The Apples in My Orchard

This week, I planned to share the summer swaps from those I was paired with for the seasonal poetry exchange organized by the incredible Tabitha Yeatts. I will do so, but I am short one. I just mailed my last swap out and have yet to receive my last swap, too. So, that one will wait for a later time.

I’ve grown to enjoy these snail mail exchanges of words and observations, camaraderie, and friendship over the years. This year, I received swaps from Jone Rush MacCulloch, Rose Cappelli, Shirley Thacker, and Moe Phillips so far.

Of those, I feel like I know Jone and Rose from their posts on Poetry Friday, and their gifts of words and art both felt like they knew me. Jone takes a line from my poem Cathedral Trees (2023) and uses it to make a wonderful golden shovel, specific to me. Jone is adept at writing these.

Rose knows of my love of nature and monarch butterflies, in particular. She is actively trying to provide habitat for these tiny and amazing iconic creatures. A Kennings Poem was her gift, featuring monarch butterflies. Both shared artwork and inspiration.

Shirley and Moe are new to me poets. I met Moe during one of Jone’s pop-up poetry sessions. She likes to write poetry for both children and adults, just as I do. Moe sent examples of her work, made into a little handcrafted booklet for my enjoyment. I got to know her through her words and work, and the wonderful paper craft she sent.

Shirley was completely new to me, and she sent a book of her poetry, which I read immediately and placed on my shelf. Shirley included a letter about her life, the loss of her husband, and how she deals with grief by writing poems. Her book, “Wind Beneath the Pines,” is available on Amazon here. I left her a review on Goodreads, too. I’m not at home writing this, so I don’t have a photo of the book. My apologies.

I enjoyed “getting to know” both Moe and Shirley in this year’s summer swap.

The way I attacked the summer swap was to send each of my partners a watercolor painting inspired by their interests or words and a poem to match. It was fun to produce the art and match it with words, either before or after I did the painting. Thank you to all I was paired with and to Tabatha for the time she takes to organize the swaps. This community is amazing and I appreciate you all!

Baby Bluebirds

Baby bluebirds
I’m spying on you

Don’t be afraid
For my intentions are true

You hatched and grew
In my backyard

With mama close by
Standing guard

I won’t hurt you
But just want to see

The moment you fledge
And fly away from me


© Carol Labuzzetta, 2025
For Rose, Summer Poetry Swap

Carol Varsalona, today’s host for Poetry Friday, writes about the Art of Summering. Her prompts at the end of her article today ask how each of us engages in the Art of Summering. This is a fun question to ponder.

Yesterday, I walked the woods with my husband and dog. August is a special month because the mushrooms are popping up in the woods. Over a mile and a half walk, I took 30+ photographs on my phone. For me, the art of summering includes these types of walks, visiting with family and friends that come to the cabin to visit, making s’mores, doing a little fishing, and lounging on our deck. It also includes taking in the beautiful sunsets we get over the lake. Here are a few:

Thanks for hosting, Carol!

All words and photographs are by Carol Labuzzetta. There is no permission to copy or distribute in any way. Thank you.