Happy Poetry Friday! (Wondering what Poetry Friday is? Click here.)
This week, I’m sharing another calendar poem. My life at home has gone kinda crazy these past few weeks, and I’m not sharing these every week, so this one is from a couple of weeks ago.
My words that week were “camera” (Linda Mitchell), “bread” (Sally Murphy), and “thaw” (Joyce Ray). Thank you, word donators! I am out of words, by the way, so please go here if you’d like to suggest a word!
I set out to write a poem about breadcrumbs and thawing someone’s heart. The closeness of these swans–chest to chest, eye to eye–made me want to write about connections. But the poem, as poems do, went in a different direction! The camera, instead of being an eye looking at someone you love, became a security camera. And, well…
And for lots of wonderful poetry, don’t miss the Poetry Friday Roundup with Michelle at Today’s Little Ditty (she has a new anthology out!). She’s sharing tons of poetry tips for teachers!
26 Responses
I love the image you wrote it on and the unexpected contrasts. It is both visually and verbally interesting.
Thanks so much!
Oh, what a sweet sweet surprise! Thank you, Laura. This did not go anywhere near what I expected, and what you gave was so much more dear than what I expected from a security camera. xxxx
That is so kind of you, Amy–the security camera surprised us both!
Marvelous unfolding.
Thanks, Brenda!
I love these creative challenges you are giving yourself. They inspire. To take the view of the security camera is really quite brilliant and sets up your word play.
Thank you, Margaret–that means a lot to me!
Such an intriguing poem, Laura, and a fabulous presentation! Your calendar poem challenge sounds really cool. …but not icy and unblinking. 😉
Thanks, Michelle. I like the calendar poems, though having trouble keeping up. And nobody’s submitting words…hint, hint :>)
It truly is a surprise, and I guess to you, too. How wonderful that a security camera can see good as well as what it purports to be for. Lovely, Laura!
Hehe–thanks, Linda! In line at post office right now to mail your book:)
Very imaginative, Laura — thanks for sharing. Here’s to acts of kindness when nobody’s watching!
Thanks, Robyn! Agreed!
I just saw this on Instagram and found it so introspective a move to use the security camera. Great job, Laura.
Thank you, Carol–I love the way challenges push me in directions I wouldn’t necessarily go:>)
It’s great when poem veer off on their own. I like the two views the camera gave.
Thanks, Donna–it’s sometimes frustrating and sometimes great, but always an adventure:>) Congrats on making it to Round 2!
tiny kindnesses.….my heart has melted.
Aw, thank you, Linda!
Giving thanks that the security camera finds enough good in the world for a thaw. Heaven knows we need that…
Thanks, Mary Lee. I’m always looking for the good now:>)
Thank you for reminding us that every small act of kindness has an impact we may never know.
Thanks, Catherine–my poems seem to be coming out very…sappy? Sentimental? Preachy? Anyway, very lesson‑y lately. I really don’t love poems that overtly teach a lesson, but my brain just keeps going there. Working on changing…
“Kindnesses” and“icy unblinking eye” so much packed into that security camera, biting contrasts–though nice to have kindness from a security camera. Lovely watercolor at the end of your poem Laura!
Thank you, Michelle:>)