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.
“To a young heart, everything is fun.” — Charles Dickens notions of childhood pinwheels of fancied delight spontaneous fun * * * Petaled Pinwheel ~ Instrument of Fun • Wheel of petals photo by Jan Logozzo • Blog post with “Fanciful” haiku by Mary O’Connor © 2023
“Imagination creates some big monsters.” — Olivier Martinez scariest monsters inhabitants of the mind offspring of fancy * * * Just lurking around ~ Garden guardian greets visitors at Flamingo Gardens, Davie, Fla. • Photo and “Creatures” haiku by Mary O’Connor © 2023
“In the end, it’s not the years in your life that count. It’s the life in your years.” — Abraham Lincoln while just sitting still fullness of life overlooked passing years wasted * * * Bunny Tales ~ Full life story ahead • Bunny Rabbit photo by Jan Logozzo • “Young Life” haiku by Mary … More Young Life
“Those who want to get wet need no umbrella!” — Mehmet Murat ildan dip in little toe hard to fly if wings too wet dry before take-off * * * Heavy feathers ~ Thoroughly wet Great Blue Heron stands stock still • Photo and “All Wet” haiku by Mary O’Connor © 2023
“Black and white creates a strange dreamscape that color never can. “ — Jack Antonoff color exclusion exposes layer of truth unadorned beauty * * * Exposed ~ Unsurpassed in beauty, Great White Egret displays pure white plumage • Photo at Wakodahatchee Wetlands, Delray, Fla. by Jan Logozzo • “Exposed” haiku by Mary O’Connor © … More Exposed
“When you possess light within, you see it externally.” — Anas Nin * * * Galaxy ~ One thousand candles • Photo by Andrew Finn • “Brilliance” haiku by Mary O’Connor © 2023
“Nostalgia is a file that removes the rough edges from the good old days.” — Doug Larson looking back at time perspective of seeming good not truly the case * * * Front and Center ~ The “good old times” • Window display, White House Hotel, Kinsale, Ireland, photo by Jan Logozzo • “Nostalgia” haiku … More Nostalgia
“Love of beauty is taste. The creation of beauty is art.” — Ralph Waldo Emerson simple artwork born created with grains of sand down to earth beauty * * * Sand Sculptor ~ Mom and her pups come to life on the streets of Galway, Ireland • “Artistry” haiku poem and photo by Mary O’Connor … More Artistry
“I have a tendency when I’m walking in the garden to brush against the flowers as I go by, anticipating the fragrant eloquence of their response.” — Stanley Kunitz heavy with beauty stamens brimming with promise summertime affair * * * Stargazers ~ Stargazer Lilies weighed down with promise • Photo by Jan Logozzo • … More Anticipation
“We find delight in the beauty and happiness of children that makes the heart too big for the body.” — Ralph Waldo Emerson way to find delight listen to a child’s giggle contagious spirit * * * Sound to Love ~ Weston swells the hearts of all who hear his laughter • “Contagious” haiku and … More Contagious
Life Is Full of Sweet Spots 