Welcome, and happy Poetry Friday! (Wondering what Poetry Friday is? Click here.) I’m so happy you’ve dropped by. Whether you’re a regular participant in the Poetry Friday world, or you ended up here from a search or a link, please know that we’re a welcoming community! Read, comment, think, share, and enjoy!
Last week, our daughter Maddie got married in Arizona. Woohoo! We’ll be at two small reception celebrations this month, one here in Minnesota and one in Oregon. There will be some gorgeous official pics to share soon, but here’s a quickie:
Now, poetry. On Monday, a group of poets gathered online through the awesome Writing Barn to offer a reading of poems from If I Could Choose a Best Day, the brand new anthology from Irene Latham and Charles Waters. What a fabulous event! Here we are–I bet you recognize some Poetry Friday friends there! It was so joyous to see some more of the PF community in the chat! I can’t tell you how uplifting it was to hear these amazing poets read their words. I was especially happy that Lacresha Berry was there to read “If I Imagine Sunlight Made Me.” This anthology is full of loads of powerful poems, but that one might be my overall favorite.
I recently shared my poem from this anthology, “Nobody Remembers.” And I shared that I submitted 8 poems after Irene and Charles requested a different poem related to health. So I thought I’d share some more of those poems I submitted, but that weren’t chosen. Here’s one.
And for lots of wonderful poetry, don’t miss the Poetry Friday Roundup with poet-educator Margaret Simon. How I wish I’d had Ms. Simon to turn me into a poet in elementary school <3
18 Responses
Laura, what a sweet post. Seeing the photo of you all at the webinar is a highlight this week. Delightful faces, each holding up your book. I love it. Your zeno is fun too. I like that form, but I had forgotten about it; I need to try it again. Thanks for sharing. I’ll look forward to seeing more of the submitted poems that weren’t chosen.
I was thrilled to be in attendance at the online Writing Barn gathering last Monday. What a joy to hear so many wonderful voices! I love your zeno with all its comforting reminders of how we care for each other when illness strikes. And congratulations to Maddie!
Thanks, Rose. It was delightful to see your name and other friends’ names in the chat. It made it feel even more like a celebration!
Congratulations to the happy couple! How exciting. I LOVED hearing you share about your poem on the zoom, Laura. You are joy! And I instantly recognized this alternate poem. Thank you! xo
Thanks, Irene! It’s so funny because as I looked back at the email I sent you with the eight poems, I do not remember writing most of them! 😁 So proud to be in this gorgeous anthology!
Congratulations to Maddie! Sounds like some fun celebrations ahead. Love the rhyme on your poem! What’s better than the mention of chicken soup and chocolate ice cream to elicit emotion in a poem!
Thank you, Janice! Yep, we are so happy to celebrate this marriage 🙂
Your Zeno is a delight. Happy for Maddie and all of you. Sorry I had to miss the reading but scheduling is a bit tricky at the moment. I can’t wait to see this beautiful book. And read more of your poems. I think this poem is a keeper to share with those you love a lot. Sharing the scoop, the chicken soup and snuggling till your eyelids droop are terrific rhymes I aspire to create. Again, a delightful poem.
Thank you, Janet. So happy to see you here — I’ve missed you!
Congratulations, Laura! So happy for your daughter. She is gorgeous! Sounds like you will be hitting the road on a celebration tour. Thank you for sharing another of the poems you submitted for “If I Could Choose a Best Day.” I can’t imagine how Irene and Charles managed to choose among eight of your poems because I am certain they were all fantastic!
Thanks, Tracey! Yep, we are so excited to see the coast of Oregon. We’ve never been to the Pacific Northwest at all! Thanks for your kind words ❤️
Congrats to the happy couple and the rest of your family on this joyous occasion! Love your Zeno and enjoyed hearing you read your poem on Monday. It was so nice seeing all the PF folks sharing their poems. 🙂
May happiness abound around the married couple! I’m so looking forward to owning this book–congrats to all, and I’m sorry I missed the reading. Fun to see the “left-behinds”!
I’m so sorry I missed the reading on Monday. I love your Zeno, one of my favorite poem forms. Congratulations on the marriage of your daughter. This is the good part.
I love your poem! It’s so heartfelt and kind and just wonderful. I was sorry to miss the event (I was so sick!), but it looks like it was lots of fun. Happy publication week! Hooray!
I would have loved to hear Lacresha Berry read “If I Imagine Sunlight Made Me.” Such a powerful poem.
I couldn’t make the reading…but yes, I recognize some of those beautiful poet faces. And, I got to meet Berry this summer. She’s a rockstar. Her poem made me cry.
Congratulations on having a poem in this beautiful new anthology. I really enjoyed the reading and seeing so many poetry friends. Your poem is one of my favorites!