Aurora Borealis

When the local meteorologist suggested that we, in Connecticut, would be able to see the geomagnetic event, an Aurora Borealis, I thought, "Okay, I'll check it out." Well, I looked out my backdoor window, which faces northward, and there it was: a beautiful, pinkish maroon sky amidst the stars. My camera barely captured the view. This was exactly as I saw the sky in Connecticut:

Aurora in Western Connecticut, Oct. 10, 2024

Auroras in Pleasant Valley, New York, Oct. 10, 2024

Aurora Borealis

I search the evening sky to see

the stars staring back at me 

at their usual positions

in the heavenly firmament.

Then, my eyes, are they deceiving me? 

There it is... softest glow of pink and maroon,

enveloping a fluffy mass of light clouds.

It makes me wonder if another's eyes 

are viewing this heavenly sight,

a shared brilliance from stars and aurora.

I thank God for allowing me 

the glorious view of the rosy hue, 

this geomagnetic event:

Aurora Borealis. 

 

© Jeanne I. Lakatos

 

Reach Defined

Years ago, the Poetry Bus had the delightful Ms. Poetikat as its driver. She discovered the photos below on Ms. Bug's blog and has asked us to view them as inspiration for our poetic contributions. This photo narrative reveals so much to us, but what has impressed me is the reaching aspect. I looked up the term, reaching, in the dictionary to see if there might be a definition that would 'reach' my psyche. Amazingly, right before my eyes, every definition seemed to express what I was feeling. And there you have it: Reach Defined.

Reach Defined

Approach the moment

in a state of mind

influence, power

communicate

strive

achieve

acquire success

lend a hand

 sail on a tack

 with the wind blowing

 reach defined,
refined

 for a television viewing audience

© Jeanne I. Lakatos

(with help from the

Merriam-Webster online dictionary)

Spin Cycle

With the topic of Confusion, I've chosen the metaphor of a washer because nothing creates a turn like a good spin cycle.  The reading of this poem has been posted on Podomatic. 

from Google images

Spin Cycle

Confusion

agitates in a murky froth

volleying my thoughts

back and forth, back and forth,

do or don't, can or can't, will or won't,

until remnants of every smear

swirl into a watery, soapy tuft.

Blended tones collide

to form mottled suds.

Cascading pools jostle

my consciousness;

a circular spin

wrings out the truth.

From this cycle

my mind turns, 

and I am cleansed.

© Jeanne I. Lakatos 

Crickets in Love

Cherishing the final weeks of summer, below, is a little poem I wrote on the soothing sound of crickets in love under the moon's light. Enjoy! 

Crickets in Love

Suspended 

sound waves

fill the senses

echoing harmonics

soothe 

reverberate

through chambers

of hearts

pulsating rhythms

an intricate loving 

coalescence 

© Jeanne I. Lakatos

from lifeandberyl.blogspot.com

August 15: The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

 The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Painting by Sir Peter Paul Rubens

1626

housed in the Cathedral of Our Lady, Antwerp

Hail Mary, full of Grace, the Lord is with thee. 

Blessed art thou among women, 

and Blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. 

Holy Mary, Mother of God,

Pray for us sinners, 

now and at the hour of our death. 

Amen.

Ave Maria, gratia plena, Dominus tecum, 

benedicta tu in mulieribus, 

et benedictus fructus ventris tui, lesus. 

Sancta Maria, Mater Dei, ora pro nobis peccatoribus, 

nunc, et in hora mortis nostrae. 

Amen

Memorial Day: Thomas Paine and Revolutionary Consciousness

In honor of Memorial Day, 

a day when we remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. 

from Google Images

     Thomas Paine derives his insight of revolutionary consciousness based on traditions and historical practices. In his pamphlet, Common Sense, directed toward the “American Inhabitants,” Thomas Paine describes monarchies in general in this fashion:

Male and female are the distinctions of nature, good and bad the distinctions of heaven; but how a race of men came into the world so exalted above the rest, and distinguished like some new species, is worth enquiring into, and whether they are the means of happiness or of misery to mankind.

      Here, Paine empathizes with the common individual in his simple analysis of physical and moral distinctions of humanity, and he refers to the British aristocracy as “a new species.” He boldly reaches out to the consciousness of his readers, inspiring them to act on their natural right of the pursuit of happiness. In the words of Harvey Kaye, “As Paine saw it, American unity and vitality were themselves revolutionary imperatives - but not just for Americans” (65).

Kaye, Harvey. Thomas Paine and the Promise of America. New York: Hill & Wang,

2005.

A Blessed Thanksgiving to all!

Wishing anyone who reads this blog a Blessed Thanksgiving Day! 

(Click here to listen to the Thanksgiving Song, sung by Melinda Hawley.)

from Google Images