It’s Poetry Friday!
This week has been a tough one for sad events. Two good friends both lost their husbands, one after a prolonged illness and the other after taking a sudden turn while healing. And, this weekend my husband and I are traveling to attend a celebration of life for one of our dearest college friends who we knew for over 50 years.
But in contrast to the sadness, two events reminded me of the joy we can experience if we take the time to notice – I spotted a monarch among the milkweed plants, and after filling the hummingbird feeders for a few weeks, one finally paid me a visit.
I wasn’t quick enough to grab a photo of either event, so the accompanying photos are courtesy of Pixabay.
Monarchs Mingle
monarchs mingle
sipping sweet milkweed nectar
the cycle begins
Draft, 2024Rose Cappelli
Enough
it was just a few seconds, but
enough
for the hummingbird
to fly to the feeder—
enough
to remind me
that love and
joy and
healing
are within my grasp
Draft, 2024RoseCappelli
Margaret at Reflections on the Teche has the round-up today where she has a praise poem from her summer. Be sure to stop by for lots of poetry goodness.
Imagine the Possibilities 
Rose, that’s a lot for one week! I’m so sorry for the loss of friends. Your post and Margaret’s dovetail together so nicely. I think a positive praise poem is in order for me after the week I’ve had. And yay for hummingbirds. When we returned from the hospital, I cleaned and filled up our empty feeder and the hummingbird visited right away! He was probably wondering what happened.
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I’ve been thinking of you, Marcie. I think that hummingbird is a good sign!
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I’m so sorry you have lost three friends in such a brief time. There is an old saying that death comes in threes. I am glad you have turned to nature and poetry for hope and healing.
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Thank you, Margaret.
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Oh Rose, I am so sorry about these losses. I can imagine your heart is very heavy. “Enough” is a powerful title — spoken in adamance yet also in surrender. Wishing you all the love and joy and healing – and sending hugs.
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Thanks, Patricia.
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I’m so sorry for the grieving, Rose (and I hope your travel this weekend goes smoothly with all the outages). I love that “Enough.” Sometimes we have to look hard to find it, but there is enough to help us through, somehow.
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Thanks, Laura.
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Rose, first, my condolences for all the losses you have endured this week. Peace to you and all those who loved them.
I especially love what you did with the hummingbird poem. That the sweet hummingbird reminded you “love and / joy and / healing / are within my grasp.”
Congratulations on your success with the monarch starting its life cycle in your yard.
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Thanks, Denise.
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I’m sorry about your sadnesses, Rose, and I admire your eye for joy. It reminded me of the Blake poem I shared recently:
Joy & Woe are woven fine
A Clothing for the soul divine
Under every grief & pine
Runs a joy with silken twine
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Thank you, Tabatha for your thoughts and for reminding me of the Blake poem, too. Joy and woe are indeed often woven together.
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I am so sorry for your losses, Rose. What a tough week. And yet that moment of grace to see monarchs mingle and the hummingbirds as a balance.
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So much loss. I’m sorry that your heart is hurting, but glad that the monarch and hummingbird gave you hope and respite.
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Thanks, Mary Lee.
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Thanks for your touching nectar filled poems Rose, they are both treasures to see!
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