Connie's Gift

"A Poet's Gift" you wrote three years ago -
the arc of your poetic heart to tell.
You spoke of deep emotions in the soul
invoking tears to well and hearts to swell.
You had a gift. You were a gift as well.

written 23 October 2022

// Connie Marcum Wong wrote the poem below which I have often come back to as a reminder why a poet writes. When my well runs dry, I return to these words and find my embers are stoked and a flame rekindled. Connie knew how to elevate the English language as an artist elevates a blank canvas into a work of art, and I admire her greatly for her gift. She had a gift, and in her friendship and encouragement she WAS a gift as well. Thank you, Connie. //

A Poet's Gift

A poet writes to share a secret depth 
Of feelings within their soulful breast.
They write to grasp onto immortality,
To be remembered beyond their death.

A poet shares emotions inked upon the
Page that cannot verbally be conveyed.
They dwell in a world of dreams, of dark
And light, of imagination, of metaphors,

Where heartbreak heaves and love believes.
Poets dwell where nature inspires, and
Longing desires may elevate or decimate.
They feel compelled to write day or night

From their innate state of expressiveness.
Music, dance, and art entwined, are all a part
Of creating that sonnet, free verse or rhyme
Which may capture hearts in belabored sigh,

Cause tears to well, the heart to swell, joy to
Bloom, cause lovers to swoon in blissful reverie.
Poetry...the greatest gift a poet yearns to share
With sensitivity, with their open heart laid bare.

"A Poet's Gift" written 7-23-19 by Connie Marcum Wong

"Connie's Gift" submitted to:
Short Connie Tributes - How did Connie Marcum Wong Inspire You Contest
Sponsored by: Andrea Dietrich
Copyright © | Year Posted 2022

Poem

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12
Thomas Avatar
December 19, 2022 at 3:35 PM
She was indeed gifted. Not only with her writing, but even in the form she created, which is a pleasure to write. She was a gift :) Beautiful John
Watt Avatar
December 20, 2022 at 7:44 PM
Thank you for your visit and warm words, my friend. Connie was very special, wasn't she? Enjoy your holiday season ~ John
Calasibetta Avatar
October 31, 2022 at 4:33 AM
John, your tribute to Connie is as moving as her exquisite poem. Congratulations. :)Paulette
Watt Avatar
December 20, 2022 at 7:38 PM
Thank you Paulette... I am very late with my response, but I am very grateful nonetheless. Blessings to you ~ John
Alex Avatar
October 30, 2022 at 7:00 PM
A beautiful tribute. Congratulations!
Watt Avatar
October 30, 2022 at 7:04 PM
Christuraj, thank you, my friend ~ John
George Avatar
October 28, 2022 at 5:13 AM
"You had a gift. You were a gift as well." Such an apt tribute to Connie.... ! I missed seeing this as POTD. Congratulations, dear John on your honor
Watt Avatar
October 30, 2022 at 7:04 PM
Valsa, my gratitude for your kind and thoughtful comment and congrats. Your lovely visits are always appreciated ~ John
Y. Avatar
October 27, 2022 at 7:11 AM
WoW! John, You have penned such a heartfelt and well written tribute piece to Connie. She was an amazing woman and poet. Congratulations on getting the poem of the day. It was well deserved. Have a nice day my friend:-) Alexis
Watt Avatar
October 27, 2022 at 9:06 AM
Hi Alexis, I like thinking that I'm sharing this moment with Connie. I agree with your statement that she was amazing. So talented and so kind. Enjoy your day, my friend ~ John
Rodrigues Avatar
October 26, 2022 at 8:11 PM
A wonderful tribute, John! Congratulations on POTD!
Watt Avatar
October 27, 2022 at 9:04 AM
Hi Kim, thanks for the visit and congrats. Hope you are doing well ~ John
Anaya Avatar
October 26, 2022 at 2:08 PM
Such a beautiful tribute to Connie, A belated congratulations on your poem of the day, John Watt!
Watt Avatar
October 26, 2022 at 5:01 PM
Thank you for stopping by and blessing me with your enthusiasm and appreciation, Anaya ~ John
Edmonds  Avatar
October 26, 2022 at 12:35 PM
A wonderful tribute to Connie, it’s a beautiful poem she wrote “A Poet’s Gift” Connie was indeed a gifted poetess. Congratulations on poem of the day… Belle
Watt Avatar
October 26, 2022 at 5:00 PM
I'm so glad you were able to read Connie's poem and that you enjoyed it. I appreciate your congratulations that I am happy to share with Connie, for it was her poetry that inspired my little tribute. Blessings ~ John
Cunningham Avatar
October 26, 2022 at 12:36 AM
Lovely tribute to Connie, John, belated congratulations to you on POTD. Tom
Watt Avatar
October 26, 2022 at 4:59 PM
Thank you, Tom. I hope your recent trips have been a real joy and that you are fully recovered from the exhaustion that most likely ensued. Enjoy your day ~ John
May Avatar
October 25, 2022 at 5:59 PM
Such a beautiful tribute to Connie, Congrats on POTD John
Watt Avatar
October 26, 2022 at 4:58 PM
I'm grateful for your visit and your kind words, Joseph.
Nicole Avatar
October 25, 2022 at 5:02 PM
"Poetry, the greatest gift a poet yearns to share, with their open heart laid bare." Connie is exactly right. She opened her heart to all. (Such a beautiful gift indeed, to receive.) Your words caress softly around me and my heart. This is beautiful, tender and emotional. A lovely tribute to a wonderful poetess and friend. Congratulations John, on Poem of the Day. My best to you. Hugs, Brandy
Watt Avatar
October 26, 2022 at 4:58 PM
Poetry is best when from the heart. Connie knew this well, as do you, my friend. I have learned much from both of you. Thank you for your kindness, Brandy. My best to you as well. Hugs ~ John
Faulkner Avatar
October 25, 2022 at 4:13 PM
She was indeed a gift to so many here at ps, and sharing her poem here is a beautiful ode to her talent, I am sure she is looking down and smiling, congratulations - to both of you - on potd ~
Watt Avatar
October 26, 2022 at 4:56 PM
Michelle, I dwell halfway between the gratitude for the legacy of poems and comments she left behind and the doleful realization there will be no more to come. I choose the gratitude... let's continue to enjoy reading her marvelous poems. Thank you for sharing in the celebration of Connie's legacy ~ John
Mccann Avatar
October 25, 2022 at 2:39 PM
I am too new to P.S. to be familiar with Connie's work. She sounds amazing. Thank you for bringing this poem to my attention. Also I like your English language as a blank canvas. Elizabeth
Watt Avatar
October 25, 2022 at 4:19 PM
Hi Elizabeth, so kind of you to stop by. If you (or anyone reading this) are not sure how to visit Connie's page, here is a link you can copy into your browser: https://www.poetrysoup.com/poems_poets/poems_by_poet.aspx?ID=17568 Connie left a legacy of 665 poems and I would love for people to visit her site and be inspired as I have been by her gift. You are right in saying that she was amazing. Thank you for your visit ~ John
Buhagiar Avatar
October 25, 2022 at 1:06 PM
Well done on your POTD. I loved both of your poems.
Watt Avatar
October 25, 2022 at 4:15 PM
Hello Victor. I can only take credit for the shorter of the two, but I am grateful to see so many have been able to read Connie's inspired (and inspiring) free verse. Poetry was obviously very important to Connie, and her passion was very evident in this write. Thank you for your kind visit ~ John
Poet Avatar
October 25, 2022 at 12:27 PM
Congratulations on your Amply deserved POTD, John. Your tribute for Connie RIP is just wonderful. Enjoy this honor
Watt Avatar
October 25, 2022 at 4:13 PM
Lasaad, thank you for taking time to read and respond today. Your message is encouraging and a blessing. I hope you have a wonderful day ~ John
Roper Avatar
October 25, 2022 at 12:12 PM
Congratulations on POTD, beautiful tribute . Many blessings friend
Watt Avatar
October 25, 2022 at 3:59 PM
Thank you for your blessings and congrats, my friend. You are very kind to stop by and bless me with your words. Hugs ~ John
Messina Avatar
October 25, 2022 at 12:04 PM
Beautifully written about our dear Connie, John. She is truly missed. Congratulations on POTD so well deserved. PS: thank you also for sharing that wonderful poem written by her. All the best...Charlie
Watt Avatar
October 25, 2022 at 3:58 PM
Hi Charlie, I'm pleased that today's spotlight has allowed some people to read Connie's poem who might not have otherwise had a chance to, including some who were not on the site back in 2019. Thank you for always being such a supportive friend, I agree; she is truly missed ~ John
Slaughter Avatar
October 25, 2022 at 11:34 AM
John, both your piece and Connie's are excellent choices for POTD. And I can certainly understand why you get such comfort and inspiration from hers. BOL in the contest.
Watt Avatar
October 25, 2022 at 3:54 PM
Thank you, Jim. I gladly share the spotlight today with our dear friend Connie. She was a talented poet and a true friend ~ John
Ray Choudhury Avatar
October 25, 2022 at 8:49 AM
Congratulations on your POTD, John. How thoughtful of you to write this beautiful tribute to Connie, our friend, and an enchanting Poetess. You are very right - She was a gift herself - to the world, to the people who knew her! I came to know her only for last three years after I joined this site - but she was unbelievably kind and supportive to me, and I know, to many others. Thanks, John. Warm wishes, Dear Friend ~ Mala
Watt Avatar
October 25, 2022 at 3:51 PM
Thank you, my friend. All you have said about Connie is true. Her ability to encourage fellow poets was matched by her great talent for composing beautiful poetry about myriad subjects in many poetic forms. I appreciate you adding your message of remembrance to this collection today. I hope her family is able to view the many tributes written on her behalf and the outpouring of appreciation for her gifts ~ John
Baker Avatar
October 25, 2022 at 8:19 AM
Congratulations on your POTD, John. Enjoy your day of honor. Thank you for the lovely short tribute to Connie, John. Thank you also for sharing her poem, A Poet's Gift. Tomorrow is my 1 year anniversary of posting my first poem on PoetrySoup, so I wasn't here when she wrote it in 2019. It was a inspiring poem and mean alot to me. Have a nlessed day my friend, Bill
Watt Avatar
October 25, 2022 at 3:47 PM
First of all, congrats on your one-year anniversary at Poetry Soup, Bill. Second, thank you for your kind message. Connie left behind a legacy of 665 posted poems and countless messages of encouragement and support. I'm glad you her poem inspiring, as did I. Your presence and friendship are appreciated ~ John
Wolf Avatar
October 25, 2022 at 8:13 AM
Beautiful tribute to Connie. Congrats on POTD, John!
Watt Avatar
October 25, 2022 at 3:44 PM
Thank you, my friend. You are too kind ~ John
Hankins Avatar
October 25, 2022 at 7:54 AM
Congratulations for this wonderful tribute to Connie which has been named P.O.T.D.!
Watt Avatar
October 25, 2022 at 3:43 PM
Thank you, Milt. I'm still struggling to accept that she isn't around anymore. I'm grateful for your kind words ~ John
Doll Avatar
October 25, 2022 at 7:22 AM
John, brilliant tribute to Connie using her words. Congratulations on POYD. Connie is greatly missed~ Warren
Watt Avatar
October 25, 2022 at 3:42 PM
Hi Warren, I couldn't agree more about how Connie is greatly missed. She left quite a legacy of poetry and was a friend and an influence to many ~ John
Fowler Avatar
October 25, 2022 at 7:13 AM
Lovely and loving John. So very well done. Congratulations on your honor of POTD.
Watt Avatar
October 25, 2022 at 3:41 PM
Thank you, Linda. I hope Connie's family has a chance to see how loved she was here, and what an influence and impact she had on many people. I appreciate your kind comment ~ John
La France Avatar
October 25, 2022 at 7:08 AM
John, such a beautiful tribute to Connie, she truly was a special person and wonderful writer, and congratulations on your POEM OF THE DAY honor, blessings
Watt Avatar
October 25, 2022 at 3:39 PM
Thank you very much, Constance. You are right about Connie, and she is already dearly missed here at Poetry Soup. I appreciate you and your kindness ~ John
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