Last week, I was lucky enough to hang out with TWO classes of Kindergarteners at Westwood Charter School here in Los Angeles. This was another visit that was part of my Poetry: Spread the Word project, and it was an absolute blast.
Now, I'll admit, I was a tad nervous about spending two hours with kids that young (I did back to back hours with separate classes, not two hours with one group!). But they were engaged, engaging, constantly coming up with fabulous ideas, laughing a lot, and clearly in classrooms where poetry and language were valued. We read some poems, brainstormed, shared stories, and in one case wrote a poem together. Good times, indeed, and further proof that poetry and kids mix well no matter what age!
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Monday, May 16, 2011
Hooray for J. Patrick Lewis, New Children's Poet Laureate!
Last Thursday, the Poetry Foundation named J. Patrick Lewis as the new Children's Poet Laureate, taking over for Mary Ann Hoberman (who took over for Jack Prelutsky).
The field of children's poetry has sooooo many amazing people in it and this two year Laureate term could have gone to many others and been a smashing success, I'm sure. Yet I admit I cannot wait to see what the next two years brings from Pat and for children's poetry, as I know he's going to put his stamp on this... and we're all gonna enjoy the ride.
And hey... before you go off and explore the J. Patrick Lewis website, you can poke around here for a few visits he's made, too: A Sixth Grader Sees the Future, The Voice of the Voiceless, and The Poet of the World.
Oh, yeah, one more thing... Congratulations!
The field of children's poetry has sooooo many amazing people in it and this two year Laureate term could have gone to many others and been a smashing success, I'm sure. Yet I admit I cannot wait to see what the next two years brings from Pat and for children's poetry, as I know he's going to put his stamp on this... and we're all gonna enjoy the ride.
And hey... before you go off and explore the J. Patrick Lewis website, you can poke around here for a few visits he's made, too: A Sixth Grader Sees the Future, The Voice of the Voiceless, and The Poet of the World.
Oh, yeah, one more thing... Congratulations!
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Wow! With a Dose of Totally Wow!
Thank you all for your support - comments, tweets, FB stuff, good vibes, pledges, Likes, and ideas galore. I'm excited, gratified, humbled, and truly looking forward to posting 100 poems and getting into 59 schools, in person or virtually.
More on all this soon... but now I gotta book. (Oh... and in case it isn't clear... "THANKS!!!!!")
Sunday, May 08, 2011
It's Me. On Video!
The above video (and if you subscribe to the blog and can't see it, please click here) is from my Kickstarter project, Poetry: Spread the Word. I think it explains why I'm doing what I'm doing and why I think my project is "a good thing."
Only 36 hours left in the funding period for Poetry: Spread the Word as I publish this. Thanks to all for your support in pledging, encouraging, and spreading the word, too. It's incredibly appreciated (and, ya know, there are still 36 hours to help :-)).
Saturday, May 07, 2011
Skyping with Explorer Elementary 5th Graders!
On Thursday, I had a Skype class visit with a fantastic group: Karen Feitelberg's fifth graders at Explorer Elementary School in San Diego. Their fabulous librarian, Roxyanne Young, arranged the visit... something that came about because of my Poetry: Spread the Word project!
During the visit, I gave some of the history of Fibs and got to hear them read some great examples they'd written. There were Fibs about all sorts of subjects... and even a Fib about not wanting to write a Fib! We ended by writing a group Fib first draft about pandas (or one panda, I suppose).
We had time for Q+A, too, and the students had some really great questions to ask... from what inspires me to write to how they can reach a bigger audience with their writing.
The hour flew by for me and, I think, for them. And nice words were said on a Facebook thread! What could be better? My big thanks to Roxyanne Young for making it happen and to Karen Feitelberg, who had the whole group ready (and inspired, it sure seemed to me. Inspired about poetry! Color me happy and impressed and more.)
What's so exciting to me is that I'm going to be able to do a lot of these visits thanks to Poetry: Spread the Word. We're in the last two days of the funding period - all pledges now help me give away more visits just like this one - so if you were thinking of checking my project out, now is surely the time!
At their best, visits are educational, inspirational, and aspirational (in both directions, really), and so many of you who read this have become patrons of the arts, enabling these visits with your support. I can't thank you enough... and, I think, there will be a lot of students out there who will thank you, too!
During the visit, I gave some of the history of Fibs and got to hear them read some great examples they'd written. There were Fibs about all sorts of subjects... and even a Fib about not wanting to write a Fib! We ended by writing a group Fib first draft about pandas (or one panda, I suppose).
We had time for Q+A, too, and the students had some really great questions to ask... from what inspires me to write to how they can reach a bigger audience with their writing.
The hour flew by for me and, I think, for them. And nice words were said on a Facebook thread! What could be better? My big thanks to Roxyanne Young for making it happen and to Karen Feitelberg, who had the whole group ready (and inspired, it sure seemed to me. Inspired about poetry! Color me happy and impressed and more.)
What's so exciting to me is that I'm going to be able to do a lot of these visits thanks to Poetry: Spread the Word. We're in the last two days of the funding period - all pledges now help me give away more visits just like this one - so if you were thinking of checking my project out, now is surely the time!
At their best, visits are educational, inspirational, and aspirational (in both directions, really), and so many of you who read this have become patrons of the arts, enabling these visits with your support. I can't thank you enough... and, I think, there will be a lot of students out there who will thank you, too!
Tuesday, May 03, 2011
Lee Bennett Hopkins - Good Books, Good Times!
GOOD BOOKS, GOOD TIMES!
by
Lee Bennett Hopkins
Good books.
Good times.
Good stories.
Good rhymes.
Good beginnings.
Good ends.
Good people.
Good friends.
Good fiction.
Good facts
Good adventures.
Good acts.
Good stories.
Good rhymes.
Good books
Good times!
© l985 by Lee Bennett Hopkins. Used by permission of Curtis Brown, Ltd.
I bet a lot of you know Lee Bennett Hopkins' Good Books, Good Times! I know I've heard him and this poem in person - a "good time!" indeed. No matter if it's new or familiar to you, though, it's a great summation of the month just past... and a preview of all the months ahead at GottaBook and, I suspect, wherever any of you are, too. When Lee suggested it might be a good fit here, I agreed (and, since I'm taking a couple day blogging break here, what better message for visitors to find!).
Besides being a remarkable poet and anthologist, Lee Bennett Hopkins has probably done more for children's poetry and children's poets than... well... probably than anyone. He's founded awards, he's lobbied, he's advised, he's promoted, he's encouraged, and most of all, he's inspired with his generosity of spirit and his love of poetry. It's always a pleasure to have him come a-visiting, and I'm thrilled to celebrate good books and good times with him and you all.
By the way, if you haven't seen the new LeeBennettHopkins.com site, you should head on over and check it out. Also, the Lee Bennett Hopkins Poetry Award Teaching Toolbox - a new blog created by librarians, teachers, and students (not Lee himself) - is well worth a visit.
by
Lee Bennett Hopkins
Good books.
Good times.
Good stories.
Good rhymes.
Good beginnings.
Good ends.
Good people.
Good friends.
Good fiction.
Good facts
Good adventures.
Good acts.
Good stories.
Good rhymes.
Good books
Good times!
© l985 by Lee Bennett Hopkins. Used by permission of Curtis Brown, Ltd.
I bet a lot of you know Lee Bennett Hopkins' Good Books, Good Times! I know I've heard him and this poem in person - a "good time!" indeed. No matter if it's new or familiar to you, though, it's a great summation of the month just past... and a preview of all the months ahead at GottaBook and, I suspect, wherever any of you are, too. When Lee suggested it might be a good fit here, I agreed (and, since I'm taking a couple day blogging break here, what better message for visitors to find!).
Besides being a remarkable poet and anthologist, Lee Bennett Hopkins has probably done more for children's poetry and children's poets than... well... probably than anyone. He's founded awards, he's lobbied, he's advised, he's promoted, he's encouraged, and most of all, he's inspired with his generosity of spirit and his love of poetry. It's always a pleasure to have him come a-visiting, and I'm thrilled to celebrate good books and good times with him and you all.
By the way, if you haven't seen the new LeeBennettHopkins.com site, you should head on over and check it out. Also, the Lee Bennett Hopkins Poetry Award Teaching Toolbox - a new blog created by librarians, teachers, and students (not Lee himself) - is well worth a visit.
Monday, May 02, 2011
I've Got a Matching Grant to Help Spread the Word!
I'm excited to tell y'all that I've got a matching grant of $500 to help my Poetry: Spread the Word project. This means that for the next $500 donated (or maybe it's down to $400 at this point since pledges have been coming in!), it'll be matched dollar for dollar to help me be able to give away more visits to more schools.
So, if you wanna check the project out, now would be a good time :-)
I must add that I'm so touched and gratified by all the support the project and I have gotten. Yes, the financial support is fabulous (see below!), yet I appreciate every tweet, comment, email, "like", Facebook update, and everything that folks are doing to help.
Believe me - I know that contributions aren't possible for everything we all want to help. Support, though, comes in many ways, and it's really been amazing to see. So, thank you!
Probably the biggest news in all of this, by the way, is that as of yesterday, Poetry: Spread the Word hit its funding goal! This means I'll be visiting (virtually or in person) 40 schools over the next year and posting 100 poems here, too. And we're not done - for every additional $100 raised, I will give away another visit. Right now, this already means five more schools... and I hope it will be many more.
Again, thank you all. We are spreading poetry, and that, I think, is a beautiful thing.
So, if you wanna check the project out, now would be a good time :-)
I must add that I'm so touched and gratified by all the support the project and I have gotten. Yes, the financial support is fabulous (see below!), yet I appreciate every tweet, comment, email, "like", Facebook update, and everything that folks are doing to help.
Believe me - I know that contributions aren't possible for everything we all want to help. Support, though, comes in many ways, and it's really been amazing to see. So, thank you!
Probably the biggest news in all of this, by the way, is that as of yesterday, Poetry: Spread the Word hit its funding goal! This means I'll be visiting (virtually or in person) 40 schools over the next year and posting 100 poems here, too. And we're not done - for every additional $100 raised, I will give away another visit. Right now, this already means five more schools... and I hope it will be many more.
Again, thank you all. We are spreading poetry, and that, I think, is a beautiful thing.
Many Poets/One Day - The 2011 30 Poets/30 Days Wrap Up
 |
| Logo by Mary Peterson |
One bit of news for the eagle-eyed among you: Kenn Nesbitt was listed on the announcement post but due to my late ask, his busy schedule, and my rule that this event is never about stress, his poem is going to come at some point in the future. Since he was one of the reasons the first edition of this event came together (and because he's wildly funny), I will be happy to have him here anytime at all!
And now, with no further ado, a look back at this year (and two bonus links for you, too):
Douglas Florian - April is the Coolest Month
Janet Wong - Eyes-to-Eyes
Marilyn Singer - A Stick Is an Excellent Thing
Joseph Bruchac - Siguan
April Halprin Wayland - Dear Whoever Composes the Sky
Graham Denton - I Am Huffing, I Am Puffing
George Ella Lyon - No Need for Metaphor
Avis Harley - Clerihews
Tracie Vaughn Zimmer - Fantasy
Jamie Adoff - Soul Food
Susan Marie Swanson - Art Space
Elaine Magliaro - Dinosaur Dung
Charles Ghigna - Be Still in the World
Laura Purdie Salas - How to Talk to a Girl
Carole Boston Weatherford - A BAT CAVE: An Abecedarian Bedtime Chronicle
Heidi Mordhorst - The Playroom Floor Writes a Novel
Arnold Adoff - orien berg strasse
James Carter - go, poem
Joyce Sidman - Mudbath, Interrupted
Ann Whitford Paul - Caterpillar
David L. Harrison - Chess
Carmen T. Bernier-Grand - "I am God"
Calef Brown - Backstory: an excerpt
Jorge Argueta - Las Dos Piedritas/Two Little Stones
Liz Garton Scanlon - Word of Mouth
Ralph Fletcher - Mystery Flower
Julie Larios - Far From Home
Brod Baggert - If I...
Bobbie Katz - Haiku for a Jiving Djembe
Alan Katz - 101 Donations
Joan Bransfield Graham - ONE LANGUAGUE: Listening to Saint-Saens' The Swan
Francisco X. Alarcón - On Monday I Feel Like a Dragon/El lunes me siento como un dragón
Charles Waters - I Wear Mommy's Dress
Greg Pincus - I Put Each Carrot In a Suit
J. Patrick Lewis - The Voice of the Voiceless
Rebecca Dotlich - Skating Pond
Nikki Grimes - Busted; Closet; Someone Like Me (three tanka)
Kurt Cyrus - The Mummy and the Mermaid
Linda Sue Park - Explaining Baseball to an Alien
Kristine O'Connell George - Daze of the Week
Jane Yolen - The Alphabet: A Found Poem
Kathi Appelt - What Was She Thinking
Not enough poetry for you? Well, to see the prior years' roundups, click on the logos below....
 |
| Logo by Bonnie Adamson |
There are, as always, so many people to thank for making 30 Poets/30 Days possible and successful. First off, thanks to all the poets for their generosity in being part of this celebration. Thanks, too, to all my friends in the blogosphere for their support and ideas all year round, not just now. I must give one more big hat tip to Mary Peterson for designing the logo. And finally, huge thanks to all of you who subscribe or come on by these parts and make doing this so worthwhile.
Poetry's a year-round thang here, so I hope you're not going away. Besides, it's only 11 months until National Poetry Month is here again! I'm looking forward to that and everything before it... but for now, I gotta book.
Sunday, May 01, 2011
Kathi Appelt - What Was She Thinking
What Was She Thinking?
by
Kathi Appelt
It’s the question her mother keeps asking.
That her only child could stop the train,
Snap her fingers and make it screech to a halt?
And now if only
are the only two words this mother can say.
If only she knew why the girl
looked up just in time to see
the golden beam of the engine’s light,
thought, how close is the moon, reached out to touch it.
Why she patted the dashboard of her new red Mustang,
the one her daddy gave her when she turned sixteen.
Now, she whispered, now. All her faith
in speed and gasoline, St. Christopher
dangling from the rearview mirror.
She would cry if she could remember how.
Her mother can’t stop crying.
And what about the engineer,
making his regular run between New Orleans
and Houston, sipping a cup of coffee
watching for deer along the tracks.
He always loved this time of night, the way
they turn and run,
their tails a white flash of goodbyes.
Now, he can’t bear the sight of them,
only looks straight ahead,
startled by each and every crossing,
so sorry for the lonesome
holy dark.
©2011 Kathi Appelt. All rights reserved.
True confession time: I haven't always been a fan of free verse, and that fact often still hovers way in the back of my brain. When I read Kathi Appelt's poetry, however, that distant thought never crosses my mind. I don't think there's time, really, as I'm instantly caught up (like I was last time she was here), engaged, reveling in well turned phrases and perfect, juicy words... even when the subject matter's not easy.
Her fiction's the same way. Her most recent novel, Keeper, ended up on seven slews of year-end 'best' lists, and followed up her Newbery Honor/National Book Award finalist The Underneath with more of the wonderful, poetic writing that just plain works for me (and, clearly, for many, many, many others!). I am, as I said last time, a fan indeed... and am very excited to have Kathi Appelt here wrapping up this year's edition of 30 Poets/30 Days.
(Greg's note: Kathi was the first poet to send me a poem this year. I had written up a draft post of hers first thing... then, in some frenzy of rescheduling, I made some still unknown to me error that left her post in the ether. I apologize for that but am thrilled to be able to close this year's celebration down with her now.)
Yesterday we had The Alphabet: A Found Poem by Jane Yolen. Tomorrow... a wrap up of the 2011 festivities!
by
Kathi Appelt
It’s the question her mother keeps asking.
That her only child could stop the train,
Snap her fingers and make it screech to a halt?
And now if only
are the only two words this mother can say.
If only she knew why the girl
looked up just in time to see
the golden beam of the engine’s light,
thought, how close is the moon, reached out to touch it.
Why she patted the dashboard of her new red Mustang,
the one her daddy gave her when she turned sixteen.
Now, she whispered, now. All her faith
in speed and gasoline, St. Christopher
dangling from the rearview mirror.
She would cry if she could remember how.
Her mother can’t stop crying.
And what about the engineer,
making his regular run between New Orleans
and Houston, sipping a cup of coffee
watching for deer along the tracks.
He always loved this time of night, the way
they turn and run,
their tails a white flash of goodbyes.
Now, he can’t bear the sight of them,
only looks straight ahead,
startled by each and every crossing,
so sorry for the lonesome
holy dark.
©2011 Kathi Appelt. All rights reserved.
True confession time: I haven't always been a fan of free verse, and that fact often still hovers way in the back of my brain. When I read Kathi Appelt's poetry, however, that distant thought never crosses my mind. I don't think there's time, really, as I'm instantly caught up (like I was last time she was here), engaged, reveling in well turned phrases and perfect, juicy words... even when the subject matter's not easy.
Her fiction's the same way. Her most recent novel, Keeper, ended up on seven slews of year-end 'best' lists, and followed up her Newbery Honor/National Book Award finalist The Underneath with more of the wonderful, poetic writing that just plain works for me (and, clearly, for many, many, many others!). I am, as I said last time, a fan indeed... and am very excited to have Kathi Appelt here wrapping up this year's edition of 30 Poets/30 Days.
(Greg's note: Kathi was the first poet to send me a poem this year. I had written up a draft post of hers first thing... then, in some frenzy of rescheduling, I made some still unknown to me error that left her post in the ether. I apologize for that but am thrilled to be able to close this year's celebration down with her now.)
Yesterday we had The Alphabet: A Found Poem by Jane Yolen. Tomorrow... a wrap up of the 2011 festivities!
Saturday, April 30, 2011
Jane Yolen - The Alphabet: A Found Poem
The Alphabet: A Found Poem
by
Jane Yolen
The 24 letters
of the alphabet
may be transposed
620,448,401,733,239,439,360,000
times.
All the inhabitants of the globe
could not
in a thousand million years
write out all the transpositions
of the 24 letters,
even supposing
each wrote 40 pages daily,
each page containing 40 different
transpositions of the letters.
JY notes: My alphabet contains
26 letters.
And I have a computer.
Do you think that changes the game?
Found in: Anecdotes of Books and Authors,
London, Orr and Smith, Paternoster Row, MDCCCXXXVI
© 2011 Jane Yolen. All rights reserved.
Jane Yolen sent me poem choices. Oh, yes she did. I agonized (okay... fine... in a fun way!) before settling on The Alphabet which, I think, is a fitting send off to 30 Poets/30 Days and National Poetry Month. The possibilities of language may not be infinite mathematically... though that's one eyepoppingly big number... yet when you add in meaning and interpretation, I'd make the argument that we'll never run out of stories to tell or poems to write.
I'd also make that argument about Jane Yolen herself. Author over over 300 books (stop for a second and absorb that. 300 books!), she is also an incredible speaker, mentor, blogger, editor, anthologist, and so much more. I am an unabashed fan and, just like last time she came by, I am thrilled to have her here as part of 30 Poets/30 Days.
Yesterday ended with Kristine O'Connell George and Daze of the Week. Tomorrow... Kathi Appelt's What Was She Thinking.
by
Jane Yolen
The 24 letters
of the alphabet
may be transposed
620,448,401,733,239,439,360,000
times.
All the inhabitants of the globe
could not
in a thousand million years
write out all the transpositions
of the 24 letters,
even supposing
each wrote 40 pages daily,
each page containing 40 different
transpositions of the letters.
JY notes: My alphabet contains
26 letters.
And I have a computer.
Do you think that changes the game?
Found in: Anecdotes of Books and Authors,
London, Orr and Smith, Paternoster Row, MDCCCXXXVI
© 2011 Jane Yolen. All rights reserved.
Jane Yolen sent me poem choices. Oh, yes she did. I agonized (okay... fine... in a fun way!) before settling on The Alphabet which, I think, is a fitting send off to 30 Poets/30 Days and National Poetry Month. The possibilities of language may not be infinite mathematically... though that's one eyepoppingly big number... yet when you add in meaning and interpretation, I'd make the argument that we'll never run out of stories to tell or poems to write.
I'd also make that argument about Jane Yolen herself. Author over over 300 books (stop for a second and absorb that. 300 books!), she is also an incredible speaker, mentor, blogger, editor, anthologist, and so much more. I am an unabashed fan and, just like last time she came by, I am thrilled to have her here as part of 30 Poets/30 Days.
Yesterday ended with Kristine O'Connell George and Daze of the Week. Tomorrow... Kathi Appelt's What Was She Thinking.
Friday, April 29, 2011
Kristine O'Connell George - Daze of the Week
Daze of the Week
by
Kristine O'Connell George
Little sister tells me
today is Two's Day
and two morrows away,
from yesternight
will be When's Day—
her birthday.
© Kristine O'Connell George. All rights reserved.
Kristine O'Connell George has that poet's gift with words, I tell you. She can play with them, mold them, shape them, make them say whatever she wants to say in the exact way she wants to say it to get us readers to see things we might not otherwise see (or to laugh (like she did last time she was here) or think or or or). Lucky us!
The above poem could easily be in Kristine O' Connell George's new book Emma Dilemma: Big Sister Poems which features sisters Emma and Jess. (I can speak as an expert here, too, and say that this poem could be a brother poem, too!) The link between sisters is such rich territory in her poems and beyond and, in fact, the book has a Facebook page where folks are leaving stories and photos of and about their sisters. Good times, indeed, from a poet I'm so happy to have here as part of 30 Poets/30 Days.
Earlier today, Linda Sue Park was Explaining Baseball to an Alien. Tomorrow, 30 Poets/30 Days finishes off with Jane Yolen! For more information on 30 Poets/30 Days and how to follow along, please click here.
by
Kristine O'Connell George
Little sister tells me
today is Two's Day
and two morrows away,
from yesternight
will be When's Day—
her birthday.
© Kristine O'Connell George. All rights reserved.
Kristine O'Connell George has that poet's gift with words, I tell you. She can play with them, mold them, shape them, make them say whatever she wants to say in the exact way she wants to say it to get us readers to see things we might not otherwise see (or to laugh (like she did last time she was here) or think or or or). Lucky us!
The above poem could easily be in Kristine O' Connell George's new book Emma Dilemma: Big Sister Poems which features sisters Emma and Jess. (I can speak as an expert here, too, and say that this poem could be a brother poem, too!) The link between sisters is such rich territory in her poems and beyond and, in fact, the book has a Facebook page where folks are leaving stories and photos of and about their sisters. Good times, indeed, from a poet I'm so happy to have here as part of 30 Poets/30 Days.
Earlier today, Linda Sue Park was Explaining Baseball to an Alien. Tomorrow, 30 Poets/30 Days finishes off with Jane Yolen! For more information on 30 Poets/30 Days and how to follow along, please click here.
Linda Sue Park - Explaining Baseball to an Alien
Explaining Baseball to an Alien
by
Linda Sue Park
This poem is a sijo. Sijo is a traditional Korean form of poetry. Like a Japanese haiku, a sijo is written using a syllabic structure. In its most common form, a sijo in English has three lines of fourteen to sixteen syllables. Each line in a sijo has a special purpose. The first line introduces the topic. The second line develops the topic further. And the third line always contains some kind of twist--humor or irony, an unexpected image, a pun, or a play on words.
(Description adapted from TAP DANCING ON THE ROOF, by Linda Sue Park, which contains many more examples of sijo and a fuller explanation of the form.)
Hmmm, where to start? There are nine players in the field—but wait,
the game’s starting, Mets-Yankees! We’ll watch it together.
When you have a question, just poke me with one of your tentacles.
© Linda Sue Park. All rights reserved.
Linda Sue Park had me at "hello" - or really with her poem's title. I'm a big baseball fan, for starters, and since I tend to find her writing out of this world, there was an extra level of satisfaction already. Up until this poem, the only other sijo I'd read had been from Tap Dancing on the Roof (illustrated by Istvan Banyai)... and I have to say the whole experience has made me a fan of the form. I love humor, twists, and unexpected imagery, and, well, now baseball pushes me to start writing 'em myself. Or trying, anyway!
This is interesting, actually, because often when I read Linda Sue Park's work (her novels or even her villanelle last time she was here), my first reaction after absorbing the story is "whoa! I wish I could write like that!" I know I'm not alone in that reaction, but, of course, she is one of a kind... and I'm thrilled to have her here as part of 30 Poets/30 Days.
And hey... it's Poetry Friday, with this week's roundup of poetic goodies at The Opposite of Indifference. Go on and check it out!
Yesterday we ended with Kurt Cyrus and The Mummy and the Mermaid. Later today, Kristine O'Connell George with Daze of the Week! For more information on 30 Poets/30 Days and how to follow along, please click here.
by
Linda Sue Park
This poem is a sijo. Sijo is a traditional Korean form of poetry. Like a Japanese haiku, a sijo is written using a syllabic structure. In its most common form, a sijo in English has three lines of fourteen to sixteen syllables. Each line in a sijo has a special purpose. The first line introduces the topic. The second line develops the topic further. And the third line always contains some kind of twist--humor or irony, an unexpected image, a pun, or a play on words.
(Description adapted from TAP DANCING ON THE ROOF, by Linda Sue Park, which contains many more examples of sijo and a fuller explanation of the form.)
Hmmm, where to start? There are nine players in the field—but wait,
the game’s starting, Mets-Yankees! We’ll watch it together.
When you have a question, just poke me with one of your tentacles.
© Linda Sue Park. All rights reserved.
Linda Sue Park had me at "hello" - or really with her poem's title. I'm a big baseball fan, for starters, and since I tend to find her writing out of this world, there was an extra level of satisfaction already. Up until this poem, the only other sijo I'd read had been from Tap Dancing on the Roof (illustrated by Istvan Banyai)... and I have to say the whole experience has made me a fan of the form. I love humor, twists, and unexpected imagery, and, well, now baseball pushes me to start writing 'em myself. Or trying, anyway!
This is interesting, actually, because often when I read Linda Sue Park's work (her novels or even her villanelle last time she was here), my first reaction after absorbing the story is "whoa! I wish I could write like that!" I know I'm not alone in that reaction, but, of course, she is one of a kind... and I'm thrilled to have her here as part of 30 Poets/30 Days.
And hey... it's Poetry Friday, with this week's roundup of poetic goodies at The Opposite of Indifference. Go on and check it out!
Yesterday we ended with Kurt Cyrus and The Mummy and the Mermaid. Later today, Kristine O'Connell George with Daze of the Week! For more information on 30 Poets/30 Days and how to follow along, please click here.
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Kurt Cyrus - The Mummy and the Mermaid
The Mummy and the Mermaid
by
Kurt Cyrus
"Sure I'm dead," the mummy said,
"but look at what we've got--
a bride, a groom, a desert tomb
impervious to rot.
Oh, come away from all that spray,
the water and the waves.
Forget the tide. Get mummified,
and join me in my caves."
Sadly, she was wild and free
and far too fond of water.
So, with a sassy "Pardon me"
she slipped into the silver sea
to giggle with a manatee
and frolic with an otter.
"When she's dead," the mummy said,
"the sea will surely rot her."
And with a dry and dusty cough
the ancient fossil wandered off
and instantly forgot her.
© 2011 Kurt Cyrus. All rights reserved.
Kurt Cyrus has the type of mind I love. I mean, what type of crazy brilliant mind comes up with a mummy in love with a mermaid and then rhymes otter with rot her? Right. The type of mind I love. Just like last time he was here and gave us The Big Snore, I simply love his ability to create utterly unique turns of phrase and make me laugh.
Beyond his delicious way with words, Kurt Cyrus also has a remarkable way with pictures. His illustrations, whether he's written the book or someone else has, are remarkable. Check out his books or even the outtakes page on his website and you'll see what I mean. I doubly admire the double threats among us, and that means I'm doubly happy to have Kurt Cyrus here today as part of 30 Poets/30 Days.
We had three tanka from Nikki Grimes earlier today. Tomorrow kicks off with Linda Sue Park with Explaining Baseball to an Alien! For more on 30 Poets/30 Days and ways to follow along, please click here.
by
Kurt Cyrus
"Sure I'm dead," the mummy said,
"but look at what we've got--
a bride, a groom, a desert tomb
impervious to rot.
Oh, come away from all that spray,
the water and the waves.
Forget the tide. Get mummified,
and join me in my caves."
Sadly, she was wild and free
and far too fond of water.
So, with a sassy "Pardon me"
she slipped into the silver sea
to giggle with a manatee
and frolic with an otter.
"When she's dead," the mummy said,
"the sea will surely rot her."
And with a dry and dusty cough
the ancient fossil wandered off
and instantly forgot her.
© 2011 Kurt Cyrus. All rights reserved.
Kurt Cyrus has the type of mind I love. I mean, what type of crazy brilliant mind comes up with a mummy in love with a mermaid and then rhymes otter with rot her? Right. The type of mind I love. Just like last time he was here and gave us The Big Snore, I simply love his ability to create utterly unique turns of phrase and make me laugh.
Beyond his delicious way with words, Kurt Cyrus also has a remarkable way with pictures. His illustrations, whether he's written the book or someone else has, are remarkable. Check out his books or even the outtakes page on his website and you'll see what I mean. I doubly admire the double threats among us, and that means I'm doubly happy to have Kurt Cyrus here today as part of 30 Poets/30 Days.
We had three tanka from Nikki Grimes earlier today. Tomorrow kicks off with Linda Sue Park with Explaining Baseball to an Alien! For more on 30 Poets/30 Days and ways to follow along, please click here.
Nikki Grimes - Busted/Closet/Someone Like Me (three tanka)
Busted / Closet / Someone Like Me
Three Tanka
by
Nikki Grimes
Busted
Best thing about friends:
They know you inside and out.
Worst thing about friends:
They know you inside and out.
My turtle shell is useless.
Closet
I flip through my shirts,
tan, brown, grey, black, colors that
make me disappear.
If nobody knows I'm here,
it's hard for them to hurt me.
Someone Like Me
I surf the channels,
spy network and cable kids
parading like sticks.
Where's the star who looks like me?
I want to be special, too.
© Nikki Grimes. All rights reserved.
I'm a big Nikki Grimes fan... which I think made today very hard. You see, she had sent me other poems besides these three tanka. Other tanka, a riddle, a... well... the point is, I wanted to run them all. (And yes, I kept stalling with the hope she'd send me MORE poems to choose from. Can you blame me?). In the end, I picked these three because they show how she can nail truths in a way that looks effortless. Plus, I got to share three poems!
Nikki Grimes has a new book coming out in September called Planet Middle School. It's a novel in poems and, having just finished an advanced copy today, I can safely say that it's fantastic. It's funny, emotional, and exceedingly real. And, yes, it's poetry! Make sure you're looking for it in the fall. In the meantime, grab some of her poetry, sit down and enjoy, and you'll know why I'm so happy to have her here as part of 30 Poets/30 Days.
We ended yesterday with Rebecca Kai Dotlich and Skating Pond. Up next... Kurt Cyrus and The Mummy and the Mermaid! For more information on 30 Poets/30 Days and how to follow along, please click here.
Three Tanka
by
Nikki Grimes
Busted
Best thing about friends:
They know you inside and out.
Worst thing about friends:
They know you inside and out.
My turtle shell is useless.
Closet
I flip through my shirts,
tan, brown, grey, black, colors that
make me disappear.
If nobody knows I'm here,
it's hard for them to hurt me.
Someone Like Me
I surf the channels,
spy network and cable kids
parading like sticks.
Where's the star who looks like me?
I want to be special, too.
© Nikki Grimes. All rights reserved.
I'm a big Nikki Grimes fan... which I think made today very hard. You see, she had sent me other poems besides these three tanka. Other tanka, a riddle, a... well... the point is, I wanted to run them all. (And yes, I kept stalling with the hope she'd send me MORE poems to choose from. Can you blame me?). In the end, I picked these three because they show how she can nail truths in a way that looks effortless. Plus, I got to share three poems!
Nikki Grimes has a new book coming out in September called Planet Middle School. It's a novel in poems and, having just finished an advanced copy today, I can safely say that it's fantastic. It's funny, emotional, and exceedingly real. And, yes, it's poetry! Make sure you're looking for it in the fall. In the meantime, grab some of her poetry, sit down and enjoy, and you'll know why I'm so happy to have her here as part of 30 Poets/30 Days.
We ended yesterday with Rebecca Kai Dotlich and Skating Pond. Up next... Kurt Cyrus and The Mummy and the Mermaid! For more information on 30 Poets/30 Days and how to follow along, please click here.
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Rebecca Kai Dotlich - Skating Pond
Skating Pond
by
Rebecca Kai Dotlich
It was the year of ice, they said,
the year of slip and slide and fall --
so what was a girl to do but put the hose
to her yard, lace up her skates,
ballerina glide, slice figure eights
while brother and cousins
caught dozens of flakes, falling
onto their tongues, then they
formed mitten-chains, chilled circles
in winter. How now she hears echoes
of wind-white years storming her dreams
come December; full-frosted sky
and chimney smoke above. And love,
from such a long, long time away
from here.
©2011 Rebecca Kai Dotlich. All rights reserved.
Can Rebecca Kai Dotlich turn a phrase or what?! The images she paints, the feelings she evokes in the reader, the sense of time and place... and, yeah, I know. I'm falling into fanboy mode again, but what can you do? Just like last time, with Midnight Stray (who one commenter called "pretty much a perfect poem"), she's packed so much in so little space that I'm left scratching my head figuring out how she did it.
Of course, it's not a surprise. If you've read her poems anywhere or read Bella & Bean, her most recent picture book, you run into the same wonderful use of language no matter the subject. And if you haven't read her... well, fix that ASAP! Then, I know, you'll see why I'm so excited to have Rebecca Kai Dotlich here as part of 30 Poets/30 Days.
Earlier we had The Voice of the Voiceless by J. Patrick Lewis. Tomorrow we start off with three tanka from Nikki Grimes! For more information on 30 Poets/30 Days and how to follow along, please click here.
by
Rebecca Kai Dotlich
It was the year of ice, they said,
the year of slip and slide and fall --
so what was a girl to do but put the hose
to her yard, lace up her skates,
ballerina glide, slice figure eights
while brother and cousins
caught dozens of flakes, falling
onto their tongues, then they
formed mitten-chains, chilled circles
in winter. How now she hears echoes
of wind-white years storming her dreams
come December; full-frosted sky
and chimney smoke above. And love,
from such a long, long time away
from here.
©2011 Rebecca Kai Dotlich. All rights reserved.
Can Rebecca Kai Dotlich turn a phrase or what?! The images she paints, the feelings she evokes in the reader, the sense of time and place... and, yeah, I know. I'm falling into fanboy mode again, but what can you do? Just like last time, with Midnight Stray (who one commenter called "pretty much a perfect poem"), she's packed so much in so little space that I'm left scratching my head figuring out how she did it.
Of course, it's not a surprise. If you've read her poems anywhere or read Bella & Bean, her most recent picture book, you run into the same wonderful use of language no matter the subject. And if you haven't read her... well, fix that ASAP! Then, I know, you'll see why I'm so excited to have Rebecca Kai Dotlich here as part of 30 Poets/30 Days.
Earlier we had The Voice of the Voiceless by J. Patrick Lewis. Tomorrow we start off with three tanka from Nikki Grimes! For more information on 30 Poets/30 Days and how to follow along, please click here.
J. Patrick Lewis - The Voice of the Voiceless
The Voice of the Voiceless
by J. Patrick Lewis
Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi
Political and spiritual leader of India
1869 –1948
The outcast sits and prays, or sleeps,
Untroubled by a human’s touch.
From his oppressive seat, he keeps
Away from you at least as much.
His house is on the street: the curb.
His body signifies, Beware.
The flag he waves, Do Not Disturb,
No one can see, and still it’s there.
Such savage rites, decreed by caste,
Divined by birth, and quick with rot,
Insure one hostage to the past
Will be this godforsaken lot.
My children, I shall end my days
Reminding you: Your greatest sin
Done to these humble castaways
Is to forget the state you’re in.
For we are not the ones to say
What will erode and what endure,
Where the iron, where the clay,
Who the foul and who the pure.
(The poem above will appear in the as yet untitled collection,
subtitled Poems for the Civil Righteous, Harcourt, 2012 or 2013.)
© J. Patrick Lewis. All rights reserved.
I once again state that J. Patrick Lewis can write wonderful poetry about any topic. Whether he's creating a powerful piece about Mahatma Gandhi or telling the story of a house through the ages (The House, with amazing illustrations by Roberto Innocenti) or telling stories about the First Dog or writing about the poet of the world, his utter mastery of language and form is always apparent. Don't tell him, but I read his books first for enjoyment and then, at some point, I study them to try and improve my own craft.
I've had the great fun of reading Pat's Spot the Plot: A Riddle Book of Book Riddles aloud while wearing my volunteer-librarian hat. My experience (documented here and repeated yearly) is that kids cheer, talk, laugh, and want to write poetry after hearing it. The only other thing I'll say is that it's a BLAST, and you must try it. And I want a sequel. OK, fine. I said more. The truth is, though, you can grab any of J. Patrick Lewis's books or read any of his poems and you're likely to get that same reaction of joy from someone in your audience. In fact, it's a guarantee if I'm there, and that's why it's such a joy for me to have him here as part of 30 Poets/30 Days.
Yesterday ended with I Put Each Carrot In a Suit by Greg Pincus. Up next... Skating Pond by Rebecca Kai Dotlich! For more information on 30 Poets/30 Days and how to follow along, please click here.
by J. Patrick Lewis
Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi
Political and spiritual leader of India
1869 –1948
The outcast sits and prays, or sleeps,
Untroubled by a human’s touch.
From his oppressive seat, he keeps
Away from you at least as much.
His house is on the street: the curb.
His body signifies, Beware.
The flag he waves, Do Not Disturb,
No one can see, and still it’s there.
Such savage rites, decreed by caste,
Divined by birth, and quick with rot,
Insure one hostage to the past
Will be this godforsaken lot.
My children, I shall end my days
Reminding you: Your greatest sin
Done to these humble castaways
Is to forget the state you’re in.
For we are not the ones to say
What will erode and what endure,
Where the iron, where the clay,
Who the foul and who the pure.
(The poem above will appear in the as yet untitled collection,
subtitled Poems for the Civil Righteous, Harcourt, 2012 or 2013.)
© J. Patrick Lewis. All rights reserved.
I once again state that J. Patrick Lewis can write wonderful poetry about any topic. Whether he's creating a powerful piece about Mahatma Gandhi or telling the story of a house through the ages (The House, with amazing illustrations by Roberto Innocenti) or telling stories about the First Dog or writing about the poet of the world, his utter mastery of language and form is always apparent. Don't tell him, but I read his books first for enjoyment and then, at some point, I study them to try and improve my own craft.
Yesterday ended with I Put Each Carrot In a Suit by Greg Pincus. Up next... Skating Pond by Rebecca Kai Dotlich! For more information on 30 Poets/30 Days and how to follow along, please click here.
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Greg Pincus - I Put Each Carrot In a Suit
I Put Each Carrot In a Suit
by
Greg Pincus
I put each carrot in a suit.
The lettuce in a scarf (how cute!).
Tomatoes? Ribbons in their hair.
The celery's in underwear.
Sneakers for the kidney beans.
The cucumber's in new blue jeans.
The avocado wore a dress.
The onion's in a tux (oh, yes!).
The jicama's in high-heeled shoes.
The mushroom? Any belt I choose.
The apple is a naked guy.
The olive's in a shirt and tie.
I put the radish in a vest.
There, I think the salad's dressed.
©2011 Greg Pincus. All rights reserved.
Some of you know me as Greg Pincus and some of you know me as Gregory K., but we're one and the same and very happy to have you visiting our... err... my blog today. Besides being a blogger and a poetry fan, I also write poetry of my own. You can see a lot of my poems linked along the right hand side of the blog or check out my last entry to 30 Poets/30 Days here. Food, it seems, remains a major theme of my work. I'll mull the significance of that after I get a snack....
I love bringing poetry to kids (and in fact, launched Poetry: Spread the Word to enable me to do more of that), and I can't tell you how many times I've read aloud a poem by one of the 59 other poets who've been part of 30 Poets/30 Days and seen kids come alive with laughter, conversation, recognition... the works. It's inspiring, as is the passion so many of you who read the blog have about poetry. I love getting to hang out with all of you, even if it's just virtually, and I look forward to sharing the rest of April and everything that lies beyond that with you, too.
Earlier we had Charles Waters' I Wear Mommy's Dress. Tomorrow we kick off with J. Patrick Lewis with The Voice of the Voiceless. For more information on 30 Poets/30 Days and how to follow along, please click here.
by
Greg Pincus
I put each carrot in a suit.
The lettuce in a scarf (how cute!).
Tomatoes? Ribbons in their hair.
The celery's in underwear.
Sneakers for the kidney beans.
The cucumber's in new blue jeans.
The avocado wore a dress.
The onion's in a tux (oh, yes!).
The jicama's in high-heeled shoes.
The mushroom? Any belt I choose.
The apple is a naked guy.
The olive's in a shirt and tie.
I put the radish in a vest.
There, I think the salad's dressed.
©2011 Greg Pincus. All rights reserved.
Some of you know me as Greg Pincus and some of you know me as Gregory K., but we're one and the same and very happy to have you visiting our... err... my blog today. Besides being a blogger and a poetry fan, I also write poetry of my own. You can see a lot of my poems linked along the right hand side of the blog or check out my last entry to 30 Poets/30 Days here. Food, it seems, remains a major theme of my work. I'll mull the significance of that after I get a snack....
Earlier we had Charles Waters' I Wear Mommy's Dress. Tomorrow we kick off with J. Patrick Lewis with The Voice of the Voiceless. For more information on 30 Poets/30 Days and how to follow along, please click here.
 |
| Logo by Mary Peterson |
Charles Waters - I Wear Mommy's Dress
I Wear Mommy's Dress
by
Charles Waters
I wear Mommy’s dress,
I wear Mommy’s heels,
I wear Mommy’s hats
To feel how Mommy feels …
Uncomfortable.
I wear Mommy’s rings,
I wear Mommy’s purse,
I wear Mommy’s gloves,
I now feel even worse!
©2011 Charles Waters. All rights reserved.
When I read Charles Waters' poetry, I get the sense that he could put himself in any child's mind and give us their point of view. He captures moments and feelings (like he did last year here with I Love Being Me) that are so honest and real. It makes you think he's still a kid himself.
Charles has had a wonderfully busy poetic year (you can see details over at David L. Harrison's blog), and just this past week did his first one man show of his own poetry. The lucky students at Southwest Middle School saw Poetry Time with Uncle Charles... and they saw a natural performer with the voice, energy, and passion to make anyone a poetry lover. I've been so glad to see continuing success for him, and I'm so excited to have Charles Waters here today as part of 30 Poets/30 Days.
Yesterday we had On Monday I Feel Like a Dragon/El lunes me siento como un dragón by Francisco X. Alarcón. Next up, I Put Each Carrot In a Suit by Greg Pincus! For more information on 30 Poets/30 Days and how to follow along, please click here.
by
Charles Waters
I wear Mommy’s dress,
I wear Mommy’s heels,
I wear Mommy’s hats
To feel how Mommy feels …
Uncomfortable.
I wear Mommy’s rings,
I wear Mommy’s purse,
I wear Mommy’s gloves,
I now feel even worse!
©2011 Charles Waters. All rights reserved.
When I read Charles Waters' poetry, I get the sense that he could put himself in any child's mind and give us their point of view. He captures moments and feelings (like he did last year here with I Love Being Me) that are so honest and real. It makes you think he's still a kid himself.
Charles has had a wonderfully busy poetic year (you can see details over at David L. Harrison's blog), and just this past week did his first one man show of his own poetry. The lucky students at Southwest Middle School saw Poetry Time with Uncle Charles... and they saw a natural performer with the voice, energy, and passion to make anyone a poetry lover. I've been so glad to see continuing success for him, and I'm so excited to have Charles Waters here today as part of 30 Poets/30 Days.
Yesterday we had On Monday I Feel Like a Dragon/El lunes me siento como un dragón by Francisco X. Alarcón. Next up, I Put Each Carrot In a Suit by Greg Pincus! For more information on 30 Poets/30 Days and how to follow along, please click here.
Monday, April 25, 2011
A Chatty Non-Poem Post
Hard to believe April's almost at an end, though there's still a heaping batch of poetry still to come here. In the meantime...
I'm hosting #YALitchat on Twitter this Wednesday (at 9PM Eastern/6 PM Pacific). We'll be talking about non-traditional, non-waiting-around ways of moving our careers forward (such as I'm attempting with my Poetry: Spread the Word project). #YALitchat, founded by Georgia McBride, is always worth a visit.
Tomorrow (Tuesday) night as usual, at 9/6 also, I'll be co-hosting #kidlitchat with Bonnie Adamson. We're gonna be talking about agents and clients and what makes a good match and all sorts of agenty stuff like that.
For info about Twitter chats and how to participate in them and get the most out of them, I highly recommend this Debbie Ridpath Ohi article.
Hope to see you at one or both chats... and hope to see you kicking around here, too!
I'm hosting #YALitchat on Twitter this Wednesday (at 9PM Eastern/6 PM Pacific). We'll be talking about non-traditional, non-waiting-around ways of moving our careers forward (such as I'm attempting with my Poetry: Spread the Word project). #YALitchat, founded by Georgia McBride, is always worth a visit.
Tomorrow (Tuesday) night as usual, at 9/6 also, I'll be co-hosting #kidlitchat with Bonnie Adamson. We're gonna be talking about agents and clients and what makes a good match and all sorts of agenty stuff like that.
For info about Twitter chats and how to participate in them and get the most out of them, I highly recommend this Debbie Ridpath Ohi article.
Hope to see you at one or both chats... and hope to see you kicking around here, too!
Francisco X. Alarcón - On Monday I Feel Like a Dragon/El lunes me siento como un dragón
On Monday I Feel Like a Dragon/El lunes me siento como un dragón
by
Francisco X. Alarcón
© 2011 Francisco X. Alarcón. All rights reserved.
Well, Francisco X. Alarcón has just nailed Monday mornings, all the dragon-breath and porcupine hairiness of it... and the forces that chase the dragon feeling away, too. While music may be the universal language, I suspect the feeling this poem captures is shared wherever kids go back to school (or, dare I say it, adults go back to work) on a Monday... and I bet that's within and outside of our universe, for that matter!
If you follow this link, you'll be able to watch a handful of videos in which Francisco X. Alarcón discusses everything from his writing process to being a bilingual, binational, bicultural poet and what that means. You'll hear his poetry, too, and, if you're like me, you'll start off saying "I'll watch one or two" and you'll watch and listen to them all. He's a natural storyteller and fabulous poet (as you can see via his last entry here, too), and I'm thrilled to have him here as part of 30 Poets/30 Days.
Yesterday we had ONE LANGUAGE: Listening to Saint-Saens' The Swan by Joan Bransfield Graham. Tomorrow we start with Charles Waters and I Wear Mommy's Dress! For more information on 30 Poets/30 Days and how to follow along, please click here.
by
Francisco X. Alarcón
| On Monday I Feel Like a Dragon early on Monday my hair stands out like a sea urchin I can barely open the shut oysters of my sleepy eyes Monday morning I’m a wild porcupine with a real bad humor this trail of smoke you see following me it’s the dragon in me ready to let go at any moment a big blazing roar but a friendly “good morning!” is enough to douse its fire after I greet and chat laughing aloud with many of my classmates by mid-morning I’m so happy to be at school on Monday | El lunes me siento como un dragón el lunes temprano tengo el pelo parado como erizo de mar las ostras cerradas de mis ojos dormilones apenas las puedo abrir el lunes de mañana soy un puercoespín de muy mal humor esta cola de humo que ven dejo al pasar es el dragón en mí listo para rugir en cualquier momento un gran llamarón pero un amistoso “¡buenos días!” basta para su fuego apagar después de saludar charlar y reírme con compañeros del salón a media mañana estoy muy feliz de estar en la escuela el lunes |
© 2011 Francisco X. Alarcón. All rights reserved.
Well, Francisco X. Alarcón has just nailed Monday mornings, all the dragon-breath and porcupine hairiness of it... and the forces that chase the dragon feeling away, too. While music may be the universal language, I suspect the feeling this poem captures is shared wherever kids go back to school (or, dare I say it, adults go back to work) on a Monday... and I bet that's within and outside of our universe, for that matter!
If you follow this link, you'll be able to watch a handful of videos in which Francisco X. Alarcón discusses everything from his writing process to being a bilingual, binational, bicultural poet and what that means. You'll hear his poetry, too, and, if you're like me, you'll start off saying "I'll watch one or two" and you'll watch and listen to them all. He's a natural storyteller and fabulous poet (as you can see via his last entry here, too), and I'm thrilled to have him here as part of 30 Poets/30 Days.
Yesterday we had ONE LANGUAGE: Listening to Saint-Saens' The Swan by Joan Bransfield Graham. Tomorrow we start with Charles Waters and I Wear Mommy's Dress! For more information on 30 Poets/30 Days and how to follow along, please click here.
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