#WATWB - Memorial Day Tribute

We Are The World Blogfest:

bringing positive news to light

 

On this Memorial Day week-end, we pay tribute to all those in the military who served, are serving, and especially to those who gave their lives to protect our freedoms. Thousands of lei are strung by volunteers from around O'ahu as a labor of love, and draped on gravesites at Punchbowl National Cemetery.

 

http://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/story/35519761/joint-2017-memorial-day-ceremony-planned-for-the-national-memorial-cemetery-of-the-pacific-at-punchbowl 

 

 

National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific - Punchbowl



 

Memorial Day

 Sad Reminders Row by Row

Tombs of the Unknown

Honor Guard Prepares
Posting of Fifty State Flags
Tribute to Deceased

 

Tribute from 442nd Division Vets Clubs

"Traditional Hula" Tribute



Lineup for Presentation of Flowers

Presentation of Floral Arrangements

 



Punchbowl Cemetery



View Within Punchbowl
In the Distance, Diamond Head
Memories Abound
 

 

Link to National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific site:
http://www.cem.va.gov/cems/nchp/nmcp.asp

Memorial Day is a day to remember 
the men and women who died
in the service of
the United States Armed Forces

*****     *****     *****

All photographs taken by Gail Baugniet during a  
Memorial Day Service 
at Punchbowl Cemetery, Honolulu, Hawaii

Z is for ZIG-ZAG of RED #AtoZ #PoetryMonth

April #AtoZChallenge and #PoetryMonth

 

Three goals I had in mind while writing my collection of linked poetry:

1. To celebrate my appreciation of life

2. To experience the process of writing linked poetry, a form of Japanese renshi

3. To give thanks for and better appreciate a life well-lived.

 

The flowers are a colorful bonus for the #AtoZChallenge

 

***   ***   ***

 

Z is for Zig-Zag of Red and Zinnea

 

 

 

A ZIG-ZAG OF RED, STARS

A white-washed canvas,

still life with fireworks,

promises of an exciting display. 

Colors intended only for dreamers

burst before her eyes,

lighting up the blackness left by

a long forgotten sunset. 

A zig-zag of red, stars

too bright to track

spiral down.

She hears the sizzle as

they strike the ocean’s surface

like lava streaming from a cliff

to cool and form new land. 

Thoughts spew forth.

A mind once fallow

now overflows.

A rocket launch

of crackling practicality

explodes to reveal stunning possibilities.

 

***   ***   ***

 

Where do you get your best ideas, while lying in bed ready for sleep or watching the celebration of fireworks on a warm summer's eve? Mine seem to burst forth at the exact time I am without pencil and paper.

 

For your visits to my site in April and your many interesting comments,

Mahalo and Aloha,

Gail

 

 

 

Y is for YOUR GOOD LIFE AHEAD #PoetryMonth #AtoZ

April #AtoZChallenge and #PoetryMonth

 

Three goals I had in mind while writing my collection of linked poetry:

1. To celebrate my appreciation of life

2. To experience the process of writing linked poetry, a form of Japanese renshi

3. To give thanks for and better appreciate a life well-lived.

 

The flowers are a colorful bonus for the #AtoZChallenge

 

***   ***   *** 

 

  

Y is for 

Your Good Life Ahead

and

Yellow Flowers:
Hibiscus

 and

Orchid

 

YOUR GOOD LIFE AHEAD

Unpaid leave; hospital stay

then home; empty-handed, again.

Cupboards lacking

Wallet bare. 

Part-time work, nights

at the old folks home.

Salted crackers and loose tea bags

From the commissary cart. 

One day you will be

rich as Midas, with golden

sunshine gracing the lanai and

mangoes ripening on the shelf. 

Every day, another holiday.

***   ***   ***

If you never give up, the ups and downs of life begin to form a pattern where soon the gullies and mountains begin to look more like potholes and molehills. . . with 'lots of plateau' in between.

That's a good thing, right? 

 

We Are The World #WATWIC Promoting Positive News

We Are The World Blogfest aims at promoting positive news.

 

Here is a quick checklist of guidelines:

Keep your post to below 500 words, as much as possible

All we ask is you link to a human news story on your blog on the last Friday of each month,

one that shows love, humanity, and brotherhood.

Join us on the last Friday of each month in sharing news.

 

Check out Michelle Wallace's site for full information about her vision,

her fabulous co-hosts, and the blog hop list of participants where you can sign up: http://www.writer-in-transit.co.za/we-are-the-world-blogfest/

***   ***   ***

 

My link for April is to a human news story that tells about how some ties-that-bind between new friends last for a lifetime.

When I write my mystery novels, I do extensive research for the settings, on-site whenever possible. For scenes set in Boston, I researched everything from the history of Faneuil Hall to the menu of Cheers Bar and the swans in the Public Gardens near Boston Common. On-line research extended to young patients at Children's Hospital and Dana-Farber’s Jimmy Fund Clinic.

Excerpts from current, heart-warming news stories always catch my eye. This is one of them.  

“It was a huge source of comfort for both of us to know that

someone else understood what we each were going through,”

April 07, 2017

Some connections can never be broken. Jimmy Fund Facebook re-connects two cancer patients 13 years later. more ›  

Link to full story:

http://blog.jimmyfund.org/2017/04/jimmy-fund-facebook-re-connects-two-cancer-patients-13-years-later/?_ga=1.171038496.1293744457.1459373104

***   ***   ***

 

The Boston Marathon Jimmy Fund Walk is September 24, 2017

http://www.kintera.org/faf/home/default.asp?ievent=1164089

 

 

X is for eXPRESS THE LONGINGS #PoetryMonth #AtoZ

April #AtoZChallenge and #PoetryMonth

 

Three goals I had in mind while writing my collection of linked poetry:

1. To celebrate my appreciation of life

2. To experience the process of writing linked poetry, a form of Japanese renshi

3. To give thanks for and better appreciate a life well-lived.

 

The flowers are a colorful bonus for the #AtoZChallenge

 

***   ***   ***

 

X is for eXpress and  Xyris Difformis

 

eXPRESS THE LONGINGS

 

Paris in the ‘70’s inspired

you to express

the longings deep within

To hear the music that your soul played

Whenever spirits craved

Encouragement 

Euphoria filled the air as you

Strolled the boulevards

and Champs Élysée,

Searching 

Diamonds were not treasures worth

your heart strings, in a place

where wine

and chocolate

Co-exist

 

***   ***   ***

 

Is youth anymore memorable than current times? For myself, I prefer to continue making memories rather than sitting back and reveling in the playful days gone by. Every once in a while, though, it is fun to reminisce.

 

 

 

W is for WICKED #PoetryMonth #AtoZ

April #AtoZChallenge and #PoetryMonth

 

Three goals I had in mind while writing my collection of linked poetry:

1. To celebrate my appreciation of life

2. To experience the process of writing linked poetry, a form of Japanese renshi

3. To give thanks for and better appreciate a life well-lived.

 

The flowers are a colorful bonus for the #AtoZChallenge

 

***   ***   ***

 

 W is for Wicked and Wisteria Flowering Tree

 

 

Wicked 

Rain on my feet creates a

cool sensation. A breeze

whispers under gun metal

sky lined with telephone wires

where birds offer songs to wake

the surrounding neighborhood. 

Peaceful here on my lanai

before morning traffic fills

the boulevard with restless

thoughts; Bloated, useless, wicked.

Hearts become heavy under

the burden. I wait out the

feeling as skies tinge with blue. 

Light sprays from the horizon,

while tires spin on pavement.

Rows of birds perched on wires

above, set moods for the day.

Nature slowly unfolds at

its own pace.

 

***   ***   ***
 

How powerful one feels when in control of how their day begins.

Imagine starting each day in a peaceful garden,

while birds chirp and cool breezes stir the fragrance of blossoming trees.

Is this better than sloshing coffee on wrinkled pants while rushing to catch the bus or train to work? 

 

V is for VELVET AIR #PoetryMonth #AtoZ

 April #AtoZChallenge and #PoetryMonth

 

Three goals I had in mind while writing my collection of linked poetry:

1. To celebrate my appreciation of life

2. To experience the process of writing linked poetry, a form of Japanese renshi

3. To give thanks for and better appreciate a life well-lived.

 

The flowers are a colorful bonus for the #AtoZChallenge

 

***   ***   ***

 

 V is for Velvet Air and Volcan Phlox

 

 

VELVET AIR

 

With bloated hopes, you share

ideas. Each word a chosen

pearl. On velvet air,

great thoughts pour

forth. Your mind a dervish

whirl. Can greatness be so far

behind, with wisdom such

as this? Step back

enjoy

oh, wizened one, a most creative

bliss. One day, you say, a smile

in play, awards will all

be won. Your confidence wrapped

up in silk,

Blue Ribbon dreams are

Fun. 

To me, writing rhyming poetry is as much fun as
dreaming about winning a blue ribbon.
What would you compare to the art of writing poetry?
 

***   ***   ***

 

U is for UNEXAMINED MADNESS #AtoZChallenge Poetry

April #AtoZChallenge and #PoetryMonth

 

Three goals I had in mind while writing my collection of linked poetry:

1. To celebrate my appreciation of life

2. To experience the process of writing linked poetry, a form of Japanese renshi

3. To give thanks for and better appreciate a life well-lived.

 

The flowers are a colorful bonus for the #AtoZChallenge

 

***   ***   ***

 

U is for Unexamined Madness and Umbrella Palm 

 

UNEXAMINED MADNESS

 

No war, no pollution

Not global arming*

Or racism 

Nuclear threats, bigotry,

High cost of living,

And joblessness 

Nothing will be resolved

Until unexamined madness

Of Self-loathing and

Bloated egos ends. 

Denial of equality

Continues to

Generate war, pollution,

Racism and bigotry 

Stop the denial and know:

I am you

You are me

Together 

*Global arming: This began as a typo but seemed even more appropriate than the intended: global warming.

Would you agree?

(Author's note: This is an apolitical poem, written in August, 2015.)

***   ***   ***

 

T is for TOGETHER #AtoZ Poetry

April #AtoZChallenge and #PoetryMonth

 

Three goals I had in mind while writing my collection of linked poetry:

1. To celebrate my appreciation of life

2. To experience the process of writing linked poetry, a form of Japanese renshi

3. To give thanks for and better appreciate a life well-lived.

 

The flowers are a colorful bonus for the #AtoZChallenge

 

***   ***   ***

 

 T is for Together and Tulips

 

 

Together 

Writing is a solitary activity

sitting alone for hours

at typewriter or computer

with tablet or notepad.

Inside the author’s head

drumming up ideas

scenarios, settings,

a plot slowly forms.

Characters dance and

story line develops.

Everything comes together

to build tension and

create meaning.

To tell an engaging tale

and elicit smiles, or tears. 

A solitary pursuit evolves

Becoming society’s pleasure.

 

***   ***   ***

Whether you hold strictly to writing everything by hand using pen and notepad, or you prefer to type everything directly into your computer/word processor, the process is a solitary activity. Do you later share the fruits of your labor or keep them tucked away from prying eyes?  

 

 

S is for SMILING BACK #AtoZ

April #AtoZChallenge and #PoetryMonth

 

Three goals I had in mind while writing my collection of linked poetry:

1. To celebrate my appreciation of life

2. To experience the process of writing linked poetry, a form of Japanese renshi

3. To give thanks for and better appreciate a life well-lived.

 

The flowers are a colorful bonus for the #AtoZChallenge

 

***   ***   ***

 

 S is for Smiling Back and Sunflowers

 

Smiling Back

From shadows,

smiling back at me,

clear memories

of frothy rapids

while tubing down

an apple-scented river. 

Company softball games,

cheering on my teammates

win or lose, celebrating

El Torito style. 

All too soon, highways

move me state to state,

major life changes

blinding me to loss. 

Above the clouds

endless open skies

ease me from the past; with

lazy eagerness, promises appear

of another new beginning.

 

***   ***   *** 
 

Do you need to understand everything the poet is saying to appreciate a poem? Or is sailing off in whatever direction a specific phrase sends you, like a word-association excursion, more to your liking?

R is for RIOTS AND REBELLION #AlohaFriday #AtoZ

April #AtoZChallenge and #PoetryMonth

 

Three goals I had in mind while writing my collection of linked poetry:

1. To celebrate my appreciation of life

2. To experience the process of writing linked poetry, a form of Japanese renshi

3. To give thanks for and better appreciate a life well-lived.

 

The flowers are a colorful bonus for the #AtoZChallenge

 

***   ***   ***

 

 R is for Riots and Rebellions (and incongruously . . .for this beautiful Rose)

Photo by Gail M Baugniet
Taken in the village where my father's great grandparents settled.

 

RIOTS AND REBELLION

 

Riots

Society on the edge

Politics, redefining lives 

Anger

Mankind engaged in war

Family structure, realigned 

Rebellion

Control in flux

Freedom, the goal 

Question not

what you see, but

the lack of change

 

***   ***   *** 

 

What emotions surface when one has no control over circumstances?

 

 

Each Day, Each Year is ANOTHER NEW BEGINNING

My desire to write poetry sparked years ago when I penned a few rhyming poems. Eventually, I drifted to other forms, Haiku at one time being a favorite. With each new discovery, I enjoy developing my own poetic style. For Haiku, it was easy to shift toward Hawaiian Haiku.

When introduced to the Japanese form of linking poetry, Renshi, I quickly fell in love with the idea of composing my own compilation. An enthusiasm for "romancing the poem" resulted in the collected works entitled ANOTHER NEW BEGINNING 70 Poems for 70 days. After writing and publishing the 70 poems, I gifted the book to 70 family members and friends. A favorable reception encouraged me to continue my journey of discovery in a world filled with delights.

Along the way, I continue to acquire knowledge from generous poets willing to discuss the writing process and compare thoughts evoked from written phrases. In appreciation, I am posting articles about and excerpts from my first and subsequent collections. Also, I will be "Paying It Forward" with author interviews, and reviews of inspirational and poetry-themed books.

And another blog site is born!

 

The first book in my poetry series

ANOTHER NEW BEGINNING

70 POEMS FOR 70 DAYS

is now available in e-book format

 

My original design for ANOTHER NEW BEGINNING

displayed the title on the spine. Because of the page count,

no title appears on the published edition

 

ANOTHER NEW BEGINNING 70 Poems for 70 Days available at Amazon
available in trade book and soon coming in e-book format.