Welcome poetry friends! Normally I have this posted the night before. Yesterday I helped my former school out and sub late minute. I came home with a sinus headache (old HVAC system) and climbed into bed early.
Woke this morning fresh and ready for all the activities the season offers. AND to write today's post inviting all of you to leave yours! Today there are cloudy skies and I am not sure that sunrise will be the spectacular of last year's solstice sunrise and tomorrow will be solid rain. So I'll share one from last year and some poems that I've been writing to celebrate with Advent Photo-of-the-Day. Last Call for New Year Post Cards
It's 11 days until the new year! Time to start thinking of sending New Year Post Cards! I've have also been thinking that this is an excellent way to incorporate the small poems that some have been writing thanks to Mary Lee Hahn and the hashtag #haikuforhealing2024 and mine #haikuforresilience2024 and for 2025: #poetryforpersistence
Send five, send ten or send to all? In Japan, it’s called Nengajo, a Japanese custom of ushering in the new year. How It Works:
Click here to join us: 2025 New Year Post Card Exchange Next week, I'll have the details about the Poetry for Persistence Event on Saturday, January 18, 2025, Estimated time frame: 11 AM-2 PM EST, 8 AM-11 AM PST, I will have a Zoom Writing and Creating Salon as a place to write for #haikuforpersistence2025 and #poetryforpersistence2025. I will be honest, I am a teeny bit scared about hosting this salon. I am hoping to share some mentor poems (DM me if you have one that would be good), having writing time, and share in community if you feel moved. Also, I think I want to have a co-host to help me monitoring the Zoom room and tech (DM me if interested) I am also suggesting that you make a donation to a charity of your choice. I am seriously considering donating to Planned Parenthood. Details and sign up some. You know, in some ways this is my2024 OLW (Expand) in action. If you're planning on attending, will this time frame: 11 AM-2 PM EST, 8 AM-11 AM PST work? Is two hours long enough(I originally thought three but wonder if shorter is better. Or if 10-1 EST 7-10 PST is better. Input is appreciated. Linda at A Word Edgewise is sharing poetry play by mashing up two poems together, cento poem. It's fun to peek at her writing journal. We lost a giant in the poetry world this week, Nikki Giovanni. Poet, professor, activist, her poems resonated in so many ways. I found on Nikki Grimes's FB page. The image of the snowflake is swoony. My former co-worker shared Ego Tripping by Nikki Giovanni with his fourth graders. Winter Poem once a snowflake fell on my brow and i loved it so much and i kissed it and it was happy and called its cousins and brothers and a web of snow engulfed me then i reached to love them all and i squeezed them and they became a spring rain and i stood perfectly still and was a flower Nikki Giovanni, “Winter Poem” from The Collected Poetry of Nikki Giovanni. Copyright © 1996 by Nikki Giovanni. Courtesy of HarperCollins Publisher. I am looking forward to her last collection which will be published fall 2025 2025 Poetry Postcards 2024 New Year Post Card It's 20 days until the new year! Time to start thinking of sending New Year Post Cards! I've have also been thinking that this is an excellent way to incorporate the small poems that some have been writing thanks to Mary Lee Hahn and the hashtag #haikuforhealing2024 and mine #haikuforresilience2024 and for 2025: #poetryforpersistence Send five, send ten or send to all? In Japan, it’s called Nengajo, a Japanese custom of ushering in the new year. How It Works:
Click here to join us: 2025 New Year Post Card Exchange Announcement:#haikuforpersistence2025 #poetryforpersistence2025As we begin 2025, there will be changes and challenges for us. Many of us were hoping for a different outcome last November. On Saturday, January 18, 2025, 10AM-3 PM EST , 7 AM-12PM PST, I will have a Zoom Writing and Creating Salon as a place to write for #haikuforpersistence2025 and #poetryforpersistence2025.
I will be honest, I am a teeny bit scared about hosting this salon. I am hoping to share some mentor poems (DM me if you have one that would be good), having writing time, and share in community if you feel moved. Also, I think I want to have a co-host to help me monitoring the Zoom room and tech (DM me if interested) I am also suggesting that you make a donation to a charity of your choice. I am seriously considering donating to Planned Parenthood. Details and sign up some. You know, in some ways this is my OLW (Expand) in action.  Kim Johnson hosted Spiritual Journey Thursday with the topic of 'Wintering". She recently finished reading Wintering: The Power of Rest and Retreat in Difficult Times by Katherine May. It is a TBR book on my imaginary pile for a while. The fabulous Carol at The Apples in My Orchard is hosting Poetry Friday. She's reflecting on caring for her father and the seasonal transitions. I researched quotes by Katherine May and found several that rang true to me: When it’s really cold, the snow makes a lovely noise underfoot, and it’s like the air is full of stars.” — Katherine May “That is wintering. It is the active acceptance of sadness. It is the practice of allowing ourselves to feel it as a need. It is the courage to stare down the worst parts of our experience and to commit to healing them the best we can.” — Katherine May “We have seasons when we flourish and seasons when the leaves fall from us, revealing our bare bones. Given time, they grow again.”— Katherine May  I also follow Christine Valters Paintner. I subscribe to daily messages. This recent one tied in so beautifully with the topic of wintering, I love all the seasons. The season I am in is my favorite. They each bring a unique rhythm. The invitation of winter invites me to begin the day by having tea and the gas fire lit. I watch as sunrise shows up. This year as part of wintering and the Christmas season, I have be participating in the "Advent Photo-of-the-Day". I am enjoying the challenge to photo something for the word of the day and creating a tiny poem for #haikuforhealing24 and #haikuforpersistence24. Below are some of the recent haiku for wintering and being in the season.
It's 28 days until the new year! Time to start thinking of sending New Year Post Cards! I've have also been thinking that this is an excellent way to incorporate the small poems that some have been writing thanks to Mary Lee Hahn and the hashtag #haikuforhealing2024 and mine #haikuforresilience2024. Send five, send ten or send to all? In Japan, it’s called Nengajo, a Japanese custom of ushering in the new year. How It Works:
Click here to join us: 2025 New Year Post Card Exchange Announcement: #haikuforpersistence2025 #poetryforpersistence2025As we begin 2025, there will be changes and challenges for us. Many of us were hoping for a different outcome last November. On Saturday, January 18, 2025, 10AM-3 PM EST , 7 AM-12PM PST, I will have a Zoom Writing and Creating Salon as a place to write for #haikuforpersistence2025 and #poetryforpersistence2025.
I will be honest, I am a teeny bit scared about hosting this salon. I am hoping to share some mentor poems (DM me if you have one that would be good), having writing time, and share in community if you feel moved. Also, I think I want to have a c0-host to help me monitoring the Zoom room and tech (DM me if interested) I am also suggesting that you make a donation to a charity of your choice. I am seriously considering donating to Planned Parenthood. Details and sign up some. You know, in some ways this is my OLW (Expand) in action.
I hope all those who celebrate had a wonderful Thanksgiving, Over the years, it's become a day to reflect on those I have in my life and give thanks.
Tanita at {fiction, instead of lies} is on hosting duties this week. I read the November challenge: Here’s the scoop: We’re taking a line or theme plucked from Jane Hirschfield’s TWO VERSIONS, a poem that appears in her collection The Asking: New and Selected Poems (scroll to the second page to see the poem). Here is where you can find the #PoetryPals poems: Tanita, Laura, Mary Lee, Liz, Sara, Tricia, and Kelly I thought cool beans, I'm in. SOMEHOW, I missed the scrolling to the second page to see the poem. Somehow, I looked up "Two Versions" by Jane Hirschfield and was led to "Poem With Two Endings". The universe is mysterious. The universe knew I needed this poem so it's the one I took a line from to participate the challenge (now for me a Jane Hirschfield challenge, not a "Two Versions" challenge Poem With Two Endings by Jane Hirschfield Say ‘death’ and the whole room freezes – even the couches stop moving, even the lamps. Like a squirrel suddenly aware it is being looked at. (click on the title for the whole poem)  Karen is third from left with walking sticks.
You see, last week, I went to the celebration of life for my co-worker of twenty plus years. She was my media assistant. She was a quiet force that saw to everyone's needs. It was fitting that her last name was Starr. It's been a sad month (on so many levels). Her service was filled with those who loved her. I've written three poems about my grief, all of them golden shovels and one from the Hirschfield poem.
It was a gift to be with my friend, Karen in her final days. We reminisced and I caught her up my life. I will miss her so much. I am so thankful that last July, we were able to get to the Norwegian Troll in SW Portland. There are several of them in the PNW. She'd only seen the one in Ballard, WA.
Here's the most recent golden shovel from Hirschfeld's "Poem with Two Endings"
Say “death” and the whole room freezes– —from “Poem with Two Endings" by Jane Hirschfield That day you called to say you were diagnosed with a brain tumor, death was not part of your vocabulary. And if I am being honest, you made the word your challenge. You strategized living whole: travel, reading, and staying strong for us. Now the room is filled with those who loved you. The air freezes– –a candle is lit, remembering you this first Thanksgiving ©jone rush macculloch, draft 2024 
An Invitation
It's 34 days until the new year! Time to start thinking of sending New Year Post Cards! I've have also been thinking that this is an excellent way to incorporate the small poems that some have been writing thanks to Mary Lee Hahn and the hashtag #haikuforhealing2024 and mine #haikuforresilience2024 (I suspect we'll need to change to 2025)
Send five, send ten or send to all? In Japan, it’s called Nengajo, a Japanese custom of ushering in the new year. How It Works:
Ruth at There is no such thing as a God-forsaken town. She has a beautiful poem for the the them of "My world, your world, our world." It was suggested by Linda Mitchell for our Spiritual Thursday Journey theme for this month.
About this time of year, I reflect on my One Little Word and start thinking about the word for the new year. I like to incorporate something about the word. This year my word has been 'expand' and it includes risk. It has been an excellent word for me. This is the postcard I sent out last year.
It's 39 days until the new year! Time to start thinking of sending New Year Post Cards! I've have also been thinking that this is an excellent way to incorporate the small poems that some have been writing thanks to Mary Lee Hahn and the hashtag #haikuforhealing2024 and mine #haikuforresilience2024 (I suspect we'll need to change to 2025) Send five, send ten or send to all? In Japan, it’s called Nengajo, a Japanese custom of ushering in the new year. How It Works:
Another possible idea for January 2025. I have been thinking a bunch about the marches through out the US on Saturday, January, 18, 2025 as well as the need for a distraction on Sunday, January 19, 2025.
I would like to offer a Zoom meeting as a safe space to write or create art . I am inclined to set it up for whatever day is better. I am thinking of 11:00 AM Eastern Standard Time (which will be 8:00 AM on the west coast and will give me time to grab a coffee). Please indicate in the comments if that is something that interests you. Art invites us to know beauty and to solicit it, summon it, from even the most tragic of circumstances. ~Toni Morrison © Graphic Design by Amber Fleek
Tabatha at The Opposite of Indifference is sharing all the poetry goodness today.
I am keeping it short. I want to share a video of our 2024 Poetry Postcards.  © Amber Fleek, Graphic
Janice at Salt City Verse has the hosting duties today. She's reflecting on the Christmas holiday and shares a haiku.
 circa, 1958 My brother, Jon and me
I was recently asked about how I decorate for the holidays. I have sections: a tabletop dedicated to two trees Mom made, a snowman table that stays up through January, the Nativity from my husband's childhood, and our little table top Christmas tree.
I put decorations up starting something in November as I feel moved. During childhood, though, it was different. We always had a real Christmas tree. However, my brother and I never saw the tree until Christmas morning. It was a gift from Santa along with the presents. Fully decorated, complete with tinsel. Shimmering and beautiful and magical. I never understood how Santa carried the presents and the trees. Fast forward to 1963, we'd moved to Simi Valley, a place where the Santa Ana winds roared a lot. The trees would be scrawny and in 1963, our tree brought unexcited visitors...flies . Yes, it hatched flies. And that was the end of real trees. The next year, 1964, began the tradition of the tree up early with a bright shiny and ALL new baubles adorning the branches. My parents threw away ALL the antique ornaments that magically appeared on Christmas Day. The only survivor of the family ornaments is the tree topper that is on my tree, Fragile and magical and a memory of childhood. 
Last Call for New Year Poetry Postcards
It's 16 days until the new year! And that means time to start thinking of sending New Year Post Cards! Our little group is at 16 and we'd love for you to join us! I will be sending out the groups by December 22, 2023.
Send five, send ten or send to all? In Japan, it’s called Nengajo, a Japanese custom of ushering in the new year.How It Works:
The Party is Here Next Week? Do You Have a Childhood of Winter or the Holidays to Share?
Patricia at Reverie has us thinking a tad bit as to what we might include in a letter to Santa. It makes me think of that wonderful song, "Grown Up Christmas List" written by David Foster and Linda Thompson.
The last stanza is so, so fitting: No more lives torn apart That wars would never start And time would heal all hearts And everyone would have a friend And right would always win And love would never end, no This is my grown up Christmas list This is my only lifelong wish This is my grown up Christmas list
Last week, I shared Amy Losak's haiku in the later HSA Members' Anthology. Today I have a back story about my haiku which actually began as this poem for Laura Shovan's 2023 February Poetry Project. Her theme was story and this poem was a response to Marilyn R. Garcia sharing a photo of a family quilt and this prompt: Today let’s think about old objects that hold stories. What is the oldest object in your home? Why do you have it? How did you get it? Do you actually use it and how? Who will get it when you have crossed the rainbow bridge and why?
Great Grandmother’s Quilt My great grandmother’s quilt hangs in my bedroom Reminding me of the generational creative bonds Each fabric piece tells a story, threads stitching the collection together My great grandmother sewed perfect circles My drawn circles aren’t as perfect but she has a message My great grandmother’s quilt hangs in my bedroom For fun, she hid spectacles as embroidery on the quilt I still haven’t found them. I keep looking. Reminding me of the generational creative bonds Which fabrics were dresses, which were aprons I do my quilting with words and papers Each fabric piece tells a story, threads stitching the collection together © 2023, Jone Rush MacCulloch When the HSA Members' Anthology put the call for haiku for the theme, elements, the quilt came to mind . It was one of five haiku I submitted. Essentially I sent in a found haiku from the above poem. (PS. It is obvious that I sort of staged this quilt photo! LOL! This quilt was made in the 1800s.There is another single quilt square hanging there) 
You Made it to the Invitation!
It's 25 days until the new year! And that means time to start thinking of sending New Year Post Cards! Our little group is at 14 and we'd love for you to join us!
Send five, send ten or send to all? In Japan, it’s called Nengajo, a Japanese custom of ushering in the new year.How It Works:
Anastasia at Small Poems is hosting us today for the first Friday of December. She's asking the question "What is Story?" and reflecting on her first acceptance letter for something she wrote.
This week my copy of Fractured Cattails, the Haiku Society of America Member Anthology arrived. The theme for the book was elements. It was a joy to see other Poetry Friday Community members, Marcie Flinchum Atkins and Robyn Hood Black share the pages with me. Also sharing the pages was Amy Losak, author of H is for Haiku and Wing Strokes Haiku. Both books feature the haiku of her mother. I reached out to Amy and asked to share her haiku. Amy's haiku is so perfect for this moment. Granted we are into a waning autumn but still prayers don't seem enough. I will share my haiku that's in the anthology next week. next week. 
Join Us, You're Invited!
It's 31 days until the new year! And that means time to start thinking of sending New Year Post Cards!
Send five, send ten or send to all? In Japan, it’s called Nengajo, a Japanese custom of ushering in the new year.How It Works:
©graphic by Amber Fleek
Ruth at There is no such thing as a God-forsaken town is hosting the Poetry Friday Community with an Ode to Taxonomy.
I have a photo haiku. The morning earlier this was spectacular. 
It's 39 days until the new year! And that means time to start thinking of sending New Year Post Cards!
Send five, send ten or send to all? In Japan, it’s called Nengajo, a Japanese custom of ushering in the new year.How It Works:
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AuthorAll photos and poems in these blog posts are copyrighted to Jone Rush MacCulloch 2006- Present. Please do not copy, reprint or reproduce without written permission from me. 
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