Happy Poetry Friday!
Last Saturday, I got to be part of the 2019 Poetry Blast! I had last gone to ALA, to be part of this same event, in 2013. At that time, I was sharing my first two poetry collections, Stampede and BookSpeak! And I was totally overwhelmed. (Thrilled but overwhelmed.)
This year, I had different books to share, and my mood felt so different. Still thrilled–absolutely. But I have learned to love sharing poetry and books with librarians, teachers, and anyone else who will listen. Most importantly, this year, I felt like I belonged. These amazing poets were all women I knew, like, and admired. I felt like I was going to a party!
(By the way, here’s a peek at my #alaac19 experience in Washington, DC, including the Blast!)
I can’t share all the great moments, but here were a few favorite bits:
Me: Well, my not-greatest moment was knocking the microphone off its little perch! Hehe. The podium setup was a bit awkward, and I am a bit awkward, so…still, I enjoyed the lovely, full seats and sharing a few poems from each of my three spring books!
Laura Shovan: I loved hearing her share some poems from Last Fifth Grade of Emerson Elementary, which I wrote about here. And we got to hear bits from her newest novel, which has a poetry element, too!
Liz Steinglass: Liz’s soccer poems came alive in her funny, wry reading style. I especially loved the shin guard poems.
Nikki Grimes: I took no notes because I (and the entire room) was instantly gripped by her reading from her forthcoming memoir. Talk about powerful. I came home with a signed copy and can’t wait to read it.
Joyce Sidman: My favorite part was hearing her read some of the chapter-opening poems from her Sibert-winning book! I was planning to share one here, but where have I tucked away my copy of this beautiful book?
Marilyn Singer: Oh, I can’t wait to read Marilyn’s forthcoming collection about urban animals. The poems she shared were delightful–the monkey one was a bit ominous!
Sleeve Dogs
A gift from Japan:
sleeve dogs, each small enough
to fit in a saucer.
Franklin Pierce kept one.
Jefferson Davis carried
one in his pocket.
In that brief moment,
East and West were more on their
minds than North and South.
–Marilyn Singer, all rights reserved
Funny how different a tiny dog would be perceived when carried by a president rather than a celebrity! And I love the subtle history lesson/acknowledgement, too!
Thank you so much to Marilyn Singer and librarian Barbara A. Genco for continuing to organize this event and advocate for poetry!
For more delightful poetry, check out the Poetry Friday Roundup with the kind, observant, and wonderful Buffy Silverman!
Sounds like the poetry blast was a blast! Thanks for giving us a peek.
Oh, how fun and wonderful for you to return with more experience and books under your belt. I do love hanging out with poets. I’m sure your presentation was a huge hit and I hope it was recorded? If so, please share the link with us as soon as its up. Many congratulations to you on your growing success. Well done!
I did poetry blast last summer and felt as you did the first time. I hope to do it again and feel like I am a part of the party. Love all these poets. You are all people I want to spend more time with!
What a wonderful time you shared with an all-star cast of poets, you included, Laura. I would have been in “poet heaven” listening to all of you.
Oh, I would love to have joined you for this poetry blast. So many wonderful voices, all in one room sharing poems. I do think it must have been a bit of heaven.
You’ve come a long way in the six years since your first poetry blast! You are a force of nature!
What a fabulous experience Laura!
Sounds so wonderful! Thank you for sharing! Ruth, thereisnosuchthingasagodforsakentown.blogspot.com
Our SCBWI Chapter shares these kinds of confernce summaries in our newsletter. The column is titled Fly On The Wall. Thank you for being our Fly On The Wall at ALA and sharing so much. And you, talented Laura, most definitely belong!
Those poetry moments do sound like a blast! Thank you for giving us a peek.
I would have loved to be there at that party and hear you all. Thank you for sharing your fun impressions. (I probably would have knocked the mic off its perch too!) I’ve heard Nikki read in person before and I know EXACTLY what you meant by the entire room being entranced. It was that way for me too. She’s pretty incredible. Marilyn’s have a great year with new books—just like you, but not all at once!
Hmmm… not sure if my comment “took” the first time, so I’ll try once more.
I would have loved to be at that poetry party! Thank you for sharing your impressions, Laura. (I probably would have knocked the mic off its perch too.) Also, I know EXACTLY what you meant about the whole room being gripped by Nikki’s reading. When I saw her in person the same exact thing happened. Marilyn’s having an incredible year with new books—just like you, but not all at once!
YOur comments and pics were all a teat Laura, thanks for sharing them and all the books–so many I look forward to reading…