A Modest Leap Day Proposal
by
Greg Pincus
Leap Day comes so rarely.
Why not make it cool?
Make each one a holiday -
Cancel work and school!
Happy Leap Day to you all. It's the second one we've had together at GottaBook... and it's my second Leap Day poem, too.
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Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Monday, February 27, 2012
A Non-Emergency Visit to the ER - a poem about patience
A Non-Emergency Visit to the ER
(a poem about patience)
by
Greg Pincus
I'm waiting, waiting, waiting,
And I'm waiting, waiting, waiting,
And I'm waiting, waiting, waiting -
Grab my phone and play a game.
Then I'm waiting, waiting, waiting,
And I'm waiting, waiting, waiting,
And I'm waiting, waiting, waiting,
And I'm - OOH! They called my name!
Now I'm waiting, waiting, waiting,
In a different, dull, brown room.
And I'm waiting, waiting, waiting,
Like a nervous, anxious groom.
Yes, I'm waiting, waiting, waiting.
I'm not having any fun
As I'm waiting, waiting, waiting...
Boom! The doctor comes! I'm done.
Now I'm waiting, waiting, waiting,
For the forms that set me free....
Yet in the end the waiting's fine -
I'm healthy as can be.
Whenever I post poems about doctors or travel or manuscripts or other things that can called be "adult concerns," folks assume they are autobiographical. They are all drawn from experience and observation, of course, but in this case I want to note that no one needs ask how I am (or how anyone else specifically is). Honest!
If you'd to get all the GottaBook poems emailed to you for freeee as they hit the blog, enter your email address in the box below then click subscribe!
(a poem about patience)
by
Greg Pincus
I'm waiting, waiting, waiting,
And I'm waiting, waiting, waiting,
And I'm waiting, waiting, waiting -
Grab my phone and play a game.
Then I'm waiting, waiting, waiting,
And I'm waiting, waiting, waiting,
And I'm waiting, waiting, waiting,
And I'm - OOH! They called my name!
Now I'm waiting, waiting, waiting,
In a different, dull, brown room.
And I'm waiting, waiting, waiting,
Like a nervous, anxious groom.
Yes, I'm waiting, waiting, waiting.
I'm not having any fun
As I'm waiting, waiting, waiting...
Boom! The doctor comes! I'm done.
Now I'm waiting, waiting, waiting,
For the forms that set me free....
Yet in the end the waiting's fine -
I'm healthy as can be.
Whenever I post poems about doctors or travel or manuscripts or other things that can called be "adult concerns," folks assume they are autobiographical. They are all drawn from experience and observation, of course, but in this case I want to note that no one needs ask how I am (or how anyone else specifically is). Honest!
If you'd to get all the GottaBook poems emailed to you for freeee as they hit the blog, enter your email address in the box below then click subscribe!
Friday, February 24, 2012
What's Happening In My Brain - a list poem/a brain poem
What’s Happening In My Brain
by
Greg Pincus
I’m wondering.
I’m pondering.
I’m focusing.
I’m wandering.
I’m thinking.
I’m scheming.
I’m solving.
I’m dreaming.
I’m looking.
I’m seeing.
I’m living.
I’m being.
This week's Poetry Friday roundup is over at Jone's blog, Check It Out. I urge you to listen to the name of her blog and check it out!
If you'd to get all the GottaBook poems emailed to you for freeee as they hit the blog, enter your email address in the box below then click subscribe!
by
Greg Pincus
I’m wondering.
I’m pondering.
I’m focusing.
I’m wandering.
I’m thinking.
I’m scheming.
I’m solving.
I’m dreaming.
I’m looking.
I’m seeing.
I’m living.
I’m being.
This week's Poetry Friday roundup is over at Jone's blog, Check It Out. I urge you to listen to the name of her blog and check it out!
If you'd to get all the GottaBook poems emailed to you for freeee as they hit the blog, enter your email address in the box below then click subscribe!
Thursday, February 23, 2012
Yes, It Matters - a perspective poem
Yes, It Matters
by
Greg Pincus
Some days I do all my homework.
And cleaning my room? Nothing to it!
‘Cause nothing’s a bore
And nothing’s a chore
As long as I’m choosing to do it.
If you want to get all my poems emailed to you for freeee as they hit the blog, enter your email address in the box below then click subscribe!
by
Greg Pincus
Some days I do all my homework.
And cleaning my room? Nothing to it!
‘Cause nothing’s a bore
And nothing’s a chore
As long as I’m choosing to do it.
If you want to get all my poems emailed to you for freeee as they hit the blog, enter your email address in the box below then click subscribe!
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Guilty as Charged!
Over at The Happy Accident, I blogged about guilt and negative feelings about social media. Seems like many of us are feeling it, as you'll note in the comments.
The small irony is I posted there after a long gap in posting, while I was still posting here. But I note I haven't blogged since Wednesday here, either. I do not, however, feel guilty.
There'll be a follow-up post soon about possible solutions to the negative feelings, too. You know, when I have time! :-) In the meantime, I'd love to hear your thoughts!
The small irony is I posted there after a long gap in posting, while I was still posting here. But I note I haven't blogged since Wednesday here, either. I do not, however, feel guilty.
There'll be a follow-up post soon about possible solutions to the negative feelings, too. You know, when I have time! :-) In the meantime, I'd love to hear your thoughts!
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Thoughts at Seven Years Old - a perspective poem/a growing up poem
Thoughts at Seven Years Old
by
Greg Pincus
Slow and steady wins the race.
So, sure, today call me “Shorty.”
But I’ve been growing two inches each year....
Let’s talk again when I’m forty.
If you want to get all my poems emailed to you for freeee as they hit the blog, enter your email address in the box below then click subscribe!
by
Greg Pincus
Slow and steady wins the race.
So, sure, today call me “Shorty.”
But I’ve been growing two inches each year....
Let’s talk again when I’m forty.
If you want to get all my poems emailed to you for freeee as they hit the blog, enter your email address in the box below then click subscribe!
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Happy Cybils Day!
I love the choice in poetry this year - Paul Janeczko's Requiem: Poems of the Terezin Ghetto. I wish I'd been in on the conversations, but I've had that privilege enough years to know it was high quality, insightful, funny, and carefully done.
If you're looking for books to read and recommend, the Cybils list is a great place to start. Go on and check 'em out.
Sunday, February 12, 2012
Lazy Sunday - a weekend poem/a perspective poem
Lazy Sunday
by
Greg Pincus
Lazy Sunday!
Sleep til 10.
Close my eyes
Then sleep again.
Wake and shoot some hoops with Dad.
Finish homework (not so bad!).
Watch TV.
Find food to eat.
Ride my skateboard on my street.
A soccer game down at the park?
Play with friends until it’s dark.
Do my chores.
Read and play.
Then sleep.
I love a lazy day!
If you want to get all my poems emailed to you for freeee as they hit the blog, enter your email address in the box below then click subscribe!
by
Greg Pincus
Lazy Sunday!
Sleep til 10.
Close my eyes
Then sleep again.
Wake and shoot some hoops with Dad.
Finish homework (not so bad!).
Watch TV.
Find food to eat.
Ride my skateboard on my street.
A soccer game down at the park?
Play with friends until it’s dark.
Do my chores.
Read and play.
Then sleep.
I love a lazy day!
If you want to get all my poems emailed to you for freeee as they hit the blog, enter your email address in the box below then click subscribe!
Friday, February 10, 2012
My Dad's a Hippopotamus (a poetry re-issue)
MY DAD’S A HIPPOPOTAMUS
by
Greg Pincus
My dad’s a hippopotamus.
He’s dad to quite a lot of us.
You think that’s strange? I don’t know why,
Since we’re all hippopotami.
We’re friends with a rhinoceros,
Who I think looks preposterous.
I’m glad that I don’t spend time bein’
Something so rhinocerian.
We live next to a crocodile.
He’s over there on his own isle.
He’s got big bumps on each short limb.
I’m glad that I don’t look like him.
We also know a chimpanzee,
The strangest creature that you’ll see.
Those gangly arms look out of place,
And I would never want his face.
Right nearby’s an ocelot.
He likes to mew and roar a lot.
With spots and splotches hard to miss,
I think he looks ridiculous.
But there’s one creature that we see
That’s most absurd. We all agree.
It comes to visit at our zoo.
And... oh... how sad! It looks like you.
For reasons unknown to me, this poem has been stuck in my head lately. I figured that was a good reason to re-post it (it first appeared here in April of 2008) You can see what else folks are up to if you head on over to the Poetry Friday roundup (hosted by Laura Purdie Salas).
If you want to get all my new poems (and only the poems) emailed to you for freeee as they hit the blog, enter your email address in the box below then click subscribe!
by
Greg Pincus
My dad’s a hippopotamus.
He’s dad to quite a lot of us.
You think that’s strange? I don’t know why,
Since we’re all hippopotami.
We’re friends with a rhinoceros,
Who I think looks preposterous.
I’m glad that I don’t spend time bein’
Something so rhinocerian.
We live next to a crocodile.
He’s over there on his own isle.
He’s got big bumps on each short limb.
I’m glad that I don’t look like him.
We also know a chimpanzee,
The strangest creature that you’ll see.
Those gangly arms look out of place,
And I would never want his face.
Right nearby’s an ocelot.
He likes to mew and roar a lot.
With spots and splotches hard to miss,
I think he looks ridiculous.
But there’s one creature that we see
That’s most absurd. We all agree.
It comes to visit at our zoo.
And... oh... how sad! It looks like you.
For reasons unknown to me, this poem has been stuck in my head lately. I figured that was a good reason to re-post it (it first appeared here in April of 2008) You can see what else folks are up to if you head on over to the Poetry Friday roundup (hosted by Laura Purdie Salas).
If you want to get all my new poems (and only the poems) emailed to you for freeee as they hit the blog, enter your email address in the box below then click subscribe!
Tuesday, February 07, 2012
Speak Up! - a Skeltonic verse
Speak Up! – a Skeltonic verse
by
Greg Pincus
When you speak,
Be unique.
Be offbeat.
Don’t repeat
Every tweet
From the street.
Use your brain
For your gain.
Read the news.
Hear more views.
Take a look
At a book
On your shelf.
Then think for yourself.
If you do
Think things through,
And then you
Make the choice
To use your voice,
Stay undeterred
And every word
Will be heard.
Once again I was inspired by the poetry prompt at The Miss Rumphius Effect, this time leading me to write my first ever Skeltonic verse. Or at least the first time I've known I was writing one, as it was a form I'd never encountered by name before. I do like experimenting with forms, though I admit it takes a prompt to get me there more often than not. (Thanks, Tricia!)
If you want to get all my poems emailed to you for freeee as they hit the blog, enter your email address in the box below then click subscribe!
by
Greg Pincus
When you speak,
Be unique.
Be offbeat.
Don’t repeat
Every tweet
From the street.
Use your brain
For your gain.
Read the news.
Hear more views.
Take a look
At a book
On your shelf.
Then think for yourself.
If you do
Think things through,
And then you
Make the choice
To use your voice,
Stay undeterred
And every word
Will be heard.
Once again I was inspired by the poetry prompt at The Miss Rumphius Effect, this time leading me to write my first ever Skeltonic verse. Or at least the first time I've known I was writing one, as it was a form I'd never encountered by name before. I do like experimenting with forms, though I admit it takes a prompt to get me there more often than not. (Thanks, Tricia!)
If you want to get all my poems emailed to you for freeee as they hit the blog, enter your email address in the box below then click subscribe!
Monday, February 06, 2012
#kidlitchat on Tuesday, February 7th - all about self-publishing
Tomorrow night, at 9 PM Eastern/6 PM Pacific, #kidlitchat (on Twitter) will be all about self-publishing (with a focus on the children's book world, of course). Is YA the only viable path? Do board books work? How much work is it? Why should I or shouldn't I self-publish?
Those are just a few of the areas we expect to come up. Last time we had a similarly themed chat, it was very high quality and very respectful. We expect the same this time, so I do hope you join us.
If you're new to Twitter chats, please check out this info from Debbie Ridpath Ohi so you can dive in tomorrow night. And I'll see you there!
Those are just a few of the areas we expect to come up. Last time we had a similarly themed chat, it was very high quality and very respectful. We expect the same this time, so I do hope you join us.
If you're new to Twitter chats, please check out this info from Debbie Ridpath Ohi so you can dive in tomorrow night. And I'll see you there!
Sunday, February 05, 2012
Seeing Football - a sports poem/a poem about imagination
Seeing Football
by
Greg Pincus
A football game is on TV -
Fans watching, cheering, screaming.
But I’m not tuning in like that:
I’m thinking, drifting, dreaming.
I see myself out on the field
With toughness, savvy, skills.
I’ll take the whole crowd’s breath away…
Cause goose bumps, sore throats, thrills.
I’m linebacker. I’m running back.
I’m safety, tight end, guard.
I play my heart out, fighting for
Each inch, each foot, each yard.
I’m quarterback. I’m cornerback.
I’m center, punter, kicker.
I catch the ball. Defenders chase!
I’m faster, sharper, quicker.
You watch the screen. I’m playing hard.
I’m jumping, diving, scoring!
Compared to what’s inside my head
That TV game is boring.
It's Super Sunday here in the States, so if you, like me, are watching the game, I do hope you enjoy that game and that it's anything but boring!
If you want to get all my poems emailed to you for freeee as they hit the blog, enter your email address in the box below then click subscribe!
by
Greg Pincus
A football game is on TV -
Fans watching, cheering, screaming.
But I’m not tuning in like that:
I’m thinking, drifting, dreaming.
I see myself out on the field
With toughness, savvy, skills.
I’ll take the whole crowd’s breath away…
Cause goose bumps, sore throats, thrills.
I’m linebacker. I’m running back.
I’m safety, tight end, guard.
I play my heart out, fighting for
Each inch, each foot, each yard.
I’m quarterback. I’m cornerback.
I’m center, punter, kicker.
I catch the ball. Defenders chase!
I’m faster, sharper, quicker.
You watch the screen. I’m playing hard.
I’m jumping, diving, scoring!
Compared to what’s inside my head
That TV game is boring.
It's Super Sunday here in the States, so if you, like me, are watching the game, I do hope you enjoy that game and that it's anything but boring!
If you want to get all my poems emailed to you for freeee as they hit the blog, enter your email address in the box below then click subscribe!
Friday, February 03, 2012
A Book for Me - a poem about books
A Book for Me
by
Greg Pincus
When what’s there on the page
Lets me feel someone’s rage,
Or the joy in the words
Makes me fly with the birds,
Or something I’ve read
Gets me out of my head,
Or the story on view
Helps me see something new,
Or the book sets me free...
It’s a book that’s for me.
The Poetry Friday roundup is being hosted by Karissa at the Iris Chronicles. Head on over and see the poetry joy.
If you want to get all my poems emailed to you for freeee as they hit the blog, enter your email address in the box below then click subscribe!
by
Greg Pincus
When what’s there on the page
Lets me feel someone’s rage,
Or the joy in the words
Makes me fly with the birds,
Or something I’ve read
Gets me out of my head,
Or the story on view
Helps me see something new,
Or the book sets me free...
It’s a book that’s for me.
The Poetry Friday roundup is being hosted by Karissa at the Iris Chronicles. Head on over and see the poetry joy.
If you want to get all my poems emailed to you for freeee as they hit the blog, enter your email address in the box below then click subscribe!
Thursday, February 02, 2012
Punxatawney Phil Sees His Shadow - a Groundhog Day poem
Punxatawney Phil Sees His Shadow
by
Greg Pincus
You say “Boo! More snow and gloom.”
But me? I think it’s cool -
More winter means that there’s more chance
Of a snow day off from school!
And a Happy Groundhog Day to you all, whether you're for or against the predicted six more weeks o' winter.
If you want to get all my poems emailed to you for freeee as they hit the blog, enter your email address in the box below then click subscribe!
by
Greg Pincus
You say “Boo! More snow and gloom.”
But me? I think it’s cool -
More winter means that there’s more chance
Of a snow day off from school!
And a Happy Groundhog Day to you all, whether you're for or against the predicted six more weeks o' winter.
If you want to get all my poems emailed to you for freeee as they hit the blog, enter your email address in the box below then click subscribe!
Three Fabulous Things
Are you a teacher or librarian and want to have a free Skype visit from an LA-area YA author? Good! Because you have a chance to win a visit as long as you're outside Los Angeles county. There are eight wonderful authors joining in to help celebrate YALSA's teen tech week, and that means eight visits are available. Good luck!
Fab thing two: my friend Danny Rubin, the screenwriter of Groundhog Day, has a really wonderful new eBook out. It's called How To Write Groundhog Day, and I think it's a great read for any writer. Yes, some of it is Hollywood specific, but Danny breaks down the process of turning a concept into something as, well, as fantastic as Groundhog Day in a way I really haven't seen before. Plus, he's funny! I highly recommend it.
And fab thing three is this interview with David L. Harrison (a 30 Poets/30 Days contributor, I quickly add). For those who wear many hats or have many passions - teaching, writing, music, business, whatever - the way he explains how things intertwined for him is really fascinating.
Fab thing two: my friend Danny Rubin, the screenwriter of Groundhog Day, has a really wonderful new eBook out. It's called How To Write Groundhog Day, and I think it's a great read for any writer. Yes, some of it is Hollywood specific, but Danny breaks down the process of turning a concept into something as, well, as fantastic as Groundhog Day in a way I really haven't seen before. Plus, he's funny! I highly recommend it.
And fab thing three is this interview with David L. Harrison (a 30 Poets/30 Days contributor, I quickly add). For those who wear many hats or have many passions - teaching, writing, music, business, whatever - the way he explains how things intertwined for him is really fascinating.
Wednesday, February 01, 2012
Twitter Classes, I Say!
Wearing my social media consultant hat for a moment here... I've just started offering Twitter classes for small groups (in person or via Skype).
That link will take you to all the information, or feel free to email me.. And I'll see you on Twitter!
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