It’s Poetry Friday!
This month I’ve been using prompts from Georgia Heard from her newsletter Heartbeats. You can find out more here. Georgia encourages readers to write small daily. Here’s my tanka from Thursday’s prompt “what the wind carries.”
Wind whispers through trees
carrying wishes and dreams
in gentle breezes,
like a trapeze performer
hoping to stick a landing.
Draft, RoseCappelli2025
I’ve also been experimenting with punctuation in poetry after participating in Irene Latham’s wonderful webinar on Inked Voices “Harness the Power of Punctuation to Create More Impactful Poetry.” In my poetry group, The Nevermores, Marcie challenged us to write a poem with a form of punctuation we rarely use. I don’t think I’ve ever used a colon in a poem, but now I am seeing it everywhere. I was inspired reading from Barbara Kingslover’s How to Fly (In Ten Thousand Easy Lessons).
This poem combines a prompt from Georgia, “where you belong,” with the use of the colon. I’ve worn many hats in my life as a daughter, sister, teacher, wife, mother, writer, friend…and more. I narrowed it down to those who spoke the loudest.
Where Do I Belong?
A long life down many paths:
where do I belong?
In the garden:
memories from peonies—
the bridge from childhood.
Among children:
encouraging wonder,
awakening curious minds.
With books:
a room filled with shelves,
lined with time.
Footprints found in many places:
that’s where I belong…
pen in hand.
Draft, RoseCappelli2025
Ramona has the roundup today at Pleasures from the Page where she shares a very personal “Where I’m From” poem. Be sure to stop by for lots of poetry goodness.
Imagine the Possibilities 
Rose, the exercise the Nevermores engaged in is very interesting to me. Using a colon to each stanza in your poem opens a new level of With books:/writing. a room filled with shelves,/lined with time. This stanza makes me think of my own library/office. Thanks for sharing your knowledge from Irene’s webinar. I missed that one.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I like how you used the colon to direct attention to what’s coming. I love adjusting periods and commas. Enjoy!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I like how you used the colon to direct attention to what’s coming. I love adjusting periods and commas. Enjoy!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I like how you used the colon to direct attention to what’s coming. I love adjusting periods and commas. Enjoy!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Really enjoyed “Where Do I Belong?” You nailed the use of the colon — made your details impactful. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Perfect last line! Thanks for sharing how you mixed up so many varied and wonderful inspirations to create something new – and reflective, too! :0)
LikeLiked by 1 person
After Margaret mentioned the calendar from Georgia, I copied it and put it in my notebook. Trying to write each day is challenging for me, but Georgia’s encouraging words make it seem possible. I responded to the “Where do I belong?” prompt. I think I’ll go back to those scribblings. I also love your “what the wind carries” poem. Your wind seems ethereal and wispy until it sticks that landing!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Rose, I love the comparison of the wind to a trapeze performer — it lends it such purpose but still evokes the unpredictable motion of wind. Love it!
“Where you belong” is a rich prompt. So much food for thought.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s fun to see you experimenting with these prompts this month as well as with punctuation. The colon works well to direct us to where you belong. I think we belong in very similar places.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Margaret. I think so too.
LikeLike
Colossal use of colons, Rose. It has enabled you as the poet to include a variety positions you inhabit. You have used punctuation with pleasing proficiency!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Alan.
LikeLike
Rich and beautiful thought to end on, “pen in hand.” Ending yet active and waiting for the next thought to capture… thanks Rose!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Trying again to comment…Lovely, Rose. I especially love all the long e sounds!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Laura. Sorry if you had trouble commenting.
LikeLike
you can feel the motion in wind whispering through trees, making the whole poem swing with the trapeze artist by the end of it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Pingback: First Friday Poetry, July 2025 | Shoe's Seeds & Stories
Pingback: First Friday Poetry – July 4, 2025 | Beverley A Baird
Pingback: First Friday Poetry, August 2025 | Shoe's Seeds & Stories
Pingback: First Friday Poetry – August 2025 | Beverley A Baird