April 2017 archive

Poetry Friday: Poetry Postcards and Poetry Cubed

This week has been filled with poetry goodness–a fitting end to National Poetry Month, which lingers for a few more days.

First off, I received this lovely poetry postcard in the mail from Jone Rush MacCulloch’s Student Poetry Postcard Project at Silver Star Elementary in Vancouver, WA. How did they know that cats are one of my favorite animals?

You can check out more delightful poems and artwork at Check It Out – Life and Books in a K-5 Setting.

Next, I tried out a new poetry challenge for myself:  Poetry Cubed by Matt Forest Esenwine. the concept is simple. Matt shared three photos, each to be used in a single poem. Sounds simple? Not so much once I sat down to write, but I’m pleased with what I eventually came up with.

FOCUS

A clenched bud
unfurls its petals
one by one
as spring unspools
before my eyes.

Bees dance
across the petals
step by step
as spring writes a new
saga across earth’s screen.

What poetry has been keeping you company this month?

Each Friday, I am excited to take part in Poetry Friday, where writers share their love of all things poetry. Jo Ann has the Poetry Friday Roundup today at Teaching Authors. by and see what poetry morsels are offered this week. If you want even more poetry goodness, check out the roundup of poetic events throughout the Kidlitosphere at Jama’s Alphabet Soup.

Poetry Friday: Ode to Dandelions

Our neighbors may not appreciate it, but I love the diverse horticulture found across our lawn. This time of year, multitudes of spring wildflowers are sprinkled across the grass: violets, spring beauties, clover, and of course, dandelions.

The best part about dandelions (even better than their cheerful yellow blooms and fun-to-blow seeds) is you can eat them. I’ve been knows to pick a few of the yellow flowers to toss in salads or fry up in a little batter. This year I tried something new to see if I could preserve the essence of carefree summer days–dandelion jelly. I was pleased with the results, but after spending way too many hours snipping off enough yellow petals (no green allowed), I’m not sure I’ll do it again. If you are interested in trying to make some yourself, here are the directions I followed.

When I saw the poetry challenge by Helen Frost to write an ode last month at Today’s Little Ditty, I wanted to try it, but didn’t get it done in March. I’m glad that Michelle Barnes  offered a smorgasbord (submit a poem for any prior challenge) for April’s Ditty of the Month Challenge so I still have a chance to play!

Ode to Dandelions

Yellow stars spring
up across a universe
of green grass,
forming constellations
traced by buzzing bees
who stop to sip nectar
sweetened by sunshine
and soft summer breezes.
How can I bottle up
your golden promise
to savor on a winter’s day?

Each Friday, I am excited to take part in Poetry Friday, where writers share their love of all things poetry. Tabatha has the Poetry Friday Roundup today at The Opposite of Indifference. Drop by and see what poetry morsels are offered this week. If you want even more poetry goodness, check out the roundup of poetic events throughout the Kidlitosphere at Jama’s Alphabet Soup.

Poetry Friday: Lenten Reflections, part 2

Instead of taking on a new project for National Poetry Month, I have continued with writing a short poem connected to an image for each day of Lent. Alive Now posted a word for each day of Lent and challenged people to take a photo to represent each word. I added a short poem to each image and have been sharing them on Facebook.

As I have gone through the challenge, I have appreciated the opportunity to reflect and create. Many days I have confronted my own vulnerability and my own struggles. Thankfully, my friends have been kind and generous. Here is a sampling of images and poems I have written.

MYSTERY
I yearn for mystery
but forget to open my eyes
to the wonder before me.

MERCY
Your mercy flows
through our days, a life-giving
stream to nourish love

PRESENCE 
Be still. Breath
in the Presence of this moment.
Know that I am God.

TRANSFORM
Spirit, catch fire
across my heart, mind, and life.
Transform me anew.

HOPE
Hope blooms in strange
places, through Cracks in our hearts
that push us to grow.

SACRIFICE
What will you sacrifice–
an unkind word, a heated retort–
to live God’s kingdom

Each Friday, I am excited to take part in Poetry Friday, where writers share their love of all things poetry. Dori has the Poetry Friday Roundup today at Dori Reads. Drop by and see what poetry morsels are offered this week. If you want even more poetry goodness, check out the roundup of poetic events throughout the Kidlitosphere at Jama’s Alphabet Soup.

Poetry Friday: This Is Just to Say

I hope you are enjoying all the poetry offerings during National Poetry Month. I love that my Facebook feed is filled with poetry right now. With all that is going on, the world needs poetry. I did not take on a special project for National Poetry Month because I was already doing a poetic project to observe Lent.

A couple of groups (Rethink Church and Alive Now magazine) offer a photo challenge for Lent. For each day of Lent, they offer a word and invite people to take a photo to represent that word. I am adding a short poem to each image as well. While most of my poetic offerings have been short, three-line poems to reflect on the word and image, for the word CONFESS, i took a different approach.

I have long loved William Carlos Williams’ poem “This Is Just to Say,” and have wanted to write my own poem with it as a mentor text. (Click the link in the poem title to see my favorite performance of this poem by actor Matthew Macfadyen.) Sally Murphy reminded me of this poem and its use as a mentor text with a Poetry Friday post back in February (and of one of my favorite poetry books: This is Just to Say: Poems of Apology and Forgiveness by Joyce Sidman).

Here is my attempt at a poem modeled after “This Is Just to Say.” I have been sharing my Lenten poetry/image reflections on Facebook daily, and I was thrilled when a friend asked to share this particular poem with her study group who is studying a book on Forgiveness. I am glad they were able to share it as part of their discussion. I hope you enjoy it, too.

This Is Just to Say

I have savored
the anger
that hides in
my heart

and which
I defend
in my
self-righteousness

even though
you show me
how to forgive
my enemies

Forgive me
I was wrong
so stubborn
and so lost.

 

Each Friday, I am excited to take part in Poetry Friday, where writers share their love of all things poetry. Irene has the Poetry Friday Roundup today at Live Your Poem. Drop by and see what poetry morsels are offered this week.

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