Imagine the Possibilities

The prompt this week in my poetry group was to write a mask, or persona, poem. So the first thing I did was to start exploring some mentor texts. Instinctively I turned to In the Middle of the Night: Poems from a Wide-Awake House by friend and poetry mentor, Laura Purdie Salas. In the Middle of the Night is a collection of persona poems about the antics and thoughts of objects that come to life while we are sleeping. Not only did I think about all the poetry techniques Laura used to bring the objects to life and express their feelings, I also studied her poem titles and how they summed up the essence of the poem. Laura’s books and blog posts are great sources of inspiration and perfect for use by teachers and aspiring poets, so be sure to check them out.

I wasn’t sure what I wanted to write about, but when I read “Empty Pocket” about the lonliness of a pocket with nothing in it, I started thinking about kids going back to school and leaving their toys behind.

Bike’s Thoughts on Back to School

I’m propped up by the garden shed
With nothing much to do.
You’re back to school. I’m feeling blue.
It’s lonely here without you.

No more carefree summer days
Exploring someplace new.
You took the bus. There’s no more us.
It’s lonely here without you.

I count the hours, check the days
Until excitement breaks through.
Woohoo! Hooray! It’s Saturday!
It’s wheely wonderful with you!
Draft, 2022Rose Cappelli

Tanita has the roundup today here. Be sure to check it out for more poetry fun and learn about the Bop.

Happy Poetry Friday!

I woke early this morning thinking about my poem for today. I wasn’t prepared. I had nothing. So I searched through my notebook, hoping to come across a discarded line or phrase. I found this reference to dreams:

“Bits and pieces of unexpected memories trying to fit together like a jigsaw puzzle”

That was certainly me, trying to put together bits and pieces for a poem today.

Then I came across something that I think was inspired by a book title, The Invisible Bridge. I often use titles of books, poems, or songs for inspiration. I remember starting with a “What if” question (What if I were invisible?), then followed up with scraps of ideas, “bits and pieces trying to fit together like a jigsaw puzzle,” and this:

If I Were Invisible

If I were invisible
I’d crouch among the radishes
completely out of sight,
then make friends with the tiny mouse
who nibbles through the night.

We’d cross a bridge to nowhere,
find a field of buttercups,
then scamper home,
and curl to rest
in a cozy little nest.
Draft, 2022 Rose Cappelli

I can usually find inspiration or bits and pieces of something when I reread my notebooks. I’m glad I did this morning.

Dave has the roundup today (his first!) at Leap of Dave, where a post of mine from May is tagged. (Thanks for shout out, Dave.) Be sure to stop by for some poetry fun.

I loved volunteering as a docent in the children’s garden at Longwood Gardens– sparking curiosity, rousing squeals of delight, sharing a story. But since the pandemic, my role at Longwood has changed. I’m now a garden greeter. It’s definitely different, and although I do miss working with the children, I enjoy interacting more with guests.

One very hot day last week, in between answering questions about the schedule for fountain shows and helping a guest discover the type of tree we were standing under, I watched a thunderstorm rolling in. My mind started swirling, words and phrases coming at me like a sudden downburst. I was fearful of forgetting everything, so I used the voice app on my phone to quickly record in Notes (a first for me). The rhythm of the waltz playing during the fountain show inspired the meter when I finally got a chance to sit down and write.

Luckily the storm passed us by, but it left its mark in the words it inspired. I think the whole afternoon of inspiration and creativity meant much more than the result I offer here.

Thunderstorm Dance

Breezes swish leaves and move hazy gray clouds.
Birds gather close to their young.
Rumbles of drums,
Flashes of light—
a thunderstorm’s coming our way.
Draft, 2022Rose Cappelli

Margaret’s got the round up at Reflections on the Teche where she’s celebrating her birthday with rainbows and poetry. Be sure to take a peek!

I love finding small surprises in the garden when I’m out tending plants, pulling weeds, feeding birds. One day this week I started noticing some fallen leaves nibbled into beautiful lace-like patterns. It was a sign that fall is on its way (even though the temps have been sky high), but it also felt like a little thank you note from nature. What else does nature leave as a calling card or a thank you note?

Thank You Notes

a pattern of lace in a nibbled leaf
the richness of a bluebird’s wing
morning dew igniting a silky web
the miracle of a hummingbird
caterpillar feet tickling milkweed
honeysuckle’s sweet scent
a new bud on the rosebush, tiny and tight
a sunflower reaching the roof
nature’s small surprises
Draft, 2022Rose Cappelli

Molly has the roundup today over at Nix the Comfort Zone where she shares some great baseball poems. Be sure to stop by.

Last summer I was inspired to write a poem “What the Milkweed Knows” from a post I read from Mary Lee Hahn. That inspired me to suggest to my Inked Voices poetry group the prompt “What the _____Knows.” I’ve had my grandkids with me this week so I wasn’t sure I’d find time to write, but I managed to squeeze in a few minutes of early morning quiet to write.

One of the activities the kids really wanted to do was catch fireflies. With their noses pressed against the window, they kept searching for that first blink. When it was time, they ran into the yard full of excitement. My husband or I would grab a firefly, then we would all gather around and make a wish before setting it free. At 4 and a half and almost 3, I’m not sure they fully understood the wish part, but they delighted in the wonder of this small creature. Eventually they caught a few of their own. It was such a joy to to experience nature with them.

What Does a Firefly Know?

a warm cupped hand
a whispered wish
a squeal of delight  
as wings take flight
Draft, 2022Rose Cappelli

It seemed fitting to post this today since Mary Lee has the round up here. Be sure to visit for more poetry fun.