I finished up the last day of my April Poetry project (Call and Response: Picture Books and Poetry) at a personal writing retreat at the Highlights Foundation with a wonderful group of other writers. I didn’t take any picture books with me, knowing that I would have access to many in the Barn as well as in my cabin. I decided to be surprised, and I wasn’t disappointed. In my cabin that first morning I found an older picture book by Pat Brisson and Maryann Cocoa-Leffler titled Wanda’s Roses. It was published in 1994 by Boyds Mills Press (fitting!), and to my knowledge is still in print. At almost 1500 words, it gives itself away as an older publication, yet the themes of community, persistence, and hope are as current today as they were 30 years ago. Wanda is a delightful character who mistakes a thorn bush in a vacant lot for a rose bush. When she insists that soon there will be roses, the community supports her optimism. The book is not about healing or grief, but that is where my thoughts took me.
Keep an Open Heart
because a heart can be like a thorny bush
growing in a vacant lot
surrounded by debris
until love,
knowing the depths of possibility,
discovers how
to nourish and heal
Draft, RoseCappelli2024
Buffy has the roundup today here. Be sure to stop by for lots of poetry fun and where you will meet a hognose snake.
Imagine the Possibilities 
Oof… this is gorgeous, Rose. I love how your poem begins with the title. But mostly the wisdom –that love knows the depth of possibility and that an open heart can be nourished and heal.
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Thank you, Patricia!
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Beautiful, Rose! I love that you see the depths of possibility all around you!
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Ah–that transformation from thorny bush to nourish and heal–beautiful! Sounds like you had a great end to National Poetry month. (Oh to live closer to Highlights!)
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Yes, I’m fortunate to live so close.
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There is much treasure in old books as you clearly appreciate, Rose. Love your poem and how it captures the fragility and vulnerability of love.
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I’ve given away many books I used when I was teaching, but there are also many I just can’t part with.
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The turn of your poem, ‘until love,’ is absolutely perfect. Don’t take that out of this draft…please?! Thank you.
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Thank you, Linda!
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I agree with Linda — I was struck by that turn! Love, for the win!
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Thanks, Mary Lee!
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Lovely poem — I like that element of hope and faith in love to heal and restore. Now I’m curious to read Wanda’s Roses. 🙂
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I so enjoyed both the poem and the story around it. Thank you, Rose!
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The book’s author would be in love with your response, Rose, a beautiful and hope-filled response. You said so much for our hearts in those few lines! Thank you!
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Rose, what a wonderful treat to be at the Highlights retreat and be surprised with picture book inspiration around the place. Your poem is lovely, and love “knowing the depths of possibility” is perfect. Yes, it does. Thank you for this gem.
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Rose, what a wonderful treat to be at the Highlights retreat and be surprised with picture book inspiration around the place. Your poem is lovely, and love “knowing the depths of possibility” is perfect. Yes, it does. Thank you for this gem.
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Oh this poem–so much hope! I hope you had a wonderful time at Highlights!
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