March holds the birthday for poet Clive Matson. Happy 75th Birthday. So today I'm featuring an excerpt from one of his poems.
YOU'RE A BABY (34)
You’re
a baby! I’m a baby too!
Your
giantness clouds the sky,
you
breathe in Valley Fires
and
exhale smoke and roses.
Has
the sun ever looked so orange?
The
moon so grapefruit?
Love
the one-eyed mushroom
on
its thick stalk. Love the warm
conch
with its slick pearl.
Look
up! Look up!
Thank you Clive for giving me permission to include part of your poem here.
I know Clive from reading his book LET THE CRAZY CHILD WRITE and from attending one of his workshops. He publishes the poetry journal Scribbler. You can read more about his life and poetry here. You can see and listen to Clive Matson reading his poem here.
So here is my occasional poem for Clive.
When you were a baby
you liked to sing
and to listen
to keys on the ring
ting-a-ling.
When you were a baby
we loved all you do
we'd exclaim and delight
over every
chortle and coo.
And now you've grown,
you're an amazing man.
We try to learn
from you whenever
we can.
For you poetry challenge for today, can you write a poem about what it is like to be a baby? What do you feel about babies? Do you have a baby brother or sister? Can you write a poem for or about them?
Today is also the Poetry Friday Round UP. Our hostess with the mostess is Irene Latham. You can find more great poetry on her blog.here
March is also the birthday month for children's poets David L. Harrison and Heidi Mordhorst. Happy birthday to all those born in March.
A poem starts as an itch. Scratch it. Write it.
Today is also the Poetry Friday Round UP. Our hostess with the mostess is Irene Latham. You can find more great poetry on her blog.here
March is also the birthday month for children's poets David L. Harrison and Heidi Mordhorst. Happy birthday to all those born in March.
A poem starts as an itch. Scratch it. Write it.
Thanks for sharing about Clive. His poetry and yours are awesome and speak to the fun in each of us.
ReplyDeleteThanks Joan. Writing poetry is fun.
DeleteThanks for introducing us to Clive's poetry. Enjoyed both his and your poems. :) Love keys on the ring -- ting-a-ling especially!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jama.
DeleteThat's quite wonderful to share some poetry about Clive, then write a poem to him. Love them both, Joy, and that "conch with its slick pearl", your rhythm & words to "whenever we can". Thanks, hoping you're having a lovely time in your new place.
ReplyDeleteNice tribute and poem. I especially liked your original quote at the end of the post about itches and scratches. You are so fun, Joy!
ReplyDeleteJoy, I am excited about meeting a new poet. I listened to Clive's video and was moved by his voice and his words. Your words back to Clive prompted me to read and reread the phrase, on the ring/ ting-a-ling. I see why this phrase struck you after I heard Clive's sing-song phrasing at the end of his poem. Enjoy your new home.
ReplyDeleteI like the imperative nature & strong voice of "You're a baby!" Happy birthday to Clive from another March baby. :-)
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday, Clive! Thanks for reminding us to keep hold of our young hearts no matter what age the calendar says we are!
ReplyDeleteHas the sun ever looked so orange?/The moon so grapefruit?
ReplyDeleteHow can I not like a poem that compares the moon to a grapefruit? Thanks for sharing this!