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| created by Linda Mitchell |
It's Poetry Friday, and Michelle Kogan, artiste extraordinaire, is hosting HERE on her blog, More Art 4 All. There, among all the other poets, Michelle has created a May Birthday celebration of other poets who have their birthdays this month! It's Michelle's birthday in May, too! It's a delight to read all the nature poems! Thanks for hosting us, Michelle!
Every day for a while, I've read a few poems, savored them and the photos, read again, and felt as if I'd taken a walk. I am a walker in my neighborhood and at a nearby lake with all kinds of wonders to see and experience. A daily mantra, no matter the weather, is #getoutside. This is a post to honor Carol Labuzzetta for her courage to #getinside the minds of poets, gather the flowers of ekphrastic poetry, and publish an anthology. It's for us, and considering what's inside, it's for everyone!
Carol has especially made it so accessible for teachers to share about this kind of poetry with their students. She has added about ekphrastic poetry, including the kinds of poetry forms one can use, in an informative section at the back. It's all ready for them, and happily, for us, too! If you need a walk out into nature, take one by reading Picture Perfect Poetry! Thank you for it all, Carol, for your dream come true and for all the work you accomplished!
I won't pick a favorite. Each poem is a delightful look at parts of the outdoors. Sometimes, I connected completely, and other times I found new ways of seeing. Thanks to the other twenty-four poets whose poems brought me joy!
I am thrilled to have two poems included. Both connect to nature, but the one I'm sharing today is not only about being outside, but a memory of my husband and I outside, hiking the trails in the Rockies. We had a small cabin in those woods, stayed there as much as we could, hiked and climbed up and down. Sometimes, we took a tent and stayed in a few favorite places just for a different view.
Melancholy Air
These boots that
laced up the memories
of kinship with mountain trails,
and those who hiked
along with me,
sit idly waiting
for those feet to fill them
one more time.
Linda Baie ©
Wishing everyone a nice Memorial Day weekend, giving our respect to those who gave their lives for our country. My father is one of those who died in World War II. He was a pilot whose plane was shot down in the Leyte Gulf, Philippines.
Woot woot to Carol Labuzzetta for her creativity and hard work! I, too, love Picture Perfect Poetry. It embodies the sense of community that is Poetry Friday.
ReplyDeleteMelancholy Air seems particularly fitting today as I am feeling a sense of longing for times past – the times before ______. I am sure that everyone has a different event to place in that blank. Somehow we move forward, even with the gap inside.
Thinking of your father and all those lost in conflict.
Congrats at having your poems included in Carol's anthology! Those lonely boots -- a poignant memory. Thanks for your poem; I like picturing you and Arvie in your cabin and hiking :)
ReplyDeleteThat was my favorite poem, Linda. And now I know the story behind it. Beautiful.
ReplyDeleteLinda, that poem is melancholy and so beautiful. The boots look patiently waiting. Your review and gratitude to Carol is so sweet in your post. Thank you for the Memorial Day reminder. I'm thinking of you today and the sacrifice your father and your family gave for our country. Thank you. Peace to you this day.
ReplyDeleteI'm not surprised your mantra is "get outside," Linda! You are a real nature-lover. I can imagine you hiking with Arvie. Thanks for sharing your poignant poem and Memorial Day thoughts with us.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your heartfelt and tender poem for your husband, such character you brought to your poem and that those boots evoke, sending you a hug. And for sharing the special warm thoughts for your dad. Colorado is a very special place, I lived near Aspen for almost a year, it just fills one up inside.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations to Carol on producing this collection, and to you for having two poems included! This one is so very touching, as is the photo. I appreciate how you honor and remember your husband - wish I could have met him.
ReplyDeleteExtra thoughts and hugs for you this weekend, and appreciation for your father and your family, who sacrificed so much. xo
I loved reading your poem when I received my copy, Linda. An ode to the boots that carry us into such majestic spaces is perfect!
ReplyDeleteLinda, this is another one of your tender poems. Your memories are strong of your dear husband. Your photo is so picturesque and makes a great image to write to. Congratulations to you for having two poems in Carol's new book, "Picture Perfect Poetry". As I told Carol, she did a masterful first time job with the book. Have an enjoyable family vacation. Since I just cam home from the hospital, I will take it easy.
ReplyDeleteHooray! I just received my copy and look forward to digging in to read the poems of so many of our Poetry Friday community.
ReplyDeleteMelancholy Air is the perfect title for your poem. Memories lodge themselves in all kinds of places, don't they?
ReplyDeleteThanks for coming by everyone! I appreciate your words and hope you have a nice Memorial Day weekend!
ReplyDeleteLinda, Thank you for your gracious and generous shout out about the anthology. Truly, it was a joy for me to work on. Your poems were a definite asset to the anthology. And, you are right - it is a book that (hopefully) will connect others to nature. It is also a book about community and sharing the talents of others - as you mentioned too. I was honored to work with you all! Thank you for the sacrifice your family made for our country's freedom.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Carol, it is nice to hear from you. Wishing you a great weekend back home after all your traveling!
DeleteLove this reflection on the boots lacing up the memories. Perfect title, too.
ReplyDeleteSorry it made me Anonymous. It's Rose C.
DeleteYour poem paired with that image is the perfect match, Linda. And because I'm reading it on Memorial Day Weekend, it also brings to mind the photos of soldiers' boots, soldiers lost in combat. What a sacrifice your father and family made. This also makes me think of how we all eventually "lose" the battle with death, and we only win by making memories and connecting and finding love. Your poem is so filled with tenderness and love to offset the melancholy of loss. Also, on reading poetry: "Sometimes, I connected completely, and other times I found new ways of seeing." Yes, two of the blessings of poems--seeing your own feelings there and seeing other people's views!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Rose and Laura. I just finished Hannah's The Women, lots of sadness throughout from the war in Vietnam. It was sorrowful but I'm glad to have read it near Memorial Day, reminding me of the sacrifices so many have made for America. Yes, I agree about the poetry, Laura, poems keep me alive and connected to much of our world!
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful collection! I have the same mantra - I have to get outside every day, whatever the weather - and here in the Pacific Northwest, we get some pretty gnarly weather! We remember our servicemen and women in November here in Canada, and I'll be thinking of my grandfathers who also served in WWII, though both were among the lucky ones who made it home at the end of the war. I can only hope that one day we won't have to send any young people to war.
ReplyDeleteYes, I imagine you have MORE wet weather than we do, but I love being out as you read! I like hearing about your grandfathers and am happy they made it home! I had, later, a stepfather who did and several uncles, too. Thanks, Jane!
DeleteMelancholy and beautiful, Linda. Carol did an amazing job with this anthology. Kudos to you and all the poets included. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Bridget, Yes, it is a lovely book with special poems! You've been there with your own wonderful anthology, too, lots of work but grand to have it in your hand!
DeleteGreat post, Linda! A wonderful celebration of Carol's accomplishment and from a teacher's perspective. Those boots stand in for so much! Thank you for sharing it, a wonderful memory of your husband.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Janice. I was so happy that Carol accepted this one! It's such a lovely anthology!
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