It’s Poetry Friday and our host this week is Linda at her blog Teacher Dance where she shares excitement about this time of year. Thanks for hosting Linda, and stay cool!
This has been an odd week. I have been battling a rash. I sought treatment for it on Monday, which is an unusual occurrence for me. With my husband a retired physician and myself a retired nurse/nurse practitioner, we don’t usually seek healthcare for minor problems – usually.
But this rash was nasty. It grew over the course of my first week home, with hives coalescing into large welts of pure itchiness. I had it on my inner arms, inner thighs, and face with it starting to appear on my abdomen. By Monday morning, I could not think of anything but scratching myself! My husband actually suggested I call to get a clinic appointment.
Having been seen and on medication for the rash – still of unknown origin – I am almost back to normal. Thankfully, The rash is still slightly evident but the itching (and subsequent need to scratch) has been mostly alleviated. Whew!
This week also marks the end of the Summer Poetry Swap, organized by the gracious Tabatha Yeatts of The Opposite of Indifference.
I had swaps with Denise Krebs who shared a wonderful haiku and collage she was inspired to make after my Debris poem. I was touched! Denise also sent a handmade market bag which will be going to Europe with me next month. Thank you, Denise!
Linda Mitchell sent a wonderful journal filled with all kinds of goodies which I misunderstood and added to the goodies and sent it back to her! Ugh! What a goof! I should have just asked her about it before I sent it back! It was a great journal! Her included poetry was about reusing – so appropriate and appreciated! Thanks, Linda!
Jone Rush MacCullough and I have struck up a special friendship, I feel. We both love nature and photography as well as writing. Jone went to the trouble of searching for our OLWs for this year. She then took all the words and incorporated them into a collage. It is lovely. I will also take the journal on my trip next month. It’s lightweight and I will have something on which I can record my thoughts on our journey. Jone also included some handmade greeting cards that had a strike line from my own poem about a Jack in the Pulpit plant. Thank you, Jone! I’m not sure I’ll be sending them out to anyone, they are so lovely! I love the purple.
Patricia Franz sent some lovely photographic images of Lake Tahoe. With my recent trip to Northern California to see the ancient Redwoods, Patricia shared some of her favorite places with me, including Mt. Tallac. Patricia wrote about pride of place and that is something I ascribe to as well. It is a fact that if we can encourage our youth to love their “place” they will be more willing to work to take care of it. I saw this pride of place and willingness to work in my garden club students years ago.
David Sobel –
“If we want children to flourish, to become truly empowered, let us allow them to love the earth before we ask them to save it.”
And, last but certainly, not least, I will send out my swap to Carol Varsalona today. I am anxious to receive hers as well. Carol has done a lot for me over my time with the Poetry Friday group to ensure that I continue to post – despite often being the last one to make my attachment to the round-up. Thanks for keeping me going, Carol – My poem to you was inspired by your kindness!
I’ve truly enjoyed the Summer Swap and thank all of those who participated and also, Tabatha, who took the time to keep in touch and make sure we were all able to keep up with our swapping! I’ll look forward to doing this again with you all!
One last note: Remember my Ekphrastic Nature Poetry Anthology for Children ages 10+ has open submissions until November 1st. I have heard from some of you about submissions and have started to receive them as well. The link for information and submitting guidelines can be found on my blog menu which runs horizontally across the page. But, you can also use this link:
I’ll leave you with some thoughts from this poem from John Updike (1932-2009) about August:
The sprinkler twirls.
The summer wanes.
The pavement wears
Popsicle stains.
The playground grass
Is worn to dust.
The weary swings
Creak, creak with rust.
The trees are bored
With being green.
Some people leave
The local scene…..
I’ll leave the rest to your imagination…or you can read it in this book I found at an antique store in Stillwater Minnesota, if you can find a copy! It was a steal at $5.00!
The Apples in My Orchard 
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