Laura Purdie Salas

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Gargoyle [Poetry Friday]

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Happy Poetry Friday! (Wondering what Poetry Friday is? Click here.)

A couple of weeks ago, I won a copy of Kate Coombs’ new poetry collection, Monster School (Chronicle, 2018, illus. by Lee Gatlin) from a giveaway on Jama Rattigan’s Alphabet Soup. Kate is a lovely poet, and she writes a wide variety of poems (from the gorgeous Water Sings Blue to the meditative Breathe and Be to these fun and ghoulish poems).

I know Halloween is long gone, but I think monster poems work any time of year! Here’s my review from Goodreads:

“When I went to school, there were definitely a few kids I considered monstrous…but they were tame compared to the banshees and nagi, the werewolves and pumpkin heads (bringing back horror movie memories) that populate Monster School. And even though (or maybe because) these students are decidedly weird, I could relate to them, especially the faun or tree witch (not sure) taking her book outside to read and the gargoyle who is solitary but self-confident. These monsters have all kinds of personalities and many of the same fears and attitudes that humans have. It’s full of gruesome laughs but also great conversation starters.”

I’m going to share one of the quieter poems, “Gargoyle.” I love gargoyles, and Dav Pilkey’s stunning oldie but goodie God Bless the Gargoyles was one of the early picture books that made me think, I want to do that.

Gargoyle

I’m alone in my stone.
Always frowning
like I just got some bad news.
Wings always lifting
as if I really could fly.

I am gray and marked
by lichen on one side.
Gargoyle, they call me,
just gargoyle.
But I know my name.

–Kate Coombs, all rights reserved

Isn’t that strong and sad and unsettling? For lots more wonderful poetry, don’t miss the Poetry Friday Roundup with poet and teacher Linda Baie at Teacher Dance!

Also, I’m at NCTE right now, so I won’t be able to reply to comments this week. But I do hope you will check out Kate’s fun and thoughtful new collection!

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Comments

  1. Both collections sound fun, Laura. We have gargoyles in Denver, but some of my favorites are in our ‘sort of’ new airport. I love that in this fancy modern place that they watch the travelers from their perches. This last line of the poem is haunting! Have a wonderful time at NCTE!

  3. Gargoyles have such expressive faces, it’s hard not to imagine a personality lurking inside the stone. It’s been a hectic fall, and somehow I missed this book, so thank you for sharing it today. I’ll miss seeing you at NCTE! Have a wonderful time!

  4. Have a blast at NCTE! That gargoyle poem is just lovely. I’ve long been fascinated by gargoyles and look forward exploring these books.

  5. Appreciations for sharing the lonely ” Gargoyle” – I wonder what its name is? This is haunting. And have lots of poetry fun at NCTE! ~ with Joy to your Thanksgiving World next week, on top dear Laura.

  7. Such personality Kate put into that Gargoyle, I’d like to know its name too! Thanks for sharing her book with us Laura, I look forward to reading it. Hope your conference is going well.

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