Such Is Spring

Dear Blog,

Sorry not to visit more often.

Please accept these flowers as my humble apology.

 

Fourth-Grade Poets!

This is just to say that the 4th graders at Bennett-Hemenway Elementary School in Natick are fabulous poets! I had a lot of fun today working with them on their terrific poems!

Can’t wait to see more of their work soon!

Mail Call!

Now why on earth would I ever think about “borrowing” a mail truck? Head on over to Jama’s Alphabet Soup to find out. I’m delighted to be her guest today at the 2012 Poetry Potluck!

Easter Colors

Have been so incredibly busy lately. In good ways, so not complaining. But thought I’d take a few minutes this morning to pay attention to the colors around me.

Blues and greens …

Yellows and creams …

The colors of Easter …

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Woof!

Jama Rattigan’s Poetry Potluck!

I’m so exited! I have been invited as a guest poet to Jama Rattigan’s 2012 Alphabet Soup Poetry Potluck in celebration of Poetry Month. Each day beginning April 2, the potluck will feature a poem and recipe by a different writer. Food for the soul, food for the table. Check out the menu here. Gosh, such esteemed company. I’ll be the one slurping my soup, though thoroughly enjoying every morsel put out at the spread.

More soon!

After the weekend’s Oscars hoopla, the red-carpet extravaganza, I’m thinking about this poem today: FAMOUS by Naomi Shihab Nye. I especially like its closing lines.

The river is famous to the fish.

The loud voice is famous to silence,
which knew it would inherit the earth
before anybody said so.

The cat sleeping on the fence is famous to the birds
watching him from the birdhouse.

Read the whole poem here at the Poetry Foundation site.

Odd

It feels strange to me, having only a dusting of snow so far this winter in this area. I know many folks are celebrating this “balmier” season, and it does make for greater convenience, not having to shovel or worry about driving, etc. Still, winter is askew.

However, rather than lament this zone of the peculiar we’re in, I’ve decided to celebrate the askew and ridiculous today. Here’s a jump-rope poem I wrote a while back. May your day be splendidly odd!

cotton candy sidewalks,
roller-skating lollipops,
pandas playing hopscotch,
jumbo trampoline

sapphire,
high wire,
tell us all
what you desire

eat a purple gumdrop
while you’re waiting for the queen

Thinking about the poem now, I’m picturing roller-skating lollipops getting stuck in the cotton candy of the sidewalks. And what about that jumbo trampoline–who’s on it? But no–stop! Let it be ridiculous already!

Today’s Poetry Friday roundup is over at Gathering Books, where you’ll find links to many wonderful poems and poetry-related conversation. Enjoy!