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Poems Are Teachers by Amy Ludwig VanDerwater [Poetry Friday]
Happy Poetry Friday! (Wondering what Poetry Friday is? Click here.) Today is the National Day on Writing, and what better day to share Amy Ludwig VanDerwater’s new book for teachers, Poems Are Teachers? This amazing book features 50+ poems by different poets (some of whom are part of the Poetry Friday community) and more than
Hydrangeas (I think) [15 Words or Less]
Hello, and welcome! This is 15 Words or Less Poems, a low-pressure way to wake up your poetry brain (guidelines here), and I’m very glad you’re here. I usually filter my photos because I like the way that makes them a little surreal and more open to interpretation. But this coloring was so startling, I’m
Beach Ball #Poemsketch
It’s that time of year, when I’m taking down the deck planters and packing away summery stuff. Save Save Save Save Save Save
Lonely Sky #Poemsketch
Geese in a vee overhead is one of my favorite fall sights/sounds. But last week, a single goose flew overhead, honking mournfully. I know it’s just anthropomorphism, but it really sounded lost and sad to me. Save Save Save Save Save Save Save
Rescued Owl [15 Words or Less]
Hello, and welcome! This is 15 Words or Less Poems, a low-pressure way to wake up your poetry brain (guidelines here), and I’m very glad you’re here. One of the visitors to the Minnesota Children’s Book Festival recently was this great horned owl. This image makes me think of several things:
Library Day #Poemsketch
Yesterday, walking into my critique group meeting, I read a newspaper article about a young paramedic who was killed in a local road crash. She had the same last name as a librarian casual friend, so I did a Google search, hoping to discover the paramedic was not my friend’s daughter. I was shocked to
Unarmored #Poemsketch
Here’s a #poemsketch from last week, inspired by a small turtle I saw while on a walk with my daughter. That combined with world news of devastation (both natural and manmade) to make this poem. I like doing the dripping lines and writing on them. Saw that in a book from the library. Hate my
Power Tower Cinderella #Poemsketch
Something about power towers always fascinates me, and rows of them automagically turn into double-Dutch jumpers. So I took a classic jump rope rhyme as the basis for today’s #poemsketch. Save Save Save Save Save Save Save Save Save Save Save
An Old Dog in Autumn with the Poetry Princesses [Poetry Friday]
Happy Poetry Friday! Welcome, everyone! (Wondering what Poetry Friday is? Click here.) This month, our Poetry Princess challenge was to write a hymn using a hymn meter around the theme of fall. This was Tanita’s choice. She’s the beautiful singer in our group! I will let her explain hymns. I’ll just tell you that as
Making Art [15 Words or Less]
Hello, and welcome! This is 15 Words or Less Poems, a low-pressure way to wake up your poetry brain (guidelines here), and I’m very glad you’re here. While I was at the Anderson Center at Tower View for the Minnesota Children’s Book Festival a couple weeks ago, I found myself gazing at this unusual sculpture/assemblage.
Finding a Flashlight #Poemsketch
Irma inspired all sorts of light-related poemsketches. I think this is the final one. Save Save Save Save Save
Games by Candlelight #Poemsketch
Playing Qwixx and other games by candlelight after Irma knocked out the power is a favorite hurricane memory. Just being in the storm with family instead of in our own place made it more adventure–less drudge/danger. Not literally, but in the way it felt. Save Save Save Save Save
Lamp #Poemsketch
Once at my sister’s house in Orlando, I found electric lights extra fascinating because we were 99% certain we would lose power during Irma. Here’s a #poemsketch. Save Save Save Save Save
Burning Maple [15 Words or Less]
Hello, and welcome! This is 15 Words or Less Poems, a low-pressure way to wake up your poetry brain (guidelines here), and I’m very glad you’re here. One of the things that surprises me every fall is how maple trees don’t turn color all at once. Instead, one day while walking Jack, I’ll notice a
Survival Supplies #Poemsketch
We had three amazing days at the beach, but we left a day early to head inland. My sister was supposed to spend that last night at the condo with us, but instead we headed to my Dad’s up the coast for a quick visit before going to my sister’s house in the Orlando area.
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Are You Looking For?
Go to my Poetry page for:
- National Poetry Month projects through the years
- Small Reads Roundups (poems grouped by topic)
- Introductions to several favorite poetry forms