Sylvia Vardell, who, with Janet Wong, created those fabulous Anthologies filled with poetry, for all of us, not only teachers and students, is our host today on Poetry Friday. Visit all the poetry treats at her blog, Poetry for Children. Tabatha Yeatts' idea of swapping poetry has given me the chance to know, then write for numerous people through these recent years. It is a pleasure to do this, trying to find a way to touch someone long distance with words only for them. And it is a wonderful thing to receive one too. Here is my final slow mail surprise, from Joy Acey, one of the few swappers I've had the "joy" to meet, and spend a week with! I spent my first week in a poetry workshop led by David Harrison a few years ago, and Joy was in that group, a veteran that took us all under her wing, spreading love and golf balls with special words all around the grounds. I do hope I'll have the pleasure again sometime. But now I get to share my last swap poem, from Joy. We live far apart, Tucson and Denver, but we do share one thing, beautiful mountains. And Joy knows that, wrote and painted from that connection.
I love the way the painting changes as she shows those changes in her words, a metaphor for life perhaps? When one has a 'view', Joy has shown us those numerous faces that can be seen.
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| Click to enlarge. The background is mine, to take the photo. |

31 comments:
Joy is such a big-hearted person. I'm glad you had a chance to spend time with her! Lovely painting and poem. I especially like the last stanza.
Thanks, Tabatha. It was a special gift from Joy.
This is beautiful. I agree with Tabatha, that last stanza paints it's own picture. Don't you just love the Summer Poetry Swap?
Lovely! And so nice that the two of you have met :).
Beautiful! One of my favorite things about living in New Mexico was the mountain in our back yard.
I love when the swap includes personal art like this one. What a talented bunch of people we hang out with!
What a treat to receive this from Joy, a PF friend that you've actually met. The lovely artwork that accompanies these poems is enough to keep me from participating. I love seeing all the beautiful shares.
What a beautiful swap! Thanks for sharing!
lovely interpretation of the act of creating!
The mountains here in NH are pretty much gray. ;-)
Yes, I do, have been busy all day & am just reading my comments & posts, like yours! What a beautiful poem from Keri. The swap is a joy each time we do it.
Joy made the time at that workshop such fun, Jama. And to receive a poem from her is a treasure. Thanks.
New Mexico is a gorgeous state, and I love traveling there. I didn't know you lived there, Michelle. Thanks.
Yep! The swap is a pleasure receiving and giving, and it is fun to see what others do, always wonderful. Thanks, Margaret.
I imagine you will do things wonderfully, too, Ramona. This was a special gift for sure.
Thanks, Jane. I do agree.
I guess it's the light, Diane, rarely cloudy, so light changes with the sun & shadows. Happy you enjoyed it.
This swap was such a vibrant gift from Joy. I was so thrilled when I received a swap from Buffy this summer. I started out easy since I was slated for surgery but my rotator cuff tear injury was relieved by PT. I decided to put it off for now but sadly only was involved in one swap. Next summer should be a better one for me as far as injuries go (I hope). Thanks for sharing, Linda.
Such a lovely gift from Joy -- I had the pleasure of first meeting Joy in person at a workshop, too! She lives up to her name, doesn't she?
I think Joy has captured the mountain moods perfectly--in words and image. What a lovely and personalized gift.
I'm sorry that all of the swaps didn't happen, Carol, but one is good. Next time it will work! Thanks, glad you enjoyed Joy's poem.
You're absolutely right, Robyn. How wonderful that you wrote with Joy, too.
Thank you Violet, it was a sweet surprise to see and read Joy's poem.
Hi, Linda,
How lovely to collaborate and share in this way. You and Joy are both such generous (and poetic!) souls! Thanks for joining the Poetry Friday gathering today too!
Sylvia
What a treasure! Joy's poem and painting are gorgeous. Thank you for sharing it with us today, Linda.
Thank you, Sylvia. Joy's poem was a wonderful finale to the swap.
I also like the way the poem ripples through the faces of the mountain's colors, just like the painting, and what I appreciate about Joy is that she enjoys the artmaking without self-consciousness--and then we get to enjoy it too!
You're welcome, Catherine.
Thanks Heidi, you've made a wonderful observation!
Thanks for sharing Joy's wonderful poem--we just spent a week at Beaver Island on Lake Michigan, and I was struck with how every sunset was different yet as spectacular as the previous day. Just like Joy's mountain faces.
I know what you mean, Buffy. We recently returned from the beach, and I took so, so many sunset pictures, love each one. Joy captured the changing faces beautifully. Thanks!
Lovely!
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