Full text of letter:
This past week, our Every Day Poems editor, Monica Sharman, found a beautiful poem about a koi pond. I said, yes, I’d take it for publication. It was lovely.
Along the way, Monica told me she loves koi ponds.
I can’t remember the first time I ever saw one, but my own daughter always loved them too. I told Monica that someday, if we ever meet in person, I would like to go to a koi pond with her.
A few years back, I bought a gorgeous thread picture of koi, from Maureen Doallas. It was for my daughter, who says that we love the art that means something to us. I might have to take Maureen and my daughter with us, when Monica and I go to the koi pond someday.
This morning I was reading a book that came up when LW Lindquist wrote about why Glynn Young’s Poetry at Work is going to be a gift for clients this year. The referenced book is called Fish! It’s kind of a “find your enthusiasm at work” book. And it has a goldfish on the cover.
The goldfish somehow drifted into my thoughts about the koi pond and my promise to Monica. Then, for reasons I can’t put my finger on, the goldfish found its way to my thoughts of you.
Somehow, I felt like all of us have made a koi pond we are peering into. Some put in the fish and some the water lilies. Some planted the reeds and some dropped in beautiful pebbles. And, altogether, if I could paint it, it would be a picture I might give to my daughter, because it means something very dear to me.
This got me wanting to thank all of you who have supported Tweetspeak this past year. You’ve given according to your means, and with your love, and for our mutual dreams.
Thank you. For the koi pond. Let’s sit by it a while, and create more memories.
Love,
L.L. Barkat, of Tweetspeak Poetry
Thank you to Andrew Anker, Lane M Arnold, Grace M Brodhurst-Davis, Laura Brown, Claire Burge, Jody Collins, Wm A Connolly, Charity Singleton Craig, Maureen Doallas, Leah Downs, Donna Falcone, Karin Fendick, Nancy Franson, Marjorie Maddox Hafer, Sonia Joie, Sandra Heska King, Ann Kroeker, Dolly Lee, Jennifer Dukes Lee, Lexanne M. Leonard, LW Lindquist, Elizabeth Marshall, Richard Maxson, Nance, Michelle Ortega, Nathan Ouderkirk, Anne M. Doe Overstreet, Tania Runyan, Darrelyn Saloom, Sandra Savage, Monica Sharman, Diana R Trautwein, Lesley M Tyson, Anna Westendorf, Megan Willome, Glynn Young
All photos Creative Commons, via Flickr: Eden Janine & Jim, Martina Rathgens, Peggy 2012 Creative.
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Maureen Doallas says
What a lovely thank you!
L. L. Barkat says
Thanks, Maureen. I was sitting on the back porch enjoying the cool breeze and morning sun, and then suddenly I was at the koi pond with all of you 🙂
Richard Maxson says
Like a koi pond Tweetspeak Poetry is a respite for those who love to read and write poetry. There are thoughtful, gentle people here. It is a reservoir of grace in the full sense of the word. Places such as this, koi ponds and Tweetspeak, do not just appear without effort. So, thank you back at ya! 🙂
L.L. Barkat says
Richard, this made my day. That’s exactly the kind of place we’d want to create (with a good dose of fun mixed in as well 🙂 )
Elizabeth W. Marshall says
Laura, thank you for modeling the sacred art of gratitude. For building community with your gentle spirit and for never forgetting the smallest of details that make life grand – art, fun, love, faith, friendship, creativity and whimsy. Like the ombre shades of orange in the fish at the koi pond, you offer artful shades beauty.
L.L. Barkat says
Thank you, Elizabeth. You’re making me smile 🙂
Laura Brown says
This reminds me of Tania Runyan’s poem “The Goldfish Pond.”
http://arts.gov/writers-corner/bio/tania-runyan
L.L. Barkat says
But maybe without the immobile fish? 😉
Jody Lee Collins says
I echo Elizabeth’s thoughts. So grateful to be included here in the peace and beauty.
L.L. Barkat says
A cup of tea, then, Jody. Let’s sip by the koi pond 🙂 Today, we might want to make it iced.