When I read the prompt and some samples of other poets' work, I immediately thought of Langston Hughes' poem I, too. I used the form of Hughes' poem to construct my own poem. I have always loved the way Hughes could lay out a strong message in a few words. I thought I would practice this, using his structure as a scaffold.
Category: reading
April Poem #29: This Poem is Not…
I took an old poem that was sitting there in a pile minding its own business, doing nothing. I grabbed it, shook it up, and turned it into something new. My advice is never throw out anything you’ve written. You never know what it could turn into. It could be in its chrysalis stage waiting to fly free. This past month of writing a poem every day has taught me to take risks, to play with possibility, and to be unafraid with the outcome. Playing with poetry was just what I needed. It was necessary.
April Poem #28: When I’m by Myself
I enjoy the childlike qualities of poetry. Playing with rhythm and rhyme often spark the imagination. With this poem, I did have to ponder deep questions, I could just play with the language and imagery. It was fun to do, and poetry most definitely should be fun. Once I wrote the first stanza, I felt it wasn’t quite complete, so I decided to reverse it and make a second stanza. When I’m by myself, I write poetry and make myself happy.
April Poem #27: Forgiveness
It was hard to choose just one thing to re-encounter. However, this memory of my Grandpa Antonio is so vivid to me. It was about forty years ago, but it feels like yesterday. I wish I could go back and change every little thing.
April Poem #26: Woven Words
Many years ago, I came upon teaching annotation through the Annotated Charlotte's Web. Today, I took an old, worn copy of Charlotte's Web and found this poem lying within. Thank you, E.B. White, Wilbur, and Charlotte!
April Poem #25: Everything has a Purpose
Linda’s prompt involved writing a poem using the scientific method for inspiration: make an observation, ask a question, form a hypothesis, make a prediction, test a prediction, use the results to form another hypothesis. Easy-peasy, right? Well, no. This prompt took some thinking and some reading of sample poems.
April Poem #24: My Garden of Eden
I am currently reading, French Dirt by Richard Goodman and I have been marveling at his turn of phrase, the words he chooses to describe his year as a gardener in France - how he wrangles and wrestles the earth to create something beautiful. I have re-arranged some of his words that I had underlined, wanting to hold them in my mind and heart.
April Poem #19: How to be a Sand Dollar
On that visit, I made the acquaintance of a purse of sand dollars. I had never seen them as living creatures enjoying a day in the ocean surf.
April Poem #18: Poetry is a Way
I have been writing poetry since I was a child, and I am a firm believer that poetry is a great catalyst for self-discovery. It is my go-to emotional support object. I rely on poetry to gain insight and to solve problems. Poetry has never failed me. It is a steadfast friend.Â
April Poem #17: What Might Have Been & What Will be
What might have been? So many possibilities. So many things to imagine -both good and bad. I'm grateful I am still here, still witnessing the blessings of this world. I want to take them all in with arms opened wide, with no fear and no regrets, or at least minimal fear and just a little regret. I'm okay with that.