Hello, and welcome! This is 15 Words or Less Poems, a low-pressure way to wake up your poetry brain (guidelines here), and I’m very glad you’re here.
I want to say thank you to this community! On my school visits to Pinewood Elementary in Monticello, MN, last week, I got to lead poetry workshops with 3rd graders. One of the activities we did in some sessions was a 15 Words or Less poem, and I shared some of your work from the train/fence post a couple of weeks ago. It was fun to celebrate the huge variety of moods and voices and participants here, and I appreciate all of you!
Here’s a picture of me in a listening pod–a chair/egg with piped-in music.
This image makes me think of several things:
- a space-walk–that pose looks like there’s no gravity at work
- a chick karate-kicking its way out of an egg
- Bigfoot (ah, foreshortening)
And here’s my first draft.
It’s your turn! Have fun and stick to 15 WORDS OR LESS! (Title doesn’t count toward word count.)
23 Responses
honored to the you fined us inspiring glad you had a nice school visit
this is an interesting prompt today
poem By Jessica Bigi
Mothers
catching every
words their children specks
become surrounded in bubbles
of memories slowly
letting go
I love that enthusiastic, determined ending, Laura! Not subbing today but happily going to see the Lion King with the 3rd graders. Can’t wait to hear and watch their reactions. Tickets were purchased with the help of several arts’ supporting organizations in our town, so kids had a really reasonable charge. I hope I can find a poem, too. (Have seen it before, but it is worth going to this touring show. It’s a grand grand old theater that was saved from demolition. The interior is almost entirely original. Janet Clare F.
Shhhhhh: Writer at Work!
Snuggled in my thought cocoon.
Wrapped inside a daydream.
Words hum, ideas spin.
A poem’s…..
beginning.
I changed a line and like this one better: (I am such a reviser.….so this quick write both challenges me beautifully, but I ponder.…thanks for all, Laura. You help make me be a better writer.)
Shhhhhh: Writer at Work!
Snuggled in my thought cocoon.
Wrapped inside a daydream.
Ideas spring, words sing.
A poem’s…..
beginning.
Oooh, I love the sounds of this, Janet. It hums and sizzles and definitely feels like the beginning of something!
Snuggled in my thought cocoon.
Wrapped inside a daydream I love these lines sounds like a wonderful out for the kids hope to see the play some day
Thank you, Jessica. It was wonderful. A real Broadway touring production of the highest level. I loved it and so did the kids.
Laura, I have to say that the last line of your poem is as unexpected and perfect as they come. Thanks for the big smile you gave me.
Here is my poem.
Cozy up
Turn down the world
Listen only
To the words
In my heart.
This is beautiful, Leslie. I especially love, “Turn down the world.”
Hi Leslie,
I enjoyed this look into a composing process. I agree, that you pull us in with your first line. Glad to see you here. (Even though I am not a regular right now, I love this site, Laura and this writing opportunity.)
Wow Laura that pod looks very comfy and makes for a fun prompt. Love the enthusiasm of your poem, and your last line made me laugh of course.
Sitting in my eggy nest,
ideas emerge,
and manifest,
into my 15 Words or Less.
Oh, I do love a poem about writing a poem. Very meta :>) Love eggy nest!
IN MY CHILDHOOD
In my nook
I take my book
and have a look…
Bedtime? Already??
Childhood, phooey! Still true today:>)
Incredible dismount to that poem! Love ❤️ it.
I’m at a conference today so my response time is even more limited today but so enjoy 15 words or less. Thank you for your dedication to it and us.
We sit.
Me, myself and I
we argue some
And cry
Often we
Wonder
Big, bigger, biggest
Why’s?
Linda, I love this. I’m doing a roundtable on wonder at NCTE next week, and kids are such deep wonderers. This has a lovely contemplative voice.
Love the image of that strong chick peeping Hiii-yah! These pod-chairs look dreamy and inviting.
Book Voyage
Hidden under covers
flashlight in my hands
traveling through the pages
exploring magic lands
Love how active your word choices are for a poem describing sitting and reading!
honored to the you fined us inspiring glad you had a nice school visit
this is an interesting prompt today
poem By Jessica Bigi
Mothers
catching every
words their children speaks
become surrounded in bubbles
of memories slowly
letting go
Bubbles of memories…lovely image…
That chair looks perfect for reading and finding inspiration.
My eyes move left to right.
Ideas circle
and land.
Love the idea of ideas flying all around…
Late checking in today. The picture reminds me of playing hide ‘n seek with the little ones who tend to hide behind floor-length draperies, not realizing their feet silently betray their whereabouts.
Insurance
nest for bird
pod for me
either or, don’t you see?
S E C U R I T Y
Yes! Nesting is lovely for anyone:>)