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Fluff [15 Words or Less Poems]
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 want to thank you all for your kind Comments, emails, and messages regarding my mom’s passing. It is a blow, and, as the cliche goes, it’s hard
Dragon Dreams [Poetry Friday]
Happy Poetry Friday! (Wondering what Poetry Friday is? Click here.) I’m heading out to NCTE this morning in Boston! Hope I might get to see a few of you there! I am always so pleased to have poetry in Cricket or any of the Carus literary publications. I just got author copies of the July/August
Tractor [15 Words or Less Poems]
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 took this picture outside Dairy Queen after my event at Plainview Public Library recently. I always love heading outstate and seeing what’s different between living there and
House for Sale with the Poetry Princesses [Poetry Friday]
OK, I’m not even gonna whine about procrastinating this month. July and August are filled with so many wonderful things…in the long run. In the short run, I’m overwhelmed. So it is what it is. This month, we Poetry Princesses wrote poems in the style of Kay Ryan poems. Someone shared her poem “Turtle.”
Disappearing [15 Words or Less Poems]
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 glad you’re here. Randy took this pic while we were walking Jack. by the lake. The white edging on the trail is cottonwood fluff. Boy, was there a lot of sneezing and
A Leaf Can Be… Korean!
I opened a box from Millbrook/Lerner a couple of weeks ago and was delighted to learn that A Leaf Can Be… has been published in Korean, in Korea! I just love the way the text looks! Whee–it’s beautiful! Hardcover and…audio? published by Neungyule Education, Inc. It’s so amazing to think of my words–well, my ideas–reaching
Dog on the Job, a Zeno Poetryaction [Poetry Friday]
Happy Poetry Friday! (Wondering what Poetry Friday is? Click here.) Earlier this week, I shared a note of thanks for my beagle, Jack. Today, I’m re-sharing a zeno poetryaction he inspired a couple of years ago. Ah, Jackie…For more poetry fun, don’t miss the Poetry Friday Roundup, hosted this week by the smart and
Tracks [15 Words or Less Poems]
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 glad you’re here. Randy and I went downtown (Minneapolis) a week or two to attend a concert by Cantus, a choral group. The did covers of some pop songs plus the entire
Thankful for My Dog
Capt. Jack Sparrow has accidents. He barks when we don’t want him to. He doesn’t bark when we would like him to. He snaps at people in his sleep. We joke about giving him away, but who would take a dog like this? And how could we give him away? We love him despite all
Thankful for My Car
I am not a car person. I don’t get excited about cars. I don’t really notice cars. In fact, I climbed into a car of a similar color and shape (to me, anyway) as my Kia Soul in the Weight Watchers parking lot a few weeks ago. My husband says a Jeep Patriot is NOTHING
Thankful for Librarians
Last week, I visited Plainview Library (southern MN), and I had a wonderful time meeting Meg Curtiss, a children’s librarian who so naturally connects with kids. She’s doing awesome things for both the public library and (as a volunteer) the local school library. We celebrated the messiness of creativity and writing, and I was so
Ducks on a Log [15 Words or Less Poems]
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 glad you’re here. While Randy and I were walking Jack last week, we walked right by these mallards at the lake. Jack was happily oblivious, as he was busy sniffing animal poo
Thankful for…Music
I have always loved songs–mostly lyrics (no surprise there). I grew up copying lyrics into notebooks and ended up writing poetry. I love listening to music, and I’m grateful to my husband, Randy, who is always expanding my extremely narrow musical horizons. Last weekend, we went to see a Twin Cities vocal group called Cantus
Thankful for…Storms
I don’t miss a whole lot about Florida besides family and the beach. But I do miss thunderstorms! There is nothing like a cracking good thunder and dark sky and pounding rain to make me feel cozy and safe as I read or write. And then the flash of lightning to remind me of the
Thankful for…Home
This has been a super stressful time, and we have finally accepted an offer on our house and had an offer accepted on another home. Of course, like selling a book, it’s something to celebrate but also something I never quite trust will go through until I’m holding that book in my hot little hands.
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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