Happy Poetry Friday! (Wondering what Poetry Friday is? Click here.)
I haven’t read as many picture books/poetry books this year as I usually do. But I finally got my hands on one I’ve been eager to read. I bet you’ve read or at least read about Irene Latham’s lovely The Museum on the Moon poetry collection. It’s so wonderful–the kind of mash-up of poetry and nonfiction that I adore. I learned so much! More importantly for me, I was enchanted. I already love the moon, but this collection both broadened and deepened my connection to it. Thank you, Irene.
You can learn more about Irene and the beautiful books she writes at her website.
And for more poetry, including poems about mysterious, silly, terrible, and fabulous topics, check out the Poetry Friday Roundup with the imaginative and kind Janice Scully at Salt City Verse.
19 Responses
Beautiful, Laura. I love thinking of the moon as knowing all our secrets. The line “unfolded golden umbrella” is lovely to say out loud.
Thanks, Rose. That first stanza initially had small, silver curve, but then I didn’t know if that would be too contradictory–even though the moon is indeed mostly silvery looking but occasionally gold looking too. But I couldn’t bear to change my gold line…
I’ve read The Museum on the Moon and was struck by the clear and concise word choice alongside the historical facts, a teacher’s wheelhouse. Thanks for adding your poetry action poem to the mix. “your best friend’s ear/ there to hear all my secrets” describes how we trust the moon to hold onto us.
Trust. That’s exactly the right word, Margaret.
What a sweet gift to give the moon, this friend with understanding ears 😊
Irene’s book is a gem, I agree, Laura, & your poem response shows the love in it and from you. We never tire of feeling that “glowing hug”! Have a lovely weekend!
Laura, I love our response to Irene’s book, your poem to the moon as something safe to tell secrets to. Thanks for sharing this gorgeous book. It’s on my TBR list.
Laura, that unfolding golden umbrella! I love love love this, and I am excited it add it to the MOON padlet (which already includes your beautiful IF YOU WERE THE MOON). Yay for sharing the moon-love. xo
It’s such a wonderful book, Irene. Congratulations on creating this beauty! I hope it finds many readers.
Laura, I like your simile likening the moon to a friend’s ear. So perfect on multiple levels! I, too, love the poetry-nonfiction blend that Irene creates in Museum on the Moon. You both have such a perfect sense of balance.
Aw, thanks, Tracey!
Fabulous PoetryAction, Laura. Love that the moon feels both near and far away, and how you’ve personified it as a friend who knows our secrets. Your directly addressing it makes for a sweet, intimate moment. Thank you!
Thanks, Jama. I loved the way the initial poem by Irene is in the first person, and I wanted to answer back, with love :>)
Absolutely beautiful, Laura! I love the moon, Irene’s book, and your lovely poem. I tell the moon a whole lot of secrets, too!
It’s those specific details…best friend’s ear, A+ that make this poem appeal to me and so many. Imagine the number of poems that moon has inspired over milennia…countless, I’m sure!
This would be such a fun prompt for kids–doing a poem of address. So glad you finally got to read Irene’s lovely book.
What a lovely response and I love the idea of that golden umbrella protecting and listening to your secrets.
What a lovely and comforting line, “there to hear all my secrets” and the moon’s “glowing hug” always makes me feel good–beautiful poem Laura, thanks!
Laura, it was wonderful to hear your perspective on Irene’s wonderful book. Your ending lines in your poetryaction poem is shares your love of the moon. Perhaps, you will share your poetryaction project at NCTE next year, among your wealth of creative new books.