Barbara’s Braid

  • Barbara’s Braid

    Memorable writing that sparks imagination. Lean in. Hear the writer’s voice on the page.

    Today’s Sparks is a pantoum.

    Barbara’s Braid

    By Karen Ely

    Weaving strands of amber honey

    Over, under, around and through

    Silky locks of shimmer sunlight

    Plaited patterns, three by two

     

    Over, under, around, and through

    Brush strokes cultivate the threads

    Plaited patterns three by two

    A tapestry of golds and reds

     

    Brush strokes cultivate the threads

    Silky locks of shimmer sunlight

    Plaited patterns, three by two

    Weaving strands of amber honey

     

    Karen Handyside Ely was born and raised in Petaluma, California. She delights in difficult crossword puzzles, the Santa Rosa Symphony, and traveling with her husband, James.

    Karen has been published in The Write Spot to Jumpstart Your Writing: Discoveries, The Write Spot: Reflections, The Write Spot: Possibilities, The Write Spot: Writing as a Path to Healing, and The Write Spot: Musings and Ravings From a Pandemic Year.  All available at Amazon and your local bookseller.

    Discoveries is on sale for $6.99 at Amazon for a limited time.

    Writers Forum hosts Saturday afternoon writing for the month of October 2021. Free on the Zoom platform.

    Marlene C

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  • Humor

    By Karen Handyside Ely

    When the day is dark

    humor will light my way.

     

    When the world crumbles

    humor will shore me up.

     

    Tears will flow, not from sorrow,

    but born of laugher.

     

    Nothing is so bad that

    humor cannot soften it.

     

    Nothing is so sacred that

    humor cannot humanize it.

     

    When the only way “through”

    is a walk of fire,

     

    humor will insulate my path.

    As long as we can laugh

     

    at the absurdities of life,

    we can persevere.

     

    Humor cannot change our challenges,

    but it can grease the skids,

     

    shepherd us along,

    help us to survive.

     

    I will face each day with humor and the grace it provides.

    As long as I can laugh, I can breathe.

     

    Humor is my lifeboat,

    my safe space,

     

    the fuel my soul runs on.

     

    Karen Handyside Ely

    Karen was born and raised in Petaluma, California. Upon graduating from UC Davis, she worked in San Francisco and New York City in corporate finance. After a 30-year career as a mom and “professional” volunteer in Scottsdale, AZ, Karen returned to her beloved hometown in Sonoma County.

    She delights in difficult crossword puzzles, the Santa Rosa Symphony, and traveling with  her husband (of 35 years) James.

    Karen has been published in The Write Spot to Jumpstart Your Writing: Discoveries, The Write Spot: Reflections, The Write Spot: Possibilities, The Write Spot: Writing as a Path to Healing, and The Write Spot: Musings and Ravings From a Pandemic Year.  (all available on Amazon).

    “Humor” is featured in the newly published The Write Spot:Musings and Ravings From a Pandemic Year, available at Amazon.

    Marlene C

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