Tanka Sequence: Light in the Shadows

white crocus buds and leaves appearing through snow

grey walls
a grey polished floor
reflecting
our movements
the jangling keys

doors
opened and locked
by strangers
behind us a free world
turns grey and disappears

female prisoners
scan my face, my eyes
while being open
it is hard not to look
at what I can see

how blue
the light around the mother
who hurt
her child’s abuser
tears running down her cheeks

we talk and listen
to each prisoner’s song
first in rows
then in a circle
a pink light glows

© Xenia Tran

Ribbons, Winter 2023: Volume 19, Number 1

lilac white crocus buds appearing through snow
flowering currant lit up by the afternoon soon

More than twenty years ago, I ran a series of workshops in a women’s prison that linked the chakra system and its colours to meditation practice. The first session in this series inspired the above sequence.

Wishing you all a wonderful Wednesday and a peaceful rest of the week,

with love from Xenia xxx

Photographs by Xenia Tran, edited in lr.

Cee’s Flower of the Day

Lens-Artists Weekly Photo Challenge #241: Spring

Weekly Prompts Midweek Challenge: Wait

Wordless Wednesday: Small Treasures

close up of a lilac crocus bud covered in small raindrops

Wishing you all a wonderful Wednesday,

with love from Xenia xxx

Photographs by Xenia Tran, edited in lr.

Wordless Wednesday

Cee’s Flower of the Day

Weekly Prompts Weekend Challenge: Treasure

Silent Sunday: Spring Curves

close up of two daffodils, moving in the wind
close up of a ladybird in lavender leaves

Wishing you all a blessed Sunday and a peaceful new week,

with love from Xenia xxx

Photographs by Xenia Tran, edited in lr.

Silent Sunday

Lens-Artists Weekly Photo Challenge #191: Curves

Cee’s Flower of the Day

Silent Sunday: First Crocus

lilac and purple crocus buds emerging from the soil
two purple crocus flowers, one still part in bud

We break from the doings of our day and make space to notice you.
You are always with us in surprising guises.

– From Midday Prayer by Padraig O’ Tuama.

Wishing you all a blessed Sunday and a peaceful week ahead,

with love from Xenia xxx

Photographs by Xenia Tran, edited in lr.

Silent Sunday

Cee’s Flower of the Day

Wordless Wednesday: Dainty Daffodils

miniature daffodils and purple crocus in bloom
macro shot of a miniature daffodil

It’s good to be back and thank you for all your good wishes before we went on our break!

Wishing you all a wonderful Wednesday,

with love from Xenia xxx

Photographs by Xenia Tran, edited in lr.

Settings: f/3.5 – 1/200 s – ISO 160 and f/3.5 – 1/100 s – ISO 100.

Wordless Wednesday

Cee’s Flower of the Day

Silent Sunday: Violet Ray

close up of a purple crocus flower half open
macro shot of a purple crocus flower

Wishing you all a blessed Sunday and peaceful week ahead,

with love from Xenia xxx

Photographs by Xenia Tran, edited in lr.

Camera: Panasonic Lumix FZ200, Settings: f/3.5 – 1/500 s – ISO 160, f/3.5 – 1/320 s – ISO 160 and f/3.5 – 1/125 s – ISO 200.

Silent Sunday

Lens-Artist Weekly Photo Challenge #138: Natural Light

Cee’s Flower of the Day

Wordless Wednesday: Renewal

macro shot of purple crocus sprouting
macro shot of purple crocus sprouting

Wishing you all a wonderful Wednesday,

with love from Xenia xxx

Photographs by Xenia Tran, edited in lr.

Camera: Panasonic Lumix FZ200, Settings: f/3.5 – 1/100 s – ISO 320, f/3.5 – 1/100 s – ISO 100 and f/3.5 – 1/80 s – ISO 100.

Wordless Wednesday

Dutch Goes the Photo Tuesday Photo Challenge: Renewal

Cee’s Flower of the Day

Silent Sunday: Hanging On To Light

macro shot of an opening purple crocus bud
macro shot of blooming purple crocus

I am very grateful for all the amazing work the health service and everyone else who is making a positive difference is currently doing.

Following the example of Spain, France, The Netherlands and India, the UK is now organising a #clapforourcarers event on Thursday 26th March at 8pm where we can show our appreciation with a massive round of applause. You can clap your hands on your doorstep, balcony or indoors and share it online through social media.

Hoping you all stay safe and well,

with love from Xenia xxx

Photographs by Xenia Tran, edited in lr.

Camera: Panasonic Lumix FZ200, Settings: f/3.5 – 1/100 s – ISO 200, f/4 – 1/50 – ISO 200 and f/3.5 – 1/125 s – ISO 100.

Silent Sunday

Cee’s Flower of the Day

Rag Tag Daily Prompt: Hang On

Your Daily Word Prompt: Bearing

Silent Sunday: Awakening

macro shot of closed lilac crocus flower with raindrops
macro shot of lilac crocus bud slightly opening
close up shot of lilac crocus flower opening and one in the background slightly open

You can see more close-up shots of crocus flowers in our recent post Violet Flame.

Wishing you all a beautiful day!

With love from Xenia xxx

Photographs by Xenia Tran, edited in lr.

Camera: Panasonic Lumix FZ200, Settings: f/3.2 – 1/320 s – ISO 100, f/3.2 – 1/100 s – ISO 200 and f/3.2 – 1/200 s – ISO 160.

Silent Sunday

Lens-Artists Weekly Photo Challenge #34: Close-Up

Cee’s Flower of the Day: Crocus

Silent Sunday: Violet Flame

macro shot of a violet crocus bud
macro shot of a violet crocus bloom half open with orange stigma and anthers peeking through
macro shot of a violet crocus bloom with orange stigma and anthers in the centre

With love from Xenia xxx

Photographs by Xenia Tran, edited in lr.

Camera: Panasonic Lumix FZ200, f/3.2 – 1/160 – ISO 100 and f/3.2 – 1/250 s – ISO 100 with DMW LC55 Lens.

Silent Sunday

Rag Tag Daily Prompt: Color

Cee’s Flower of the Day

Friendly Friday: Contrasts