Imagine the Possibilities

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.

There’s something about geraniums, especially red geraniums. I like the way they contrast with the hosta along the side of the shed. This year I purchased a large hanging plant of red geraniums and white lobelia for the corner of the patio. They are flourishing and I look forward to their cheery greeting every morning as I step out to feed the birds.

As a child, my sister and I helped my mother decorate the family cemetery plot every year on memorial day. Along with petunias and marigolds, there were always red geraniums. My sister and I continued the tradition of decorating the graves for many years after my mother died. That memory inspired this poem that was part of my April poetry project “Flowers A-Z.”

Red Geraniums

The flower boxes are ready—
marigolds, alyssum
and always
always
red geraniums.
They’ll travel to the cemetery,
decorate graves
of loved ones
long gone—
and always
always
I’ll remember
how much she loved
red geraniums.
Draft, 2022Rose Cappelli

Jan has the roundup today at Bookseed Studio. Be sure to stop by to learn about sijo poetry.

This week I’ve been thinking about shapes in poetry. Not concrete poetry where the poem is written in the shape of its subject or theme (although that would be fun to try), but more a poem inspired by a shape, or one in which a specific shape is used to describe something else. A favorite of mine from Valerie Worth is this one:

sun
by Valerie Worth

The sun
Is a leaping fire
Too hot
To go near,
But it will still
Lie down
In warm yellow squares
On the floor
Like a flat
Quilt, where
The cat can curl
And purr.

I think the unexpected mention of a square, rather than the expected circle, surrounded by the metaphor and simile is what makes this poem so special. I was thinking about these surprises while I watered the garden the other day and noticed a spider web strung among the plants and flowers – an unexpected triangle surrounding the expected circle. Unfortunately, my attempt to capture a picture failed.

In the Garden

A spider spun a triangle
leaf to leaf to leaf,
then circles inside circles
until it was complete.
Woven with the finest silk,
a model of design,
the impressive steamstress lingers
until it’s time to dine.
Draft, 2022Rose Cappelli

May your week be full of surprises and wonder. Janice has the roundup this week at Salt City Verse. Be sure to stop by for more poetry fun.