Love Letter

If I sit quietly, and go back to my living room in Des Moines—to the red velvet club chairs, black couch and homemade stereo cabinet, I can still hear the music that played like a score through my childhood,—Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass's "A Taste of Honey," Andy Williams's "Hawaiian Wedding Song," and numerous Firestone Christmas albums that were the score to my young life.

Our living room in Iowa was always filled with music.

The notes curled through the living room where my dad kicked back after a long day on the road, enjoying his evening martini. Then flowed past the harvest-gold stove, where my mother, in her apron, poked at the pot roast with a carving fork to see if it was tender. I can even smell the fresh prune spice cake that just came out of the oven.

But the song I remember dancing around the house to and singing at the top of my lungs, was Burt Bachrach's "What the World Needs Now" sung by Dionne Warwick. Its message so perfect for today.

The theme of love and a broken world inspired me, not long ago, to write my poem "Love Letter," which was recently published in Little Thought's Press' anthology, "Better Together."

I am so pleased to share my poem with you this morning. If life and the world are feeling heavy to you this Holiday, as they are for me, I hope you will look for the moments of love all around you—from family, neighbors, even strangers. Love is here, we just need to choose to see it, to be it...more.

Merry Christmas to all! Happy Poetry Friday.

Thanks to Linda Mitchell at A Word Edgewise for hosting this week. Her December Mash-Up '26 poem is very clever. This link will take you to that poem and more lovely poetry in the comments of her blog.

Guess Where I Found a Poem?

To me, the enjoyable thing about writing is seeing what words, experiences, images or sounds will send a poem my way each day. It seems the more I find them, the more they show up.

Like many of you I was making a pot of homemade Turkey soup the other day and pulled out a bag of baby carrots, and to my delight, this sweet little pair of "carrot pants" fell out.

"Look," I said to my husband... there's a poem here." He just laughed.

I guess he is getting used to this now."

This morning, after some research and creative thinking, this poem was born.

This week has been so much fun...

...digging in my files for poems to submit to the new I & C Construction Anthology (curated by Irene Latham and Charles Waters) that is in the works. It is an amazing opportunity, and my fingers are crossed for my three poems and those of my talented poet friends.

My copies of "Better Together are on their way.

I can't wait to see my poem, "Love Letter," in print to share it with you!

You can purchase your copies here! It would make a great stocking stuffer for kids. Poetry is a wonderful way to encourage your child to read.

Thank you to the amazing poet, Irene Latham, for hosting this week. Please stop by her BLOG to see the lovely poems about birds and appreciating the simple things in life. Her website is chock-full of lovely, poetic information and inspiration. Have a wonderful weekend, everyone.

A Red Flash of You

The dishes are sloshing in the dishwasher. The tablecloth, with bright colored evidence of our gathering, waits to be put in the dryer. And I have been enjoying walking through my house, seeing memories of grandchildren, laughter, and delicious food around every corner. I hope your Thanksgiving was as lovely as ours.

The inspiration for my poem today.

Today is Poetry Friday, and I was lucky enough to have a poem land on the branch outside my window this morning. I did what a poem always requests of you: I sat down and spent some time with it.

Like many of you, these Holidays bring a tinge of sadness for the empty seat at our table.

My beautiful Mom and I. I miss her so much...

This poem tries to put this into words. If you are missing someone this week, know you are not alone. Sending you BIG hugs...

To leave you with a smile, here is a short clip from yesterday of my grandson, who spurred a spontaneous rendition of "This Little Light of Mine." What joy!

You can catch the other lovely poems at our host's blog, in addition to a fascinating look at Poet Suzy Levinson's new book, "DINOS THAT DRIVE." There is a lot that goes into a poetry collection. I am definitely finding that out as I have three in progress!!

Thank you Buffy for hosting today! https://buffysilverman.com/blog/