Greetings, Poetry Lovers! Here we are at the doorstep of Christmas, and this week I received the most wonderful group of poems and gifts from the multitalented and generous Denise Krebs. We both participated in the magic that is the Winter Poem Swap, spearheaded by the also ever-generous and talented Tabatha Yeatts .
When I opened my box, my eyes were not dry for long. Denise had taken the time to peruse my blog and celebrate some of the highlights of my fall, including a 7-mile round-trip hike with my hubby to the top of Table Rock here, where he proposed exactly 40 years ago in September. She also captured the spirit of life with our new puppy, Rookie, a Keeshond who is growing by leaps and bounds, emphasis on the leaps and the bounds. These surprises took the shape of items in a handmade "Make it Merry" Christmas journal, full of pockets, hidden bookmarks, a tatted ornament, and such, and lots of blank pages among the decorated ones. In addition to these oh-so-personal touches, Denise gifted me more beautiful pieces of her handiwork - gorgeous dish towels with crocheted tops, and matching pot holders/mats with a couple of different kinds of stitching. In our mostly darker kitchen, I have just a few hints of teal peeking out and these are perfect. Also, it was time for a refresh over here, so these are more than welcome!
The Poetry Friday community has helped sustain me for years, inspiring me and dazzling me with people I'd love to have long chats over tea with, if we lived closer. Like many of you, I've had the good fortune to share real space with some folks from time to time. But what I love about PF is that distance doesn't matter. Denise and I are across the country from each other. And, new folks are always welcome to pull up a chair and bring more poetry love to the gracious Poetry Friday table!
Thank you, Denise, for flooring me with your attention to detail in these wonderful gifts.
Here are the poems she brightened my day with.
First, a pantoum (a pantoum!) celebrating Rookie, who was very excited to star in a poem:
Rookie
by Denise Krebs
the Rookie of the year is here
at times life is in a puproar
toddler chews and chases tails
he makes hearts merry
at times life is in a puproar
potty training and car trips
he makes hearts merry
doggy academy at PetCo
potty training and car trips
yearns to meet more puppy pals
doggy academy at PetCo
neighborhood scouting strolls
yearns to meet more puppy pals
will we ever sleep again?
neighborhood scouting strolls
love in a four-legged bundle
will we ever sleep again?
toddler chews and chases tails
love in a four-legged bundle
the Rookie of the year is here
And, honoring our celebratory hike, a haiku:
table rock speaks
horizon of peace
life-hope is here
Denise Krebs
What a special way to remember that day!
And this year. Thank you again, Denise, and wishing all of you fond remembrances as you gather for the holidays and inspirations as you look toward 2024. We are feeling very blessed to have family coming and going over the next couple of weeks, so I'll see you on Jan. 5!
Our amazing Jone Rush MacCulloch has the Roundup this week, leading us in a celebration of the Solstice - Thank you, Jone!