Two weeks ago, the mailman brought me a wonderful surprise–the January issue of Spider Magazine with a poem of mine! The poem was accepted several years ago (2007!) and I did not know it had been scheduled for publication. The January issue is the 20th anniversary of Spider Magazine, and it’s nice to be part of Spider’s birthday celebration (and to have Kristina Swarner’s terrific illustration accompany my poem.)
This poem was one of the best gifts my husband has given me. He was looking out our upstairs window at the snow-covered yard and noticed that the long dark shadows of the trees on the moonlit snow looked like spider webs. I grabbed a piece of paper and wrote this poem:
Looking for more poetry to keep you warm this winter? Head over to I Think in Poems where Betsy is hosting Poetry Friday!
And if you’re looking for some inspiration for the new year, consider participating in Shannon Abercrombie’s “Start The Year Off Write” challenge. I’ve signed up, and think it will be a good way to rev up the writing motor.
Congratulations, Buffy! Beautiful combination of poem and illustration. (I sold two articles to Highlights over ten years ago… still waiting.)
Thanks Laura. Alas I’m with you in the Highlights queue for a poem that I sold about 10 years ago too.
Lovely words, awesome connection.
Thanks Ruth–glad you like the poem.
I love it when the mailman brings this kind of surprise! Fabulous poem, Buffy! I’m glad it made its way into reader’s hands. Happy New Year!
Thanks Bridget–and a happy new year to you, too!
What a lovely way to begin the new year! Congrats and since you and Michelle are both up for the poetry challenge, I’m joining you!
It is definitely a good way to start the year. And I’m about to start the writing challenge now!
Lovely poem, Buffy. I have not thought of icy, snowy trees as spider webs before. A beautiful image in words and the illustration captures it clearly. Congratulations. P stands for poetry, poets, poems and I guess we need to add publishing patience!
It’s amazing how much the branches look like a web on the snow–and this illustration captures that (as well as the moon!)
Beautiful, Buffy! I guess patience (and forgetting) is a virtue for writers 🙂
Thanks, Tabatha. Sometimes it is good to forget and then be pleasantly surprised!
Buffy, it’s beautifully done. I love serendipitous stories. Your husband really did you a big favor! Congratulations on the publication and the gorgeous illustration that shows your idea so well. I love shadows on snow, have a pic as my heading of it & it does sort of look like webs. I never noticed before!
Thanks Linda–those shadows are particularly web-like in our tree filled yard.
We were both thinking of the moon this week, Buffy. Congratulations on the publication (and I agree, poem and illustration are perfectly matched!)
It does seem to be a winter moon week on Poetry Friday!
Congratulations! Your words are matched beautifully with the illustrations!
Thanks Mary Lee–it is a terrific illustration.
Wow, this is gorgeous, Buffy. A nice fit to the beautiful illustration, too. Well worth the wait, I think! Congratulations! (And, way to go, hubby!)
Thanks Liana–it was a nice gift of inspiration!
Congratulations! Beautiful poem and illustration! I had to smile when I read how long it took to see this poem in print. I had done accepted about two years ago, so I guess it will take a while before it gets published! : )
I hate to tell you that this is not the longest time I’ve waited for the Cricket group…but maybe your wait will be shorter.
Th thing I love about poetry is that it allows you to experience the world in new and unexpected ways. I shall be looking for snowy spider webs thanks to your lovely poem.
Thanks Tara–if you look on a snowy night with a full moon, you’ll be sure to find those giant webs!
Gorgeous! And what a nice surprise… Happy New Year’s hugs to you. S.
Thanks Shutta-it was a nice surprise. And hugs back to you!
I love your spidery moonlight poem. Congratulations, what a nice new year surprise!
Thank you Betsy–and thanks for hosting today!
A hauntingly beautiful poem, Buffy! Your words and imagery capture the beauty of the season so concisely and elegantly. I’m so glad you were delivered this very special treat. Kudos to you!
Thanks for the kind words, Michelle–I appreciate it!
Beautiful! I’m glad Spider finally published it.
You and me both, Ann (I’m still waiting on another one accepted at the same time–maybe this year?)