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A Note from Near the Koi Pond

By L.L. Barkat 10 Comments

TSP Supporters Thank You Letter koi pond jpeg

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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L.L. Barkat
L.L. Barkat
L.L. Barkat is the Managing Editor of Tweetspeak Poetry and the author of six books for grown-ups and four for children, including the popular 'Rumors of Water: Thoughts on Creativity & Writing.' Her poetry has appeared on the BBC and at NPR, VQR, and The Best American Poetry.
L.L. Barkat
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Filed Under: Letter from the Editor, Tweetspeak Tugboats

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About L.L. Barkat

L.L. Barkat is the Managing Editor of Tweetspeak Poetry and the author of six books for grown-ups and four for children, including the popular 'Rumors of Water: Thoughts on Creativity & Writing.' Her poetry has appeared on the BBC and at NPR, VQR, and The Best American Poetry.

Comments

  1. Maureen Doallas says

    June 14, 2014 at 4:56 pm

    What a lovely thank you!

    Reply
  2. L. L. Barkat says

    June 14, 2014 at 5:32 pm

    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 🙂

    Reply
  3. Richard Maxson says

    June 15, 2014 at 9:20 am

    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! 🙂

    Reply
    • L.L. Barkat says

      June 16, 2014 at 8:18 pm

      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 🙂 )

      Reply
  4. Elizabeth W. Marshall says

    June 16, 2014 at 8:10 am

    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.

    Reply
    • L.L. Barkat says

      June 16, 2014 at 8:38 pm

      Thank you, Elizabeth. You’re making me smile 🙂

      Reply
  5. Laura Brown says

    June 16, 2014 at 10:12 am

    This reminds me of Tania Runyan’s poem “The Goldfish Pond.”

    http://arts.gov/writers-corner/bio/tania-runyan

    Reply
    • L.L. Barkat says

      June 16, 2014 at 8:39 pm

      But maybe without the immobile fish? 😉

      Reply
  6. Jody Lee Collins says

    June 16, 2014 at 8:28 pm

    I echo Elizabeth’s thoughts. So grateful to be included here in the peace and beauty.

    Reply
    • L.L. Barkat says

      June 16, 2014 at 8:40 pm

      A cup of tea, then, Jody. Let’s sip by the koi pond 🙂 Today, we might want to make it iced.

      Reply

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