Thursday, December 19, 2013

Merry Wishes All Around


           My first day of the holiday break, the day before the earth changes once more, and our days begin the turn toward spring.  Happy Solstice everyone!  Run over to Buffy Silverman's blog to see what others have for you this week, and to enjoy the 'snappy' poem she's written about her Venus Flytrap!  Thanks for hosting, Buffy!
           This year, again, I had the pleasure of swapping poetry with several wonderful people, both during the summer, and now for the holiday/winter swap!  Thanks to Tabatha Yeatts of The Opposite of Indifference who started this marvelous idea.  This holiday, I was excited to have Irene Latham as my swap partner.  I've read and loved her books, the children's fiction and the adult poetry (you can find them here), and look forward to her new poetry book, The Sky Between Us, out very soon!



            Not only did I receive a beautiful and heart-felt poem written by Irene just for me, but she also created a collage for the poem, and framed it. all ready for a special place on the shelves in my office.  Writing a poem for someone is rather like sharing a big, long hug, and that is how I felt when I read Irene's poem.  It is a treasure!  FYI-I live on Poplar St.
 The Sweetness of Letting Go

        Past the black hole
        a galaxy unfolds:

       nebulas pulse and glow,
       their sherbet rings

       tingling with hope.
       The archer arches

       with a dancer's grace,
       unleashes a silvery

       shower of star-flowers
       to feast on all night.

       The moon swoons
       behind cotton-candy clouds,

       and from a window
       overlooking Poplar St.

       someone takes a breath
       and tastes tomorrow.
             Irene Latham, ©All Rights Reserved

   I'm going to take some time off, will be back in the New Year.  Here are a couple of old-fashioned Christmas poems for you from the antique postcards I have, and a quote I love every time I read it.  Hope you do, too!  
          


From Charles Dickens: Happy, happy Christmas, that can win us back to the delusions of our childhood days, recall to the old man the pleasures of his youth, and transport the traveler back to his own fireside and quiet home!

34 comments:

  1. Dear Linda,

    Thanks for posting Irene's out-of-this-world poem and showing us her collage--wow! When you said you lived on Poplar Street above the poem...I thought you were laughingly hinting that we could all send you a poem!

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    1. Oh my, April, perhaps I should change where I put that line? It is a wonderful poem I agree and was thrilled to receive it! Thanks, and happy holidays!

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  2. Wow--that's a poem and collage to treasure. You must be the envy of Poplar Street!

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    1. Fun to imagine Buffy, but if I shared, I imagine my neighbors would have poem-envy! Thanks!

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  3. Irene's poem and collage make my day! Love them! "someone takes a breath
    and tastes tomorrow."

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    1. They are wonderful, I agree, Tabatha. Thank you. Happiest of holidays to you & your family!

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  4. Dear Linda who lives on Poplar Street: Such a Friend as You is a wonderful gift. Enjoy your time with family and thank you for being such a luminous presence.The poem you wrote for me is a long hug too (well put!), and one I will treasure always! xo

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    1. Thank you Irene-it was a pleasure all around! Hope you and yours have a marvelous holiday together, too.

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  5. Hi, Linda. Thank you for sharing Irene's poem and the collage -- so many crafty people among the Poetry Friday poets. Wishing you a wonderful, quiet holiday.

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    1. Thanks for taking the time to say hello! You are dear, & happy you were able to see and read my poem gift! Special wishes to you, too!

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  6. What a delightful surprise for you! Holiday wishes to you and Irene and all Poetry Friday participants!

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    1. Thank you Diane! It is lots of fun, isn't it? Best to you as well!

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  7. Dearest Linda, that is such a beautiful gesture from Irene. How precious and so thoughtful too. This made me smile today, Linda. My heart is warmed by thoughts of friends, both near and far, and bound together by a shared passion for poetry.

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  8. It is like a warm hug, isn't it? Thanks Myra-loved your poem shared today too! Happy holidays!

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  9. Irene's poem sounds the perfect note with which to close this year, dear Linda, especially those last two lines. Enjoy your break from the blogging world - I see warm days with family gathered in its stead. Happy, happy holidays!

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    1. Some will be here tonight! I've finished all but one thing for shopping, going to pick it up soon-whew! If you're on break, hurrah! Sleep, read, wrap, eat, enjoy! Thanks for so many kind words, Tara!

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  10. Wow! So wonderful! Thank you for sharing this.

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    1. You're so welcome, Ruth. Enjoy every minute of your break!

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  11. This is a beautiful gift. Irene has captured your specialness with tasting tomorrow. Have a wonderful Christmas break. Looking forward to more blogging, poetry, and teaching fun in 2014.

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    1. Me, too, Margaret. So happy to have gotten to know you this year! Hope you have a marvelous break too!

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  12. The antique postcards are a treasure! And so is Irene's poem. Thanks for sharing both.

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    1. Thanks Penny. I collect a few whenever I see them, & some are from older relatives. I haven't seen a current Christmas postcard in a while. Yes, I agree about Irene's poem, am thrilled to share it too.

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  13. What a beautiful poem and collage. I love how you describe getting a specially-composed personal poem as a big long hug. Perfect! Hope you have a wonderful Christmas with your family!
    Violet N.

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    1. Thanks Violet. I hope you have a lovely Christmas too! Happy Solstice!

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  14. A beautiful gesture and an inspiring poem-- a "big, long hug" is spot on. I especially loved the "sherbet rings" of nebulas, the "shower of star- flowers," and man oh man, that last line is a killer... in a good way, of course! Enjoy your time with family over the holidays, Linda. See you in 2014.

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    1. Thank you Michelle. I do feel hugged! Have a merry time with your family too!

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  15. Absolutely gorgeous poem and collage! I love 'the shower of star flowers'! Have a wonderful holiday!

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    1. Thanks BJ, & best to you too. Hope your ankle is fast healing!

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  16. I love that she put YOU in the poem!

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    1. I know-isn't that just wonderful? Thanks Mary Lee!

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  17. It's only fitting that two such treasures were matched for the poem swap! Enjoy your holiday break, and while you do, I will be looking for a shower of star-flowers!

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    1. Thanks Keri-Hope you have a wonderful holiday too!

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  18. What a beautiful poem and collage from Irene! A treasure! And the two vintage poems you shared are lovely as well. Happy New Year!

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