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.
“If you dig a hole and it’s in the wrong place, digging it deeper isn’t going to help.” — Seymour Chwast holes hiding acorns buried treasures without maps tenuous at best * * * “Where did I put that?!” ~ Red Squirrel digs for buried treasure • Photo by Andrew Finn • “Digging Deep” haiku … More Digging Deep
“See what’s inside a drop of water. The whole seed of the universe.” — Manuel Rivas jewels that sparkle wet splashes of fountain spray capsulized sunshine * * * Cooling Drops ~ Florida’s Boat-tailed Grackle enjoys fountain’s cool splash • Photo by Jan Logozzo • “Shiny Jewels” haiku poem by Mary O’Connor © 2023
“Find comfort in the knowledge that no imitator ever comes off as well as the original.” — Ann Landers sculpture can’t compete nature’s color outshines all imitation fails * * * Original Design ~ Terracotta sculpture loses to beauty of Rainbow Lorikeets • Photo and “Imitation” haiku poem by Mary O’Connor © 2023
“The magic in new beginnings is truly the most powerful of them all.” — Josiyah Martin fresh start means clean slate promise of blossoming growth buoyancy of youth * * * Songs and Nests and Eggs ~ Pair of House Finch set up house and fill it with future hopes • Photos by Jan … More New Beginnings
“Hidden in the glorious wildness like unmined gold.” — John Muir do you see me there among the lines and shadows deceiving patterns * * * Can you find me? ~ Great Blue Heron swallows fish dinner • Photo and “Deceiving” haiku poem by Mary O’Connor © 2023
“Avoiding problems you need to face is avoiding the life you need to live.” — Paulo Coelho submerged and shielded away from potential harm avoiding Covid * * * Submerged ~ Turtle stays safe in his shell • Photo by Jan Logozzo • “Submerged” haiku poem by Mary O’Connor © 2023
“An abandoned place never stays abandoned, something will come and settle there!” — Mehmet Murat ildan blooms of fungus decorate abandoned walls hangout of spiders * * * Claiming these Walls ~Tree Swallow settles on new abode • Photo by Andrew Finn • “Abandoned” haiku poem by Mary O’Connor © 2023
“The cold and crystal clear water, it falls gently on the sleeper, cleansing the mind and soothing the soul…” – El Fuego soothing drops of sound falling water cradlesong ageless lullaby * * * Cascading Beauty ~ The star-like flowers of this Queens Wreath tropical plant mimic the showy North American Wisteria with its light … More Falling Water
“The day we stop exploring is the day we commit ourselves to live in a stagnant world, devoid of curiosity, empty of dreams.” — Neil deGrasse Tyson head cocked to side what are you saying to me curious to know * * * Body Language ~ “I’m listening. What do you say?” • Photo of … More Curiosity
“The last word should be the last word. It is like a finishing touch given to color; there is nothing more to add.” — Joseph Joubert give one extra touch just the final enhancement call me beautiful * * * Almost Ready ~ It’s that final effort that counts • Photo of Macaw at Flamingo … More Finishing Touch
Life Is Full of Sweet Spots 