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Thursday, August 31, 2023

Poetry Friday - Gifting!

 


I sat in a nearby park to watch!

 It's Poetry Friday! Thanks, Ramona Berhenki 
HERE at her blog, Pleasures from The Page, for hosting. Her sharing of an anthology from Lee Bennett Hopkins titled "School Supplies" feels just right for this beginning of the school year. 

        With all the turmoil and disasters happening in the world, finding gifts in my mailbox lifts my spirits. Among other lovely things, like Wednesday night's super blue moon, the summer poetry swap created by Tabatha Yeatts brings beautiful surprises that, like the cliché, keep on giving.

          I shared those from Tabatha, Denise Krebs, and Patricia Franz earlier in the summer. This past week, I received more creative bounty from Janice Scully and Jone MacCulloch. 




         One thing I also want to acknowledge is Janice's thoughtfulness. After I sent her a package, she replied with thanks and asked about her own gift sent. I never received it! Sadly, USPS is not always reliable. But Janice put together a second gift and that one arrived! Thanks so much, Janice for a poem of address to the marvelous redwoods and for Billy Collins, a favorite!


         Earlier in the summer, Jone wrote to ask if I had a One Little Word for the year. I did not, but did share that a favorite word is "serendipity". You'll see how Jone created a journal cover from learning about that word! Thanks for your creativity, Jone. You've given me a poem but also a journal's cover with secrets. I'll enjoy its message while capturing other favorite words!


             Jone also sent me a created calendar with poems from her for every month!

        This is a card made from the journal you can see in the picture above. The quote is penned there, and my word, 'serendipity' adds to others among the blooms! Also, Jone sent two poem postcards (below), one to keep and one to send with parts of my own words to Patricia! I think she knows how much I love the ocean!


























I can't help but remember these lyrics when I think of this summer's swaps!

Simple Gifts - Joseph Brackett

'Tis the gift to be simple, 'tis the gift to be free,
'Tis the gift to come down where I ought to be;
And when we find ourselves in the place just right,
'Twill be in the valley of love and delight.
When true simplicity is gained,
To bow and to bend we shan't be ashamed;
to turn, turn, will be my delight.
Till by turning, turning we come round right.

Wishing everyone a special Labor Day weekend!


20 comments:

  1. Such a gorgeous post Linda, the poems from Janice and Jone are truly heartfelt treasure-gifts reaching out to you. I hope our beloved redwoods survive the affects they are traveling through. Thanks for sharing this soothing post. Wishing you a lovely Labor Day weekend!

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    1. Thanks, Michelle, it's been a joy-filled summer. I agree about the redwoods. We've seen them experience big challenges recently.

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  2. Linda, Simple Gifts! This was one of the first songs that my kids learned to play on the piano. When I read the words, they were accompanied by the clunky piano in my head. : ) What lovely gifts you received from your poetry friends. I love the beauty and simplicity of poetry and paper.

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    1. My class sang 'Simple Gifts' for an end-of-year presentation one year, Tracey. It is a special song to me, too. I love your memory! Yes, the swap gifts are treasures! Thanks!

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  3. I love Jone's work, such an artist in so many ways. "It's a gift to be free." Such an important line right now. Thanks for sharing these treasures, Linda.

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    1. You're welcome, Janice, and thank you again, too! I'm loving Billy!

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  4. Linda, thank you! I so love seeing the poems and gifts shared here. How sad Janice's gift was lost, but how lovely that she made another. Have a blessed Labor Day!

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    1. I'm thrilled to share, Denise, & Janice was wonderful to send a second one! Thanks for coming by!

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  5. Yes! Simple but astounding gifts. What a bountiful swap. I'm loving that journal cover. Every time I see Jone's art it makes my fingers itch to get into some paper and glue!

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    1. I agree, such beautiful creativity, and I've had lots of fun creating for the gifts I sent, too! Have a nice long weekend, Linda, and thanks!

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  6. So many beautiful gifts! I'm so impressed with how creative they are. Thank you for sharing them here for all of us to enjoy! Have a great weekend!

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  7. Linda, your post is full of simple from the heart gifts that are truly lovely. From Jone's artistic paper gifts to Janice's redwood poem and a Billy Collins book (I have that one also), your mailbox shines. Your ending is full of joy from your simple gifts. "Till by turning, turning we come round right." Have a wonderful Labor Day weekend. We are off to celebrate my son's birthday. The little girls are meeting at one of our favorite restaurants.

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  8. Gush-gush-gush! What an abundance of summer poetry gifts! All so incredibly thoughtful and beautifully shared, Linda. I feel your joy - and swooned over Janice's California Redwoods (I too, love fog!) and Jone's glorious photo. I continue to be stunned by the care and creativity each of the poets brings to their gift swaps. Thank you for sharing these!

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  9. Thanks, Linda, Carol, & Patricia! I am not surprised at the amazing creativity from those who send gifts, and it's been a wonderful summer receiving! Happy Birthday to your son, Carol. Wishing you all a wonderful September, welcoming autumn!

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  10. I love that Billy Collins book! I have really loved the poetry swaps this summer! It's been great to a have few bits of poetry pop in to my mailbox.

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  11. Yes, those are the PERFECT lyrics for the poetry swap!

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  12. Even for those of us who didn't participate in the summer swap, it is heartwarming to see how thought-FULL each of the gifts were!

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  13. I didn't participate in the swap this summer, but I remember well the feeling of heart-to-heart connection that comes with creative gifts of poetry. I love the ones that are handmade with such care as Janice's and Jone's. Thanks for sharing.

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  14. Linda, what wonderful gifts to share! I love Jone's work, also. Thanks for sharing Janice's redwoods poem with the perfect internal rhymes!

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  15. Thanks much for the wonderful comments. I was so glad to share the gifts and am grateful to all my swappers, including Tabatha and her special idea. Happy September!

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