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Thanksgiving [15 words or less]
?? ?Photo: Laura Salas Wake up your poetry brains with 15 Words or Less (guidelines are here)! Happy Thanksgiving! Well, I was trying to figure out what picture to post on Thanksgiving. I wanted it to be something I’m thankful for, but didn’t think you guys would be super inspired by a picture of my
[15 words or less] Elmo in Trouble
Photo: Laura Salas Wake up your poetry brains with 15 Words or Less (guidelines are here)! Three things this photo makes me think of: Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade Elmo escaping Sesame Street A kid in time-out having to
[my writing life] My family rocks!
Every once in a while, I’ll talk with a writer whose spouse is wholly unsupportive of the writer. I honestly don’t know how those writers survive. I feel so lucky to have my family’s support, especially that of my husband, Randy. As I get ready to go to NCTE, a trip that is costing money
[15 words or less] Shadeless
?? ?Photo: Laura Salas Wake up your poetry brains with 15 Words or Less (guidelines are here)! I missed you guys! Glad to be back this week! Three things this photo makes me think of: 1) Rockets2) Umbrellas3) Post-hurricane destruction And here’s my first draft! Waterproof? Yes. Windproof? No. Umbrella is batteredUmbrella is tatteredWind gnashed
[15 words or less] Submerged
?? Photo: Laura Salas Wake up your poetry brains with 15 Words or Less (guidelines are here)! Three things this photo makes me think of: 1) Medusa2) Mermaid castle3) Duck feet And here’s my first draft! Floor Plans Beaver architectpulls
[15 words or less] Giselle
?? Photo: Randy Salas Wake up your poetry brains with 15 Words or Less (guidelines are here)! Happy Halloween! Part of my birthday present from Randy was going to see the ballet Giselle. I’ve never seen anything but
[poetry friday] Mice on Skates (by me)
This week, I had mice on the brain. I recently shared Rebecca Kai Dotlich’s wonderful “Winter Home,” from Lee Bennett Hopkins’ Sharing the Seasons, with a group of librarians. And I read one of my favorite Billy Collins poems, “The Country,” which is hysterical. So when I was putting away patio furniture and noticed that
[15 words or less] Bacteria?
?? Photo: Laura Purdie Salas Wake up your poetry brains with 15 Words or Less (guidelines are here)! Three things this makes me think of: 1) Bacteria in a petri dish 2) Fishing nets full of jellyfish 3) Pods. Pods with monsters in them And here’s my first draft! Fishing Net Strainer of the sea
[poetry friday] Otter’s Winter Song (by me)
Last week, I shared a sad and serious pantoum I wrote?as part of?the Poetry 7’s latest shenanigans. This week, I’m sharing a slightly (ha!) more lighthearted pantoum. Otter’s Winter Song The frigid air sings– time to tumble and dive! I’ve got better things to do than survive. Time to tumble and dive! There’s so much
[15 words or less] Funnel
Photo: Laura Purdie Salas Wake up your poetry brains with 15 Words or Less (guidelines are here)! Three things this makes me think of: 1) The Wizard of Oz 2) Calla lilies 3) Doing India ink calligraphy with my big sister And here’s my first draft! Weekend Visit Home from College She brought …Paper
“Buckled Bricks” and Poetry Friday Roundup!
Happy Poetry Friday! I’m making this post live Thursday evening for all you early-birds. Please put your links in Mr. Linky at the bottom of the post. And also click on Mr. Linky to see and visit all of the other Poetry Friday posts. I am away today presenting at the Minnesota Library Association annual
[15 words or less] Mermaid
? ?? Photo: Laura Purdie Salas Wake up your poetry brains with 15 Words or Less (guidelines are here)! Three things this makes me think of: 1) Mermaid family reunion2) Sculptor who wants his statue to live3) Giant who skips boulders across a lake And here’s my first draft! On the Way to Mermaid Prom
[15 words or less] Towel Dog
Photo: Laura Purdie Salas Wake up your poetry brains with 15 Words or Less (guidelines are here)! Three things this makes me think of: 1) Cruise 2) Pet rocks 3) Traction And here’s my first draft! What My Pet Rock Can’t Do Mom: Bark. Pee. Bite. Me: Wag. Beg. Love. –Laura Purdie Salas, all rights
[15 words or less] Scissors
? Photo: Laura Purdie Salas Wake up your poetry brains with 15 Words or Less (guidelines are here)! Three things this makes me think of: 1) Kindergarten2) Pelican pouch3) Baby bird with its beak gaping And here’s my first draft! Hunger Body small as your palmBeak gaping like Grand CanyonMade of emptiness and need–Laura
[for writers] Why to Accept a Job You’re Not Sure You Can Do
Recently, I?accepted a short assignment doing teacher tips on lesson plans. It was my first assignment with a new company, I wasn’t sure I precisely understood the requirements, and I was pretty sure I would barely break minimum wage.?Was I insane? Yes, probably! But I did have reasons: try a new company try a brand
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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