The days have a chill now and the countdown to Christmas is more real than ever. As dusk brings down its shades, timed lights illuminate the new house. The smell of cookies waft out from the kitchen where memories of Christmases past arise. Holiday joy is tucked into each nook, waiting for a special arrival of my granddaughters. Will there be a surprise on their face when they walk in the door?
The topic of granddaughters is often in my thoughts. My artist-poet friend Michelle Kogan picked up on my love of being a grandma and sent me a grand surprise through the mail, my first ever winter poem swap. Imagine my surprise to find an original Kogan watercolor pen ad ink art inside the envelope. Not only is the drawing beautiful but there is a golden shovel poem she created from a poem on my website. She even included instructions for the framer if the print is framed.
two
girls
and
a
book
sweetly
cuddled
together
grandma
pride
Michelle's note was included inside one of her cards, Reindeer, watercolor and watercolor pencil from her Etsy collection. Below you will find other floral and bird handcreated note cards and a a couple of bookmarks. I could look at these beautiful drawings again and again.
I swooned over the delightful rabbit cards, one for Valentines Day and the other one with a poem for allergy season.
itch twitch tickle
teasing breezes bring sneezes
over me and
you
In gratitude for Michelle Kogan's gorgeous, colorful, authentic artwork and persistence to meet the Poem Swap deadline, I penned the following poem:
within the heart of a poet, lays the beauty of silent words
waiting to reveal sweetened messages of inspired thought
as simple and pure as moonbeams in an indigo sky
©CV, 2021
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Michelle and I planned to showcase each other's Winter Poem Swap offerings at Poetry Friday today. Click here to view what Michelle said about what I sent her. We were determined amidst our busy schedules to meet the deadline as close as possible.
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The Winter Poem Swap was inspired by poet friend, Tabatha Yeatts, and scheduled this season by my author-poet friend, Laura Shovan. I am grateful to have such a wonderful poem partner to start off my experience in the Winter Poem Swap.
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I unveiled the final edition to the Bedecked In Autumn Gallery of Artistic Expressions this week. You can find another piece of Michelle's artwork featured in the gallery here. Please stop to see the majesty of autumn.
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Thank you to author-poet Buffy Silverman for hosting Poetry Friday on Christmas Eve.
I wish everyone a joyous and blessed holiday season!
So happy you are enjoying the poems and art Carol, and what a festive and lovely display you created with all! Your gratitude poem has filled me up inside, especially this line, "simple and pure as moonbeams in an indigo sky" what a gorgeous and inspiring vision, lovely–and your closing Autumn gallery too, many thanks! Wishing you and your family a deliciously Merry Christmas! xox
ReplyDeleteMichelle, life is grand when you have others to share happiness with. I found great joy in your winter swap that you sent me. I cannot wait to show my little ones the beautiful print and poem dedicated to their journey through life. May we continue to be poet partners in our quest for beauty in this world. Many happy wishes for a bright and joyous 2022.
DeleteWhat a beautiful, beautiful match...your work and Michelle's. I love the Granddaughter poem and painting. And such a lovely collection of fine art cards. I can imagine collaborations between the two of you...no pressure!
ReplyDeleteI would love to collaborate with Michelle and many other poet friends during the 2022 year, Linda. May your next chapter of the Hamish saga bring you to success. Happy Holidays.
DeleteWhat a beautiful collection of art and poetry Michelle gifted you with!
ReplyDeleteYes, Mary Lee. It is a most generous gift beyond her amazing poem. Merry Christmas!
DeleteWow--what a perfect winter swap poem from Michelle. I love that she used your poem and your love of your granddaughters to inspire her gift. And so many delightful cards, too. Wishing you and your family a joyful Christmas.
ReplyDeleteBuffy, I feel blessed to have Michelle as my = partner, especially since this is my first Winter Poem Swap. I just came back from Christmas Eve at my daughter's house. It was wonderful to be with family this year. Have a wonderful New Year.
DeleteBeautiful beautiful gifts!!! Thanks for sharing, and many blessings for Christmas with grands! I also love "pure moonbeams in an indigo sky."
ReplyDeleteKaren,I just read your blog. Enjoy your quiet Christmas.I am waiting at my daughter's for my husband's COVID home test. It's hard to believe that we have to test before greeting the whole family. Thanks for dropping by.
DeleteSuch beautiful gifts! You are truly fortunate to have two little granddaughters! I love the cards and the golden shovel poem so perfect for you. Merry Christmas!
ReplyDeleteI am so excited that Christmas is here and I can be with the grandgirls. My 4-year-old is so happy that she sent her first letter to Santa. I probably will write about the Christmas experience.
DeleteMichelle's gifts of art are always so special, but I am loving the image of your grandgirls in an imagination ship transformed by poetry. What a wonderful celebration of you!
ReplyDeleteMargaret, I spent a lovely Christmas Eve and Christmas Day Dinner with the family and the grandgirls despite their colds. I passed around Michelle's print for everyone to see yesterday. As a grandmother you know much we love the little ones. We are heading to my daughter's house now to eat the leftovers from yesterday's huge dinner at my house. It feels so good to be able to celebrate life together again. Have a wonderful week celebrating.
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