Happy Poetry Friday! Welcome, everyone! (Wondering what Poetry Friday is? Click here.)
Well, I feel guilty even posting this. Not only did I NOT get to the live write with my poetry sisters last weekend, I barely know what this form is. I just took the rhymed pairs that my more diligent wordsters donated and forced a draft of a poem out. In sonnet form. Lord.
I’ve been researching cheetahs lately, so this is what I came up with. It kinda feels like a compost heap thrown into a tornado. Oh well.
I’m sorry to be so scattered–lots of deadlines and life going on right now. No idea what we’re doing next month, but one of these wonderful people will be able to tell you! Oh, here’s a wonderful invitation from Tricia: “Would you like to try the next challenge? Next month, we’re writing in the style of Valerie Worth. You can learn more about Valerie Worth and read some of her poems at Spotlight on NCTE Poets: Valerie Worth, with Lee Bennett Hopkins, a post by Renée M. LaTulippe at No Water River. Are you in? Good! We are continuing with our 2023 theme of TRANSFORMATION. If you’re still game, you have a month to craft your creation and share it on November 24th in a post and/or on social media with the tag #PoetryPals. We look forward to reading your poems!”
Liz
Sara
Tanita
Tricia
Mary Lee
Click here to see all our previous Poetry Princesses collaborations.
Our Poetry Friday host is the lovely Carol Labuzzetta, so check out the Roundup!
25 Responses
Laura, I’m sorry you are feeling scattered but I really like your cheetah poem. So many little things worked into it that speak to cheetahs, ending with their suberb speed! I hope life calms down for you a bit. Thanks1
That picture is majestic. I somehow think of cheetahs as rather small but that one, not small! I rather like your poem, shares so much about this intelligent cat, patient, waiting, ready, above all deliberate, right? Wishing you a little respite, Laura.
Nope. Not “a compost heap thrown into a tornado” any more than the rest of ours are! It was hard to make good sense with those end rhymes AND the sonnet form. But we persevered. I love that you managed to get double-duty from your research.
I think you did a remarkable job with the rhymes you were given. Not an easy task! I might have just given up, so I appreciate that you modeled that follow through. Love that “tawny angel on an African shrine.”
I wanted to (give up), but then I figured that it was just supposed to be a game. Thank you–that’s my favorite line :>D
Laura, I am sorry that your life continues to be so hectic. It is an amazing testament to your strength and brilliance that you can create such amazing poet works under pressure.
poetic works!
Okay, once again, I have trouble with tech issues. I read your post last night and fell asleep with weird dreams. Your poem is a great blend of content and rhyme. I thought I would take a turn at this with a Halloween tale. Thanks for always leading the way to poetic goodness.
First, I snorted my tea when I came to “It kinda feels like a compost heap thrown into a tornado.”
Frankly, this is a hard from to make sense of, and we didn’t do ourselves any favors by picking such hard words. Nevertheless, you have a draft that actually makes sense, so definitely not a compost heap. I particularly like the notion of the cheetah as a beautiful liar.
No, “we” didn’t :>D But then again, that’s the point. The words didn’t work with iambic pentameter in so many cases, so I had to just let go of that…
Well, if that is a tornado, I’m no longer afraid of them… Even your scattered efforts hold gems, Laura. I hope kindness showers you with some peace and rest in the coming week. 🙂
Laura, you crack me up! This is AMAZING!! You made this work like the words were deliberately selected. I’m go smacked!!
Valerie Worth is one of my favorite poets. I might have to try her style on and see what I come up with. Thanks, Laura. I enjoyed your cheetah poem! Interesting contrast between motionless and speed at the end.
Cheetahs are fascinating. As is your sonnet. I am afraid to even try a sonnet. Thanks for sharing your vulnerability with us. We all need a dose of cheetah brave these days.
Thank you, Margaret–It’s scary sharing writing that is NOT your best work. But it’s what we ask teachers and students to do all the time…share their process, their false starts, etc. You model writing with kids so beautifully and generously. You’re an inspiration!
Hooray for deadlines! They mean you are in demand. I’m battling a few myself this weekend. I love the photo of this cheetah and that your poem includes the termite mound.
Laura, the images in your poem are fantastic and I was captivated right away. You made me FEEL what it was like to be a cheetah. And the pacing in it is just right…I savored “the day grows hotter, slower, dryer” and then the quick pounce of those last lines. This was extra hard for all of us, but pushing through yielded beautiful results: We waited. We leaped. We caught the bout-rime impala!!
This comment is me, Sara!
Laura, I enjoyed reading about that patient cheetah. I learned about the hadeda ibis from your poem, and listen to a video with a “hadeda choir.” Well done for a first draft during your busy schedule. Good for you for keeping the poetry flowing.
Thanks, Denise. I loved the word choir and went searching for a raucous African bird :>D
I love your poem, Laura! Your poems are always amazing, and I enjoy them very much. I’m sorry you are feeling so scattered. I think a lot of us are feeling that way. Last night, I realized that a lot of what I have been posting revolving around anxiety and sadness. The world seems so scary right now.
I know you have a lot going. You are a kind, generous person who deserves happiness, and I hope things settle down soon. Take care of yourself. xo
The world does seem so scary. All we can do as writers, as artists, is share our own hearts. Your heart is beautiful and honest. Keep on sharing!
I love the contrast in your ending lines too, waiting and superb speed, seems like a high-wire balancing act—sounds good to me. And I’m quite busy presently too, wishing us both to reach the light somewhere in there…thanks Laura!
I agree with the others, there is no tornado or compost heap in this poem…at. all. The main thing is you stuck with the challenge and were able to give your cheetah research a workout! win-win! Keep going, Laura, you’re doing better than you think you are. 🙂
UM, WHAT? This is at least as good as any of ours (the prompt was HARD) and you did it!! Full credit! Check!