seemed to be smiling, perhaps winking at me,

the sun's reflection breaking forth from the clouds. 

Perhaps, 'twas a raindrop on a holly leaf there,  

knowing that I would see it and share.

A bird sang nearby as if begging me to hear

its song, so perfectly lovely and clear,

so I opened the window and felt the fresh air 

rid my lungs of the stuffiness I beheld within, 

and let the blood flowing beneath my skin 

open my heart to Love: abiding, embracing me, 

as I cherish each moment from this through eternity.

© Jeanne I. Lakatos

To hear me recite this verse, please click HERE. 

The Holy Rosary

 October 7th is the Feast of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary, but now that we're in the Month of May, Mary's Month, let's use this tactile praying device to bring the power of our Lord, Jesus Christ into our midst. Reciting the prayers of the Rosary is a powerful, meditative communication in which many have engaged through the centuries. Below, is a link to a broadcast from Dr. Taylor Marshall on 19 quotes regarding the praying of the Holy Rosary. 

https://youtu.be/TICywhRRLk8

Below are brief step-by-step instructions for praying the Rosary: 

https://youtu.be/VgsadNfbMYA

May 1st: National Day of Prayer

 On this National Day of Prayer: 

"Always rejoice. "Pray without ceasing. In all things give thanks for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you all."

(1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)