The Apples in My Orchard

Hello Poetry Friday Friends! Fall is zipping right along, isn’t it?

I last posted to this blog on October 4th. Since then we’ve made a trip to New York to see my Dad (Arriving on the 2nd and staying until the 13th. We also got to see my sister, sister-in-law, and several of my husband’s cousins.

His youngest cousin unexpectedly died when we were in town, so we were able to be part of a family dinner on the 11th. It was a good visit despite the sudden and sad circumstances.

During this trip and since we’ve been home, I’ve been reminded of the small things we can do to support one another and ourselves.

As some of you know, I’ve been writing a novel. It’s adult fiction, not kid-lit – and I like the mystery genre.

While we were home, my Dad asked me if I’d worked on my novel. Now, he’s asked me this each time I’ve seen him in the last six months. I’ve responded that I haven’t but need to. The more I read, the more I’m convinced that I need to finish what I started. After all, I already have over thirty-two thousand words in the story!

It’s such a small question but it’s asked with sincere interest.

And when we saw my husband’s Aunt – yes, the mother of the woman who passed away – she asked me if I was still writing and still making jewelry. I proudly answered yes to both questions, touched that she would think of me in her time of sadness.

Again, small questions but each was asked sincerely.

So, I pledged to myself I would start writing on the novel again.

This came at a good time because last Monday, 10/14, I decided to scale back my Medium page writing to twice a week – Mondays and Thursdays. You can read about my reasons why and how this action will benefit me in this short form (150-word article), here.

So, as I started curtailing my Medium writing and doing more reading, more jewelry making, and more of everything except working on my novel, our middle son decided to come for a visit.

He also inquired about the status of my novel and agreed I should be working on it.

So by the time he left last Sunday, 10/20, he agreed to be my accountability person. I told him I’d write 5,000 words on my book by the end of the day on 10/27.

Again, a small thing, but powerful!

I’m happy to say I worked on my novel this week. I’m far from the 5,000 words but still have time yet today, tomorrow, and Sunday to try and meet the goal.

My point is that small things, whether a simple question showing interest and curiosity or a simple act of knowing I am being held accountable for my actions are important.

Tyger Tyger is accepting submissions to its Big Things issue. I tried once again to have a successful submission to this publication and again, was not accepted. I submitted three poems to their Small Things issue. I thought I’d share one of the three poems today.

I’m doing this because with my focus on finishing my novel and writing on medium, as well as gearing my Etsy shop of homemade jewelry creations up for the holidays, I have not written any new poetry since I told you about the one I was inspired to write about Ireland. I hope to submit that poem to a journal, so I won’t share it here.

The Silent Return of the Ruby Throated Hummingbird
A Kenning Poem 


Gazing out at my yard, 
I see a familiar sight.

A tiny movement, 
Caught by my eye
When I look just right.

In that moment, I know you’ve returned 
My tiny summer occupant, the
Ruby Throated Hummingbird

As I watch, I think of you as 
A zig-zagger
An incoming dagger
A silent sipper 
The flying feeder
A long migrator 
The tiniest traveler
A tropical transiter
The fastest figure eight flyer
Who is my garden gulper
A nectar nipper
And flower frequenter

Oh, little Ruby Throated Hummingbird
I treasure your visit to my flowers 
Each and every summer

© Carol Labuzzetta, 2024

As I close, I want to thank those who are thoughtful enough to make small but caring inquiries. It goes a long way to know you are thought of and appreciated.

This week’s round-up is hosted by the one and only Carol Varsalona who always brings me joy when I read her work about nature and/or family. The round-up can be found on her blog Beyond Literacy Link. Thanks for hosting, Carol, and congratulations on your poem being included in Janet and Sylvia’s new book, Clara’s Kooky Compendium of Thimblethoughts and Wonderfuzz. The title makes me laugh because another one of my small things poems was on my grandmother’s thimble!

By the way, if anyone hears of anthologies looking for submissions or other types of kid-lit mags (besides Tygre Tyger and The Toy) please let me know. I look on (X) regularly but have not been lucky seeing calls. Thank you.