Imagine the Possibilities

It’s Poetry Friday! Margaret has the roundup today at Reflections on the Teche where she shares thought-provoking poems she created by responding to the inspiration of others. Be sure to stop by to soak up her inspiring thoughts and for lots more poetry goodness.

Last weekend the northeast was walloped by a nor’eastern storm. There was a lot of damage, especially along the coast. More inland, we had a few days of wind and rain. The sun is still reluctant to make an appearance. I was sad to say an early goodbye to the zinnias who never fail to brighten my mood.

An Early Goodbye

All summer, zinnias
blossomed a rainbow garden
for butterflies, bees—
and me!

I expected their cheery blooms
to last ‘til fall’s first frost,
but that was not meant to be.

Wind and rain
proved way too much, too all-at-once.
Stems withered, blooms wilted…

until only a few remained.

This morning, zinnias
blossomed on the table,
steadfast in joy and remembrance.
Draft, RoseCappelli2026

Thanks for reading!

tangled
on the pale spires
of the broken flowers
of the lost summer
-Mary Oliver

It’s Poetry Friday!

Right on cue, the weather reminded us that this week marked the beginning of fall. The lines above from “The Snowshoe Hare” by Mary Oliver also reminded me that fall is in the air and inspired these lines. Although I love the word “autumn” (probably a more poetic word), sometimes “fall” just fits.

The Garden in Fall

is filled with fading flowers
bending now toward the earth
remembering summer
remembering sun
ready to sleep in rich black soil
remembering life
Draft, RoseCappelli2026

I also found several of my previously written poems about why fall is a favorite time of year. Here’s the latest version of an older one:

For the Love of Fall  

mountain’s quilt of red yellow orange
cool, crisp air kissing cheeks
the smoky scent of a crackling bonfire
everything pumpkin (and pumpkin everything)
warm afternoons, cool evenings
apple picking
football kicking
honking geese
Halloween
that oh-so-close harvest moon
Draft, RoseCappelli2026

Whether autumn or fall, I hope this one is happy, healthy, and spectacular for all of you!

Tricia has the round up today at The Miss Rumphius Effect where she introduces us to the inner confessions of her sometimes-naughty dog. Be sure to stop by for lots of poetry goodness.

It’s Poetry Friday!

Thanks to Margaret Simon, I was inspired to check out the September poetry prompts offered by Audrey Gidman here. In addition to the prompts, I am also finding many new poems and poets. Yesterday’s challenge was to read “If You Have Had Your Midnights” by Mari Evans, then write a two-stanza poem in her style, beginning each stanza as she did – the first with “If you” and the second with “I.”

To the Hummingbird Who Visits Daily
(after Mari Evans)

If you have had
your fill at the feeder
and it has laden
your tiny belly
with nourishment

I seek you safety as you journey
and joy
and insects along the way
Draft, RoseCappelli2026

I can never write today’s date without remembering the events of this day twenty-five years ago. Here’s a small offering

In Remembrance

as buildings collapse
bravery knows no bounds
heroes among us

Linda has the roundup today at Teacher Dance where she is also remembering. Be sure to stop by for lots of poetry goodness.

It’s Poetry Friday, and today I’m honoring Wendell Berry who passed away this week. One of his most celebrated poems is “The Peace of Wild Things”:

The Peace of Wild Things
by Wendell Berry

When despair for the world grows in me
and I wake in the night at the least sound
in fear of what my life and my children’s lives may be,
I go and lie down where the wood drake
rests in his beauty on the water, and the great heron feeds.
I come into the peace of wild things
who do not tax their lives with forethought
of grief. I come into the presence of still water.
And I feel above me the day-blind stars
waiting with their light. For a time
I rest in the grace of the world, and am free.

There is much to love in this poem, my favorite line being “And I feel above me the day-blind stars waiting with their light.” I wrote alongside Wendell Berry this week, and while I didn’t use his line in my poem, I was inspired to contemplate the lessons we can learn from nature.

Beginning
by Rose Cappelli

When questions ping-pong my brain –
what’s next?
how much?
why?
I consider the diligence of the bees,
the brilliance of the maples,
the courage of the monarchs
(who journey beyond
what should be possible).
In a world of changing circumstance
they know what to do.
I breathe deeply
and begin.
Draft, RoseCappelli2026

Photo taken at Longwood Gardens.

Patricia has the roundup today at Reverie where she writes alongside Emily Dickinson, Be sure to stop by for lots more poetry goodness.