The Poetry Postcard Xchange has been so much fun for me. Thank you, Jone, for coordinating it all! Throughout this month, I anticipated those small word surprises in my mailbox and each one was a delight. Besides the gift of poems, I got to meet Poetry Friday poets from across the country -well, I only exchanged five poems, but received poem postcards from Hawaii, Louisiana, Alabama, Colorado, and NY. They're a wonderful array of art, photography and creative handcrafted cards. I treasure them all!
Here is my fan of poems from Linda Bie, Irene Latham, Carol Varsalona, Joy Acey and Margaret Simon. Several poems expressed HOPE, which many feel the need for in this new year. Others encouraged me to be OPEN and to SAVOR life's moments. Each one fed my soul.
This newbie to the Xchange may not have followed the spirit of the exchange with my own poems, however. I chose five post cards from my collection and wrote poems using the image as inspiration. So most were not New Year wishes.
One did express hope, however, and I'm sharing that one today since I believe (hope) the recipient has received it. Hi, Linda Mitchell!
The former year has dropped away
like acorns and
golden
oak.
Be still, listen
for new
notes.
Strength will come and
with it,
hope.
This woodblock postcard by artist Holly Meade of Sedgwick, Maine inspired the poem.
Holly, a talented woodblock artist, author and children's book illustrator, lost a battle with breast cancer three years ago at age 56.
A collection of Holly's prints may be viewed at She- Bear Gallery.
Violet has the Round-up at Violet Nesdoly/poems. Thanks for hosting, Violet!
I've enjoyed following the joy spread by the postcard exchange. I like your interpretation to write a poem inspired by the art on different postcards. Beautiful!
ReplyDeleteHi, Kay. Joy is what I experience when I discover a poem tucked in between other envelopes. If it weren't for knowing they were to arrive, it's just so unexpected and joyful. Wouldn't it be fun to surprise our friends with more of these for no reasy at all! Thanks for commenting.
ReplyDeleteThat is, no reason at all!
DeleteIt has been wonderful to receive these poetic gifts, and I love seeing yours, Joyce, and enjoyed those words from you, too: "Be still, listen/for new
ReplyDeletenotes." I do try! I too used my own postcards for inspiration. It was fun to try to discover some that would fit each person.
We have so much inspiration right at our fingertips, don't we? I'm intrigued by the found poems created from press conferences that have been shared here. Thanks for stopping by, Linda.
DeleteWhat a gorgeous image on your postcard, Joyce. I love your poem too. (Remember the little handmade journal you made me when we did a poetry exchange, way back in 2012? It's still waiting for something special enough to come along to earn a place in it. - Thanks again for your thoughtfulness.)
ReplyDeleteThank you, Violet. It sounds like you might be in the "Save it for Good " generation! I'd say your poems are special enough for that little journal-small poems! It was such fun creating it for you. The beautiful scarf you sent remains one of my favorites. So nice to hear from you!
DeleteI love that woodblock so much. I can see why it inspired you! The idea of listening for the songbirds resonates with me. They really are unexpectedly resilient and hardy.
ReplyDeleteThat is so true, Tabatha! I know we are, as well. Thank you for commenting.
DeleteBeautiful woodcut and poem.
ReplyDeleteI'm wondering if I missed the memo, too. All of my postcard poems were written in response to the picture, and not as New Year wishes...
I don't think we need to be concerned, Mary Lee. Linda mentioned above that she also wrote response poems. What's important is that we crafted a word gift to share with someone in celebration of a new year/new beginning.
DeleteBeautiful poem and I love that woodblock print--wonderful colors and movement and of course the busy birds!
ReplyDeleteHi Marcia! Thank you so much for commenting. I love the woodblock, too. I have two other Holly Meade woodblock postcards. One is of crows-black and white. The other is a curled up butterscotch cat. I scrolled through prints of Holly's work, and there is so much inspiration there.
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