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!