Happy Poetry Friday! Are you a regular or a newbie? No matter…you are welcome! (Wondering what Poetry Friday is? Click here.)
Hey, I have a new picture book out next week! I’m so excited about it. It has themes of imperfection, authenticity, and library love. It’s not poetry, but I hope you’ll like it anyway. Click on the graphic at the right to go to my webpage for Line Leads the Way!
This month, our poetry challenge was to write haiku want ads. We did this once before (NINE years ago? What?!), but I struggled with it a lot more this time. (This is extra humbling since I think I might be the one who suggested this, and I had SO much fun with it last time.)
We had a loved one in a serious car accident last week. She’s healing really well, but I’ve been distracted a lot. I don’t know if that’s why I struggled or if I just wasn’t feeling it this time around, but I just sat in a Taco Bell after lunch, trying to write. And…nothing.
Eventually, I thought about how ads of all kids spring from a want or a need. That fused in my mind with a recent discussion of birthday wish lists. And that made me think of the lovely Florida morning from June I wish my sister could capture and bring in her suitcase when she visits me in Minnesota soon. It was all very convoluted!
This second one fits the brief even less! But I was thinking of my lovely mom-in-law, who’s dealing with lots of memory loss. When she saw my husband recently, she talked about how it had been so very long since she’d seen him. As in, years. He’d visited three weeks before that. We’ll call it a “lost and found” ad, shall we?
I don’t think our live write happened, as everyone had lots going on. So I look forward to seeing what everyone else did. I’m sure they made magic!
Liz
Sara
Tanita
Tricia
Mary Lee
Click here to see all our previous Poetry Princesses collaborations.
Our Poetry Friday host is Marcie Flinchum-Atkins! She’s not only a fabulous poet, but she’s an amazing systems person. She comes up with the coolest projects AND actually follows through on them, tracks them, and shares them. I so admire her project management skills (in addition to her wonderful writing). So don’t miss the Roundup!
25 Responses
Congrats on your book coming out!!! These haiku’s both capture me Laura, love the “morning of sea/on Minnesota.” And how sensitive your second haiku is, and the images fit each so well, thanks for both! Hope your family member continues to heal.
Thanks, Michelle. Those pics are both off my recent camera roll, so it was interesting looking for real images instead of through stock ones on Canva or whatever. Thanks for the good wishes!
Laura, congratulations on your new book. It sounds like it wil engage the young ones and the young at heart. I am sorry to hear about a loved one’s accident. May there be healing soon. I think a haiku want ad is an interesting perspective and I loved how you framed both of your image poems. Childhood is a tender poem that holds the truth for many families these days. .it’s message is for others to read. Calling it a lost and found ad is an “ahha moment” for me.
Thanks, Carol. It was kind of an aha moment for me when I blurred the photo of my husband. Our niece is healing–thank you. Hope you’re continuing to do so!
Both of your poems are beautiful and tender, Laura. I especially love the way “pouring a morning of sea” rolls off the tongue. And best of luck with your new book!
Thank you, Rose!
Dear Laura, these are both kind of bittersweet, aren’t they? Thanks for acknowledging the time/season of life connection to/impact on writing. We’re always growing and changing…and yes, life events impact our creativity as well. Thinking of you and celebrating your newest book! xo
Thank you, Irene. Yes, bittersweet is a good word for them. I usually have a fairly thick dividing line between “real life” and my writing, because writing has always been an escape for me. But that line seems to be dissolving this past year.
Gosh Laura, I think both of these haiku want ads are very powerful — I love “pouring a morning sea on Minnesota.” And oof–that last line “but lost the years since” — that one hits home (walking a similar journey with my parents). Well done!
Thank you, Patricia–hugs to you and your family. <3
Oh, the blurred picture really hits you with that last poem…
To be fair, an “ad” is merely a public request, so if you’re advertising for Floridian seas to come to Minnesota one morning, that seems legit. (Also, I’d LOVE to see where you put them…)
You know, blurring that picture of Randy hurt! It made my mom-in-law’s confusion more visceral for me. Well, it definitely felt like I was tiptoeing around the brief, but not exactly meeting it. But oh well!
Your second poem packs such a gut punch. I think your first poem fits the category of “wanted” for sure. Bringing the ocean to MN sounds like a fine thing to wish for.
I hope your niece recovers quickly.
Thanks, Tricia. She’s getting there!
Congratulations on your upcoming book, Laura! I’m glad to hear your family member is healing well, but I’m sure the accident shook everyone up, and probably reconfigured some priorities. Both of these poems are powerful in different ways, and I’m always impressed by how you combine your images and poems. The second poem is oh-so-poignant. As others have commented, the blurred background of your husband really brings the message home.
Thank you, Molly!
Laura, congratulations on Line Leads the Way. Hooray! Your first poem is thoughtful and fun. I love the idea of your sister bringing a bit of the ocean to Minnesota. And the second poem, so sad and so much truth. Peace to your husband and her and you in this new chapter.
Thanks, Denise!
Hooray for your latest book! I can’t wait to read it. Love these want ad haiku. And yes to bringing that warm Florida beach to Minnesota. So hard to see our loved ones change. Big hugs to you!
It is hard! And of course, so inevitable (in various forms).
Hi Laura! I agree with you about Marcie’s systems wizdry.
I’m so sorry for your Mom-in-Laws memory journey — it must ache for your dear Hubby & You. And also sorry about that shocking car accident. Amazing to me that you created these wonderful haiku with photos. You know I’m aglow about the Florida moment! Big applause on a new picture book coming out.[LINE…] I remember one time that author/Hollins professor Hillary B. Homzie told us that the best pictures books ARE poetry- meaning not in any verse or form, not pages of poems, but in imagery, lyricism & flowing words — all ways that we know define Poet You & your page-turning works. B R A V A!
Thank you, Jan–your comment feels like a big ol’ hug!
I’d love the gift of the sea as you requested. Oof, memory loss and the punch of that last line. Dementia is so hard.
Oh, my, that second one is a real gut punch. Wishing a bucket full of waves and sand for you to ease the trauma of a loved one who’s been in a car wreck.
Aw, these are great, Laura. Very touching, both of them. Congrats on your new book!