Poetry Friday - Two Swaps

Last week, I was excited by the arrival of two more poetry swaps in my mailbox.  I'm beginning to like getting the mail...

Both poems today, have a very "Made in Maine" feel to them, maybe because they aren't from so very far away - one from Heidi Mordhorst (of My Juicy Little Universe) in Maryland, and the other from Diane Mayr (at Random Noodling) in New Hampshire.   I really enjoyed the images attached to these two poems, too.   They, with my recent picture taken at the beach nearby, prompted my own poem which I am posting at the end.

Here is the swap from Heidi Mordhorst, who has written an Ode.  I believe if you click on the image you will see it larger.  I've written the poem below, just in case that doesn't work.

Ode on a Grecian Yearn

                     for Donna JT Smith

Get thee behind me, Keats, thou sire

of purple-passion'd phrase and exclamation!

Who hath spoiled the joy of Poesy?

O flowery Romantic, it is thee!

My Grecian urn is plain red clay

beside the olive tree.  The day

is new and blue; the view is vast

with truth.  Only the bee is fast.

The rocks are rough; the sea is rippled smooth.

My Grecian yearn is slow and wide

and deep.  I count small steps, not strides.

Let green be silver, yellow, lime.

Let minutes tickle by in thyme.

Stone and salty water burn and soothe.

©Heidi Mordhorst

Summer Poem Swap 2015

Thank you, Heidi, for this beautiful poem.  The image is much like the views from any hilltop (or mountain, as we would call it) in Maine.

I like this ode in its whole, and many pieces in particular stand out as so meaningful to me.  But perhaps my favorite one to say is "The day is new and blue; the view is vast with truth..." because I feel that inside when I see the blue sky and land stretching before me.
But there are so many parts that ring true to me that I hate picking out just one part.
"Stone and salty water burn and soothe."  Lovely, Heidi!  Thank you for a soothing, yet invigorating poem that will be read over and over.

Diane's poem reminds me of how as a child, though I may not have had a "lobster purse", when traveling with my grandparents, they were sure to stop at "tourist traps" and get a few trinkets for me.  But my favorite things ultimately were the sparkling "mermaid glitter" reflections and collecting rocks and shells.  Postcards, back then, were also a big part of sharing summer fun with family and friends...so Diane has pretty much captured many of my snippets of memories!  And what a gorgeous image!  I love how the seagulls seem to be reflected in the waves, as well as the glittery sunlight.  Thanks, Diane!  I love it!

Hazy Day at the Beach

When the Haze Sweeps In

When the haze sweeps in,

And the waves crash low;

When the sand is wet,

And the seagulls crow,

That is my favorite

Time to be still

Sit and just listen

Ignoring the chill.

And I become one

With the sea and the shore;

Revisiting childhood

Through its reopened door.

Glistening rocks,

Shells no one owns,

Sticks worn down smooth,

Or maybe fish bones,

Treasures the haziness

Hides in her beaches -

Pleasures the mind

Once again reaches;

When roaring waves crash

 Breaking open the door,

My senses long hidden

Are bidden to fore.

by Donna JT Smith

Hope you are enjoying this beautiful Poetry Friday!  Keep enjoying by visiting the poetry roundup hosted by Heidi Mordhorst at My Juicy Little Universe.  Hey, isn't that who sent me a poem for the swap?  I believe so!