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Thursday, August 8, 2019

Poetry Friday - Sweet Swapping Helps This Sad Day

It's Poetry Friday, this week hosted by Molly Hogan at Nix the Comfort Zone. She's sharing a poem idea, to write from a title that intrigues from another poet. It is interesting to read the original poem and then the direction Molly took from just that title. Thanks for hosting, Molly.

    Thursdays are my regular shift at the bookstore, also the day we weed through the week's donations and then shelve or discover doubles, fix boxes of books to pass on to others. While I do other shelving, I'm in charge of the children's/YA sections. In all the times I've done this, we've never had an anthology donated by Lee Bennett Hopkins. I was thrilled to see it, an older one that I don't have.
       Then in a brief lull, I checked my Facebook page and read the news about Lee's passing. I won't forget that this particular book came this day, and won't forget all the books from Lee I do have and cherished sharing with my students. I have only had a brief connection personally with him, but know many whose hearts are broken tonight and I am so sorry for their and his husband Charles' loss. Luckily for us, he left many, many gifts for us, especially for children.



        Remember when I discovered a wonderful poetry book, though disintegrating, and shared a poem by Celia Thaxter, the poet found because I googled the lines via a nudge from Heidi Mordhorst. From it to again sharing more from research and another poem by her to honor Paul B. Janeczko. I have since read An Island Garden; some write that it's Thaxter's most famous work. Well, many of you may not have remembered, but Tabatha Yeatts did and used lines of poetry by Celia Thaxter to write a poem for me. She has seen me share about our family beach trips every summer and sent this poem hug celebrating that for me. I am so grateful to see that Tabatha and Celia have collaborated so wonderfully! 



            Also, the following was created by Tabatha, a poem "prescription". It, too, is a special poem reminding me to "nevermore inure my heart to the recurrence of the springs... the infinite wheeling stars...", and she sent me a few blanks. I will save them for a future time.


        Finally, I loved reading about the 'definitos' the new form that Heidi created, so to thank Tabatha, I gave it a try.

Swap

a friendly trade  
where both agree to give and take –
exchanging baseball cards,
perhaps a Yoda for Chewbacca,
and poems.
An exchange brings equal wealth,
a passing back and forth
with smiles.
Swap

Linda Baie ©

        I'm taking a few weeks off, going to visit my brother and other family members, just taking it easy for a while. I wish everyone who is beginning their school years a fabulous start. Though back-to-work meant summer's end, I always loved that excitement of the first days (weeks?) of school – the beginning of something wonderful!

27 comments:

  1. What a lovely visit here. And, how perfect that you received Lee's anthology this day. I do like how the internet can help us have virtual celebrations--even ones of sadness. I love your word SWAP! Isn't it just so fun to get something special in the mailbox? Enjoy your time with family. I'm actually starting to look forward to the new school year. I have some fresh ideas and plenty of recent naps to recharge my batteries...let's hope I can keep a charge. lol

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    1. It felt even a bit eerie to discover Lee's book. We don't get many donated poetry books for children. I think most want to keep them, but this of all days! Yes, my gifts from Tabatha are wonderful, love the swapping. Happy to hear you're excited to begin. This was always a most exciting time for me as a teacher. Best wishes, Linda!

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  2. Linda, I think your definito poem back to Tabatha sums up our swaps at least from my vantage point: An exchange brings equal wealth,
    a passing back and forth
    with smiles.
    Tabatha, the poetic pharmacist provided you with a wealth of goodness and that a healthy prescription that is quite creative. I agree with you that having Lee's book come into the shop on this of all days may be eerie but also may be a sign that poetry lives on. Have a wonderful time with family. I will miss chatting with you but you will be where you are supposed to be.

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    1. Thanks, Carol, I imagine writing a few definitos in the future, though this one came with much inspiration. And I do love that 'prescription'. Tabatha is so creative. Yes, I'm sure poetry will live on, especially Lee's.

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  3. Such serendipity that you found that book yesterday- a lovely gift to you from Lee. Tabatha's poems are treasures, and I also enjoyed your tribute to the Swap. Thank you for sharing all today.

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    1. You're welcome, Kimberly, it is a pleasure to share the swaps.

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  4. A brimming post today, Linda, thank you for all. Love that Lee *sent* you a special, timely gift at the bookstore. Thank you for all your own words and for Tabatha's - she is just a magical force, no? So much bouncing life in her poem, and the prescription is perfect. The end of her "Celia" poem is more than poignant, with Charles's post sharing that he held Lee's hand as he died.
    Much love to you as you ramble and rest in coming weeks. XO

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    1. Thanks, Robyn, because I'm taking time off, needed to share Tabatha's wonderful gifts, and then the news about Lee plus that anthology appearing upended me, am sure it did even more to those, like you, so close to him. Yes, Tabatha's final line speaks to this sad day, and a reminder to give ourselves to others always.

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  5. Finding that particular book of Lee's when you did seems like an "it's meant to be" sort of thing, Linda. Tabatha's poem and yours in response made me chuckle...I love her "medicine pad", too - she is so inventive!

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    1. Yes, she is! And, finding the book then learning about Lee was a bit of a shock. As I wrote, few children's poetry books make their way into the donations, so to have it yesterday gave a shock. Thanks, Tara.

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  6. Something was in the stars or perhaps it was a stardust visit that brought you and Lee's book together–what a wonderful message. I love all the poems here. Tabatha's poem feels like we've slipped back in time through a time portal–it would have been grand to stay at that Island Hotel. And what a special prescription you received–coming with forever healing. Your definito truly sums up our summer poem swaps, I'm smiling at the inclusion of Yoda and Chewbacca, two very special characters! Enjoy your time away, thanks Linda!

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    1. Oh, I love the idea of a bit of stardust, Michelle. Thank you! Yes, I'd love to stay at that Island Hotel, sounds like more stardust!

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  7. The stars aligned to send Lee's book to you, Linda—so strange, yet so wonderful. Tabatha's poem is also a wonderful gift (though somewhat more expected, thank goodness). I love the idea of a poetry Rx. Can you imagine if doctors actually prescribed poetry? What a different world that would be! I'm thinking we'd all be much healthier, too... at least mentally.

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    1. Yes, the book appearing seems rather magical to me. As for Tabatha's gifts-wonderful! And that prescription is part of it, but I hope to have lots of fun with it, too. I was given a book of readings that included lots of poetry from a friend who received it from a hospice worker, said that they read to the patients from it. That is at least part of what you're wishing and perhaps all doctors could take some time to share such a thing? Nice thought, Michelle. Thank you!

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  8. Wow, your story of the book and finding out about Lee is incredible. I need to try the definito and your poem from Tabatha makes me swoon. Need to look up the author Celia And that RX pad, brilliant.

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    1. I agree, all of it made my heart feel very good this week. And it was needed! Thanks, Jone.

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  9. Tabatha's poem-gifts for you were spot-on perfection! And I love your difinito in response. You captured the joy of the swap! Have a great break!

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  10. Uplift--that's what I feel here from start to finish, Linda. I like to think that your bookstore never had an LBH book donated before because they are too beloved to let go, and I'm happy I nudged you towards Celia, and I'm delighted at Tabatha's collaboration with her, and CHARMED by a poetry prescription! And your "swap" definito is perfect, really.

    Uplifted.

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    1. We at the store think those same things about different books, Heidi. There are a few we never see, including Lee's anthologies. Thanks for my own 'uplift'!

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  11. I love reading about all of the connections in the poetry world. You finding that book on that day. Tabatha composing a personal poem from a poem you shared. And the definito of Swap, yes, it's an agreement to give and take, in the spirit of poetry.

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  12. What a lovely package of poetic loveliness. And finding Lee's book that day is such serendipity. I am grateful to take part in swapping so much goodness and poetry each Friday.

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  13. Thanks, Margaret & Kay. Yes, our connections & then the swapping makes our days brighter. We are lucky to have these Fridays.

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  14. Such a wonderful post filled with all sorts of comforting and inspiring connections! I adore Tabatha's lyrical collaboration with Celia, and the poetry prescription is simply brilliant. I'm delighted you tried a definito, too. I hope you had as much fun writing yours as I did!

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  15. How serendipitous that one of Lee's books arrived at your store on Thursday. And how perfect that it's subtitle is "Poems to Read Together." Tabatha's endless cleverness is an inspiration! Thank you for sharing her gifts to you, and your definito is exactly right: "a passing back and forth
    with smiles."
    Enjoy your family visits, Linda!

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  16. It was a delight to receive every 'gift', & then to write in response with that definito! Thanks, Molly & Catherine.

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  17. I love all these wonders, and your Swap definito is beautiful. Shared wealth is all the richer.

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