I want to send a thank you to Michelle Heindenrich Barnes at her blog, Today's Little Ditty, to those who gave time to select the poems in her new anthology, best of Today's Little Ditty 2017-2018, her daughter who created the beautiful cover, and Renee La Tulippe for added help. Of course thank you to the poets! I have loved every poem, many I remember reading during those months, others not quite staying, but now I have them to discover and love, too. The community is a special one, supporting each other Friday after Friday while taking time to read each person's poetry that is shared. People who have a community in these ways are fortunate indeed. Another thing I'm doing now is writing and connecting with various poetry hashtags. I think I was a bit mixed up about who was doing what, but have managed to connect with a few other writers and I look for their writing every day on social media. Those hashtags are #natember #haikuforhope #haikuforkindness #haikuforjustice. During these first days of December, I've written five so far, will write again, as many as I can before family arrives for Christmas. It's nice to know that this community will be there, showing me their thought-filled words all through the month.
"There is no power for change greater than a community discovering what it cares about." – Margaret J. Wheatley
One of the poems I wrote this week connects to our community, too. I feel as if I could show my friend the community of Poetry Friday as well as the moon. (You'll understand my meaning when you read it.)
a friend cried
over the uncertainty –
I showed her the moon
Linda, there is a rock-solid certainty to the Poetry Friday community. Even when I am not participating, I know there are writers uplifting poems and supporting one another. I'm amazed that you can figure out the hashtag world, which remains a mystery to me! Your haiku is lovely.
ReplyDeleteWell, you know I agree, Joyce, about the certainty. It's a feel-good day every Friday!I just started using those hashtags, Joyce, don't know when, perhaps on Instagram? Thank you!
DeleteOh, that is really, really beautiful -- both the Wheatley quote, and the haiku. Thank you so much for sharing that. I'll be sharing both this week.
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome, Tanita! Thank you, too.
DeleteMy Copy of Best of Today's Little Ditty 2017-2018 is on it's way! I love the comfort in your poem here Linda.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Cheriee. I imagine you will love it!
DeleteAw, thank YOU for being such a big time TLD supporter, Linda! You've been there from the beginning and I'm so grateful. Also delighted that your work has been featured in all three volumes! Good for you for making poetry connections through hashtags. I try to use them occasionally, but following them is another matter entirely. The haiku you shared today is wonderful— it speaks a thousand words and a thousand hugs.
ReplyDeleteYou are welcome, Michelle. I am honored to be in the anthologies, but even more, I love seeing what the next challenge might be. You've started something very special, so thank you, too!
DeleteA stunning photo and beautiful poem, Linda. It makes me feel better. . .
ReplyDeleteThank you, Jama! Writing it helped me, too!
DeleteLinda: Yes, I love your haiku also. "I showed her the moon." Yes! Beautiful. Thanks for always showing up on Poetry Friday lists, as well as other blogs, and for your beautiful poetry.
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome, Karen and thanks, too.. It's a joy to read all the posts on Friday (or Saturday), makes the end of my week terrific.
DeleteWhat a comfort, this haiku. Thank you so much. You are such an inspiration. I love being in this community with you.
ReplyDeleteI just love this poem. It's so poignant.
ReplyDeleteLinda, in a simple format you have captured so much. Your poem is comforting and your quote that you shared is inspirational. Congratulations on being in all 3 editions of TLD Anthologies. I missed PF last week because we were at our family's celebration at Hotel Hershey but I thought about all my friends enjoying each other's works. Our community means so much to me. I felt so much at home at NCTE 19 with all my poetry friends. Missed you!
ReplyDeleteThe Poetry Friday community is special. I always loved it - but recognising members in the middle of the thousands of faces at NCTE was a whole other level of special. I would so have loved to see you, too! Your friend haiku is a perfect in form and sentiment. Just lovely!
ReplyDeleteThis is a special community that helps me face the uncertainty. I have been doing my Cybils reading, so I had to put TLD at the bottom of the pile. The cover is calling me.
ReplyDeleteLike you, I am grateful for this community. When I am uncertain about my writing, I know it is a space I can share and receive encouragement that helps me grow as a writer. And I look forward to reading the poetry shared each week and through the different hashtags--even though I can't keep up with all of them. I loved this haiku when I first read it and even more on a second reading.
ReplyDeleteThank you Linda, Carol, Kat, Margaret & Kay. It's a wonderful thing to hear from you, exactly why our community is special. Have a wonderful weekend!
ReplyDeleteLinda, lovely words for this time. I'm amazed at folks who write poetry daily for challenges. What a gift you give the rest of us.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Ramona. It is a good 'creative' challenge to write every day, sometimes fun and easy, sometimes hard!
DeleteI love this, and the fact that we can count on the moon being predictable when so many other things aren't.
ReplyDeleteI'm absolutely with you about this Poetry Friday community. It's one of my rocks.
ReplyDeleteI feel especially grateful to this community, also. I haven't been as consistent as in the past, but am hoping to be back in better form for this coming year. Your poem was spot-on.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Ruth, Mary Lee, & Donna, happy to read your kind words. The poem was heartfelt, as are the words about our community. I am grateful!
ReplyDeleteI think I'll do a moon dance… Thanks for honoring the moon in your rich poem and enchanting picture Linda, and this lovely post! xo
ReplyDeleteYour haiku and photo are gorgeous, Linda! I completely agree with you about the generous and welcoming poets in the PF community. They are amazing!
ReplyDeleteYes. Yes. Yes. We must find comfort and hope wherever and whenever possible.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Michelle, Catherine, & Tara. It's wonderful to hear from you in agreement about the PF community, a joy every week.
ReplyDeleteYour haiku is wonderful, Linda, and I fully agree that the PF community is such a warm and welcoming community. Thanks for your part in it!
ReplyDelete