i believe that poetry is the most beautiful form of human creativity. every month i select my five favourites of the poems that i’ve read. they are often about hope and wonderment, the beauty of nature, and love for the world.

— ‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ 𝑗𝑎𝑛𝑢𝑎𝑟𝑦

• to the new year, w. s. merwin. ⟡
• song of the open road, walt whitman. ⟡
• colors passing through us, marge piercy. ⟡
• the kitchen indexed, ira goga. ⟡
• how to be a poet, wendell berry. ⟡

— ‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ 𝑓𝑒𝑏𝑟𝑢𝑎𝑟𝑦

• next time, mary oliver. ⟡
• the silence of plants, wislawa szymborska. ⟡
• i need a poem, kyla jamieson. ⟡
• think of others, mahmoud darwish. ⟡

• flowers: hyacinths ⋅ roses ⋅ lavender ⋅ baby's breath ⋅ wisteria
• colours: periwinkle ⋅ mauve ⋅ porcelain ⋅ gainsboro ⋅ lilac
• scents: baking bread ⋅ blooming roses ⋅ the earth after rain
• names: amelia ⋅ sophia ⋅ cecilia ⋅ oliver ⋅ nathaniel ⋅ antoine
• weather: misty mornings ⋅ sunlit afternoons ⋅ gentle night rain
• feelings: connection with nature ⋅ contentment in stillness
• teas: chamomile with honey ⋅ earl grey ⋅ black darjeeling
• art movements: baroque ⋅ impressionism ⋅ rococo
• sounds: songbirds at dawn ⋅ child's laughter ⋅ rain's soft patter
• words: mellifluous ⋅ silhouette ⋅ ephemeral ⋅ epiphany
• desserts: blueberry cake ⋅ macaroons ⋅ shortbread cookie

• lavender fields paint purple hues across the canvas of spring.
• beeswax candles flicker with the memory of summer meadows.
• beneath ancient pines, the scent of moss and quiet wisdom.
• leather-bound books weave their stories with ink and time.
• petrichor dances, a rain-soaked earth's quiet, tender embrace.
• jasmine vines intertwine confessions with the twilight breeze.
• woodsmoke curls, tales of warmth and shelter in the night.
• vanilla whispers a comforting secret in the kitchen's warmth.
• incense swirls, carrying wishes and dreams to the heavens.
• damp earth and fallen leaves sing the forest's tender lullaby.
• pine needles underfoot, a path to the hea...

• un bal · symphonie fantastique, mvmt ii · berlioz. ‍ ‍ ‍୨୧
  • an artist finds himself amidst the excitement of a majestic ball, in contemplation of the beautiful sights, until he is bewildered by the figure of his beloved.
• le jardin de capulet · roméo et juliette, mvmt ii · berlioz. ୨୧
  • the capulets' garden is silent and deserted, until it is filled with the sound of the young capulets leaving the banquet singing snatches of music from the ball.
• poco allegretto · symphony no. 3, mvmt iii · brahms. ୨୧
  • once described by clara schumann as “a pearl, but it is a grey one dipped in a tear of woe and wrapped about with the mysterious charm of the woods and forests”.

• ▨ ‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ 02/03 ⋅ ‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ bahrain grand prix, sakhir.
• ▨ ‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ 09/03 ⋅ ‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ saudi arabian grand prix, jeddah.
• ▨ ‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ 24/03 ⋅ ‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ australian grand prix, melbourne.
• ▨ ‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ 07/04 ⋅ ‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ japanese grand prix, suzuka.
• ☐ ‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ 21/04 ⋅ ‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ chinese grand prix, shanghai.
• ☐ ‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ 05/05 ⋅ ‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ miami grand prix, miami.
• ☐ ‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ 19/05 ⋅ ‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ emilia romagna grand prix, imola.
• ☐ ‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ 26/05 ⋅ ‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ monaco grand prix, monaco.
• ☐ ‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ 09/06 ⋅ ‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ canadian grand prix, montreal.
• ☐ ‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ 23/06 ⋅ ‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ spanish grand prix, barcelona.
• ☐ ‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ 30/06 ⋅ ‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ austrian gra...

cherish the beautiful words nestled close to your heart, a reminder of those who hold you dear. allow them to echo within and let these gentle whispers inspire you when you need them most, kindling inner fires. revisit them often and be reminded that there are people who wish you well in this one life.

• "that is why you are named flora. you are much more than a single garden, you are all the flowers of the earth." — ‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ mum.
• "your soul is just like a garden. it's no wonder that all the butterflies you see always try to land on you." — ‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ nani.
• "i really like the way you speak, it's like you can see flowers everywhere and in everything." — ‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ julia. ⟡
• "thank you for existing. the world is a k...

• dew-kissed petals greet the first light of dawn.
• robins' trill weaves melodies through budding branches.
• cherry blossoms paint the world in tender pinks.
• soft raindrops quench the earth's thirst, renewing life.
• fiddleheads unfurl, embracing the gentle sun's caress.
• fragrant lilacs dance on the breeze's tender sigh.
• tulips stand tall, offering vibrant cups of color.
• bees hum in harmonious gatherings, savoring nectar's gift.
• bluebells carpet the ground, a sea of azure dreams.
• butterflies waltz, their painted wings aflutter in mirth.
• peepers' chorus serenades the night's dar...

❝ when i ɑm ɑlone i cɑn become invisible. i cɑn sit on the top of ɑ dune ɑs motionless ɑs ɑn uprise of weeds, until the foxes run by, unconcerned. i cɑn heɑr the ɑlmost unheɑrɑble sound of the flowers singing. ❞

my name is florrie. ☆ ‏‏‎ ‎i am an april-born daydreamer, quiet-talker and swan-hearted girl. i am an enthusiast of handwritten letters, secret gardens, old music boxes, overgrown cottages, fairytale stories, forgotten journals, and all things that collect & safekeep memories. during my free time i enjoy painting, reading poems, drinking tea, daydreaming, going to the theatre, and writing little notes about it all.

• delighting in: going to bed earlier and sleeping in longer.
• paying attention to: the sun rising later. insects singing slower.
• spending time on: finding new ways to fill empty journals.
• listening to: music for growing flowers. 𓇢𓆸
• indulging in: salads with spinach, onion, mushroom and fennel.
• visiting: the new museum exhibits for the year. the seeds shop.
• thinking about: understanding the language of the forest. ☆
• looking forward to: the march equinox. the full worm moon.

keep a jar of memories on your shelf and open it often to review the moments that shaped you, the people who loved you, the beauty that surrounded you. these are the treasures of the heart and by preserving them you keep the past alive and the present meaningful. ‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎   ୨୧ ⠂⠄⠄⠂⠁⠂⠄⠄⠂

— ‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ 𝑗𝑎𝑛𝑢𝑎𝑟𝑦

therefore i am... ‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‏‏‎ ‎birds singing in the early morning ⋅ chamomile tea with honey ⋅ claude monet paintings ⋅ flowers that grow against all odds in harsh places ⋅ public libraries ⋅ reading books while sitting by a window ⋅ evenings at the ballet with my friends ⋅ lavender perfume ⋅ raindrops tapping gently on the roof ⋅ receiving handwritten letters ⋅ nurturing plants into flourishing ⋅ first dates at the café ⋅ old music boxes with twirling ballerinas inside ⋅ identifying constellations ⋅ the french and italian opera ⋅ freshly picked blueberries ⋅ albert camus novels ⋅ old photographs of family members ⋅ the scent of the earth after rain ⋅ barefoot dancing ⋅ gentlemen that open doors for you ⋅ the full moon in a clear night ⋅ frederic chopin ⋅ the pages of a well-worn journal ⋅ sharing smiles with handsome strangers ♡

pleasant activity scheduling is a part of behavioral therapy where you find nourishing and enjoyable practices and structure them in a way that gives you something positive and meaningful to look forward to every day. ‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ 𖧧

• ‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ everyday ⋅ ‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ meditation & prayer ‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ (grounding)
• ‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ sunday ⋅ ‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ writing & journaling ‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ (introspective)
• ‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ monday ⋅ ‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ baking with mum ‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ (nourishing)
• ‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ tuesday ⋅ ‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ painting class ‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ (self-expressive)
• ‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ wednesday ⋅ ‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ gentle yoga ‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ (strenghtening)
• ‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ thursday ⋅ ‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ read & write poetry ‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ (soothing)

• ☐ ‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ visit the botanical gardens at least once every season.
• ☐ ‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ attend at least five ballet/opera performances at the theatre.
• ☐ ‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ attend at least five orchestra performances at the theatre.
• ☐ ‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ read at least one poem every week for the whole year.
• ☐ ‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ read at least one book every month for the whole year.
• ☐ ‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ journal at least once every week for the whole year.
• ☐ ‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ be comfortable sharing my writing to other people again.

• miniature pie tarts with a blueberry filling ⟡
• blueberry macarons with a cheesecake filling ⟡
• blackberry and lavender macarons with lemon filling ⟡
• the best chocolate chip cookies of all time (really) ⟡
• buttery shortbread cookie with blueberry jam ⟡
• raspberry crumb bars with a sweet jam filling ⟡

a vase of white peonies on a glass table ⋅ a beige cat bed ⋅ a porcelain dish holding my house keys with a white rabbit keychain ⋅ sewing materials inside an old butter cookie tin ⋅ a vintage handheld mirror & hairbrush set ⋅ a curio cabinet filled with dinner plates ⋅ a swivel chair covered in cat hair ⋅ a stick-figure portrait of me drawn by a student ⋅ a jewelry box with a twirling ballerina ⋅ a wall clock with roman numerals ⋅ a collection of colourful little stones ⋅ wall shelves with ceramic flower planters ⋅ a poster of water lilies by claude monet in a filigree frame ⋅ earth-toned throw blankets ⋅ my grandmother's old typewriter ⋅ dog-eared volumes of mary oliver books ⋅ a framed photo of myself as a child standing in a field ⋅ alice in wonderland on vhs ⋅ a plush bunny with bows tied to its ears ⋅ a sachet of dried lavender petals ⋅ a comfortable bed with white ruffled bedsheets ♡

practicing and expressing gratitude can have positive impacts on our mind, body and spirit. having an attitude of gratitude improves our wellbeing, enhances empathy, and encourages an optimistic outlook towards life.

— ‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ 𝑗𝑎𝑛𝑢𝑎𝑟𝑦

• i am grateful for the collective agreement of beginning anew.
• i am grateful for days that begin with the sound of birdsong.
• i am grateful for poems about the wonders of being alive.
• i am grateful for friends that surprise you with baked goods.
• i am grateful for late-afternoon skies in shades of lavender.

— ‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ 𝑓𝑒𝑏𝑟𝑢𝑎𝑟𝑦

• a: attentiveness ⋅ auroras ⋅ affection ⋅ affirmations ⋅ autumn
• b: blossoms ⋅ bookshelves ⋅ blueberries ⋅ ballet ⋅ butterflies
• c: clovers ⋅ cottages ⋅ compassion ⋅ candles ⋅ constellations
• d: delight ⋅ dandelions ⋅ daydreams ⋅ dewdrops ⋅ daffodils
• e: evergreen ⋅ eucalyptus ⋅ empathy ⋅ evenings ⋅ ephemeral
• f: forests ⋅ feathers ⋅ forget-me-nots ⋅ friends ⋅ fireflies ⋅ fawns
• g: gardening ⋅ green tea ⋅ gratitude ⋅ golden hour ⋅ gentleness
• h: hugs ⋅ hummingbirds ⋅ hyacinths ⋅ hope ⋅ honeysuckle ⋅ hues
• i: ivy vines ⋅ instrospection ⋅ irises ⋅ incense ⋅ imagination
• j: joy ⋅ jardinières ⋅ jasmines ⋅ journaling ⋅ january ⋅ jokes
• k: kisses ⋅ keepsakes ⋅ kindness ⋅ kn...

• dew-kissed grass, tender beneath our eager, exploring toes.
• skipping stones across the glassy, mirrored face of the lake.
• warm bread and butter after sun-soaked afternoon adventures.
• wildflowers, brave and bright, painting fields in joyful hues.
• muddy hands sculpting sandcastles by the ocean's soft embrace.
• endless hours lost in the pages of enchanting faerietale books.
• playful chase of lightning bugs, tiny lanterns in twilight's grasp.
• petal treasures, clasped in eager hands for an honored recipient.
• barefoot dances, twirling through the sun-drenched meadow.
• blanket forts built and stitched with whispered confidences.
• pockets filled with treasures: stones, sw...

• wake every morning with gratitude for the blessing of living.
• offer a kind word to bloom in someone's heart like a flower.
• bear witness to the sunshine, let it bring gratitude to your heart.
• speak kindly to yourself so you may speak kindly to others.
• carry the burdens of others as softly as a breeze lifts the leaves.
• embrace your silence, allow others to share their own stories.
• let hope become a light to someone stumbling in the darkness.
• use kindness as your compass, follow where it leads your heart.
• use your words like a river, flowing gently yet unwaveringly.
• walk barefoot on the grass, connect with the earth beneath you.
• be mindful of each footprint you leave on...

• "instructions for living a life: pay attention. be astonished. tell about it." — ‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ mary oliver.
• "and now here is my secret, a very simple secret: it is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye." — ‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ antoine de saint-exupéry.
• "drink tea with your friends; pay attention to the tea, and to your friends, and pay attention to your friends paying attention to the tea. therein lies the meaning of life." — ‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ sarah perry.
• "the dream of my life is to lie down by a slow river and stare at the light in the trees – to learn something by being nothing. a little while but the rich lens of attention.” — ‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ mary oliver.
• "we don't read and write poetry because it's cute. we read and write poetry becaus..._n.h. kleinbaum._

• when she enters a room, she meows at everyone present.
• she smells every new flower that blossoms in the garden.
• hates visitors and bites their ankles when she wants them gone.
• climbs fruit trees, then meows for someone to bring her down.
• only hunts the bugs and critters that are colourful and pretty.
• enjoys being carried stomach up, like one would carry a baby.
• prefers to drink from the watering can than from her own bowl.
• is terrified of fireworks, but calms herself when chopin plays.
• squeaks, purrs, and hums in her sleep when she is dreaming.
• poses elegantly when someone approaches her with a camera.