These days not many exciting things come into the mailbox. One of the thrills of summer is the Summer Poetry Swap. Two of the final swaps (organized by dear Tabatha Yeatts) overlapped and arrived close to the same day. My kitchen counter was dappled with cards and stickers and sweet poems.
Carol sent a poem she wrote in two voices, the two of us in our vocations side by side, along with a set of her original photo cards. Little did she know I needed this dose of confidence to start my new school year.
Tabatha, our poem swap organizer, sent a poem she wrote about a friend who thinks about writing. I do admit to having days like these when the notebook stays closed.
POSTPONED
by Tabatha Yeatts
When will she write in the notebook,
I wonder, the blank one engraved
Nina’s Adventures on the front?
Once my plans come to fruition, she says,
after my dreams come true,
when the good times begin.
How many stories has she already told?
The pet goat who played with dogs,
the thief she wrestled, the song she wrote
and translated into fifty languages, the love story,
its tragic end. Don’t they deserve a space
on the pages? No, no, she says,
once the adventures start.
When I see her, she regales me
with her storm-tossed ride,
but her pen is in a drawer
and the words turn away
from the pages,
settle everywhere
but there.
Thanks to all of the poem swappers this summer. It’s a small way of spreading poetry love.
Another way to spread poetry love is to put our new book on your to-be-bought list. I am proud to be a part of Words that Mend: The Transformative Power of Writing Poetry for Teachers, Students, and Community Wellbeing. The book has been a labor of love. It will be released on Sept. 2nd and will be available for free as a download or for print cost only on Amazon. Hop over to Kim Johnson’s post to see her poetic expression of excitement.
Reflections on the Teche 
Margaret, such amazing ways to share the love of poetry! Your poem in two voices is lovely! Thanks for sharing the book! I can’t wait to hold a copy.
Words that mend! What a perfectly titled home for your words, Margaret. And I love that you received all that poetic goodness on the same day. Those mushrooms! Swoon. xo
Thanks for sharing all the poetry goodness you received, Margaret. And good luck with the book. Love that title!
I love how Carol “entwined” the two of you, teachers, in her gift to you. It’s inspiring what you both do. This book looks great! Thanks for sharing that title and good luck with it. It’s a compelling title.
Thank you for sharing your swaps, Margaret–and Words That Mend. I wish it was up for pre-order on Amazon, but hopefully you’ll remind us again when it comes out.
Margaret, I was happy to read that Carol’s poem gift is giving you confidence for the new school year. What a gift! Congratulations on Words That Mend! And to me too. What fun this was to work on it with you. Thanks for everything!
Such a fun gift from Carol — thank you for sharing it! And the new book looks wonderful. I’ll head there next!
l love your and Carol’s entwined poems. Congratulations on the book! Can’t wait to read it!
Congrats on “Words that Mend” Margaret!!! Thanks also for sharing Tabatha and Carol’s poems and photo cards, enjoy all these treasures!
Congrats to all on the book!
And that poem Tabatha wrote reminds me of Mom. I so wanted her to write down some memories and stories, but it never happened. I should have known better and done more videotaping. We took all the china out of the cabinet for me to wash and put back, and I taped her telling the story of each piece.
It’s always fun to see what is exchanged during the Poetry Swap. Thanks for sharing these lovely, thoughtful poems and cards. Congratulations on the book. I love the title!
Poem swaps bring such postal delight. And huzzah for the upcoming book — Words that Mend is such a lovely title.
Margaret, now that I am home from our family’s seaside vacation, I am indulging in reading Poetry Friday posts. I sit amidst the photo cards and Carol’s swap to you and the graphic of a new book that will certainly benefit this year’s young writers and teachers. Congratulations on being part of Words That Mend.
Margaret, thank you for sharing your lovely poetry swap gifts. Carol’s entwined poems and photos are sweet and Tabatha’s poem about her friend is interesting and makes me think of time in college when I didn’t have much time to write. Congratulations on being part of such an important book. I love the title. I look forward to reading it.