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You are here: Home / Poems for Teachers / Miss Rumphius’ poetry stretch

Miss Rumphius’ poetry stretch

March 13, 2008 By Laura

Miss Rumphius has a photo-based Poetry Stretch this week, and the image is arresting. I tend not to choose images with people, because I usually prefer a more neutral scene that I can interpret any way I want. So writing a poem to an image that has both a person and a very strong mood is a challenge for me. I’m going to try a haiku.

OK, I decided to write today’s poem at Fuzzmail, so you could watch it being written if you want. 

Here’s the poem:

What good are
your rolls and shredded wheat?
Your outstretched hands?
Your small smile?

Your luxuries
don’t exist here
in my real world

They only clatter in the wind
an echo of a life
I don’t have–
will never have

Your words
don’t comfort me

They only taunt

—Laura Purdie Salas

Obviously, NOT a haiku. But this is what came out when I started writing, so there you go. I also didn’t click to read the background information on this girl and this photo, so I don’t know how my poem meshes or doesn’t mesh with reality. I just wanted to play with the expression on her face and the images of the newspaper on the shutter.

It’s not too late to join and write your own poem based on this image!

Tagged With: Laura's poems, photopoetry, poetry prompts

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Related

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JANUARY NEWS

I loved the holidays! And I'm so glad they're over. A quiet, snowy January is just what I need. This month, I'm working on two board book manuscripts, and I'm making materials to go with my 3 spring 2023 books.

I'm also busy prepping for upcoming author visits and setting my goals and priorities for 2023. Wishing you a lovely start to your own new year!

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