Every afternoon I hike to my mailbox, hopeful that I’ll find something other than bills and junkmail, and seldom is that hope realized. But during the summer poem swap, organized by Tabatha Yeatts, my mailbox is a treasure chest! My loot started with a poem of summer wishes from Mary Lee Hahn: 
I’m happy to report that all of Mary Lee’s wishes came true for me (especially fireflies. Many, many fireflies.) Mary Lee’s poem was in a frame with a magnetic back and its cool wishes have been hanging on my refrigerator.
My next treasure came from Robyn Hood Black who was inspired by a golden silk orb weaver (aka Nephila clavipes) who spun a giant web just outside her front porch:
Lowly scribe? Leaden words? I beg to differ. Robyn’s gift also included another exquisite photo of her charming spider, who I hear was recently joined by Mr. Orb Weaver and is now busily weaving spider booties in anticipation of spiderlings.
Robyn’s spider poem was followed by a gem from Linda Baie featuring both flora and fauna:
photo credit: ReinventedWheel via photopin cc
I have a weakness for merry toads and lilies in fashionable attire! And for all the charming poems that have brightened my summer. Thank you summer swappers!
I have to admit that my procrastination got the better of me this summer, and the first couple of poems that I wrote for the swap were more than a little late (in fact procrastination was the subject of my poem for Robyn.) My third swap poem was only a few days tardy, and I managed to send out the fourth one a day before the deadline. One more poem to go, and I’m pledging to send it out early! I followed Tabatha’s writing prompts for poems 2-4 which were lots of fun (and made me wonder why I didn’t tackle them sooner…) I’m looking forward to receiving two more treasures in my mailbox this summer.
For more Poetry Friday treasures, drift down to Bayou Teche where Margaret has this week’s round-up.
I didn’t participate in the swap this year, so I’m enjoying seeing the poems everyone shared and gifted to one another. “May there be fireflies” reminded me of “Here there be dragons” — mysterious and full of wonder.
Love the poems, Buffy! Thanks for sharing your treasures with us! Summer Poem Swap sounds fun 🙂
Each poem seems so perfect for you, Buffy! What a treasure! Thanks for sharing these beauties with us.
You’re right, Keri–my swappers chose their subjects well!
I love the poetry swap and am learning a great deal about presenting my poems. Thanks for sharing these.
Isn’t it interesting to see how others send their poems? So much creativity in this group!
What great fun to get all of these poetic surprises in your mailbox! I don’t know if I’d ever be brave enough to try this, but I’d love being on the receiving end!
It is fun to receive them, but also to write (once I stop procrastinating.) Tabatha’s prompts have been inspired.
You’re one lucky recipient, Buffy! A gorgeous trio that you will enjoy well beyond summer, I’m sure.
They are hanging on my wall at my desk and on my fridge–I will enjoy them for some time to come!
The Summer Poem Swap, which I am doing in earnest for the first time this summer, is indeed a reason to visit the mailbox with hope! Your round-up is a good idea–perhaps I’ll do one at the end. So much variety!
It is fun to see what others have been gifted during the swap–so much variety and creativity!
These are gifts not only to you, from Linda, Robyn & Mary Lee, but to all of us who can now enjoy them here, so thank you for sharing their visual art & their artistry in words.
As for the orb spider photo & woven words from Ms. R.H. Black, I agree with your sentiments,exactly
Brava! to everyone.
Glad you enjoyed them Jan!
Wow, every poem you received was an absolute gem. I can SO relate to your propensity for procrastination. I suffer from that affliction from time to time. Thank you for sharing your mailbox joy, Buffy! = )
They are gems, aren’t they? You are invited to my next gathering of Procrastinators Anonymous, Bridget.
I love reading the poem offerings from the Swap. These from Linda, Robyn and Mary Lee are worth a hike to the mailbox any day!
I agree-certainly worth the walk, Joyce!
You hit the jackpot to receive these three in the mail. Lovely. PS – They sure grow spiders big in South Carolina!
If I’m remembering correctly Robyn said the strands on the web were 8 feet long–big indeed!
Thanks for sharing mine, Buffy, & the others by Mary Lee and Robyn are certainly treasures! What fun this swap is!
And thank you, Linda, for letting me share it here!
I’m amazed that this is the third summer and the swap seems to be getting better and better! Thanks for sharing your gifts.
These poems asked to be shared–glad to do it, Diane!
I love the poems you were gifted with so much!! *happy sigh*
You’ve organized something wonderful, Tabatha!
This is a marvelous idea. I wish I were a poet.
I guess it would be a little more difficult to organize a YA swap…
An honor swapping with you, Buffy! And I love reading these summer treasures from Mary Lee and Linda.
Thanks for sharing.
(Early? You got one out early?!)
Happy Poetry Friday!
Wonders never cease–I did indeed get the fourth poem out on Thursday! Thanks for letting me post your poem here, Robyn.
I read your poem over at Robyn’s blog. Love it. Isn’t this one of the greatest gifts of summer. I just got my dream poem from Mary Lee this week and in a magnetic frame! I need to check the deadline for #4 because I think I may be late.
Thank you, Margaret–and thanks for hosting!