January 15,2014

copyright 2015, Joy Acey

Colorful carp swim
in the pond racing, dashing
with no place to go

copyright 2015, Joy Acey

These fish were swimming in the pond at Yu Yuan Garden in Shanghai, China.
They are reminding me that I don't need to rush.  All week I've been giving myself a hard time about not being up to date on the poems for my blog.  For me, I'm adding stress to my life that doesn't need to be there.  I will get caught up, but right now I have an assignment that I need to complete on a deadline.  It involves reading student manuscripts and it is something I enjoy doing.  So, if you will just be patient, everything will eventually get done. 
Thank you for your understanding. 

Freida the Frog

Said Freida, a frog
laying her eggs,
"I'm bored, and exhausted
and I've cramps in my legs,
from squatting here laying
in this cold pond each night
It's a chore, I abhor it.
It's definitely not right."

    I went to a workshop yesterday morning and one of the things we talked about was using mentor texts to help us with our writing. One of my favorite writers of picture books in verse is Dr. Seuss.So I thought I'd try this re-vamp from one of his stories.  So your challenge today is to take a poem or story written in verse and write your own version.  You don't have to do the whole story, just try the experience of this and see if it works for your and gives you any ideas.