I mailed off my last poem for this summer's poetry swap hosted by Tabatha Yeatts. As hard as I try to get everything off on time, I am usually late for at least one of the swaps, generally owing to summer school and vacation plans.
This year I wrote a golden shovel, pantoum, sonnet, and two villonnets, all specific in some way to the recipients. Over the next few weeks, I hope to share those poems.
I'm going to start with the first poem I wrote. Since I knew Heidi was packing for a BIG move, I wanted her to have a bit of the Chesapeake Bay to take with her. I collaged a silly blue crab and wrote this golden shovel.
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At low tide, spider crabs patrol their kingdoms beneath the
quiet shimmer of the bay at water's edge
where oyster shells cling to pilings, patient keepers of
currents, storms, and secrets carried by the
moon-pulled water breathing in and out of the sea
Among periwinkles and ribbed mussels, there is
wonder in every crevice, every shell balanced on a
rock polished by waves into something quietly strange
yet familiar, as if the tide remembers us and
returns gifts—sea glass, feathers, jingles—each one a beautiful
story the moon and tide have written in this place
Poem ©Tricia Stohr-Hunt, 2026. All rights reserved.
I hope you'll take some time to check out all the wonderful poetic things being shared and collected today by Molly at Nix the Comfort Zone. Happy Poetry Friday all!
The tide remembers us and returns gifts! Yes! Such a lovely golden shovel poem. I have one more swap to go. Like you said, it is a wonderful gift of the summer, but a full summer has put me a little behind. Poets are so generous and forgiving, though, so I’m not worried.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful poem and clever collage you created for Heidi! I love that you've given her a piece of the Chesapeake to take along on her move. Your poem is filled with gorgeous language and imagery. I really love the idea of the tide remembering us and returning gifts.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely perfect for our Heidi. What a good poet and friend you are to give her the words of the bay to take with her. Love it.
ReplyDeleteTricia, now that the family has traveled to Long Beach, NY and Cape May, NJ I am mesmerized by your beautiful poem. "As if the tide remembers us and / returns gifts" is a truth.My little grandgirls have been thrilled to seek and keep their gifts from the ocean's gifts. I will send you my gift of words when I have the time upon my return to VA. Thanks for being patient.
ReplyDeleteTricia, so touching your personalized formal poem tributes! What bounty, and yes, what a gift! xo
ReplyDeleteBeautiful, Tricia! The poem and the collage. Also, I like the stamp you made of your initials. You've inspired me to make one myself. xo
ReplyDeleteAh, this Carson-inspired poem is pure loveliness, Tricia! And your collage is a wonder of the bay as well. What a marvelous farewell gift for Heidi!
ReplyDeleteI love that quote from Rachel Carson and your golden shovel is beautiful. "there is wonder in every crevice " to be sure.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful poem you crafted for Heidi-- a keeper to remind her of home.
ReplyDeleteThis is a beautiful Golden Shovel poem, Tricia. What a keepsake for her time near the Chesapeake. The blue crab is fabulous too, I am always envious of your ability to craft something with paper! (We used to live north of Baltimore and ate our share of Blue Crabs.)
ReplyDeleteHello collage artist & poet, Tricia! I appreciate your words connecting Tide & Tide's mother, Moon, your fetching blue crab artwork [with flippers & front claws] & your tribute to Rachel Carson, who can never be lauded enough, via the golden shovel. Extraordinary post!
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