Happy Poetry Friday! (Wondering what Poetry Friday is? Click here.)
This year, I participated in Tabatha Yeatts’ Winter Poem Swap for the first time. It was scary, as I had no idea what to expect. But I wrote my poem for Irene Latham (though postal catastrophes followed) and sent off my little package. And I received this lovely set of poems from Diane Mayr. Diane, whom I met at Chatauqua back when it was still the Highlights annual workshop, is a student of haiku and haiga. Personally, I would call her an expert, but she probably would deny that. Anyway, I wanted to share the two fantastic poems she sent me.
by Diane Mayr, all rights reserved
by Diane Mayr, all rights reserved
Aren’t they beautiful and heartwarming? Somehow they make me feel complete and cozy when I read them. She also sent me this book.
I love haiku and other short forms. I tend to write American haiku (with the 5-7-5 syllable count), so I know this book will broaden my understanding of the form of haiku, since these are haiku in the English language, but not in the American style. I’ve dipped in here and there, and the poems are magical. Like tiny moments of complete and total awareness. Thank you, Diane, for my poems and book, and thanks, Tabatha, for organizing this! I loved adding it to my end of year.
For lots more wonderful poetry, don’t miss the Poetry Friday Roundup with Kat Apel.
Such different poems…but then, Diane does often keep us guessing as to what she’ll come up with next!
I love that little winter story, a satisfying and warm feeling for the cold days. Yes, the poem swap is a special thing, Laura.
My Ginger fur friend warming my lap as I type & I are delighted with Diane’s “On a Cold Winter’s Evening.” And the pigskin poem is intriguing for so many reasons. (With words to look up,) I am reminded with this post how loving the Poetry Friday community is, top to bottom, side to side, inside out & right side left. Happy New Year Laura!
Yes! That’s actually the best thing about the poem swap–leaning into the community! Happy New Year, Jan!
Diane is definitely on a pedestal, as far as I’m concerned. 🙂
I love Diane’s little man poem. Charming. The Winter Poem Swap is a joyful gift from our faraway digital friends.
I have learned SO MUCH from Diane over the years! Traditional haiku is probably the most intimidating form for me to write. I admire it so so much, and it is so very subtle… all the tricks we can use in other poems aren’t allowed here, when it is all about the present moment, two images, and allowing the reader to make a very subtle connection… so much trust involved! Thank you for sharing Diane’s work here. xo
Interestingly, my favorite haiku in the book Diane sent me tend to be the ones that break the very rules the book spells out. They have touches of metaphor and bits of figurative language. But they are all so spare and pristine and lovely. I’m really enjoying it!
“A sharing of warmth” is just the ticket! It describes the swap very well (and Poetry Friday for that matter!). So does tiny moments of awareness. Thanks, Laura and Diane!
Thank YOU for organizing, Tabatha! (And the rainbow scratch pad, which is too much fun!)
What a beautiful concept a winter poem swap. I love the poems you received…and that pig skin purse!
Poem swaps are so much fun! Ruth, thereisnosuchthingasagodforsakentown.blogspot.com
Wow, what a treat!
Oh! “On a Cold Winter’s Evening” is a treasure of a poem! Can’t wait to share it with my kids! Happy Poem Swap!
These are fantastic, Laura! Sadly, I missed the swap invitation in all the busyness of my fall. But, I so enjoy seeing Diane’s little man and cat and the pigskin purse. The poem swaps are so inspiring and energizing for me. I love them! I look forward to the next one already. I hope you join again.
I have never participated in one of these swaps, mostly because the people who do, you and Diane included, are so far above my talent level! Such lovely surprises!
I felt the same way–I hope you’ll take part next year. I was intimidated, but it was such a lovely experience.
I love the cozy warmth of that first poem, Laura – Diane is a poetry wizard, for sure!
like carwilc, this is something I have stayed away from for the same reasons.. those poems by Diane are simply wonderful
and i will check out the Friday poetry round up for now 🙂
I hope you’ll join in next time! It was a bit hectic, but a lovely experience. And I was very intimidated! But it’s the thought and community that matters. Nobody is comparing our poems (I sure hope!).
What a delightful post Laura, I love Diane’s poems, especially the first one–so animated in both verse and the art! The haiku book looks fantastic–Enjoy.
I am, Michelle–thank you!