WHAT IS POETRY?
Poetry is nearer to vital truth than history. --Plato
What is poetry?
It is finding the truth, no need to lie.
It's munching on watermelon and letting seeds fly.
It's a letter that comes with a card in the mail.
It's the lacy silver threads left by a garden snail.
It's daffodil trumpets covering the hill.
It's a deer at the creek, drinking her fill.
It's giggling and laughing and being absurd.
It's reading a haiku and feeling each word.
It's a dragon who blows flames, loud and hardy.
I added today's line to this progressive poem because I wanted to include some of the magic I feel when a poem just pours out of me--those are the wonderful (wonder filled) days.
Are there clouds in your sky today? (I was going to write "overhead in your sky," but I can hear the voice of my friend Sally saying, "Overhead is obvious. Where else can clouds be but overhead? Get rid of that word. You haven't told me anything new.")
See if you can find some time to just sit and watch the clouds. What do they make you think of? Let your mind wander and if this creates enough space for your own poem, have fun writing the words down. I hope you have a great Sunday with much to be thankful for. Enjoy the day.
Sunday, April 7, 2013
Saturday, April 6, 2013
WHAT IS POETRY?
WHAT IS POETRY?
A poem begins with a lump in the throat. --Robert Frost
What is poetry?
It is finding the truth, no need to lie.
It's munching on watermelon and letting seeds fly.
It's a letter that comes with a card in the mail.
It's the lacy silver threads left by a garden snail.
It's daffodil trumpets covering the hill.
It's a deer at the creek, drinking her fill.
It's giggling and laughing and being absurd.
It's reading a haiku and feeling each word.
Happy Saturday. It is a great day to celebrate poetry. For today's challenge, can you write a haiku and include something from nature.
A poem begins with a lump in the throat. --Robert Frost
What is poetry?
It is finding the truth, no need to lie.
It's munching on watermelon and letting seeds fly.
It's a letter that comes with a card in the mail.
It's the lacy silver threads left by a garden snail.
It's daffodil trumpets covering the hill.
It's a deer at the creek, drinking her fill.
It's giggling and laughing and being absurd.
It's reading a haiku and feeling each word.
Happy Saturday. It is a great day to celebrate poetry. For today's challenge, can you write a haiku and include something from nature.
Friday, April 5, 2013
WHAT IS POETRY and a craft POETRY POCKET
WHAT IS POETRY?
Poetry is a packsack of invisible keepsakes. --Carl Sandburg
What is poetry?
It is finding the truth, no need to lie.
It's munching on watermelon and letting seeds fly.
It's a letter that comes with a card in the mail.
It's the lacy silver threads left by a garden snail.
It's daffodil trumpets covering the hill.
It's a deer at the creek, drinking her fill.
It's giggling and laughing and being absurd.
Does poetry ever make you feel like you have the sillies? I sometimes feel that way. In the back of my mind, I've been toying and working with a poem about a boy who has his pants glued to his seat because he is such a wiggle worm in school. How silly is that?
I really do love poetry. And on April 18th is Poem In Your Pocket Day. I've already volunteered at my local library to help children make pockets to put their poems in, so I've also started making my own pockets for my friends. I got this idea because I saw some Hallmark cards at Easter that were made out of felt. So, I checked out the new craft store in town--Joann's and they had some felt squares in bright colors.
The felt pieces even came in bright patterns.
I cut each piece of felt in half to make 2 envelopes.
I glue the sides together, and I even have fun embroidering some with a chain stitch to include the recipient's name.
On some I included colorful papers on the inside.
And then I added some felt stick on flowers , or ladybugs to the envelope. I also have some hearts and sandals for other envelopes.
I print out a poem on my computer using a colorful paper to go inside the envelope.
The stamps and address stickers stick to the felt too. And then the pocket is ready to go in the mail to my poetry friends.
I've had so much fun making these envelopes. You don't have to use felt. You could use a sheet of scrapbook paper. What ever seems like fun. I bought some pellon (Fabric backing) so I could try using fabric for the envelopes.
I hope you'll try making a poetry pocket for your friends. If you have questions, I'll try to answer them. If you try this, please let me know how it works out for you. Enjoy your pockets.
If you missed it, Renee LaTulippe has videos of several of the poets from THE POETRY FRIDAY ANTHOLOGY FOR MIDDLE SCHOOL, compiled by Sylvia Vardell and Janet Wong on her web site at No Water River
The Poetry Friday Roundup is hosted this week by Robyn Hood Black over at her blog Read, Write, Howl. Thanks, Robyn. I'm looking forward to reading your contribution to Irene Latham's Progressive Poem.
Poetry is a packsack of invisible keepsakes. --Carl Sandburg
What is poetry?
It is finding the truth, no need to lie.
It's munching on watermelon and letting seeds fly.
It's a letter that comes with a card in the mail.
It's the lacy silver threads left by a garden snail.
It's daffodil trumpets covering the hill.
It's a deer at the creek, drinking her fill.
It's giggling and laughing and being absurd.
Does poetry ever make you feel like you have the sillies? I sometimes feel that way. In the back of my mind, I've been toying and working with a poem about a boy who has his pants glued to his seat because he is such a wiggle worm in school. How silly is that?
I really do love poetry. And on April 18th is Poem In Your Pocket Day. I've already volunteered at my local library to help children make pockets to put their poems in, so I've also started making my own pockets for my friends. I got this idea because I saw some Hallmark cards at Easter that were made out of felt. So, I checked out the new craft store in town--Joann's and they had some felt squares in bright colors.
The felt pieces even came in bright patterns.
I cut each piece of felt in half to make 2 envelopes.
I glue the sides together, and I even have fun embroidering some with a chain stitch to include the recipient's name.
On some I included colorful papers on the inside.
And then I added some felt stick on flowers , or ladybugs to the envelope. I also have some hearts and sandals for other envelopes.
The stamps and address stickers stick to the felt too. And then the pocket is ready to go in the mail to my poetry friends.
I've had so much fun making these envelopes. You don't have to use felt. You could use a sheet of scrapbook paper. What ever seems like fun. I bought some pellon (Fabric backing) so I could try using fabric for the envelopes.
I hope you'll try making a poetry pocket for your friends. If you have questions, I'll try to answer them. If you try this, please let me know how it works out for you. Enjoy your pockets.
If you missed it, Renee LaTulippe has videos of several of the poets from THE POETRY FRIDAY ANTHOLOGY FOR MIDDLE SCHOOL, compiled by Sylvia Vardell and Janet Wong on her web site at No Water River
The Poetry Friday Roundup is hosted this week by Robyn Hood Black over at her blog Read, Write, Howl. Thanks, Robyn. I'm looking forward to reading your contribution to Irene Latham's Progressive Poem.
Thursday, April 4, 2013
WHAT IS POETRY?
Out of the quarrel with others we make rhetoric; out of the quarrel with ourselves we make poetry.--W. B. Yeats
What is poetry?
It is finding the truth, no need to lie.
It's munching on watermelon and letting seeds fly.
It's a letter that comes with a card in the mail.
It's the lacy silver threads left by a garden snail.
It's daffodil trumpets covering the hill.
It's a deer at the creek, drinking her fill.
Happy Poetry Month. Oh, I'm having so much fun. I do love poetry. In talking to my sister yesterday, she said, "Your progressive poem looks like so much fun, I wish I could play."
So, here is your chance, if you'd like, in the comments, leave your own line or couplet on What is Poetry to you. Start with It's.... and then fill in the blank. Have fun. If you need a day or so to think what you'd like to add, that is fine. Over the weekend, I'll try to add some of your lines to the poem.
Wednesday, April 3, 2013
WHAT IS POETRY?
WHAT IS POETRY?
Writing is an act of ego and you might as well admit it. --William Zinsser
What is poetry?
It is finding the truth, no need to lie.
It's munching on watermelon and letting seeds fly.
It's a letter that come with a card in the mail.
It's the lacy silver threads left by a garden snail.
It's daffodil trumpets covering the hill.
So now, what do you think tomorrows line will be? I'll give you a hint, it is going to rhyme with hill.
What does poetry mean to you? Can you write your own poem today about what makes a poem?
If you'd like to see me perform my poem HOW TALL IS THE BOY, published in THE POETRY FRIDAY ANTHOLOGY FOR MIDDLE SCHOOL, compiled by Sylvia Vardell and Janet Wong, check out Renee LaTulippe's blog at NO WATER RIVER You'll also be able to see George Ella Lyon, Heidi Bee Roemer, Heidi Mordhorst, and David L. Harrison presenting their poems from the anthology. It is really fun to see poets performing their poems and David Harrison even plays his trombone--flat.
Writing is an act of ego and you might as well admit it. --William Zinsser
What is poetry?
It is finding the truth, no need to lie.
It's munching on watermelon and letting seeds fly.
It's a letter that come with a card in the mail.
It's the lacy silver threads left by a garden snail.
It's daffodil trumpets covering the hill.
So now, what do you think tomorrows line will be? I'll give you a hint, it is going to rhyme with hill.
What does poetry mean to you? Can you write your own poem today about what makes a poem?
If you'd like to see me perform my poem HOW TALL IS THE BOY, published in THE POETRY FRIDAY ANTHOLOGY FOR MIDDLE SCHOOL, compiled by Sylvia Vardell and Janet Wong, check out Renee LaTulippe's blog at NO WATER RIVER You'll also be able to see George Ella Lyon, Heidi Bee Roemer, Heidi Mordhorst, and David L. Harrison presenting their poems from the anthology. It is really fun to see poets performing their poems and David Harrison even plays his trombone--flat.
Tuesday, April 2, 2013
Progressive Poem
WHAT IS POETRY?
“Painting is poetry that is seen rather than felt, and poetry is painting that is felt rather than seen.”
― Leonardo da Vinci
What is poetry?
It is finding the truth, no need to lie.
It's munching on watermelon and letting seeds fly.
It's a letter that come with a card in the mail.
It's the lacy silver threads left by a garden snail.
Yesterday my buddy Amy VanDerwater at Poetry Farm started the 2013 Progressive Poem with this line:
“Painting is poetry that is seen rather than felt, and poetry is painting that is felt rather than seen.”
― Leonardo da Vinci
What is poetry?
It is finding the truth, no need to lie.
It's munching on watermelon and letting seeds fly.
It's a letter that come with a card in the mail.
It's the lacy silver threads left by a garden snail.
When you listen to your footsteps (Amy VanDerwater)
the words become music and (Joy Acey)
So there you go, Matt Forrest Esenwine , the next line is yours to create.
Monday, April 1, 2013
Happy Poetry Month
April is National Poetry Month and I have lots of fun things planned for this month.
Today I met with a small group of seniors at Santa Catalina Villas to talk poetry and to share poems with each other. I had a grand time. I always have a good time when I can talk poetry with folks.
This month I'm participating in a progressive poem.
So Amy Van Derwater starts the poem today. Tomorrow I will add a line to the poem, and then on Wednesday, Matt Forrest Esenwine gets to add the third line.
Here is the complete line up of children's poets.
April
1 Amy Ludwig VanDerwater
2 Joy Acey
3 Matt Forrest Esenwine
4 Jone MacCulloch
5 Doraine Bennett
6 Gayle Krause
7 Janet Fagal
8 Julie Larios
9 Carrie Finison
10 Linda Baie
11 Margaret Simon
12 Linda Kulp
13 Catherine Johnson
14 Heidi Mordhorst
15 Mary Lee Hahn
16 Liz Steinglass
17 Renee LaTulippe
18 Penny Klostermann
19 Irene Latham
20 Buffy Silverman
21 Tabatha Yeatts
22 Laura Shovan
23 Joanna Marple
24 Katya Czaja
25 Diane Mayr
26 Robyn Hood Black
27 Ruth Hersey
28 Laura Purdie Salas
29 Denise Mortensen
30 April Halprin Wayland
To make navigating a little easier you'll find this list on the right hand column that lists the pages you can travel to, underneath the page starting HOME
I had so much fun thinking about this progressive poem. I thought I'd write my own progressive poem this month too. I'm titling this poem WHAT IS POETRY? and I'll write it in rhyming couplets.
Then, April 18th is POEM IN YOUR POCKET DAY. I've volunteered at my local library to help children make pockets to put their poems in. I've also been making my own pockets that I've been sending to my friends. I'll share this "art" with you in a post, later this month.
April 20 is the 2 year anniversary for my blog Poetry For Kids Joy. I can't believe I've been writing a poem a day for almost two years now. I have been having so much fun. Thank you for reading my poems, for making suggestions and offering a heaping pile of encouragement. I never would have gotten this far in this journey without you. So, to say thank you I have what I think will be a fun give-away. Stay tuned for the details of that.
When I attended a Highlight's Educational Foundation children's poetry workshop led by David Harrison in 2011, one of the first things we discussed was, what was our definition of poetry. David supplied us a reading list with lots of quotes by famous poets on the topic. I'll share some of these with you this month. The epigraph for this poem will change daily.
WHAT IS POETRY?
I think all writing is a disease. You can't stop it.--William Carlos Williams
What is poetry?
It is finding the truth, no need to lie.
It's munching on watermelon and letting seeds fly.
(Tomorrow I'll add the next verse.)
I found out from reading my friend Linda Andersen's blog that April 17 is National Haiku Day.
Have a great poetry day and I'll see you tomorrow when I get to add line 2 to the progressive poem.
Today I met with a small group of seniors at Santa Catalina Villas to talk poetry and to share poems with each other. I had a grand time. I always have a good time when I can talk poetry with folks.
This month I'm participating in a progressive poem.
2013 Progressive Poem Begins Here!
at my friend Amy VanDerwater's blog, The Poetry Farm.
Each day a children's poet will add a line to the poem, until we have a 30 line poem.
Happy National Poetry Month!
Welcome to the 2013 Kidlitosphere Progressive Poem!
Last year, Irene Latham invited poetry-lovers to share in a progressive poem feast which she kicked off at her blog, Live Your Poem, on April 1, 2012.
Irene has organized us all again this year to build a poem day-by-day, throughout April.
Here is the complete line up of children's poets.
2013 Kidlitosphere Progressive Poem
April
1 Amy Ludwig VanDerwater
2 Joy Acey
3 Matt Forrest Esenwine
4 Jone MacCulloch
5 Doraine Bennett
6 Gayle Krause
7 Janet Fagal
8 Julie Larios
9 Carrie Finison
10 Linda Baie
11 Margaret Simon
12 Linda Kulp
13 Catherine Johnson
14 Heidi Mordhorst
15 Mary Lee Hahn
16 Liz Steinglass
17 Renee LaTulippe
18 Penny Klostermann
19 Irene Latham
20 Buffy Silverman
21 Tabatha Yeatts
22 Laura Shovan
23 Joanna Marple
24 Katya Czaja
25 Diane Mayr
26 Robyn Hood Black
27 Ruth Hersey
28 Laura Purdie Salas
29 Denise Mortensen
30 April Halprin Wayland
To make navigating a little easier you'll find this list on the right hand column that lists the pages you can travel to, underneath the page starting HOME
I had so much fun thinking about this progressive poem. I thought I'd write my own progressive poem this month too. I'm titling this poem WHAT IS POETRY? and I'll write it in rhyming couplets.
Then, April 18th is POEM IN YOUR POCKET DAY. I've volunteered at my local library to help children make pockets to put their poems in. I've also been making my own pockets that I've been sending to my friends. I'll share this "art" with you in a post, later this month.
April 20 is the 2 year anniversary for my blog Poetry For Kids Joy. I can't believe I've been writing a poem a day for almost two years now. I have been having so much fun. Thank you for reading my poems, for making suggestions and offering a heaping pile of encouragement. I never would have gotten this far in this journey without you. So, to say thank you I have what I think will be a fun give-away. Stay tuned for the details of that.
When I attended a Highlight's Educational Foundation children's poetry workshop led by David Harrison in 2011, one of the first things we discussed was, what was our definition of poetry. David supplied us a reading list with lots of quotes by famous poets on the topic. I'll share some of these with you this month. The epigraph for this poem will change daily.
WHAT IS POETRY?
I think all writing is a disease. You can't stop it.--William Carlos Williams
What is poetry?
It is finding the truth, no need to lie.
It's munching on watermelon and letting seeds fly.
(Tomorrow I'll add the next verse.)
I found out from reading my friend Linda Andersen's blog that April 17 is National Haiku Day.
Have a great poetry day and I'll see you tomorrow when I get to add line 2 to the progressive poem.
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