Archive of ‘Book Response’ category

Poetry Friday: Another Poetry Gift

I received The Song of Kiều by Nguyễn Du from Phong, our pandemic kid. Phong is from Vietnam, and this epic poem is the best-known and most loved poems from his country. After reading it (devouring it one car ride), I can see why.

The Song of Kiều grew from an old Chinese legend to become a beloved story in Vietnam and tells the story of Kiều, a beautiful woman whose wits and words carry her through twists of fate that she survives and triumphs. Kiều sacrifices her love and happiness to marry to save her family from debt but is tricked into working at a brothel. Her fortunes rise and fall throughout her journeys as she finds love again, falls into slavery, becomes a queen and a nun, outwits jealous wives, and avenges those who helped and hurt her. Through it all, her strength wit and words prevail.

Not only is her story full of adventure, the poetry sparkles–even though much of the word play is lost in translation. Vietnamese is a tonal language–the same syllables become different words depending on how much the inflection rises or falls. It is beautiful to listen to, but I cannot hear the difference except between the highest and lowest inflections (when said with great emphasis and slowly). The translator, Timothy Allen, gives a hint of the wordplay possible with the names of each section

I want to share with you just a bit from the beginning of the poem:

It’s an old story: good luck and good looks
don’t always mx.
Tragedy is circular and infinite.
The plain never believe it,
but good-looking people meet with hard tines too.

And the first description of Kiều:

But Kiều is still more beautiful. Her eyes
are dark and troubled as November seas.
Spring flowers envy her grave beauty
and the mountain as shivers with jealousy
whenever she passes by.
Her smile flashes like a thunderbolt.
A fine painter, singer and poet,
she makes mournfu; melodies on her hlute:
the saddest and sweetest is ‘Cruel Fate.’

The Song of Kiều is captivating and beautiful. Kiều has become one of my favorite and beloved characters–up there with Anne of Green Gables and Lucy Pevensie. I hope you are able to find a copy and discover her story for yourself.

Each Friday, I am excited to take part in Poetry Friday, where writers share their love of all things poetry. Carol hosts the Poetry Friday Roundup today at Beyond Literacy Link. She offers an extragavanza of summer memories with the Embracable Summer Gallery. You don’t won’t to miss out of this feast of poetry and images . Hurry over and check out all the poetry morsels offered up today.

Poetry Friday: More Ekphrastic Poetry

The challenge: to write a poem every day through the month of February in response to a piece of art. Voila! I’m practicing my first attempt at Ekphrastic poetry thanks to Laura Shovan, who hosts a February Poetry Project each year in honor of her birthday every year.  You can read about it’s past and present incarnation here.

I’ve almost made it! Next Friday will be March, and so far I have managed to write and share a poem in response to art every day. I think I will make it all the way till the end of the month. Some days are easier to write than others, and I like some of my efforts better than others. Here are a few of my favorites from the week.

I tried my first triolet this week. I first learned of it from a challenge by the Poetry Princesses. i loved the the gentle feeling created by the rhyme and repetition. I saved their posts and waited for an opportunity to try it for myself. This unsigned painting shared by Molly Hogan (she found it at the free shopping area of her local Recycling Barn) was the perfect invitation.

COME

Come to the woods and be still
Sit and breathe in its peace
Listen for a bird’s soft trill
Come to the woods and be still
Rest beside a trickling rill
From your daily toils cease
Come to the woods and be still
Sit and breathe in its peace

I had much on my mind when I wrote this poem in response to a charcoal carving Christine Wyman brought back from outside the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Uganda. I’m not sure it completely works, but It’s a start of something I want to come back to later.

TEACH US

Before you disappear
into your misty mountains
and impenetrable forests,
teach us to bear the weight
of our children on our backs
until they grow strong enough
to walk beside us.
Teach us to weave nets
of dreams instead of vines
to cradle our children
and ourselves while we rest
from the dangers and toils
of modern life that threaten
to overwhelm us
with nightmares
of extinction.

Finally, just for fun, I wrote this limerick to accompany this delightful illustration “Winter Gator” by John Herzog, shared by Rebecca Herzog.

There once was a gator named Flo
who liked to take walks in the snow.
She’d glide all day long
while humming a song
and watching the cold north wind blow.

Each Friday, I am excited to take part in Poetry Friday, where writers share their love of all things poetry. Liz hosts the Poetry Friday Roundup today at Elizabeth Steinglass.  She extends an invitation to reflect on why we’re here with a beautiful poem of concrete details that point to what matters and another iteration of what can be written using a powerful mentor text: George Ella Lyon’s “Where I’m From.” Drop by and see what poetry morsels are offered this week.

Poetry Friday: Glowing Girls

I just finished reading Kate Moore’s The Radium Girls: The Dark Story of America’s Shining Women. I couldn’t get the story of these women and their fight for justice out of my head or heart. This story is an important one for us to remember, especially in light of the pell mell push for deregulation that we are seeing right now. These heroic women fought hard battles against tremendous odds to bring about justice for themselves and improved safety at work for generations to come. They also gave of their lives and bodies to science, resulting in much of our knowledge about the effects of radiation on  the human body. If you haven’t come across it yet, I highly recommend it for your reading. Today’s poem is in response to my reading.

Glowing Girls

Glowing girls
sashay home from work
after a day where they
lip, dip, and paint
the luminescent radium
on dial after dial.

Glowing girls
sparkle and shine
through the night where they
swirl, twirl, and dance
through the Roaring Twenties
with beau after beau.

Glowing girls
hide dangerous secrets
in their brittle bones that
ache, break, and fall
apart as radium–undiagnosed–
destroys life after life.

Glowing girls
demand justice
from companies that
hide, duck, and lie
about the dangers
in denial after denial.

Glowing girls
leave a legacy
from beyond their graves.
Remember, recall, revive
the lessons learned and justice won
by these glowing girls.

Each Friday, I am excited to take part in Poetry Friday, where writers share their love of all things poetry. Mary Lee has the Poetry Friday Roundup today at A Year of Reading. Pour yourself a cup of tea and savor the offerings of #haikuforhealing. Drop by and see what poetry morsels are offered this week  and a preview for next week, too.

Poetry Friday: Cracking Rocks

Several things came together to contribute to this week’s poem. Like many of us, I am still thinking about the events in Charlottesville and searching for the best way to respond to the hatred that seems to be rising again. (On the hopeful side, there is an even stronger response rising with it that says, No, we will not let hate rule our communities.) On my walks, I am fascinated by the unlikely places I find plants growing–out of a rocky cliff, within cracks in the asphalt, between concrete slabs on a doorway. Wherever these plants put roots down, they begin the process of breaking down our solid creation back into soil.

Then I read this blog post from a friend of mine: Between a Rock and … a Violet? Even though she is on sabbatical in England and Scotland, I was amazed at the similar paths our thoughts were taking. Finally, I turned to another poem for inspiration: Unfolding Bud by Naoshi Koriyana. I enjoyed teaching this poem and offering it as a mentor text for my middle school students. I hoped I could use it as well to capture my wandering thoughts. Here’s what happened:

Cracking Rocks

I am amazed
by green shoots
poking up
through cracks
in concrete and asphalt,
taking root
and reaching for the sun
against all odds.

I hope
that acts of kindness
can break
through the cracks
in the walls of fear,
anger and hatred
we build between us.

I want
to be surprised
by love
taking root,
stretching
toward each other
against all odds.

Each Friday, I am excited to take part in Poetry Friday, where writers share their love of all things poetry. Jone has the Poetry Friday Roundup today at Check It Out. This week she introduces a brand new Poetry Friday Power Pack book. It’s time to get Pet Crazy. Stop by and see what poetry morsels are offered this week. 

Poetry Friday: a Review of LOVING VS. VIRGINIA

Thank you, Michelle Barnes of Today’s Little Ditty, for hosting the book giveaway for Loving VS. Virginia. I was excited to receive a copy of this beautiful book in the mail, and even more excited to read it.

Patricia Hruby Powell (check out her website for images from the book) portrays the love story of Richard and Mildred Loving through breathtaking verse that alternates between the voices of Mildred and Richard. Shadra Strickland illustrates the story with a style of illustrative reporting common to the time period called visual journalism. Interspersed between the text and illustrations are reproductions of documents and photographs that highlight important moments in the larger story of segregation and Civil Rights. As these elements come together, the story weaves an inspiring ode to the power and determination of love in the face of overwhelming prejudice an discrimination.

Even though Mildred and Richard grew up in the heart of segregated Virginia, their community of Central Point was different. Here’s how Mildred (sometimes known as Bean) describes it at the beginning:

If I stop and watch
I see young and old–
Indians, Negroes, Whites–
all mixed together.

Everyone likes each other
in our neighborhood.
Everyone dancing
TOGETHER.

Whites and coloreds–
we go to different schools–
to different churches,
drink from different water fountains.
But our section is different.

My world is right here
in Central Point.
That’s what it’s called.
Central Point,
the center
of my universe.
My family.
My world.

This is the place where RIchard and Mildred want to stay to raise their children, but the hatred enforced by segregation won’t allow it. Just five weeks after their wedding, they are arrested, face trial, and are banished from the state. As I read, I was shocked again by the hatred the Lovings faced. I struggle to understand how anyone could hate another based on race or religion or orientation. As I read, I also worried at how relevant these issues are still today. While we have made some progress (the Supreme Court did strike down Virginia’s law banning their marriage), we still have a long way to go. Many of the attitudes underlying segregation and prejudice seem to be making a resurgence.

Books like Loving VS. Virginia are one way to fight against the resurgence of prejudice we are facing. Reading this book allows me and other readers to briefly enter into the lives of the people who lived this history and to learn from it. I hope that more and more places can become like Central Point where people of all kinds can come together to eat, dance, and live in community.

Each Friday, I am excited to take part in Poetry Friday, where writers share their love of all things poetry. Diane has the Poetry Friday Roundup today at Random Noodling. Stop by and see what poetry morsels are offered this week. 

Disclosure: I participate in the Amazon Associates Program. If you decide to make a purchase by clicking on the affiliate links, including in the linked picture above. Amazon will pay me a commission. This commission doesn’t cost you any extra. All opinions are my own.

Poetry Friday: A Taste of Home

After sharing My America: A Poetry Atlas of the United States last week, I’ve been thinking of poems and places. I found I poem I wrote and shared several years ago, but it captures one of my favorite places from home–Parker’s Barbecue in Wilson, NC. You can read more about the history of the restaurant (or is it an institution by now) in this feature from Our State Magazine. Just rereading the article and poem make my mouth water. How long until I plan another trip home to taste some? 
 
If you ever drive down I-95 through North Carolina, I highly recommend a detour to stop and eat and experience it for yourself. 
 
A Taste of Home
 
A fleet of waiters–
young men with lanky arms and legs
that stretch across tables
and old men, short with pot bellies–
tap their feet as they wait
for the square tables to fill,
empty, and fill again as the tides
of hungry patrons ebb and flow
within the walls of warm pine panels
where time twists and turns and
stands still within a whirlwind of constant
noise and motion.
Our waiter swoops upon us
before we even sit down
in the wooden chairs crammed between
walls and table,
his pen poised to take our order
before we’ve been given menus.
I’ve been gone too long
and have to let my eyes linger on a laminated menu
before ordering what I always get–
steaming barbecue, crisp french fries, Brunswick stew, shredded slaw,
sweet hushpuppies and chewy cornsticks
washed down with iced tea so sweet and strong–
With another swing of the kitchen door,
our waiter strides across the hardwood floor
worn smooth with years of pounding feet,
his arms laden with plates piled high
with the taste that takes me home–
shredded pork barbeque slow roasted in a pit
and drenched with vinegar and spices
that can’t be found outside the radius of home.
Each tangy bite pulls me back through the years
as timeless sounds wash over me:
the clatter of dishes mingles
with the cadence of conversations
and greetings called out in a drawl
I’ve long since lost.
Brunswick stew threatens to ooze
into the pile of cabbage shredded into tangy slaw,
and I spare a few bites between sips of tea,
but my fork snags mouthfuls
of the shredded pork barbecue
that may be world-famous
the length if I-95,
but for me the blend of vinegar and spices
calls me home
as I push away from the table,
sated and satisfied until I can return again.
 
Each Friday, I am excited to take part in Poetry Friday, where writers share their love of all things poetry. Amy has the Poetry Friday Roundup today at The Poem Farm. Drop by and see what poetry morsels are offered this week.

It’s Monday! What are you reading?

It’s Monday! What are you reading? Is a meme started by Sheila at Book Journey and now hosted by Kathryn at The Book Date. Kellee and Rikki at Unleashing Readers and Jen at Teach Mentor Texts gave the meme a kidlit twist. It’s a great way to reflect on what you’ve read and reviewed the last week and plan what you want to read next. Join up with us and discover what good books other people are reading.

IMWAYR 2015

We are finally getting some cooler fall weather to enjoy! For some reason, I thought I would have a lot of extra time once my daughter left for college, but I can’t seem to find it. We are staying as busy as ever with work and fun.

Blog posts this week…

I finished…

Have a Little Faith by Mitch Albom – What an inspiring story. It begins with a request from Albom’s rabbi: Would Mitch write the rabbi’s eulogy? As Albom gets to know his rabbi as more than the Man of God, he also encounters another Man of God–Henry Covington, the pastor of I Am My Brother’s Keeper church and homeless ministry in Detroit. The two men could not have had more different life stories, but both share a passionate love for God that spills over into love for neighbor and community. I know I have much to think about with my own faith after reading this one. I can’t wait to discuss it with my Bible study group and hear what they think, too.

The Miseducation of Cameron Post by Emily M. Danforth – Wow. I was blown away by this story. Cameron is a character who will stay with me for a long time. Her voice is at times snarky, at times vulnerable, at times hysterically funny, always courageous and honest. While Cameron’s story is at times heartbreaking (the death of her family, her time at school that is supposed to “cure” her of being gay), it is most of all hopeful and beautifully written. This is an important book, one that students–whether gay or not–need to have access to read.

Sweet Legacy by Tera Lynn Childs – I thoroughly enjoyed the conclusion to this trilogy of mythology and monsters. The triplets and descendants of Medusa–Gretchen, Grace, and Greer–are about to fulfill the prophecy that is their destiny. But just when they think they have things figured out, things get much more complicated. Not all monsters are bad. They boys who have come to help them are hiding secrets of their own. Not to mention, at least two sides of gods and monsters want to kill them. All they have to do is rescue the Gorgons, fight off the Olympians and open the door. Then they can take up their legacy of guarding the way between the realms and keeping balance.

I’m currently reading…

Good Omens by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman – Who knew the end of the world could be such a rollicking good time? I should have known that is what would happen when these two guys (who wrote the book together before they were literary gods themselves) join forces. I’ve just started, but I’m already snorting at the footnotes (I love funny footnotes) and becoming a fan of Crowly (originally known as Crawly–the snake who tempted Eve with the apple).

Coming up…

I need to remember to renew the library books I still have checked out in order to avoid those pesky fines. I still have two of the books I checked out last time to finish reading. I’m also looking forward to my mom’s visit starting Wednesday, and going to visit my daughter at college next weekend.

What have you been reading this week?

Disclosure: I participate in the Amazon Associates Program. If you decide to make a purchase by clicking on the affiliate links, including in the linked picture above. Amazon will pay me a commission. This commission doesn’t cost you any extra. All opinions are my own.

Moving Pictures by Terry Pratchett

What happens when a wild, magical idea escapes into Discworld? Well, if you are Terry Pratchett, you write a funny send up of Hollywood known as Moving Pictures (Penguin Books, 1990).

For years, Holy Wood remained deserted. Now that that wild idea has escaped, people are headed toward Holy Wood for various known and unknown reasons. The alchemists came to escape the watchful eye of the wizards–and to put demons to work drawing pictures on octocellulose (highly explosive and highly captivating when shown as moving pictures). Ginger, the beautiful milkmaid, is determined to be the biggest and best she can be, whatever that means. She’s sure it doesn’t involve milking cows. Victor finally puts aside his status as an eternal student (who always fails by just a little, but probably knows more than the rest of the wizards at Unseen University. He’s not too sure about this whole moving pictures business, but finds himself a reluctant leading man.

Gaspode, the talking dog, shows up. Even though he is outshone by Laddie (a beautiful, loyal, dumb, golden dog) at every turn, Gaspode knows how to make a deal and take his 10 percent. Dibbler, the sausage seller, learns to sell movie magic as he turns into a movie mogul. Even the trolls show up to play their part–and maybe find a little romance if the rules would just stay the same.

Wherever they are coming from–and wherever they might be leading–the ideas keep flowing until the best movie of all time is made. The only question that remains is will anyone survive long enough to figure out what is really going on?

Once again, Pratchett skewers modern society, this time focused on its fascination with all things celebrity and movie. I’m not a huge movie buff, but even I enjoyed the movie references that I caught. I’m sure someone who watches more movies would laugh even more.

Disclosure: I participate in the Amazon Associates Program. If you decide to make a purchase by clicking on the affiliate links, including in the linked picture above. Amazon will pay me a commission. This commission doesn’t cost you any extra. All opinions are my own.

Nine, Ten: A September 11 Story by Nora Raleigh Baskin

Even though I have read many glowing reviews of Nine, Ten (Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2016), I was reluctant to start it. I was reluctant to revisit the events of September 11 even through the pages of a story. I am glad I did, though. Nora Raleigh Baskin has crafted a story that offers an introduction to this historical even that marks my life to readers who were not yet born when it occurred.

Baskin introduces us to four young people who don’t know each other. They live throughout the country, but their lives are about to intersect as one event impacts them all.

  • Sergio, a brilliant math student, lives with his grandmother and harbors a lingering anger at his father who only shows up when he wants something. His last appearance is too much for Sergio, who plays hooky from school the day before and meets Gideon, a New York firefighter. As he watches the towers smoke and then fall, Sergio worries about his new friend
  • Aimee struggles to fit in at her new school in California while missing her mom who now frequently travels with her new job. This time her mom is in New York City for a meeting at the World Trade Center. A call from Aimee keeps her from making her meeting on time.
  • Naheed was born in Columbus, Ohio, and has lived there all her life, but she feels like she sticks out ever since she began wearing her hijab. Trying to deflect attention off herself, she makes a classmate the target of student taunts. She knows that the right thing to do is to offer friendship to the awkward girl, but catastrophic news gets in the way.
  • Will still grieves the death of his father, killed in an accident along the side of the road over a year ago. He’s also not sure what to do with his changing feelings for Claire, a girl he has grown up with in the small town of Shanksville, Pennsylvania. Now all of a sudden, he realizes that she is a girl.

Even though none of these four children lose someone close to them in the September 11 attacks, their lives will never be the same. By focusing on just the day before and day of the attacks, Baskin shows children today how this even impacted everyone. The ending, a glimpse of the memorial service one year later, once again brings the four children together in a chance encounter and reminds us that we each have the choice to make. Will we let this tragedy bring us together or drive us apart?

Disclosure: I participate in the Amazon Associates Program. If you decide to make a purchase by clicking on the affiliate links, including in the linked picture above. Amazon will pay me a commission. This commission doesn’t cost you any extra. All opinions are my own.

It’s Monday! What are you reading?

It’s Monday! What are you reading? Is a meme started by Sheila at Book Journey and now hosted by Kathryn at The Book Date. Kellee and Rikki at Unleashing Readers and Jen at Teach Mentor Texts gave the meme a kidlit twist. It’s a great way to reflect on what you’ve read and reviewed the last week and plan what you want to read next. Join up with us and discover what good books other people are reading.

IMWAYR 2015

Blog posts this week…

I finished…

Moving Pictures by Terry Pratchett – Holy Wood has finally been forgotten long enough for it to release a dangerous idea–more than one, in fact. Soon, people from all over Discworld are streaming to Holy Wood, full of ideas they didn’t know they had and eager to take part in this new magic (but not magic like the wizards do), but none of them realize the danger that is close at hand. This is a great read for movie buffs. I’m not up on that many movies (new or old), but I caught quite a few allusions that made me laugh as Pratchett bends and twists them into brilliant humor.

Nine, Ten: A September 11 Story by Nora Raleigh Baskin – I finally got up the nerve to read my first 9-11 story. I’m glad I did. Baskin weaves together the stories of four teenagers across the country, focusing on the day before and the day of the attacks. Each one has different concerns that are affected differently by the events of 9-11. Their stories also interconnect in surprising ways. As I read, I kept comparing the events of the story to my experiences of that day. Even though there are obvious differences (for starters, I was an adult), much of it rang true, especially the emotional responses. This novel is an excellent introduction to 9-11 for middle grade students, all of whom now were born after the fact.

Agatha Christie’s And Then There Were None adapted by Samuel French – Since I have a role in the upcoming production of our local theater group’s performance of this play, I figured I should read the rest of the script. (My role is to wear black and move props on and off the stage. I’ve also been reading parts for absent cast members during practice.) This is probable one of my favorite of Christie’s mysteries. In addition to revisiting it, I’m enjoying the process of seeing it come to life on the stage.

Surf’s Up by Kwame Alexander, illustrated by Daniel Miyares – I bought this for a birthday present for the son of friends. The author’s name is what first caught my eye (I loved Booked!), but I loved the story and illustrations once I read it. Two friends are ready for the beach: one wants to surf, the other read. Before you know it, the reader has convinced his friend that the book is exciting, and they switch roles. Even though I’m not a fan of Moby Dick, I laughed at the references to it throughout the story. I loved the message that this book sends (one I tried every year to convince my students of): it is possible to enjoy reading and also enjoy other activities. You can do both!

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child by JK Rowling and more – Can I just say that I love that my daughter is growing up and now buys books that she brings home to share with me? I didn’t quite finish it before she left to go back to school, but now that I have, I can’t wait to discuss it with her. I like the story, but I do wish it had been a novel rather than a script. That’s just because I prefer the novel format–and I wanted to know more. I would love to see the stage production. Since I don’t have immediate plans to go to London, I can hope it one day goes on tour through the Midwest.

It’s the Little Things by Lena Williams – I found this in our church library. I’m pretty sure it is my copy that I donated a while back. I wanted to reread it in light of all the protests along racial lines that have been in the news. Williams write with insight about those little things–the daily interactions that may be done without thought or malice–that get under the skin. Much of it arises from the misunderstanding that comes with people in different racial groups simply don’t know each other–and may be afraid to speak up for fear of being misunderstood. I am thankful for the opportunity to read and listen and to try to understand a perspective different from my own.

I’m currently reading…

Have a Little Faith by Mitch Albom – This is our latest selection for my Bible Study. I am fascinated by the stories of two–no, three–men that weave together in this account of faith. First, we meet the Reb, the rabbi of the congregation where Albom grew up. His request for Albom to give his eulogy begins the story. Next is Henry Covington, who grew up in a rough family and came to faith through a roundabout path. Finally, there is Albom himself, who is searching for what faith means for him. It’s hard not to read straight through to the end, but I’m trying to pace myself.

Coming up…

I have another stack from the library! Check out the title below.

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What have you been reading this week?

Disclosure: I participate in the Amazon Associates Program. If you decide to make a purchase by clicking on the affiliate links, including in the linked picture above. Amazon will pay me a commission. This commission doesn’t cost you any extra. All opinions are my own.

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