It’s Poetry Friday! Heidi has the round up today at my juicy little universe. Be sure to stop by for lots of poetry goodness.
This summer I was treated to some very special poetry swap gifts. Thank you to Carol Labuzzetta and Linda Mitchell for your thoughtful, personal and beautiful packages that brightened my day and will continue to do so. I’m always amazed at the generosity and creativity of this writing community. Thank you all for being part of my world.
I’ve been spending time this summer with Maggie Smith’s Dear Writer, taking time during August to revisit some of the suggested readings and generative writing activities Maggie suggests. One activity was to open a book of poetry and copy words, a line, or a sentence to see if it opens a door to something unexpected. You may have noticed that one of my gifts from Linda was a book of poetry, The Cat Prince & Other Poems, by new-to-me Scottish poet, Michael Pedersen. I was drawn to his poem “The Rain in Cushendall” with its nod to Billy Collins. The words were rich and wonderfully descriptive and led me to this unexpected response:
The Garden in August
(inspired by “The Rain in Cushendall” by Michael Pedersen)
It rained last night…
finally.
Not the cheek-chiseling, rhododendron-rattling rain
like you might find in Cushendall,
but a wish-whispering, softly-soaking rain
that filled the cups of the cosmos
then spilled onto almost-brittle leaves.
Today the air is clearer,
the thirst-quenched flowers perkier,
renewed in spirit
at least for a few weeks…
as summer slips away.
Draft, 2025RoseCappelli
Thanks for stopping by!
Imagine the Possibilities 
I love when a poem inspires a response in me. This one is so lovely with “wish-whispering, softly- soaking rain.” I feel refreshed just reading it. The heat is quite thick and unbearable here.
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I love cheek-chiseling, Rose. This feels like a perfect rain to inaugurate the end of a season.
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“cheek-chiseling” was a word I borrowed from the original poem by Pederson. Glad you liked it, but unfortunately, it’s not mine. He had quite a few hyphenated words, so I also borrowed that style. My words are those that describe the gentler rain.
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I too was drawn to “wish-whispering, softly-soaking rain”. It hit a magical chord in me.
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Rose, your hyphenated words seem to be loved by those who read your poem so far. I am in agreement so thank you for reminding me how a mere hyphen can bring a new sense of delight for a poem.
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The alliteration sings and pings:
cheek-chiseling
rhododendron-rattling rain
wish-whispering
softly-soaking
cups of the cosmos
Love the rhythms you created, Rose!
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Rose, that response poem is gorgeous. I love how reading something and thinking of it in a new way brings out lines and images we never would have thought of otherwise. I like this! I love imaging the cosmos filling with water during your gentle rain. So lovely.
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So great that you found inspiration in the gift of words you were given, Rose. It provided a launching pad for your own rich offerings. A spark, no matter how brief can ignite a fire of words that warms both writer and reader. The poem you created is testimony to the value of sharing words and gifts with like minded creatives. Well done, Rose.
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I, too have had fun (and some surprising successes!) with that exercise from Maggie Smith. I might make October my Reread Dear Writer month and try more of her suggestions (and look up more of her mentor poems! such a resource!).
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Billy Collins>Michael Pedersen>Linda Mitchell>Rose Cappelli>us!Thanks for adding us to the chain, and isn’t it lovely how other peoples’ poems make us want to join in the creation?
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Love the alliteration in your poem (cheek-chiseling, rhododendron-rattling rain).
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Thank you, Tricia. “cheek-chiseling” is Pedersen’s word, but I loved it so much I had to borrow it.
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Well done, Rose! I’m so happy you like the swap! I will share yours next week. I like this line from your poem -“the thirst-quenched flowers perkier,” because it is so true. It makes the poem relatable to everyday experience. We’ll be going to Scotland in October. I hope we get the wish whispering rain – just a little – to add to the Scottish experience!
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Dear Rose,
“Wish-whispering”
“Cups of the Cosmos”
Many appreciations for these word breaths of fresh air.
I also delight in seeing the summer swap sweetness.
Your fan,
JAN
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