It is Poetry Friday! If you want to know what Poetry Friday is check out this explanation from Renee M. LaTulippe. Today, our host is Linda Mitchell on her blog A Word Edgewise. who is offering a clunker challenge. I’m in! Thank you for hosting, Linda!
I wrote a post of gratitude yesterday for all the good I’ve had in my life recently. But, when I went to bed last night I had spinning thoughts, mostly about my mom. Sunday is Mother’s Day and it will be our first without her. Although her passing was somewhat of a relief, it was still sudden and sad.
I’m not usually melancholy about such things but, Sunday seems significant to me. I laid there trying to put into context memories about my mom. Disjointed thoughts popped into and out of my head. And I was able to jot a few lines of a poem down on my phone while I hid under the covers so as not to wake my husband.
But before I share those, I want to share some of the things I fondly remember about my mom.
And here is the poem I started:
Mom
What do I so with the memories of you?
Do I box them up and put them away?
Or, do I keep them out so you can stay…..
© Draft, Carol Labuzzetta, All Rights Reserved, 2024.
Let me know how you’ll remember your mom this coming Sunday.
Finally, I want to thank those of you who sent me messages after viewing your author copy of the new anthology Picture Perfect Poetry! I appreciate it!
Some of the poet-photographers featured in the book have posted to their social media platforms including their blogs, Instagram, or X with thoughts about the book, and encouraging others to buy it. I am grateful because those posts help to promote the book too. Thank you!
I know there are more of you planning to share the book and/or your work in it. I have some suggestions for doing that. If you want to share the cover and general thoughts on the poems, aesthetics, or working with me, by all means, do so. If you have work in the book and want to share that, again – please do so.
But, if you want to share someone else’s work, please contact them first. All the participants granted me first rights for their work – that includes the advertisement of their work. But, those rights do not extend past me. Now that the book has been published, the rights revert to the creator of the work. If you want to share a piece that is not yours, please contact the author first. I’ll be glad to provide contact information. I think this is just acting with common courtesy. Thank you.
Lastly, I sent a complimentary copy to a Medium writer in Canada who will read the book and share her review publically. As I have written in earlier posts, banging my own drum is not my forte but I am trying to market Picture Perfect Poetry as best as i can without being a nusciance!
That said, you can get the book on Amazon or IngramSpark. I recommend Amazon at this point due to the pages being more vibrant in color. Thanks for your consideration.
The Apples in My Orchard 
ooooh, I love seeing GENESEO! I’m a graduate of Geneseo (masters) and it’s a grand school. I grew up about 25 miles south of Geneseo. You’ve stirred up a host of memories. Mother’s Day for me is without my Mom as well. I will plan a good chat with her while I’m out working in the lawn or doing housework. I still talk to her in my head.
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My mom is still with us, a blessing, yes. One of my sisters and I took her shopping today – in a wheelchair. She’s 90. And it was a joy to see her delight in being out looking at clothes like she use to as a younger woman. I’m so glad we did this. Sending a big hug, Carol, knowing that you miss your mom especially so this weekend.
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Carol, thinking of you this weekend and hoping that you feel at peace. I can empathize with the desire to put memories of loved ones away when loss feels too heavy and simultaneously longing to relive the good times. I bet your mom is cheering you on from somewhere – so proud of the book you just published!
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Thanks so much! I love how you totally “get me.”
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A beautiful tribute post to your mom, Carol. Sending you good thoughts for the weekend.
I sent my mom a mother’s day gift weeks ago (you just never know with international mail) and will give her a call on Sunday to see if it arrived in time. At 96 I know I don’t have that many more Mother’s Days to share with her. I look forward to visiting her in June when we are back in the US for a few weeks.
Congratulations again on your gorgeous anthology. As a fellow anthologist (who is currently paralyzed with a lot of emotions and has not embarked on another book), I know the challenge of marketing/promoting your creation. I’m rooting for you! 🙂
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Thanks, Bridget. I have to admit that I thought you were still in Maryland. When did you go overseas again and where are you? I appreciate all the understanding and support I’ve gotten from fellow anthologists such as yourself. It is a big undertaking, even though I enjoyed most of it. I’d like to do it again.
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I’m so lucky to have my mom still around. I won’t see her in person, but I will give her a call! Thank you for all of your work on the anthology!
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Thanks, Marcie!
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Carol, what a poignant post. The year of firsts is always so difficult. I feel this even after the twenty-three years since Mom passed. Tomorrow, I will continue to work on some art that includes a copy of Mom’s handwriting (along with other female ancestors), go to the Farmer’s Market for something to bring my daughter when she hosts dinner.
Sending thoughts of love and peace as your navigate tomorrow. I hope your were able to see the aurora borealis yesterday.
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Thanks, Jone! I hope your enjoyed your Mother’s Day with your daughter. I heard from all of my sons(3) but weren’t able to be with any of them this year. It was still a good day – good memories of my mom helped.
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It’s hard losing loved ones, but our wonderful memories keep them alive in our hearts. Sending hugs and congratulations on your lovely anthology.
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Thanks, Rose! I apologize for the delayed response!
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So many Poetry Friday posts making me tear up this week! This is lovely, Carol. It’s the first Mother’s Day without my mom, too. Hugs!
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Thanks for this note, Karen. I hope Mother’s Day wasn’t too sad for you. It’s hard to miss our moms, isn’t it. I’m not sure it’s anything that will go away completely. And perhaps, it shouldn’t. Take Care.
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My mother is still living but with Alzheimer’s so she doesn’t know it’s Mother’s Day which is just as well since I can’t be with her. Remembering can be so melancholy for me. I try to be grateful that she is healthy but she’s no longer mother. Your book looks amazing. I’m sorry I didn’t submit. It came at a bad time.
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Thanks, Margaret. I am sorry you could not participate in the anthology too. I’ll make sure I give you a heads up if I choose to do another. My mom had Alzheimer’s too but still knew us. It was her timelines that were all out of whack. It is often hard to remember our parents as vibrant individuals when they start to fade. I’m with my Dad this week and although I’m glad I can be here, it is hard, too. Take care. I hope you have a restful summer.
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Carol, thank you for your sweet recollections of your mother. She sounds like a remarkable woman. I love the apple graphic of some of the characteristics, titles, and values that made her who she was. I think you are choosing “Or, do I keep them out so you can stay…..” Which is great. Thanks again for your excellent work on the Picture Perfect Poetry anthology. Each page is a feast for the eyes and thoughts. I’m enjoying reading and rereading it.
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Thank you Denise. Writing helps me to work through and process my feelings. I’m so glad you are enjoying the anthology. Thank you for being part of it. I was thrilled that you were in it.
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I like the draft you have started for your poem along with all the thoughts in the graphic image, thanks for sharing in this difficult time.
The anthology is gorgeous, I shared a bit of it with the cover last week on my blog post, and will share again. Thanks for all you put into it!
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Thanks, Michelle! I appreciate your kind words about the anthology and your support! It means alot to me coming from someone such as yourself who is so very creative! I was honored to have you take part in it the book.
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Carol, now that I no longer anesthesia fog from the two surgeries lately, I can explain why I was not able to advertise your fabulous book. I think the publication exceeds what you accomplished. The visual presentation is beautiful and the content in line with your vision. There are so many uniques visions of the beauty of nature and the photography adds to the story line. I can see teachers excited to share the work with their students. I do not have the book in the hospital but when I am feeling better I will offer more insights and hopefully more thoughts on your expertise as an upcoming editor in the field of poetry. Carol, I thank you for your faith in my ability to create ekphrastic poetry that is worthy for your publication. I look forward to working with you in the future.
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I also wanted to add my thoughts about your tender poem draft. There is a place for every memory of your Mom. Both your poem and graphic portray a person who filled your life with joy. May you meet her in your dreams like I have.
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Thank you, Carol. My mom and I had come to a place in our relationship where we finally accepted we were different people but respected who we both were. She was a good mom and teacher. I do have many good memories of her. I am trying to honor that relationship with poetry – something we both loved.
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Thank you for this wonderful review of the book, Carol. I hope we can work together in the future as well. And I hope you are recuperating from your surgeries.
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