One of the best things about summer is having time to be creative. I’ve enjoyed designing collages on marbleized notebooks as well as writing poems for the Summer Poem Swap, coordinated by Tabatha Yeatts. The third exchange I sent off a notebook to Tabatha herself. And she gifted me with a poetic zine, Today’s Poem (after me, after Cheryl Dumesnil’s Today’s Sermon.)
More about making a zine from Tabatha here.
I love this personal-to-me poem, especially the line about toy phones. I’ve been answering a lot of toy phones lately with my little grands, and I love how this one line captures the Joy of being with them in just a few words. The magic of poetry! Thanks, Tabatha, for organizing this fun and meaningful exchange and for being my partner for this round.
Today’s poem
riffles through a pile of
to-do lists,
looking for blank paperToday’s poem
answers calls
from toy phonesToday’s poem
hears sunflowers’
reminders to feed the birdsToday’s poem
clicks like a typewriter
while it’s nappingToday’s poem
refracts a rainbow
into your bathwaterToday’s poem
runs back and forth
through an imaginary sprinklerToday’s poem
Tabatha Yeatts, (for Margaret Simon, Summer Poem Swap 2021)
fills your tank
and walks you to your car
Reflections on the Teche 
Oh, you KNOW how much I love a ‘Today’s entrance into a poem. And, that toy phone reference is precious. The time with your little grands is so short and you are very kind to share the joy of it with others. I love the zine! It gives me ideas. Great swap.
I was thinking about making some zines just this morning on my walk! Tabatha’s poem pick is perfect for a zine! Like Linda, I’ve got ideas now…
Just beautiful! I really love this “Today’s ….” poetic form. Thank you for sharing this.
I walked through the whole day with you! Thanks for sharing Tabatha’s poem.
Tabatha, your zine is such a work of art and Today’s poem is full of action. Well done!
Margaret, I love the partnership between you and Tabatha. Both of you presented each other with a gift of your creativity. I look forward to seeing your gift to Tabatha. Enjoy your little grandbabies.
Thank you for sharing. I’ll definitely have to give the zine a shot. Yours had a great structure. And as always nice surprises revealed. Thanks.
Oh what joy to receive this zine, Margaret. I agree, I love these summer swaps.
Oh, how delightfully this reads. And how beautifully it is presented. Lovely gift, Margaret. That Tabatha is a treasure! The toy phone is gorgeous – but I’m so behind on things to do – that to do list had me! (Though mine is on a whiteboard – that looks so much nice with poetry!)
That’s such a nice gift. Answering calls from toy phones is a sweet image. I miss those days!
Margaret, I love that the toy phone resonated with you. I can just imagine you talking to those sweet grandchildren with all the patience of summer. My favorite image of Tabatha’s poem is:
“Today’s poem
refracts a rainbow
into your bathwater”
Oh, my first time in the swap starts soon. I am going to try to be my most creative self. Time will tell. This is just lovely!!! (See you soon!)
What a wonderfully delightful poem-zine swap, with each line offering up such surprise, I especially love this one,
” Today’s poem
clicks like a typewriter
while it’s napping”
Thanks for sharing all Margaret!
What a wonderful poetic swap! This is such a powerful form and Tabatha rocks it. Presenting it in a zine makes it even more perfect. Each stanza is captivating, but I love the forward thrust of that final stanza. Onward!