Since Tuesday marked the beginning of the Lunar New Year, I wanted to commemorate it in some small way. So what could be better than breaking open a fortune cookie or two? Except, I didn’t have any fortune cookies, so I did the next best thing – I logged into a random fortune cookie generator. I admit, I went through a few before I found one I liked, which was fun, but certainly not as delicious. This one shouted to me boldly: “The important thing is to never stop questioning.”
I firmly believe that we need to remain curious and questioning throughout life, keeping that natural wonder from childhood alive. That fortune also was the inspiration for these two question poems.
The Visitor
Who’s been stalking through the yard,
crisscrossing,
searching?
Was it the red fox, our sometime visitor?
Or was it the antlered deer who scratches the tree trunk
and empties the feeder?
Friend or foe, will you return?
Will you stay, perhaps, for tea?
Draft, 2022 Rose Cappelli
Words
Why do I wake with words in my head,
swirling like snowflakes?
Will they land, blizzard-bold,
shouting of wonders?
Or will they settle, like whispered wishes,
on bare-branched trees?
Can I scoop them into a poem
that sings the day awake?
Draft, 2022 Rose Cappelli
Happy Lunar New Year! Remember to keep asking questions, and may the Year of the Tiger bring you courage and strength.
And by the way, I’m spending a few days with some writing friends at the Highlights Foundation Retreat Center. It’s cold and icy and will be snowing tomorrow, but I’m staying in the Nikki Grimes cabin (#9). I’m hoping some poetry genius rubs off while I’m here.
Elisabeth has the Poetry roundup today at Unexpected Intersections.
Imagine the Possibilities 
I envy your time at Highlights. It’s on my bucket list, but I have to wait until I retire. Question poems are so engaging. I love how you formatted yours around a fortune cookie for Lunar New Year. I think I’ll steal the idea for my students. Why do you wake with whispered words in your head? You are a poet, that’s why.
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No matter the question, poetry is always the answer. Great poems, Rose. And thanks for the introduction to the “random fortune cookie generator” – I want to give that a try. Have fun in cabin #9! 🙂
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Rose! “sings the day awake” — I have something similar from New Year’s Day and I love that you found those words too. Enjoy your retreat! Hello to Brooke and Jenn!
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Enjoyed your question poems, Rose! Esp. love “sings the day awake” and inviting forest friends to tea. 🙂
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Oh, I am jealous. I haven’t been to Highlights for a while, before the Pandemic. Enjoy that special place, Rose. Hope you find a way for questions as you use the answers and “scoop them into a poem”. Keep cozy!
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I love question poems and your second one is especially wonderful with great imagery–“blizzard bold” “whispered wishes” and “sings the day awake.” The birds outside are singing right now–I think they’re chiding me because I have yet to clear their feeders from our most recent snowfall. A beautiful chiding though…Enjoy your time at Highlights.
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Thanks, Molly!
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Thank goodness for the visitors, the words, and the questions! Keep ’em all coming!
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Oh that second poem! Words as a blizzard of flakes you might scoop into a poem…lovely.
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Thank you, Heidi!
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Both of these poems are lovely, Rose! What a treat to not only be part of a writing retreat, but to be able to soak up the creative atmosphere at Highlights! (I’ve done a virtual weekend workshop which was inspiring, but I’m sure it doesn’t compare to being there). Thanks for your post and for being a part of the Poetry Friday party this week!
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Thank you Elisabeth, and thank you for hosting this week.
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I am so glad that I circled back to your post, Rose.Your words so settle” like whispered wishes,
on bare-branched trees”. Enjoy winter.
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