Welcome to Poetry Friday! This week we are hosted by Marcie Flinchum Atkins Here. Thank you, Marcie, for hosting.
First, there are two winners of Valarie Short’s picture book THE SOUNDS OF FREEDOM COMING!
CAROL VARSALONA and PATRICIA FRANZ
CONGRATULATIONS !!!!!!! YAY!!!!!!!
It’s not my book, but it’s still fun to give things away.
(Carol, please send your address to me at Janice.scully@gmail.com)
What a crazy time we live in! I’ve been busy editing my novel in verse entitled WHEN MY BROTHER WENT TO WAR. It’s a fictionalized version of the year my brother went to Vietnam through the eyes of his fourteen year old sister reading his letters and hearing his stories. I’ve posted about this I believe, so I hope I’m not sounding repetitive. I am enthusiastic, though. I really like how it’s taking shape.
A year ago I rather gave up on it as it seems that a Vietnam War story was no longer relevant.
Ancient history.
No one would be interested.
I lost faith in my ability to get this story into the world.
But possibilities seem to be changing as we are perhaps about to relive that era, granted, through a bazaar surrealism lens, a blending of fantasy and reality.
So, I’m plugging along and have been encouraged by the responses of several reliable readers I’ve shared it with. Over time the ending has become stronger, more nuanced. If anyone knows of agents and editors looking to publish or represent verse novels and might be interested in a war story, let me know.
Meanwhile:
My daffodils are getting taller, just short of blooming.
DAFFODIL LAST WEEK IN MARCH
Blue green leaves
cradle a hidden yellow
ruffled promise.
© Janice Scully 2026
I’m a bit emotional, what with the actual clinical-level insanity going on in our country (behavior certainly described in any psychiatry text), the heartbreak of families losing soldiers and the visions I see in my head of the personal loss of so many overseas. I also just listened to a podcast about the extreme misogyny in right wing circles, the flat out hatred towards women.
This is not normal.
However, we still have daffodils and adorable grandchildren. My grandson Tommy is walking. A little like Frankenstein but he’s not even a year and a half!
Thank you, Marcie, for hosting.
Janice, I love “yellow/ruffled promise.”
I agree that the insanity is clinical-level. There’s a new horror around every corner. But also true that daffodils and your dear grandson will help keep you steady!
Janice, the colors in your daffodil poem are so striking–the blue green leaves, and the yellow ruffled promise. Just gorgeous! Thank you for all the reminders that this is not normal, but we take baby steps, like Tommy, and we can enjoy those dear grandchildren and daffodils.
With this insanity, something every day, or every hour, finding solace outside, and with the poetry shared, like Karen I love your ‘ruffled promise’, Janice. I didn’t know about your novel, sounds as if it really touches on our current world situation, the why did it have to happen then?, and now it seems to be happening again! Keep going! And, I love hearing about your grandson, cutest age!
Love the daffodils bringing warm weather and promise. Your haiku is lovely. I like how the blue green is hiding the ruffled yellow. And yes to grandies who seem to balance out everything 🙂
Tommy is walking! How wondrous. And the daffodils are ready to burst…and yay for your renewed commitment to your novel. It sounds wonderful! xo
Janice, I am so excited that I am one of the recipients of Valarie Short’s picture book, “THE SOUNDS OF FREEDOM COMING!” Thank you!
I keep saying the same things as I watch the daily news with David Muir (Syracuse Extraodinaire).
This world is so mixed up and don’t let me get started on the Trump and trumpies’ thoughts. My son just told me that our President erased the name on our currency to add his name.
Your daffodil is so engaging. I wish I planted some. I do love what you planted in your haiku.
Lastly, I want to congratulate you on your latest project-a manuscript about the Vietnam War. I look forward to reading it.
Address: Carol Varsalona 2026 Trotters Point Lane Gainesville, VA 20155
Thanks for your address. I hope you are doing well, but it is a worrisome time. I hope I can get my manuscript out there but it’s a steep climb getting books published right now it seems. But I will for now stay positive about it.
Yes. It’s impossible not to be upset by how bad things are in the country and in the big wide world. Thank goodness for the daffodils, the grandchildren and the give-aways. And GOOD LUCK on your novel. It sounds important…
No, these are not normal times. Yes, the suffering and insanity is beyond what anyone should bear. And…this is why the promise of yellow ruffled daffodils is so important to me. Thank you for thoughts of a sunnier future.
Janice, I’m so glad you’re writing about the Vietnam War. I can’t wait to read your verse novel!
Here’s to the daffodils and the toddlers! They will keep us sane and grounded.
Daffodils and grandsons are a sure Rx for some spring cheer, Janice.
Sigh….
Wow! Three colors in one small poem. Your verse novel sounds wonderful and I agree, relevant during these dark times.
Thank you, Janice, for bringing us daffodils and toddler-trekking in the midst of the absolute insanity you so aptly describe. Best wishes with your book – a unique perspective of an important time. Wishing you washes of yellow flowers when the world weighs too heavy.
Self-publishing can be a good option!
We enjoyed our No Kings rally this morning. Met some people who had never protested before, including a 15-year-old who was celebrating her birthday. People can see how messed up things are. Thanks for the spring haiku!
I am looking forward to that ruffled promise, too. And yay for focusing on your novel-in-verse. Being at the no kings rally today gave me some measure of hope–so many people want us to go in a kinder direction.
I have to echo the importance of attending the No Kings Rally, I attended the one in Chicago, it helps, as do the daffodils especially with “ruffled promise,” and keep going with your book, thanks for all Janice!
Janice, that verse novel sounds good. I look forward to reading it one day. Yay for the daffodils and your poem!
I’m happy to read you have renewed your commitment to your novel in verse. You never really can predict what kinds of stories will resonate with readers. Keep powering through. I love ruffled promise of the sweet daffodils and the thought of you holding Tommy’s hand and walking with him. Pure joy.