Each summer I participate in Tabatha’s Summer poetry swap. Poetic gifts coming and going inspire me and uplift me.
My first swap came by way of email from Donna Smith. Donna has been busy selling her house in Maine and moving to Pennsylvania, so snail mail didn’t work for her. The method matters little when you receive a poetry gift. Here’s her poem for me.
My second gift was from Kay McGriff. She sent a notebook she had made by hand along with two bookmarks. Her poem for me is a golden shovel from a line I wrote on my blog during National Poetry Month. Both Donna and Kay included images from my life here on the bayou. I appreciate the time they took to read and learn and write a personal poem. We do this in the name of poetry love.
Note about Tropical Storm Barry: Yes, we are in its path. We are ready. Our house is strong, and we have a generator named Sparky. All will be well. Thanks for your concern.
Reflections on the Teche 
The swap poems you share are beautiful, Margaret, but even more beautiful is the time and effort that went into making them so personal. Enjoy the poetry swap and take care. Tell Sparky to stay strong!
Oh, my goodness–two gorgeous and masterful poems. What incredible gifts. I see and love how each poet tailored their poems to you and your words. That is the best! Thanks to Tabatha for hosting the swaps. It’s truly an amazing adventure.
I’m so glad you liked the golden shovel poem. I’m glad I didn’t read Donna’s first (I was already a little intimidated). It is stunning. Tell Sparky and your home to stand strong (and high and dry).
Oh, the wonder of our summer worlds and then the poetry written about them! You are a lucky woman to receive such beauty. Thinking of you (& Sparky) these next days!
Both of these gifts are so beautiful. Love fills each line. Good luck. I’ll be thinking of you and hoping Barry doesn’t reach hurricane force.
I love your poetry swap poems! Thinking of you and your generator, Sparky, and hoping and praying you ride out the storm in safety! Ruth, thereisnosuchthingasagodforsakentown.blogspot.com
Love your custom, from-the-heart swap poems!! I have been thinking about you and hoping that you are doing all right. xo
Two great swaps! So much fun to see how our poetry peeps share so creatively!
Hope you make it through the storm with as little damage as possible!
Thank you for sharing your poetry swap treasures with us, Margaret. They are lovely!
That golden shovel poem is an amazing capture of your life as I know it through your blog. A gift indeed – both of them!
Thanks for sharing these two sensitive and beautiful poems connecting to you and your life. I like how Donna brought in the ducks. And how true your line is, “when you walk in poetry everyday, everything becomes a poem,” –Kay created a lovely golden shovel from it, weaving in listening, pausing, and bits and pieces from your daily life.
These are so beautiful. I love how images from your blog are the inspiration for new poems.