It’s PoetryFriday!
Want to know more? Click here.
This week’s round up is hosted by Jan at Bookseedstudio.
Join us!
Poetry Friday peeps know: This space is GIFT.
I am also a part of the Nevermores – a small group of five poet-writers who found one another via the Inked Voices platform (anyone looking for an incredibly rich, supportive writing community should check it out).
We have been writing weekly since 2023, taking turns to offer prompts, along with encouragement, feedback, and a safe space to experiment with words, emotions, sound, meter, and a whole lot more.
Despite our geographic separation (PA, VA, CA, and Canada!), we have grown in friendship and in craft. And as I type this, three of the four others are madly making their way across airports to come to the mountains for a writing retreat (our fifth friend –alas—cannot join us, as she is preparing for a YEAR-LONG sail from British Columbia to Mexico!).
This poem, an acrostic in the style of Robert MacFarlane, is a response to a recent prompt from Rose, inspired by reading MacFarlane’s THE LOST WORDS and THE LOST SPELLS.
NEVERMORES
Not a symbol for loss and grief, but a nudge to write poetry —circa 2023.
Every week on Saturdays, a prompt for the Muse to play…
Visible sign of invisible grace – unfolding relationships
Emotions, meter, word, rhyme –we find
Reservoir of sacred space.
Mining nature, marriage, parenthood…
Opportunities to grow (in craft, too),
Reveal what we are made of.
Edgar Allen Poe was never this blessed–
Sojourn with poetry friends.
©2025 Patricia J. Franz
So as you read this post, imagine our joy to have 4 days to share meals, hike, muse about our worlds, and write –together.
Friendship borne of poetry!
Patricia Franz writes picture books and poetry. She believes children, dogs, and sourdough have a lot to teach us about life, joy, and wonder. She has raised two boys, four dogs, and holds a master’s degree in Theology with a focus on children’s spirituality. Patricia, her husband, her Bernese Mountain dog, Bonny, and her sourdough starter split their time between the Arizona desert and the Sierra Nevada mountains. 
Wonderful! I love that you gather for retreat. And yes, the community of poets is a gift. I just listened to the Lost Spells on audible and it was fabulous. What a delight to hear the poetry read by professional actors. Definitely, an indulgence for me.
What a happy crew! Enjoy your time together!
What an incredible gift! To find bosom friends, as Anne with an E would say, is a rare treasure. Enjoy!
Hooray that you are (almost) all able to get together! The Inklings are still trying to make that happen!!
Thanks for sharing your acrostic poem, you all sound like a rich group of writing buds, what a treasure, enjoy your retreat!
This time together has been such a gift!
Beautiful! This space is indeed a gift and your Nevermores are a treasure! Enjoy the gift of your time together! ❤️
Appreciations for creating an acrostic about creativity, wonderful Patricia. You have a talented, lively & well-traveled poetry party, there. I think the sailor will check in with you when able. So relaxing yet invigorating to think of your “Nevermores.”
Patricia, “Friendship born of poetry” is such a lovely thought and its wonderful that your group minus one enjoyed their writing retreat. I love your acrostic poem and the your ability to find a “Reservoir of sacred space” with friends.
Patricia: I send many good wishes for your time together. It sounds marvelous. I love the “reservoir of sacred space.” Thanks!