It’s Poetry Friday and today I’m celebrating the Chinese/Lunar New Year.
This year I participated in Poetry Friday friend Jone Rush MacCulloch’s New Year post card exchange. Thank you to all who sent me post cards. I loved the variety of form, the nod to nature, and the well wishes, optimism, and hope. This morning, after reading through all your lovely words once again, I decided to honor you with a cento of my favorite lines. I also included one from my own “The Year of the Fire Horse.” (For context, 1966 was the last year of the Fire Horse.)
The Year of the Fire Horse
In 1966, the fire horse
galloped to the stars
to explore the moon.
It was a time
of bold moves
and brave choices.
It’s what the world needs now.
Draft, RoseCappelli2026
With thanks to Mary Lee, Mona, Denise, Gail, Tracey, Patricia, and Molly. The words in italics are the borrowed lines.
A Cento for 2026
In a year of
hopeful optimism,
where mountain becomes mirror,
may we celebrate
with petal confetti,
and fully rejoice in
the truth of a new dawn.
May we
give it all we’ve got
to find
peace.
It’s what the world needs now.
Draft, 2026RoseCappelli
The talented Robyn Hood Black has the roundup today at Life on the Deckle Edge. Be sure to stop by for lots of poetry goodness and a peek at one of her newly created journals.
Imagine the Possibilities 
Rose, we so much need your lovely optimism. Many appreciations! And the borrowed “petal confetti” — this brings pure Joy. Wishing you a sweet & serene weekend.
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Thank you, Jan.
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I’m loving my stack of New Year cards! Thank you for honoring me by including a line from my haiku!
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I enjoyed seeing the others you wrote for the image, too!
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Collective words have contributed to your Cento, Rose affording it a personal touch. Such a special way to honour the contributions of other poets by nestling their words alongside your own, Rose.
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We mustn’t give up hope, Rose, love the words you chose to share to all of us reading them. Gathered together creates such a powerful charge for better. 1966 needed those “bold moves/ and brave choices”! Thanks for the memory!
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What a great time to use a cento. Beautiful job. Thank you! xo
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A great idea to make a cento from the postcard exchange. I love seeing the familiar lines woven into something new.
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Thanks, Margaret.
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Such a great cento, Rose!
You’ve deepened the sense of this new year for me.
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Ah, Rose, thank you! Beautiful cento. That is a nice idea, and I love the product you created from our lines. Yes, to optimism and hope!
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Oh I love that you created a cento! That last stanza! :)
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Needed this dose of hope and optimism — wonderful cento! Happy Lunar New Year!!
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What a fabulous way to honor and extend the life and hope of those beautiful postcards, Rose!
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Yes, yes, yes, what Karen said. Both of the poems are very moving, Rose. I so want to be hopeful this year. I’ll start with the Fire Horse!
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How clever and uplifting, Rose – all! Thank you for sharing the words and the love this Valentine’s weekend. :0)
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