Imagine the Possibilities

Happy Poetry Friday!

I live outside Philadelphia along a regional rail line into the city with stops at many small towns on what’s known as The Main Line. Even though my husband has lived in this area all of his life, and I for most of my life, there are some towns we haven’t visited in a long time and others we have never been to. As seniors we have free access to the rail line and have used it to travel into the city. When we do, invariably one of us will comment on how we should use the train to explore more of our area. What new restaurants or shops have cropped up in some of these small towns? What might we discover on a train adventure? So, I did some investigating, purchased a few gift cards, and for Christmas gave him a box of suggestions of places to go and things to see using the train as our transportation. I tell you all this because I think it was the origin of my One Little Word for 2024…explore.

I’ve been choosing a OLW for about ten years now. Sometimes they are soon forgotten or turn out to be not exactly the right word, but sometimes they serve me well, especially when they can extend beyond my writing life. I’m hoping to explore more about the area where I live, myself, and my writing in 2024 and see just where it leads.

In 2024…

discover
how curiosity
fosters new ideas
fills mind and heart
explore
Draft, 2024RoseCappelli

____________________________

On the Eve of a New Writing Year

looking forward like a bride
at the threshold of possibility

preparing the way
anticipating the light

inviting courage to explore my heart
and confidence to share it
Draft, 2024RoseCappelli

By the way, Allan and I had our first “exploring by train” this week. We decided to use one of the gift cards for lunch at a restaurant in Wynnewood. When we got there the restaurant was closed because of an electrical outage, but thanks to some exploring (and a little help from Google) we found another spot. I’ll keep you posted on our adventures.

Marcie has the round up today here. Be sure to stop by for news on her one word for 2024 and what adventures she has planned, plus a look back at 2023. And of course, lots more poetry goodness.

Image from Pixabay

Happy Poetry Friday!

First…

A huge shout out and thank you to Tricia Stohr-Hunt, my Holiday Poetry Swap pal, who sent a packet full of wonder. I’m amazed at how she managed to choose so many of my favorite things, including a cento comprised of NCTE notable poetry books, many of which have now found their way onto by TBR list.

Then…

I attended an art exhibit at the Brandywine Museum of Art showcasing family and nature in children’s book illustration. I viewed original works by Sophie Blackall, Micha Archer, Juana Matinez-Neal, and several others. Inspiring!

At the Brandywine
story
in pictures
elevating wondrous words
Draft, 2023RoseCappelli

Also…

I made a long drive to my friend Kathy M. Miller’s house. I know Kathy as an author (Chippy Chipmunk books), but she is also an accomplished cellist. Kathy invited me to play trios of Christmas carols with her and one of her students. I’m a cello beginner, but I decided to take a leap of faith. I’m so glad I did.

On a Musical Afternoon
Christmas
carols harmonize
across three cellos
Draft, 2023RoseCappelli

Finally…

As I was driving home from Kathy’s, I witnessed a spectacular sight. The sun had been in and out of hiding all day, but at this particular moment it peeked from under the cloud cover and wrapped the whole area in a magnificently warm, almost eerie, glow.

That morning I had written an elfchen about light inspired by Margaret Simon’s photo that she captured on a morning walk. In this week of the Winter Soltice, I was reminded of the wonder and beauty of light.

Window Warmth
candles
offer comfort
in darkened windows
welcome with warm light
peace
Draft, 2023RoseCappelli

Warm wishes to all for a comforting and peaceful holiday season. Jone has the roundup today here where she celebrates the soltice with a nod to the mystery of darkness. Be sure to stop by for lots of poetry goodness.

Happy Poetry Friday!

The prompt this week from the Nevermores was to “write a colorful poem – inspired by a color, full of many colors, or simply containing color.” My thoughts immediately went to the cardinals I watch in the trees outside my writing space. Although we don’t have snow, I love the contrast of red on white that you see so often in photos of these colorful birds.

That got me thinking about other ways red bursts through winter white to make a statement. I also turned to an old mentor text If You Want to Find Golden by Eileen Spinelli and Stacey Schuett. This book takes the reader on a journey through a city from morning until night, highlighting many different colors. Spinelli speaks directly to the reader, encouraging the use of different senses to experience color. Although I chose not to write in second person, I tried to make red come alive with personification.

Winter Red

red winks through winter white
on rosy cheeks from winds that bite
from cardinals perched on willow’s branch
in early morning light

red beckons from the holly
on berries plump for picking
or yarn that’s wound for knitting
some jolly wooly mittens

red wraps fox in silky fur
paints the sky as dusk descends
promising next day’s delight
red whispers into night
Draft, 2023RoseCappelli

Janice has the roundup today at Salt Verse City where she offers thoughts on her holiday activities and a beautiful metaphor about democracy. Be sure to stop by for lots of poetry goodness.

Welcome to Poetry Friday!

Do you love candles? I place candles around the house as decorations, but I often forget to burn them. Last Christmas I started a candle that burned so beautifully, I anticipated lighting it each evening. It lasted through the winter and became the subject of a poem I wrote for the Nevermores about love. That candle and the comfort and inspiration it brought prompted a new practice of actually burning my candles, especially when I write. This week I revised the original poem to reflect more of the spirit of Advent and its celebration of hope, peace, joy, and love.

Somewhere in the Middle of a Cold December Evening

I fell in love
with my Christmas candle.
It is comfort
peace
hope
burning precisely
evenly
(like I wish my days to be).

In this season of light and joy
somewhere in the middle
of a cold December evening
I fell in love
with my Christmas candle.
Draft, RoseCappelli2023

Images courtesy of Pixabay and Canva

Patricia has the roundup today on her blog Reverie with she offers beautiful, heartfelt thoughts about what is on her Christmas wish list. Be sure to stop by for lots of poetry goodness.

“Then, abruptly as they came, they’re gone, and the lawn is full of emptiness.”
– from Snow Geese by Barbara Crooker

Happy Poetry Friday!

One of my least favorite fall chores is getting my flower gardens ready for winter. It makes me sad to pull out the annuals and cut back the perennials, remembering their vibrancy just a few short months ago. It helps me to think forward and imagine the garden in spring. This week I read the poem “Snow Geese” by Barbara Crooker. I loved her last line (shown above) and the contrast between full and empty. It reminded me of my peony garden and inspired my poem for today.

Cutting Down the Peonies

In late fall
I ready the garden for winter,
rid the space of faded blooms
and sagging stalks.

The peony bush,
once filled with flower heads,
is ready to rest.
Each snip withers its vibrant soul
until the plant is nothing but nubs
and the garden fills with emptiness.

In early spring
new shoots reach through soggy ground
searching for sun.
There will be buds, pink and white,
filled with promise
and the garden will waken.
Draft, 2023RoseCappelli

Anastasia has the roundup today here where she offers a small poem about her first publication acceptance. Be sure to stop by for lots of poetry goodness.