Repost: Like a Nuthatch

Watching the birds on my nutty suet feeder the last few days, I decided to share this one for the third time. (Those of you who have my 2014 Calendar will recognize it, too.)

Following on my previous post, I’m still in the process of re-imagining this blog. I have, however, taken the first step, an important one for me at this time, and disabled the LIKE button. Whatever I post going forward is for anyone who comes upon it, enjoys it and/or finds it informative and interesting. Comments will still be much appreciated, but so will every anonymous coming and going.

My welcome and gratefulness to all who take the time to visit here, remains the same.

What wouldn’t you give
for that peanutty feast –
something of your shyness
at the very least?

For you have valor,
obvious in your stance,
blue-gray caped crusader
eyes fixed in a glance.

Long-billed and short-tailed,
you observe from your perch,
impatient for my hand
to shorten your search.

While head over ‘heels’
you see nothing absurd
in making a descent
to reach what’s preferred.

And then there are times
you also move sideways
with strong toes and claws that
gravity obeys.

Your voice is distinct,
tiny horns on the wind,
red-breast hardly counting
your breaths out and in.

You have a technique
that seems topsy-turvy
but finds more delights than
others more nervy.

Tapping each crevice
you find grubs and insects
that many high climbers
routinely do miss.

Despite your short wings
you lift off with some pluck
to prove, after all, you
know which way is up.

©Artwork and writing, unless otherwise indicated, are the property of Diane M Denton. Please request permission to reproduce or post elsewhere with a link back to bardessdmdenton. Thank you.

Creating Oneself Endlessly

To exist is to change, to change is to mature, to mature is to go on creating oneself endlessly.
~ Henri Bergson (1859-1941) French  philosopher

I’ve been thinking about writing this post for some time. It’s about this blog. It’s not that I want or intend to give it up. Or that I don’t appreciate those who continue to visit here often or once in a while. Each one who enjoys, is inspired and encouraged by something I write, draw or paint is a valued connection and blessing, and as much, if not more, of an inspiration and encouragement to me.

I just can’t keep up with offering the kind of content – poetry and short prose with original artwork – as often as I did in my first years of blogging.

Now I have one novel published and another under contract to be, I want to concentrate on my fiction writing more than ever. This involves a lot of research and isolation and assimilation time without too many distractions. I also have a project involving prose and poetry and illustrations that, for many years, I’ve wanted to do.

Besides all that, I have family and home responsibilities and a few more years yet of needing to work the day job. As I’m into my sixth decade, my energy—physical, creative, mental, spiritual and emotional—must be rationed, and I need to limit some things in order to achieve others. As many of you know, creative endeavors can take quite a lot out of the creator. To begin with, I’ve always been a low-energy person and, also, a perfectionist—that is to say, I always give everything I do, no matter how ‘large’ or ‘small’, 100%. I rarely do something quickly just to get it done.

I’m not yet sure what direction this blog will take. It will still be a go-to place for information about my publications and the reviews I do for others. Perhaps, sometimes, I’ll write about the research I’m doing. I’ve been thinking about setting up a page about doing pet portraits. And, I’m sure, there will be flashes of poetry or prose-poetry from time to time.

I do think I’ll be limiting my posts to one or two a month in order to create content worth sharing. I hope my followers, old and new, will continue to find something for their minds, hearts and souls in whatever I offer.

I won’t stop writing and otherwise creating, as well as appreciating the always impressive and enlightening work of others.

 

Blessings to all.

I know nothing with any certainty, but the sight of the stars makes me dream.
~ Vincent van Gogh

 

 

©Artwork and writing, unless otherwise indicated, are the property of Diane M Denton. Please request permission to reproduce or post elsewhere with a link back to bardessdmdenton. Thank you.

 

The Maiden’s Court – Author Interview with DM Denton

Thank you to Heather Rieseck who recently did an interview with me on her blog, The Maiden’s Court.

 

The questions:

1. The bio on your website indicates that the writing bug bit you in your childhood and then life happened.  What brought you back to writing in earnest?

2. What is the writing process like for you?  Are you a planner or a spontaneous writer?

3. In your novel, A House Near Luccoli, the composer Alessandro Stradella is your focal point.  I have never heard of this man before.  What can you tell us about him?  Why choose to write about him?

4. Is there a tidbit that didn’t make it into your novel that you would want to share with us?

5. Your novel is set in Genoa, Italy – have you ever had the chance to go to the area where your novel is set?

6. You are working on a sequel to A House Near Luccoli.  How is that process going?  Did you always intend for a sequel or was it something that developed organically?

 

I hope you will take a few moments to visit Heather’s blog and read my answers here!

 

And, if you haven’t already, please visit the page on this blog about the sequel, To A Strange Somewhere Fled, and scroll down for a form you can fill out and send to ensure you’re on the email list for notification of its release.

 

 

 Thank you all – new friends and old – for your visits, encouragement and support! It means so much to me.

©Artwork and writing, unless otherwise indicated, are the property of Diane M Denton. Please request permission to reproduce or post elsewhere with a link back tobardessdmdenton. Thank you.

In memoriam: You Moved Through the Fair

As today marks the two year anniversary of the passing from this world of a special friend and extraordinary musician and spirit, Owain Phyfe, I want to share this one again.

Copyright 2012 by DM Denton

There was music on your breath
made softer
but not stilled by death;
the bright greeting of your eyes
lost, but for
reminiscing sighs;
the quick smile that found each one,
a star with
the warmth of the sun;
a playfulness in your hands
extending
songs from foreign lands.

You moved many through the fairs
and left them
mourning you in prayers;
those times past and present too,
with all your
audience to woo;
mine a quiet memory
not to let
fade and thus bury—
when neither too sweetly soon
nor too late
you sang for the moon.

The sketch is of Owain, a loved if often distant friend, who was a vocalist, instrumentalist, and founder of Nightwatch Recording, which concentrated on Renaissance and Medieval music, and, also, music from South America and Mexico. He died from pancreatic cancer on September 5, 2012 at the age of 63. I did the drawing many years before, intending to make it into a painting. Like, so many things relating to him, it remains unfinished.

He has left a legacy of beautiful music. Below is one of my favorites, but please go to YouTube for more examples. 

If you are interested in purchasing any of Owain’s CDs, have a look here:

 

©Artwork and writing, unless otherwise indicated, are the property of Diane M Denton. Please request permission to reproduce or post elsewhere with a link back to bardessdmdenton. Thank you.

Whack, Wallop, Whack!

The Thrush
for the moment
without a song,
walked the path
with a purpose
she had all along.

She meant
to crack that snail
so hard to crack;
who would’ve thought
all she should do
was give it a whack.

Whack, wallop, whack!
Whack, wallop, whack!
Such strength to pretend;
Whack, wallop, whack!
Stand back, stand back!
Have a go again!

The thrush
for the moment
found a new song,
flying off with
a meal she knew
she had all along.

Copyright by DM Denton 2014

An old one with a new title!

 

©Artwork and writing, unless otherwise indicated, are the property of Diane M Denton. Please request permission to reproduce or post elsewhere with a link back to bardessdmdenton. Thank you.