The Festival of Words yearly fundraising event was once again virtual this year. In a way, this is great because more poets from Louisiana and beyond can participate. I volunteered again to write a commissioned poem for Words for You. How this worked was I volunteered, someone donated to have me write a poem, and we all celebrated with a reading event on Zoom. The reading was last night and it’s on Facebook Live.
For some reason, I felt drawn to the sonnet form. What a challenge I gave myself! My person, Sue, answered a question about her spirit animal being a leopard. I did some leopard research and puzzled it into a poem. The problem was it didn’t hold any meaning. So then I wrote a free verse poem. After that I continued to hack away at the sonnet. After more study of the form, a total rewrite was necessary. The process was challenging, at times frustrating, but in the spirit of the leopard, I did not give up.
It may help to know that Sue is a playwright who is tolerant of Louisiana, but she hates the weather.
Reflections on the Teche 
I love the line “waves of whisper-wind sighs,” but really the whole poem is beautiful. Thanks, also, for sharing your process. The perseverance in rewriting and rethinking your words was just what I needed to hear this morning.
sensitive sonnet Margaret, enjoyed how you tied it to yourself and your own habitat. I especially liked liked your closing stanza echoing the “sapphire eyes” of the cat, image, and the alliteration of joint yet solo walk… thanks!
Margaret, what a treasure and such a special experience to be able to write this beauty for Sue. I’m so impressed with your process. A sonnet first draft, then built a foundation with the free verse, then back to tackle the sonnet. I like how you said in the spirit of the leopard you persisted. Nice! Thanks for giving some details about Sue so we could appreciate the personal parts of the poem. I’m sure she was so blessed and “welcomed with grace” your gift.
ooooooh, the image pairing is really nice. I love this final poem. I’d love to know what she thought of it. It’s such a great poem.
Linda, she sent a sweet email after the reading.
Oooh. Look at you, nailing the sonnet. 💙 the last two lines of your serving stanza, and that fabulous final couplet. Well done! (There’s also so much to love about the process is – and your tenacity.)
Your sonnet is lovely, Margaret. I can almost hear those “whisper-wind sighs.” I’m sure Sue was thrilled with this poem!
I love hearing about this organization, Margaret. Wow! Your poem’s beginning line feels like a challenge for all females to ’embrace the lioness inside’. I love how you brought the leopard and our own lives together. Have a great weekend!
Margaret: You really had more than one challenge before you … making it fit Susan, her spirit animal, and the poetic form. That IS a challenge, and one you surmounted so well. Kudos to you, my friend! The wind must have been whispering in your ear!
Love the image of “wild precious life” stepping “out on stage”. Beautiful poem!
It is so hard to write sonnets and it takes time and focus. Yours is wonderful. “The leopard roams before finding its place” as you did writing this. Thanks for sharing this.
I’m glad you persevered with the spirit of a leopard, Margaret. You ended up with a keeper. I enjoyed reading about your process, too.
This is lovely! I love the last lines. Your perseverance really paid off.
How great, and what a wonderful idea that festival is! Ruth, thereisnosuchthingasagodforsakentown.blogspot.com
Margaret, I especially like stanza 3 and then there were the last lines. You even added one of your one words: grace. This project is a special one.
I’m glad to have been a part of this journey!