From Washington State to Central Park Magnolias: Love
Last week, we hosted an event for our Team and our fans, in NYC.
Darlene wanted to come along. But the distance was great, and time didn’t allow, and maybe other things were thrown into the mix too. The long and short of it is that Darlene stayed in Washington, while we walked on Madison Avenue.
This was almost too much to bear, because Darlene has formed herself a case of Tweetspeak Love.
We like to think that such cases arise because of the great love we share here—the care we take to welcome people, but also to help them explore their hearts and souls and the measure of their power with words. We try to be that “middle place” for poetry and writing: an expert place that says ‘come’ but also gently says ‘grow.’
Back to the long and short of it now. Darlene sent a beautiful box of love to mirror her case of Tweetspeak Love. The box got stuck in New Jersey (which must have been needing extra love that week) and, like I said, it might seem we walked Madison Avenue without Darlene and without the wonderful love she’d sent along. See here, what was in the box that sat it out in the Garden State:
So the box stayed in New Jersey, packed with all this hope. And it waited. And maybe the box of love thought it missed what it had set out to do.
Ah, but it just so happened that another Tweetspeak fan named Michelle came to Madison Avenue in a pair of cowboy (cowgirl?) boots.
How could she know. Via the boots, she’d brought Darlene. The boots are a trademark we know Darlene by, and if you look closely at the wooden doll picture above, you’ll catch a glimpse of the tops of carefully-painted boots that were meant to come along with us, but instead cavorted with delayed packages in some postal holding center.
Never mind. In the end, as it goes, we brought Darlene along to the Shakespeare Garden and the Belvedere Castle in Central Park. A vicarious boot trip, compliments of Michelle. Love finds its ways.
Now, we know this is a tribute to Darlene’s Tweetspeak Love, but we must add this about another fan who had wanted to join us: Marcy. Marcy sent a simple request that we please go to tea at Alice’s Teacup for her, because if she’d come to NYC, that is where she would have wanted to go. So we went. If love finds its ways, one of the best is through a cup of tea.
Of course, as we sat in the tea place with our Team, we had to read poetry. Donna read from Haiku in English: The First Hundred Years. I read Symborska and Tranströmer. A few nights later, there were other fans, other readings by those we love, such as Maureen Doallas.
And it all started here. With love and poetry. And maybe tea.
Photos of Central Park, Shakespeare Garden, Etc, by L.L. Barkat. Used with permission.
Maureen Doallas says
The photos turned out so well. Love the one of the magnolias. I’ll have to stop in at Alice’s on my next visit North.
Loved reading with three of the best poets on the East Coast!
L. L. Barkat says
Caution on Alice’s Tea… we discovered when we got there: Cash Only. Oh my 🙂
But it was fun and yummy. And we read poetry.
I love that magnolia picture. I think people don’t imagine such in NYC. Such beauty.
SimplyDarlene says
Land sakes! I’m all degrees of crying, laughing, and embarrassed (have you ever seen such atrocious penmanship as mine?).
This, this IS what you TSP folks do with such grace, strength, and encouragement… “to help them explore their hearts and souls and the measure of their power with words. We try to be that ‘middle place’ for poetry and writing: an expert place that says ‘come’ but also gently says ‘grow.’”
It’s good to see some kickers in NYC. Thanks miss Michelle for letting me walk the walk through you! 😉
Love you folks to the moon and back.
L. L. Barkat says
Aw. We certainly didn’t want to embarrass you. And, as for the penmanship, I rather like it.
The package was so fun. I am going to really enjoy the black olives too. And I’m about to try one of those teas.
Glad you’ve chosen to come and grow with us, Darlene. We can cry and laugh together 🙂
Katie says
Darlene,
SO love what you said here:
“This, this IS what you TSP folks do with such grace, strength, and encouragement…”to help them explore their hearts and souls and the measure of their power with words. We try to be that ‘middle place’ for poetry: an expert place that says ‘come’, but also gently says ‘grow’.”
Precisely what I’ve experienced at TSP! 🙂
Gratefully,
Katie
michelle ortega says
It was an honor, Miss Darlene! And a great day to walk and talk and get to know you TSPeeps up close and in person! Looking forward to many more poetic encounters in the future, both virtually and in real time. <3
michelle ortega says
And, by the way, Marcy…From your post I learned of Alice’s Tea cup and spent a delightful early April afternoon there with my daughter! Cheers!
Donna says
Ah. Love. 😉
I need a tissue.
Patricia @ Pollywog Creek says
I just love this – that’s all.
Jody Lee Collins says
That is the most wonderful story….I loved the photos, too. A vicarious trip indeed (did I see a shot of Bryant Park?)
Lovely!
Darlene, you are the best.
L.L. Barkat says
All the park photos are Central Park. I love walking through that tree-lined section. Magical.
Elizabeth W. Marshall says
This is quintessential TSPoetry. It captures the whimsy and love, the encouragement and fellowship PERFECTLY> I just can’t get enough of the backstory. But then I am a backstory girl. Love the over the top creativity and surprises that always erupt over here.
Katie says
Couldn’t agree more with your comment Elizabeth:
“This is quintessential TSPoetry. It captures the whimsy and love, the encouragement and fellowship perfectly.” 🙂
Sandra Heska King says
This is just so good. So good. So, so good.
Marcy says
I feel like the child who got the best gift ever at the age of 63. Can’t believe you guys actually went there, I’m so happy! Loved all the pictures, thought about each and everyone of you. Darlene, you are one sweet gal to send that box of loves. You know if I went the boots would have come out too. Blessed, I just feel blessed to be remembered by such nice people in my life. Thank you. Marcy
Donna says
Marcy, what a special place. It’s easy to see why it has your heart. I want to take my tea loving family there next time we are in NY. Sparrow’s Soul was my tea, and it was so light and nice. What’s your favorite there?
Marcy says
Oh, sweet Donna I’ve never been, just heard about it so I sent my friends. Wanted to come and meet you all but I can’t walk very far at all. Psoriatic Arthritis is a painful disease, it’s even located in my little feet. They cut off my big toe and it’s held on with bolts and screws and I order special shoes. So I can’t even walk the Target Store close to me. I wouldn’t dare ask anyone to move me around in a wheelchair. Someday, yes, someday, I hope to meet all of you walking down the street. My Lov’s Marcy
Donna says
🙂 Wouldn’t that be great? I’m so glad you gave us a heads up about the place. Thank you.
Linda says
That Darlene. She does such caring, lovely things. She’s a special lady indeed.
Great post and pictures!