Friday, May 9, 2025

Poetry Friday: Leafy Landmarks

As a confirmed tree lover, I couldn't resist this title from the 2025 Notable Poetry Books and Verse Novels list.

My local library did not have Leafy Landmarks: Travels with Trees (yet), but I checked my King County account and discovered an eBook I could check out. It was a delight to read each poem in the book, a lovely paean to fourteen historic trees in the continental United States. Michelle Schaub uses a variety of poetic forms to introduce us to the trees and illustrator Anne Lambelet's luscious illustrations accompany us along our armchair arboreal journey. Interesting facts accompany each poem providing background history, nature, and geography for each of the trees. The final poem in the book "My Landmark Tree" will have you looking for a favorite tree in your community. The author's note encourages readers to be tree champions and take a tree road trip. 

I've frequently picked favorite trees in my communities. Here's my current favorite, located just down the street at the cemetery. I was afraid that it might be dead this spring. All the trees around it had already bloomed and leafed out, but it was just a bit later which makes me appreciate it even more.  

Fall 2024

Winter 2025

 
Spring 2025

 
Sarah Grace Tuttle is hosting Poetry Friday Roundup today. 
Be sure to stop by and read her Poetry Month project,  
What May Not Be Erased: A Chapbook of Protest Poetry.

9 comments:

  1. oooooh, I have meant to pick up this book. Thanks for the reminder. What a gorgeous tree in your photos!

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  2. Leafy Landmark's cover is so inviting! I want to dive into that scene. :)

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  3. I definitely need to read this book! I have, in fact, plotted out a dream toad trip based on seeing incredible trees. One day! Thank you for sharing about your beloved tree- what a neat collection of photos. Happy Poetry Friday!

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  4. Ever since I round Doug Florian's Tree tribute picture book POETREES, I've wanted to wrap my limbs around tree books. Appreciations for sharing this title & for the scenic four seasons of your current community champion, Ramona.

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  5. Leafy Landmarks is a wonderful book! Thanks for sharing it here.

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  6. I have lots of favorite trees around here -- yellow magnolias, giant ginkgos, a certain sycamore...they are friends and neighbors!

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  7. I need to check out this book. Thank you! I have several favorite trees and ideas for books on more than one!

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  8. I want to join the confirmed tree lovers club! I'm on the trail of this book already - - gonna seek it out!

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  9. Ramona, thanks for the introduction to a new nature book. Your love for trees makes you a confirmed tree lover, Virginia has so many trees to explore. My daughter has 60 t-a-l-l trees on her property with beautiful areas for the children to enjoy. I should write a poem about that ... I hope your Mother's Day was filled with joy.

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