Great Writing Book of the Day: A Crow Doesn’t Need a Shadow: A Guide to Writing Poetry from Nature, by?Lorraine Ferra. Many of you guys here love to write nature poetry (me, too!). This little guide is perfect for both young poets and beginner adult poets. Like?Ralph Fletcher’s guides, it speaks directly to the writer in a clear, warm, inspiring way. Quick quote:?”Watch how the cat concentrates on something as small as a ladybug climbing a blade of grass. Try to be as aware as the cat; that kind of attention will help you to observe and to write.” Example poems from young writers make this one a must-have for teachers! [I’m sharing a?favorite writing book daily in case you want to buy yourself a great holiday gift:>) ]Stampede!
Gotta stop ’em…can’t…see…rain
…dark…hooves…thunder…don’t
go down…ground slick…don’t go
…down…find the…find the…
find the front…gotta turn ’em!…
ground…shakin’…don’t go…down
…dead man…if I fall…hooves…
horns…can’t see!…dead man if I fall!
–David Harrison, all rights reserved (from COWBOYS)
The accompanying painting with the stampede coming right at the reader, the cowboy trapped in the middle of the melee, and the ominous storm is powerful! Can’t you just hear the rhythm? The cowboy can only formulate words in time with his horse’s hoofbeats. And you can practically hear the grunting tone of the short, desperate thoughts.
Robyn Hood Black (have you checked out her artsyletters shop on etsy?) has? the?Poetry Friday roundup?today–enjoy!
It’s a great book! I just read it a few weeks ago, Laura. I loved the history at the back, too! Glad you’re sharing with everyone!
I haven’t gotten to the backmatter yet. Looking forward to it. It’s so cool the way he and Dan Burr, through poems and art, give kids a taste of what life was *really* like for these iconic adventurers like pirates and cowboys.
I forgot also to thank you for this writing book, new to me. It looks terrific.
It’s a great book! I just read it a few weeks ago, Laura. I loved the history at the back, too! Glad you’re sharing with everyone!
I haven’t gotten to the backmatter yet. Looking forward to it. It’s so cool the way he and Dan Burr, through poems and art, give kids a taste of what life was *really* like for these iconic adventurers like pirates and cowboys.
I forgot also to thank you for this writing book, new to me. It looks terrific.
I’m confused – is the poem you quote by Laura? Is it in David’s book? The book cover of Coboys makes me laugh every time I see it!
Oh dear! I’m so glad you pointed that out. That’s what I get for Copying a Post and copying and pasting a poem over a previous one (that was apparently by me). Thanks, Marjorie. This is David Harrison’s poem! I’ve corrected it now!
I’m confused – is the poem you quote by Laura? Is it in David’s book? The book cover of Coboys makes me laugh every time I see it!
Oh dear! I’m so glad you pointed that out. That’s what I get for Copying a Post and copying and pasting a poem over a previous one (that was apparently by me). Thanks, Marjorie. This is David Harrison’s poem! I’ve corrected it now!
I love David’s book as well. In fact, I luckily won it in a giveaway and was blown away by his deftness in portraying the cowboy life, which really only took place over a fairly short period of time – 20 years or so – but which made a huge impact on the American psyche.
I love poetry books like this that completely illuminate a new topic for me, without sounding educational or preachy at all. Congrats on winning a copy:>)
I love David’s book as well. In fact, I luckily won it in a giveaway and was blown away by his deftness in portraying the cowboy life, which really only took place over a fairly short period of time – 20 years or so – but which made a huge impact on the American psyche.
I love poetry books like this that completely illuminate a new topic for me, without sounding educational or preachy at all. Congrats on winning a copy:>)
This is such a terrific book. Enjoyed hearing David speak about it some up at Highlights. Isn’t that cover (and the art inside) glorious? :0)
(And thanks, Laura, for the artsyletters shout-out!)
Yep–I especially love the collaborative process they use. I had fun writing poems to specific photos in some of my poetry books, and I love how sometimes David’s poems come first, and other times, Dan’s art comes first. A very terrific collaboration!
This is such a terrific book. Enjoyed hearing David speak about it some up at Highlights. Isn’t that cover (and the art inside) glorious? :0)
(And thanks, Laura, for the artsyletters shout-out!)
Yep–I especially love the collaborative process they use. I had fun writing poems to specific photos in some of my poetry books, and I love how sometimes David’s poems come first, and other times, Dan’s art comes first. A very terrific collaboration!
Laura,
I’m very grateful to you for featuring my new collaboration with the gifted Dan Burr. I loved working on PIRATES with Dan, and COWBOYS was also a great pleasure. If you look on the page about Cookie, you’ll find me there. I’m the cranky old cuss on the ground. Dan and I are currently discussing what other subject we might work on. The list of possibilities is growing.
Thanks to all who have left such supportive comments. You’ve made my day!
David
Very happy to share COWBOYS, David. It’s another winner! So happy to hear there might be a third collaboration in the future:>) I am off to look for you on the Cookie page. I think I had read that somewhere (maybe Jama’s blog?), and then I forgot about it when I was reading the book. Thanks for the reminder!
Laura,
I’m very grateful to you for featuring my new collaboration with the gifted Dan Burr. I loved working on PIRATES with Dan, and COWBOYS was also a great pleasure. If you look on the page about Cookie, you’ll find me there. I’m the cranky old cuss on the ground. Dan and I are currently discussing what other subject we might work on. The list of possibilities is growing.
Thanks to all who have left such supportive comments. You’ve made my day!
David
Very happy to share COWBOYS, David. It’s another winner! So happy to hear there might be a third collaboration in the future:>) I am off to look for you on the Cookie page. I think I had read that somewhere (maybe Jama’s blog?), and then I forgot about it when I was reading the book. Thanks for the reminder!
Can’t say which I love more about this book — the poems or the art!
:>)
Can’t say which I love more about this book — the poems or the art!
:>)
Hi Laura, I also reviewed Pirates which I adored! I’m sure I’d fall in love with Cowboys too! 🙂
Wasn’t Pirates the best? So much drama!
Hi Laura, I also reviewed Pirates which I adored! I’m sure I’d fall in love with Cowboys too! 🙂
Wasn’t Pirates the best? So much drama!