I am a writer, poet, community volunteer, pupil of psychology, writing instructor, guest speaker, artist, lover of nature, curious traveler and author of Life Is Full of Sweet Spots, An Exploration of Joy, as well as Dreams of a Wingless Child, a book of award-winning poetry. An advocate of the power of writing as an agent of change, I enjoy speaking to community groups about the joy of making words sing and conduct creative poetry writing workshops for inmates at the State of Connecticut’s York Correctional Institution. As a writer and a painter, I enjoy living along the Connecticut shore, where I infuse everyday observations of the natural world with the sensitivity and insightfulness that tend to define my experience of life. It is these reflections that have helped me realize that one need not look far to find an element of peace, of celebration, of joy, in this inordinate world of which we are all a part.
“Everything will line up perfectly when knowing and living the truth becomes more important than looking good.” — Alan Cohen lining up by height counting off by alphabet leaders stand in front * * * Shaggy Mane ~ The Shaggy Mane mushroom starts off white, standing tall and cylindrical, aging quickly into inky black “shaggy … More Line up
“Fantasy is hardly an escape from reality. It’s a way of understanding it.” — Lloyd Alexander drifts of pale colors fantasy’s opening scenes channels of beauty * * * Escaping Reality ~ Quiet image • Photo by Jan Logozzo • Blog post and “Fantasy haiku by Mary O’Connor © 2023
“That’s the last time I put you in charge of the tequila when we’re making margaritas.” — JoAnne Kenrick when life is haunted spirits visit in the night telling ghost stories * * * Scary Guest ~ Jalopy Driver • Photo by Jan Logozzo • “Haunted” haiku and blog post by Mary O’Connor © 2023
“How beautifully leaves grow old. How full of light and color are their last days.” — John Burroughs save the sunburnt leaves summer treasures to collect winter’s counterweight * * * Sweet Autumn ~ Leaves of gold • Photo and “Fall Foliage” haiku by Mary O’Connor © 2023
“It matters little how much equipment we use; it matters much that we be masters of all we do use.” — Sam Abell industrial might immense scale abstract form precarious mass * * * Sculptured Landscape ~ Magnetic machinery • Photo and “Industrial Strength” haiku by Mary O’Connor © 2023
“Good Morning! Good Afternoon! Good Night! These are not just mere greetings. They are powerful blessings, setting the best vibration for the day!” — Franco Santoro moments around us dressed in sunshine and fragrance receive and give thanks * * * Vase of Blessings ~ Perennial gesture • Photo and “Greetings” haiku by Mary O’Connor … More Powerful Greetings
“I honestly wish I could believe that things will end perfectly with one big bright happy ending. But these last few days have taught me that life isn’t made up of shiny moments.” — Rebecca Gober iridescent blooms diversion from ordinary temporary glow * * * Bright Blush ~ American Beautyberry bush displays Fall clusters … More Momentary
“Failure will never overtake me if my determination to succeed is strong enough.” — Og Mandino willpower plus strength combination that succeeds unconquerable * * * Sheer Will-power ~ Hercules Wanna-Be visits pumpkin patch • Photo by Jan Logozzo • Blog posting and haiku poem by Mary O’Connor © 2023
“The contemplation of beauty causes the soul to grow wings.” — Plato winged beauty rises a shaped and shadowed sculpture art with heart and soul * * * Capture the Moment ~ Winged sculpture formed • Photo of Great Blue Heron by Jan Logozzo • Blog post and “Contemplation” haiku by Mary O’Connor © 2023 … More Contemplation
“Lighthouses are endlessly suggestive signifiers of both human isolation and our ultimate connectedness to each other.” – Virginia Woolf strength in stone and light guardians of timelessness protectors of life * * * Never Sleeps ~ Oldest working lighthouse in US, Sandy Hook, NJ • Photo by Jan Logozzo • Blog post and “Protector” haiku … More Protector
Life Is Full of Sweet Spots 