30 Poets/Day 9 - Joyce Sidman and Alan Katz

I love how varied poetry can be, and today Joyce Sidman and Alan Katz give us great examples of the contrasting possibilities. From lyrical pantoum's to ch-ch-ch-chuckles and charm, poetry just makes me so darn happy. Which kinda explains the whole 30 Poets/30 Days thing!

Spring is the Time
(a pantoum)
by
Joyce Sidman

Spring is the time for eggs:
soft air and sprigs of green.
Bright lemon sun,
wet nights singing.

Soft air and sprigs of green,
Snug nests and puddles.
Wet nights singing,
feathery days.

Snug nests and puddles--
new life, new hope.
Feathery days,
yellow as yolk.

New life, new hope!
Bright lemon sun,
yellow as yolk.
Spring is the time for eggs.

©2009 Joyce Sidman. All rights reserved.
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Ch-ch-ch-check, Please
by
Alan Katz

I only eat foods that begin with “c-h,”
like chicken and churros and chili.
If you're cooking dinner and there's no “c-h,”
then trying to feed me is silly.

Today I had chocolate and chickpeas and chips,
chimichangas and chow mein and cheese.
Tonight, chunky chowder is the only choice--
(Mom is out of “c-h” recipes).

She ordered a cookbook that's coming tomorrow;
Mom promised great foods she'll be makin'.
It will be a menu of new “c-h” treats--
like chmeatloaf!! Chomelets! Chbacon!

(from a collection to be published by McElderry Books in 2011 (and to be illustrated by Ed Koren))

© Alan Katz. All rights reserved.
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Yesterday, we had poems from Adam Rex and Ralph Fletcher. Tomorrow... Bruce Lansky and Carmen T. Bernier-Grand.

Please click here more information about this year's edition of 30 Poets/30 Days, including how to follow along.

30 Poets/Day 8 - Adam Rex and Ralph Fletcher

Ahhh, day eight of National Poetry Month, when thoughts turn to Christmas and weeds thanks to Adam Rex and Ralph Fletcher. Or maybe your thoughts turn to Christmas and weeds every April day, but even then, it takes poetry to help you see them in new ways like those we get here.....

The Flight Before Christmas
by
Adam Rex
(author's note: I've been trying to make this idea work off and on for years. This is the closest I've come. -Adam Rex, 2009)

'Tis the flight before Christmas. Our aircraft today
is a Boeing C-25 JingleBus sleigh.
At this time I would like to say "welcome aboard"
and please ask for all luggage and toys to be stored
in the space by your feet or the overhead sack.
Use caution untying the sack when you pack
as the toys may have shifted about during flight.
Santa gets a bit…dazed by the end of the night.
It's hardly surprising for someone who stares
for twelve hours at eight tiny reinderrières.
Plus the eggnog. Our point is, expect a rough ride,
but in two thousand years not one passenger’s died.
In the likely event of a freefall or dive
there’s an oxygen mask that will keep you alive.
We ask that you first find a mask for yourself–
put it on and pull tight before helping an elf.
Get your safety belt buckled, and keep it that way–
no standing or stretching at all in the sleigh.
Not a soul should be stirring, not even the mice.
Our pilot is quite the flotation device!
If we land in the water, hold onto him tight.
Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good flight.

©2009 Adam Rex. All rights reserved.
(Click here to see the original post and comments)

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Weeds
by
Ralph Fletcher

Weeds in the sunlight,
swaying in the breeze.

Weeds pollinated by
hordes of hungry bees.

Weeds softly whispering,
spilling secret seeds.

Weeds multiplying:
weeds, weeds, weeds.

Dandelion, ragweed,
Queen Anne’s lace.

Weeds in my dreams,
weeds in outer space.

Weeds on vacation
but more staying home.

Sneaky little weedlings
sprouting in this poem!

© 2010 Ralph Fletcher. All rights reserved.
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Yesterday brought poetry from Marilyn Singer and Susan Marie Swanson. Tomorrow... Joyce Sidman and Alan Katz.

Click here for more information on this year's edition of 30 Poets/30 Days, including ways to follow along. 

30 Poets/Day 7 - Marilyn Singer and Susan Marie Swanson

Again, I'm completely at a loss with how to come up with not-yet-used-by-me adjectives for Marilyn Singer and Susan Marie Swanson and their poetry (not just these here,  but have you read their books? Hmmm? Go forth and read!). I'll just go with "great!" and let y'all get to the goods.

In the Museum
by
Marilyn Singer

See those big bones?
Once, dinosaurs went walking
through dust, mud, and stones.
See those big bones?
Long, long ago, no computers, no phones,
no people, no talking.
See those big bones?
Once, dinosaurs went walking.

©2009 Marilyn Singer. All rights reserved.
(To see the original post and comments, click here)

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Wonders
(after the traditional rhyme “I Saw a Peacock with a Fiery Tail”)
by
Susan Marie Swanson

I saw a tiger
burning bright

I saw the sun
in the middle of the night

I saw a star
torn from a tree

I saw a leaf
holding a key

I saw a pocket
full of art

I saw a book
shaped like a heart

I saw a stone
coming untied

I saw a shoelace
wiggle and hide

I saw some tadpoles
buzzing round a cake

I saw a bumblebee
high above the lake

I saw a cloud
pacing at the zoo

You can see
these wonders too!

© 2010 Susan Marie Swanson. All rights reserved.
(To see the original post and comments, click here)

Yesterday we had poetry from Jaime Adoff and Jorge Argueta. Tomorrow... Adam Rex and Ralph Fletcher.

Click here for information about this year's edition of 30 Poets/30 Days, including ways to follow along.