Ohmygoshohmygoshohmygosh. BookSpeak has been given the Cybils award for Poetry! I am so honored that my peeps–poetry book-lovers of the kidlitosphere–chose BookSpeak for this, especially when all the?Finalists are such fantastic collections/ anthologies that I love. (And I’m super thrilled that Wonder, which I just read, won the Middle Grade category!)
OK. Deep breath. And now–back to our regularly scheduled programming! :>)
Photo: Janet Fagal
Wake up your poetry brains with 15 Words or Less (guidelines here)!
Today’s beautiful image comes to us courtesy of Janet Fagal, who was lounging down in Florida when she captured the magic. Here’s what this image?makes me think of:
1)?Fairy dust
2)?A polka-dotted jellyfish
3) Fireflies at our family reunion
And here’s my poem first draft:
Family Reunion
Our conversations twinkle
like fireflies,
sparks in darkness
of busy lives
–by Laura Purdie Salas, all rights reserved
What do you think of when you look at this picture? Take any quick idea and jot down a 15 Words or Less poem. It doesn’t have to rhyme or describe this picture. It’s just about whatever you think of when you look at it.
138 Responses
Dull, dark lives
Here comes Tinkerbell!
Fairy dust spins
And happiness flows
I love your poem Ms. Salas! Also the picture is great, Mrs. Fagal! HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY EVERYONE!!!!!!!
Wishing you lots of pixie dust magic Amelia!
Happy Valentine’s Day, Amelia! I love the joy in this poem, especially the verb spins…
Dull, dark lives
Here comes Tinkerbell!
Fairy dust spins
And happiness flows
I love your poem Ms. Salas! Also the picture is great, Mrs. Fagal! HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY EVERYONE!!!!!!!
Wishing you lots of pixie dust magic Amelia!
Happy Valentine’s Day, Amelia! I love the joy in this poem, especially the verb spins…
Congratulations, Laura! And, Happy Valentine’s Day!
Valentine’s Day
the mailman arrives early
…sun between storms
© Diane Mayr
Thanks, Diane! This one says so much in so few words. That moment of joy/connection…it really is the sunshine in a world that can be pretty grey. Happy Valentine’s Day!
Congratulations, Laura! And, Happy Valentine’s Day!
Valentine’s Day
the mailman arrives early
…sun between storms
© Diane Mayr
Thanks, Diane! This one says so much in so few words. That moment of joy/connection…it really is the sunshine in a world that can be pretty grey. Happy Valentine’s Day!
Firey undersea dandelions
fed by ocean currants and dreams
spill into sun, cascade and gleam.
Gleam and dream do belong together, don’t they? Nice!
This is lovely, Janet. And that first line is a knockout–talk about three elements that should not go together: fire, underwater, and dandelions. But you put them together and they make this very dynamic, powerful image!
Mrs.F! SO glad to see that familiar picture!! Sorry I can’t see you next Friday.
Firey undersea dandelions
fed by ocean currants and dreams
spill into sun, cascade and gleam.
Gleam and dream do belong together, don’t they? Nice!
This is lovely, Janet. And that first line is a knockout–talk about three elements that should not go together: fire, underwater, and dandelions. But you put them together and they make this very dynamic, powerful image!
Mrs.F! SO glad to see that familiar picture!! Sorry I can’t see you next Friday.
Happy Valentine’s Day all!! Love your poem, Laura. I can see your twinkling family with happy conversation and love. Amelia, I love the image of fairy dust spinning and happiness flowing! Diane, yes…those love notes are bright spots and your poems remind of going to my college mailbox waiting for letters from loved ones!
Thanks, Janet!
Happy Valentine’s Day all!! Love your poem, Laura. I can see your twinkling family with happy conversation and love. Amelia, I love the image of fairy dust spinning and happiness flowing! Diane, yes…those love notes are bright spots and your poems remind of going to my college mailbox waiting for letters from loved ones!
Thanks, Janet!
BOOKSPEAK rules!!! I am so THRILLED for you!!! Congratulations, Laura. It is a treasure trove of a book!! More than well-deserved.
Thanks so much! I’m a bit shell-shocked. I was *sure* I knew which book was going to win (and it wasn’t BookSpeak!).
BOOKSPEAK rules!!! I am so THRILLED for you!!! Congratulations, Laura. It is a treasure trove of a book!! More than well-deserved.
Thanks so much! I’m a bit shell-shocked. I was *sure* I knew which book was going to win (and it wasn’t BookSpeak!).
Congratulations! I’m happy for you.
Loved your poem. It’s one of my favorites.
Magic Tide
The magic tide delivered
a twinkling sprinkle of a wish
before returning to the deep.
~Penny Klostermann
Happy Valentines Day!
I like the idea of the magic tide!! And your second line.…just the sounds of it are wonderful, but I love how they express the magic of the seaside or lakeside.
I love ‘twinkling sprinkle’ Penny!
Oh lovely delivery!
Love that ‘twinkling sprinkle’, Penny. Just a moment captured!
THanks, Penny. And this is lovely. It’s like the opposite of The Blob:>) That “twinkling sprinkle of a wish,” especially.
Congratulations! I’m happy for you.
Loved your poem. It’s one of my favorites.
Magic Tide
The magic tide delivered
a twinkling sprinkle of a wish
before returning to the deep.
~Penny Klostermann
Happy Valentines Day!
I like the idea of the magic tide!! And your second line.…just the sounds of it are wonderful, but I love how they express the magic of the seaside or lakeside.
I love ‘twinkling sprinkle’ Penny!
Oh lovely delivery!
Love that ‘twinkling sprinkle’, Penny. Just a moment captured!
THanks, Penny. And this is lovely. It’s like the opposite of The Blob:>) That “twinkling sprinkle of a wish,” especially.
Congratulations Laura. BookSpeak is so deserving!
Love your poem today — every word perfect.
While I know today’s picture was made by the sun, it reminded me of something else:
The Pleiades
came to swim -
starlight bright,
sunlight dim.
Pretty! I love the idea of swimming stars.
Oh I love the swimming stars, ellie!
Nice thought of those stars stealing down to the water, at least in our imaginations.
Good job!
Thanks so much, ellie–I appreciate your words.
And see how we both had family in our poems:>) I like that tug-of-war between your last two lines.
Congratulations Laura. BookSpeak is so deserving!
Love your poem today — every word perfect.
While I know today’s picture was made by the sun, it reminded me of something else:
The Pleiades
came to swim -
starlight bright,
sunlight dim.
Pretty! I love the idea of swimming stars.
Oh I love the swimming stars, ellie!
Nice thought of those stars stealing down to the water, at least in our imaginations.
Good job!
Thanks so much, ellie–I appreciate your words.
And see how we both had family in our poems:>) I like that tug-of-war between your last two lines.
By the Lake
Fallen stars
Startle the water
Swaying us
To look
Up.
Laura,
Congratulations! Wonderful news for a wonderful book of poetry!
Liz
I love the idea of fallen stars and swaying us to look up. I like this, a lot, Liz.
:0)
I have seen the stars on the water, and didn’t connect this memory until your poem, Liz. Just lovely to think about!
Thanks, Liz! Oh, this is beautiful. I love stars / Startle and also the choice of the verb Swaying.
By the Lake
Fallen stars
Startle the water
Swaying us
To look
Up.
Laura,
Congratulations! Wonderful news for a wonderful book of poetry!
Liz
I love the idea of fallen stars and swaying us to look up. I like this, a lot, Liz.
:0)
I have seen the stars on the water, and didn’t connect this memory until your poem, Liz. Just lovely to think about!
Thanks, Liz! Oh, this is beautiful. I love stars / Startle and also the choice of the verb Swaying.
My Baby’s Face
Freckles scattered
across your tiny nose.
Each one I kiss
Sparkles, then glows.
Congratulations Laura! Well done Cybils!
Happy St. Valentine’s Day everyone.
I just love how our minds go in such a variety of directions. This one is perfect for today seeing the twinkles as freckles on you baby’s nose. Feeling the love.
What a beautiful interpretation of the picture. Love it!
Awh, beautiful Cathy!
Sweet babies do sparkle, don’t they? Love this look at the photo!
Thanks, Cathy! And Happy Valentine’s Day to you, too! This is just the sweetest poem–a true valentine!
My Baby’s Face
Freckles scattered
across your tiny nose.
Each one I kiss
Sparkles, then glows.
Congratulations Laura! Well done Cybils!
Happy St. Valentine’s Day everyone.
I just love how our minds go in such a variety of directions. This one is perfect for today seeing the twinkles as freckles on you baby’s nose. Feeling the love.
What a beautiful interpretation of the picture. Love it!
Awh, beautiful Cathy!
Sweet babies do sparkle, don’t they? Love this look at the photo!
Thanks, Cathy! And Happy Valentine’s Day to you, too! This is just the sweetest poem–a true valentine!
Woo Hoo!! Congrats on the Cybils award!!! What a wonderful honor!
I loved your poem- brought back good memories of fun talk with family- a welcome respite in the whirlwind of life.
A Magical Journey
Over land and over sea,
Sparkling transportation.
Something very rarely seen-
Fairies in migration!
I love that last line, fairies in migration, cute!
I saw fairies too, but love the rhyme you brought into it.
Ha! Clever! Love the idea of a faerie migration, too. That pretty much starts a story spinning, doesn’t it?
Thanks so much for both the congrats and kind words.
Yes! I agree, love the last line. A fairy migration is such a clever image.
Woo Hoo!! Congrats on the Cybils award!!! What a wonderful honor!
I loved your poem- brought back good memories of fun talk with family- a welcome respite in the whirlwind of life.
A Magical Journey
Over land and over sea,
Sparkling transportation.
Something very rarely seen-
Fairies in migration!
I love that last line, fairies in migration, cute!
I saw fairies too, but love the rhyme you brought into it.
Ha! Clever! Love the idea of a faerie migration, too. That pretty much starts a story spinning, doesn’t it?
Thanks so much for both the congrats and kind words.
Yes! I agree, love the last line. A fairy migration is such a clever image.
I love your take on the picture, Laura and huge congrats on the award. BookSpeak is wonderful!
Listening to Andrea Bocelli
Music drifts to the sea
and rides the waves.
Oh, didn’t think of music, Catherine. Glad you did! Beautiful!
Oh.…I can so see the music on the waves. Love the image you make, Catherine.
Thanks, Catherine! I love that you named a specific musician here, since that puts a whole different spin on the poem than if you said, for instance, Mozart or Metallica.
I was actually listening to his new CD at the time :0)
I love your take on the picture, Laura and huge congrats on the award. BookSpeak is wonderful!
Listening to Andrea Bocelli
Music drifts to the sea
and rides the waves.
Oh, didn’t think of music, Catherine. Glad you did! Beautiful!
Oh.…I can so see the music on the waves. Love the image you make, Catherine.
Thanks, Catherine! I love that you named a specific musician here, since that puts a whole different spin on the poem than if you said, for instance, Mozart or Metallica.
I was actually listening to his new CD at the time :0)
Congratulatlions Laura-so happy for you & for BookSpeak! A lovely Valentine’s Day gift! I so enjoy seeing how everyone looks at your pictures so differently, like your ‘family reunion’. They do sparkle, & liven us for weeks! Here’s my view of Janet’s beautiful photo.
Tiny fairy mermaids
caught in updraft!
Camera seizes the image-
my case for magic!
Thank you, Linda–it’s the best Valentine’s Day ever! (My husband and I do a pretty low-key Valentine’s Day since our anniversary is just a week before it.)
This poem sounds delicious. Something about the repeated gs and the cs…and that image of tiny fairy mermaids. Sigh. Takes me back to my childhood make-believe days.
Congratulatlions Laura-so happy for you & for BookSpeak! A lovely Valentine’s Day gift! I so enjoy seeing how everyone looks at your pictures so differently, like your ‘family reunion’. They do sparkle, & liven us for weeks! Here’s my view of Janet’s beautiful photo.
Tiny fairy mermaids
caught in updraft!
Camera seizes the image-
my case for magic!
Thank you, Linda–it’s the best Valentine’s Day ever! (My husband and I do a pretty low-key Valentine’s Day since our anniversary is just a week before it.)
This poem sounds delicious. Something about the repeated gs and the cs…and that image of tiny fairy mermaids. Sigh. Takes me back to my childhood make-believe days.
So very thrilled for you! What a magical book.
Thanks, Tricia! The response has definitely been magical, feeling the connection to so many book-lovers…
So very thrilled for you! What a magical book.
Thanks, Tricia! The response has definitely been magical, feeling the connection to so many book-lovers…
So very thrilled for you. What a magical book!
Okay, not sure why that posted twice. Let’s just chalk up to being so excited for you!
I can live with that:>)
So very thrilled for you. What a magical book!
Okay, not sure why that posted twice. Let’s just chalk up to being so excited for you!
I can live with that:>)
I just saw the news about your Cybils win–congratulations!
Thanks, Carol! It’s been an awfully good week. First A LEAF CAN BE… in the Scholastic Book Club, and now this!
I just saw the news about your Cybils win–congratulations!
Thanks, Carol! It’s been an awfully good week. First A LEAF CAN BE… in the Scholastic Book Club, and now this!
Beautiful photo! Looks like fireworks in the water.
DIVA
Ain’t no doubt
Mama Nature’s got bling.
If you ask her,
she sniffs
“This old thing?”
****
On another note…CONGRATULATIONS on the Cybil!!! Very happy for you! BookSpeak is a special book indeed. 🙂
Hahahaha! Love the voice here. Perfect title, too! And, thank you! I’m just thrilled!
I agree with Laura! Mother Nature with attitude. My goodness does she ever have attitude this year. And I adore her bling!!! (As long as the power stays on.)
Beautiful photo! Looks like fireworks in the water.
DIVA
Ain’t no doubt
Mama Nature’s got bling.
If you ask her,
she sniffs
“This old thing?”
****
On another note…CONGRATULATIONS on the Cybil!!! Very happy for you! BookSpeak is a special book indeed. 🙂
Hahahaha! Love the voice here. Perfect title, too! And, thank you! I’m just thrilled!
I agree with Laura! Mother Nature with attitude. My goodness does she ever have attitude this year. And I adore her bling!!! (As long as the power stays on.)
Stardust sparkles
on summer pond,
Tadpoles tumble
newly spawned,
Firefly casts
its magic wand.
So happy to hear about your cybil win! And your scholastic book club news! You’re sparkling and shining like this week’s picture.
It has been an awesome week, that is for sure! I’m floating!
Ooh, this is fantastic. So image-filled. This is one to submit, Buffy! (My two cents–I don’t think you need “on” in that second row.)
I’m always happy for your two cents–and thanks for the encouraging words!
Stardust sparkles
on summer pond,
Tadpoles tumble
newly spawned,
Firefly casts
its magic wand.
So happy to hear about your cybil win! And your scholastic book club news! You’re sparkling and shining like this week’s picture.
It has been an awesome week, that is for sure! I’m floating!
Ooh, this is fantastic. So image-filled. This is one to submit, Buffy! (My two cents–I don’t think you need “on” in that second row.)
I’m always happy for your two cents–and thanks for the encouraging words!
Star, Star,
Down, up
In, out
NIght, day…
They will stay
Happy Valentine’s Day everyone!!
I love how you took something so momentary, like light glittering on water, and turned it into a poem about things that stay, that remain. Beautiful:>) And happy Valentine’s Day!
I like your simplicity of words painting a picture, Sophia. I am so glad the stars will stay. We need all kinds of stars in our lives.
Star, Star,
Down, up
In, out
NIght, day…
They will stay
Happy Valentine’s Day everyone!!
I love how you took something so momentary, like light glittering on water, and turned it into a poem about things that stay, that remain. Beautiful:>) And happy Valentine’s Day!
I like your simplicity of words painting a picture, Sophia. I am so glad the stars will stay. We need all kinds of stars in our lives.
The Fountain of Youth
Like angels, we fall
free,
floating on
the wings of waves.
We are young.
Again.
So poignant, Pamela. I’m not sure whether it’s joy or death or love that brings this renewed youthk because it works all three ways. That final line is a single scrumptious word…
The Fountain of Youth
Like angels, we fall
free,
floating on
the wings of waves.
We are young.
Again.
So poignant, Pamela. I’m not sure whether it’s joy or death or love that brings this renewed youthk because it works all three ways. That final line is a single scrumptious word…
Huge congrats, Laura–such a wonderful book! 🙂
I’m a bit late to the 15 Words party, but here you go:
Sometimes when
nothing matters and
life is a dark sea
hope sparkles
on the water
I REALLy like your poem, Kate. To the heart of the matter.
Huge congrats, Laura–such a wonderful book! 🙂
I’m a bit late to the 15 Words party, but here you go:
Sometimes when
nothing matters and
life is a dark sea
hope sparkles
on the water
I REALLy like your poem, Kate. To the heart of the matter.
AN AFTERNOON BLESSING
A dapple of dots
Sparkle our river,
Once again Nature
Knows how to deliver.
© Charles Waters 2013 all rights reserved.
AN AFTERNOON BLESSING
A dapple of dots
Sparkle our river,
Once again Nature
Knows how to deliver.
© Charles Waters 2013 all rights reserved.