Find more celebration posts at Ruth’s blog.
For the last several years, I have participated in Tabatha Yeatts’ Summer Poetry Swap. I sent my gift and poem off last week to a poet-friend and promptly forgot that I would receive one, too.
Surprise in the mail is so exciting! I recognized the signature as the famous Tricia Stohr-Hunt of Miss Rumphius Effect, a fabulous site of poetry love. What I love about this poem is the extent Tricia had to research. She learned so much about bayouland.
I’ve been stupid for a long time not knowing the Miss Rumphius Effect reference. Until today and Ruth’s Celebrate post: “One of my favorite picture books (as if I could select a favorite) is Miss Rumphius. In it, Miss Rumphius is challenged by her grandfather–
You must do something to make the world more beautiful.” Now I know that Tricia’s call is to make the world more beautiful with poetry. That is what she does. Thanks, Miss Rumphius (Tricia) for your gift to the world of poetry.
What does a Yankee know of the bayou?
The science teacher knows
coastal wetlands,
the evolution of the Mississippi delta,
the brackish, slow moving water.
The naturalist knows
the Bald cypress and tupelo,
the pelican and egret,
the alligators.
The historian knows
the Chitimacha and Acadians,
West African slaves,
pirates and riverboats,
the reach of the Civil War.
The Yankee poet knows
the bayou only in her dreams,
so when putting pen to paper
meanders like the Teche,
through moss-draped live oaks,
and sun-kissed swamps.–Tricia Stohr-Hunt, 2017 all rights reserved
Bookmark “In my book, you’re pure poetry.”
Reflections on the Teche 
Your poem grabbed me and I just wanted to keep reading. I loved “so when putting pen to paper meanders like the Teche” such a visual of you creating this perfect poem.
The poem was written by Tricia Stohr-Hunt.
The poem is so lovely, and thoughtful, as you said. I learned a little bit more about your corner of the world which I have never visited. I don’t like heat and humidity, so Louisiana has never called to me…but you never know. The bookmark is lovely, too. Did it come from the same person? What a nice surprise and a lovely way to kick off summer: trading poems and gifts. Sweet!
Beautiful poem! And what a fun surprise to have it arrive in your mailbox! Must keep my husband’s job security, you know 🙂 I remember you talking about this poetry exchange a while back. Are you still participating? Or was it a one-time deal?
There are five exchanges throughout the summer. I need to get busy on my next one. Tricia has definitely raised the bar.
Wow, what a gift Tricia gave you in that poem. I love the visual for this summer’s poetry swap. I celebrate any time “real mail” (hand addressed) arrives in my mailbox.
You are both pure poetry, Margaret and Tricia! Love that meandering poem and the way it touches on different aspects of your home.
Gorgeous! I have been in the same boat about the name/effect & am glad to now know!
What a beautiful poem and gift! I have to admit when I first started reading your blog, this Yankee had to look up the word “teche” to see how to pronounce it because I wasn’t sure. I knew nothing about the bayou.
What a wonderful thing to participate in!
Lovely gift to receive. Thank you for sharing it.
What a lovely poem! It brought alive some of the sights and sounds of the bayou for this Yankee.
Margaret, thanks for your kind words and for sharing. I’ll admit I had to cut a lot out once I started writing. I was a bit disappointed that zydeco fell by the wayside, especially after you posted your videos.
Maybe zydeco can lead you down a new path to poetry. Have you seen Marilyn Singer’s new book, “Feel the Beat?”
Tricia’s Yankee voice meets Bayou charm and writes a beautiful poem for you, Margaret. While I have never traveled to Louisiana, Tricia has captured the beauty that you have shared at your post.