Alice Schertle - Triolets That Trouble My Sleep

         Triolets
That Trouble My Sleep
             by
    Alice Schertle

Does a tree make a sound
if there’s nobody there
when it falls to the ground?
Does a tree make a sound?
The question’s profound—
but why do I care
if a tree makes a sound
when there’s nobody there?

Was it the chicken
or egg that came first?
I feel my pulse quicken—
was it the chicken?
Now I am stricken
with doubt. I am cursed!
Was it the chicken
or egg that came first?

I ponder each riddle
that troubles my sleep.
Thumbs all a-twiddle
I ponder each riddle
ensnared in the middle
of “timber!” and “peep!”
I ponder each riddle
that troubles my sleep.

© 2010 Alice Schertle. All rights reserved.

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Alice Schertle "pens poetry anointed with magic," says Rebecca Kai Dotlich. To which I reply, "Yes! What she said!" For me, a lot of that magic comes from her ability to make me look at things from a different (often quirky) angle. Take the above poem - I laugh at the ideas, relish the phrasing, connect with the emotion of the "I" in the poem, wonder why we ever ask those question... and totally forget that I'm reading a triolet (a form that stymies me time and again). All that in 24 short lines!

If you haven't already had the pleasure, you should find one of Alice's books and read it aloud. If you can gather up some kids to listen to you, that's great, but even if you can't, you should give it a go. I'm particularly fond of Very Hairy Bear (illustrated by Matt Phelan), but you can grab anything she's done and you'll have a blast. Is it magic or simply incredible talent? You be the judge, because either way, I'm thrilled to have Alice Schertle leading off the 2010 edition of 30 Poets/30 Days.

Coming up tomorrow, Bear Path by Joseph Bruchac as we continue on into April. For more on 30 Poets/30 Days and ways to follow along, please click here.