Poetry Friday: If a Tree Falls (by me, from BookSpeak!)

This post was originally scheduled to run November 18, while I was in Chicago. I apparently didn’t schedule it properly, because nothing published. But better late than never–here it is!

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I’m in Chicago attending the NCTE convention tonight and tomorrow! In a panel called Poetry for Paupers tomorrow morning, organized by Poetry for Children’s Sylvia Vardell, I’ll be sharing resources for teachers and also a few poems from BOOKSPEAK!

So, I thought I’d share a BOOKSPEAK! poem on my blog today.

If a Tree Falls

If a tree falls in the forest
with no ear to hear its fall,
does it make a crackling thunder
or descend in silent sprawl?

If a book remains unopened
and no reader turns its page,
does it still embrace a story
or trap words inside a cage?

–Laura Purdie Salas, from BookSpeak (Clarion, 2011)
all rights reserved

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The Poetry Friday Roundup today is at Carol’s Corner today. It’s December and the holidays are upon us, but I hope you’ll find some time today or over the weekend to explore the offerings! It’s always worth it.

P.S. I hope you’ll read my Gift Tag post here–I’ll share my poem from this project next week:>) This e‑thology is a fantastic way to add some fun, fast poetry to your hectic month (OK, to any month!).

28 Responses

  1. this so makes me wonder about the unheard tree being turned into an unread book! double silence! double sadness!

  2. this so makes me wonder about the unheard tree being turned into an unread book! double silence! double sadness!

  3. Personally, I think the tree crashes with a roar and the story is still there. But both are much more exciting with someone there.

    I love your new look!

  4. Personally, I think the tree crashes with a roar and the story is still there. But both are much more exciting with someone there.

    I love your new look!

  5. My two cents: once the words are written, they’re no longer trapped inside a cage — whether anyone ever opens the book or not. But I hope no book suffers that fate!

    Love the poem, and the thoughts it inspires.

    1. I like that idea, Janet. Our minds are the cages, and once we write the stories down, they’re set loose. Watch out, world! Thanks for the kind words:>)

  6. My two cents: once the words are written, they’re no longer trapped inside a cage — whether anyone ever opens the book or not. But I hope no book suffers that fate!

    Love the poem, and the thoughts it inspires.

    1. I like that idea, Janet. Our minds are the cages, and once we write the stories down, they’re set loose. Watch out, world! Thanks for the kind words:>)

  7. Congrats on having your poem published by YDP! And I can’t tell you how many times BookSpeak has been borrowed by fellow teachers to use in their classrooms! GREAT BOOK!!!

    1. Aw, thanks, Mary Lee. That makes me enormously happy! And I’m excited about having a poem appear in YDP. I keep saying I’m going to start submitting my poems for grown-ups, and I finally sent out three poems, one to YDP and two elsewhere. This acceptance gives me enthusiasm to send out more!

  8. Congrats on having your poem published by YDP! And I can’t tell you how many times BookSpeak has been borrowed by fellow teachers to use in their classrooms! GREAT BOOK!!!

    1. Aw, thanks, Mary Lee. That makes me enormously happy! And I’m excited about having a poem appear in YDP. I keep saying I’m going to start submitting my poems for grown-ups, and I finally sent out three poems, one to YDP and two elsewhere. This acceptance gives me enthusiasm to send out more!

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