I'm so happy to host Poetry Friday this week.

A new year, fresh and into the second month already.  How does that happen?

Poetry Friday is a weekly happening for all who love poetry,  Write it. Read it. Pass it on.

I found my first Poetry Friday post HERE. It was to announce the CYBILS POETRY winner for 2006.  The post ran in February 2007.  Thirteen years of Poetry Friday for me.  Whether you are new to Poetry Friday or have many posts, welcome, welcome.

There were a total of eleven participants for the 2021 New Year Poetry Postcard Exchange.  
​This week I curated words from all the poems creating a FOUND poem.  I hope you will consider joining the exchange in 2022.

Refusing to Wait for Springtime

Minted moon silverdrops, yesterday’s rain,
reflecting an invitation for merrymaking on the icy pond.

Beneath the surface, unseen creatures
busy themselves with an honest day’s work.

Chickadees flying free, blue herons perching
high in a tree watching the morning joy. 
​
© jone rush macculloch (2021 draft) 

There is much poetry goodness in the world and do we ever need it now.  Head over to Sylvia at Poetry for Children. She has the inside scoop of the 2021 titles being born.

What a week.  I think what lifted my spirits was the arrival of New Year postcards.  

Linda Mitchell's New Year Poem is based on the Year of the Ox and it happens to be her OLW.  That it is a bookmark is a bonus. I love her mixed media art.

​Janice Scully's tree made me swoon. I love trees. I am ready for some merrymaking and some spring.

I have an extra photo and poem desktop calendar.  If you would like to win one, please let me know in the comments.

Bliadhna mhath ùr, Scottish Gaelic for Happy New Year.  This week, New Year Postcards have begun winging their way across the country.  Today I'm sharing one for New York and one from Ohio.  I'll be placing these on my Poe-tree.

upon the lake
winter's freshness
​exhale earth's frostbitten bite
Evolve!
​~Carol Varsalona
Photo by Carol Varsalona

recently minted
shiny coin of here and now
ready to be spent

~Mary Lee Hahn
​Photo by Mary Lee Hahn

Ruth at There is no such thing as a God-forsaken town has the first 2021 poetry round-up.  So thankful for this community. Here's to many poems this year.

Thanks to Carol at Carol’s Corner for hosting our post Thanksgiving Poetry Friday.

A couple of times a month, I participate with a group of women in the "Mud Puddle".  We write for an hour on one or two prompts.  Last Saturday, I was introduced to Pat Schneider, poet and teacher.
This poem came from watching a short video about her.
Come In, Come In
by Jone Rush MacCulloch

Come in, come in
the tea is cozied
ready to sip
We sit on the porch
​
Come in, come in
We eat toasted, buttered biscuits
mittened hands
around steamy mugs

Come in, come in
squirrels chitter
for the crumbs
in trees above

Come in, come in
We talk of daily records
reminding us been
here before - Viet Nam

Come in, come in
allow me to hold
your pain,
​catch your breath


©2020 (draft)

Did you know there are 35 days until 2020 ends? Woohoo! Let's celebrate the New Year with a New Year Postcard? In Japan, it’s called Nengajo, a Japanese custom of ushering in the new year.

​Please join the party.  It will be fun!

#gratiku day 14
geese take flight
between rainstorms
time for tea

#gratiku day 15
ancestors
 walk among the clouds
remembrance 

#gratiku day 16
great family mystery
his birth records- hen's teeth
down the rabbit hole

#gratiku day 17
autumn storm 
tree shelters squirrels
umbrella

Yesterday's haiku reminded me
of the "Umbrella" video for my poem.
Sylvia Vardell created
on a recent zoom party for HOP IT IT. 
Janet Wong and Sylvia Vardell always create magic with their books.


You can order your copy at QEP Books via phone 800-323-6787 and email: qepsupport@qepbooks.com

Did you know there are 42 days until 2020 ends? Woohoo! Let's celebrate the New Year with a New Year Postcard? In Japan, it’s called Nengajo, a Japanese custom of ushering in the new year.







​How It Works:

• Choose to send five, ten postcards.
• Create a postcard:  you can buy a postcard and write a poem on the other side or you can create one postcard to send to everyone (I use Walgreens or Zazzle)
• Once you get the names, send by February 12, 2021 (beginning of Chinese New Years)
• If you choose, you can work in the Chinese animal for 2021: The year of the Ox. It is not required.
• Have fun!

All poetry goodness can be found at 
​Teacher Dance.  Thanks Linda!

This week's #gratiku focused on autumn images.  I like to photograph images when I walk.  I've discovered I like to use the images as inspiration for my notebook pages.  

For November 8, 2020
morning frost
scarlett leaves linger
after rain

For November 12, 2020
red sky dawn
early riser gift
before rain

For November 13
grassy blades cradle
frost encrusted maple flag
crunch! dog is clueless

Did you know there are 48 days until 2020 ends? Woohoo! Let's celebrate the New Year with a New Year Postcard? In Japan, it’s called Nengajo, a Japanese custom of ushering in the new year.
How It Works:

• Choose to send five, ten postcards.
• Create a postcard:  you can buy a postcard and write a poem on the other side or you can create one postcard to send to everyone (I use Walgreens or Zazzle)
• Once you get the names, send by February 12, 2021 (beginning of Chinese New Years)
• If you choose, you can work in the Chinese animal for 2021: The year of the Ox. It is not required.
• Have fun!

Head over to the very talented Robyn at Life on the Deckle Edge for all the Portey Friday goodness in the world.

On Sunday, I opened a new journal.  My previous 2020 journal, March 1-October 31 was completed.

This year I am using my journal to write gratitude haiku: #gratiku. What a week to start a new journal!

November 1
blue moon sets
November arrives
new notebook

November 2
I voted
for democracy
fingers crossed

November 3
geese chorus
November grey days
yes to change

November 4
while sleeping
democracy at work
counting votes

food, drink, class
welcomed distractions
smashing nerves

November 5
dog snuggles
a rainy day
relieves tree

November 6
the tide shifts
overnight, peace dreams
hope sunrise

*************************************
Did you know?  55 days left in 2020!
News alert: Next week I will have information about the New Year Postcard Exchange

Please go look at at all the poetry goodness flooding the iInternet today.  

You can find it at Susan at Soul Blossom Living.