This morning I picked up Susan Goldsmith Wooldridge’s “poemcrazy,” an all-time favorite, but one I haven’t visited in years. I opened to Chapter 3: “collecting words and creating a word pool”, dove in, and fell in love with it all over again. It’s such a joyful, exuberant celebration of words and word play. I wonder that sparks don’t fly off the pages as I read.
I started writing down words and phrases, playing with sounds and meanings. Word romping. Listening for sounds, free associating, “casting out words like water in a fountain.” I drenched myself thoroughly in words, marking no boundaries, simply creating and diving into pools of words while Wooldridge cheered me on: “Be sloppy. Don’t think. You can’t make a mistake, there aren’t any wrong words.”
In April
flaming yellow finches pop in, perch, pop up like lollipops or lemon drops fling light sing bright sprinkle citrus song flit, glit, flutter, fly sparkling sunbeams in a zephyrous sky
This month Linda Mitchell posed our Swagger writing challenge: to write about something seen in many ways. The prompt was to pattern a poem after Pat Schneider’s “The Moon Ten Times,” a poem that sees the moon in many ways. I loved the way this prompt stretched my brain, and I played around with focusing on the wind, a river, winter and a tree. Ultimately, I chose to consider the many ways to see a maple tree.
Maple Tree, Ten Times
Spring reservoir sap rising like a song– sweet and clear
Wooden cradle gently rocking newborn birds
Open air venue: Dawn chorus performs
Nature’s verdant parasol
Autumn firecracker rocketing branches of crimson and gold
Calm eye in a swirl of whirligigs
Sky quilter sections the blue dome into patchwork pieces
Icy wind chime glazed limbs flash tinkle and clink
Earth’s fingers stretch trace the clouds
Winter’s needlework bold stitches anchor sky to earth
This week’s Poetry Friday Roundup is hosted by Mary Lee Hahn at her blog, A Year of Reading. She’s sharing a link to NPM projects and the Progressive Poem, and also the first and second poems in her NPM project of creating daily haiku.
I’ve been toying with the idea of committing to creating my own project for National Poetry Month (NPM). It’s April 1st and I still haven’t decided. One thought I had was to mine my dusty trove of “I’ve been meaning to read or reread that” books and use each one to spark a poem. I thought it would be a great way to dip into those books and explore some new prompts, poets, and processes. It sounded kind of fun and relatively low-key.
With this idea in mind, I picked up Myra Cohn Livingstone’s “I Am Writing a Poem About…A Game of Poetry”, a book long-ago recommended to me and purchased, and never perused. It’s a collection of poems inspired by word play in one of Livingstone’s master classes of poetry. The first prompt she gave her students was one word: “Rabbit.”
Well, this seemed like a sign. Today is the first of the month, and anyone who has known me for any length of time knows about my obsession for trying to say “Rabbit, Rabbit, Rabbit” as my first words on the first day of each month. In my family, it’s a way to wish for good luck. (If you’re interested, you can read more about it here and believe me, it’s much harder than it sounds.)
So, I figured I’d write a poem inspired by the word “Rabbit” and just take it day by day. We’ll see what happens along the way!
Rabbit
No rabbits visit my yard pausing nose aquiver at the scent of clover-drenched lawn but each month, as I was taught, I whisper an early morning invocation “Rabbit, Rabbit, Rabbit.”
Even though no rabbits appear and the luck is debatable, I hear the echoes of my mother’s and grandmother’s voices– a different sort of visitation and perhaps the one I was conjuring all along.
March 2021 SOLC–Day 31 A huge thank you to Two Writing Teachers for all that they do to create an amazing community of writers and a safe, welcoming space to write, learn, share and grow. http://www.twowritingteachers.org
Writing the final post of the challenge is, well, challenging. On one hand, I want to reflect on the month past, the process, the growth. On the other hand, I simply want to type, “DONE!” and push “Publish”.
I believe this is my seventh year to finish this challenge, and the end is always filled with big emotions: relief, triumph, sorrow, gratitude. It always feels like I should offer up some profound words of wisdom and insight, but for now, I’m coming up short. Perhaps in the days ahead, I’ll have some space for reflection as the experiences of the month shift and settle. But for now, I know this:
Once again, I hesitated before signing up for this challenge.
Once again, I’m thankful I did.
Once again, I regretted all the posts I didn’t read, or the ones that moved me that I didn’t find time to comment on.
Once again, I was deeply moved by the thoughtful comments that visitors left on my blog. By the time they took to connect.
Once again, I marveled at this writing community, this group of people trying to capture their lives in words, willing to put it out there for others to read.
Once again, I discovered fabulous new-to-me writers and mentors who taught me something every day along the way–about struggle, about writing, about life…
Once again, I flirted with the idea of quitting. And didn’t.
Once again, with this post, I am finishing the challenge, filled with relief, triumph, sorrow and gratitude.
March 2021 SOLC–Day 30 A huge thank you to Two Writing Teachers for all that they do to create an amazing community of writers and a safe, welcoming space to write, learn, share and grow. http://www.twowritingteachers.org
I used to run 5Ks and I remember the common encouraging refrain from spectators as I approached finish lines: “Finish strong!”
I remember trying to rally to their words. Trying to pick up my pace. Trying being the operative word. At that point, I was typically depleted, though still determined to finish. And finish I did. Every time. My pace didn’t increase, but I continued to put one foot in front of the other until finally, I crossed that finish line.
I feel a little bit like that now. Usually at the end of the March challenge I find myself in a groove, finding topics easily, finishing strong. This year, I’m struggling. It’s been hard to keep my mind on the goal. Yesterday, I almost didn’t post. I was willing to quit. But I didn’t.
Weirdly, simultaneously, I also find myself wanting to commit to a personal project for National Poetry Month. You know, the one in April, the coming month. The one that begins the day after this challenge ends. The one that has me asking, “Am I insane!?”
Anyway, today, I went looking for inspiration for a slice or for a project. I glanced through books, looked at unfinished drafts on my blog (156 of them!) and then, I remembered how one year I had constructed a poem from the titles of my e-mails. So, I clicked on the overflowing “Promotions” section of my Inbox, and using bits and pieces of them in order, created a found poem.
Look! The extravaganza is coming crepuscular rays April sharing Refresh your space! Full steam ahead to art in bloom! How will you celebrate?
Even my Inbox seems to be nudging me along toward a NPM project!
But for now, here I am, moving slowly forward, step by step toward the closest finish line, the one that marks the end of this challenge.
March 2021 SOLC–Day 29 A huge thank you to Two Writing Teachers for all that they do to create an amazing community of writers and a safe, welcoming space to write, learn, share and grow. http://www.twowritingteachers.org
Saturday was a down day. A day to dwell on problems rather than on possibilities. A day when the worst case scenarios seemed like the most likely ones. But when days like this happen, as they do, I’ve learned enough to take myself outside. There I found some things that made me smile–little rays of optimism that pierced my dismal fog.
Soon enough the scilla will bloom and cascade down the hillside, a river of glorious blue.The layered leaves of the emerging sedum cradle a crystalline drop of rain. Crocus rejoices in purple blossoms. How can you not smile?
And today, my book summed up my feelings perfectly: “I found nature’s indifference to my cares and concerns oddly consoling. If I ever started sinking into despair, I need only step outdoors and look around at the glorious green world.” Paul Doiron
March 2021 SOLC–Day 28 A huge thank you to Two Writing Teachers for all that they do to create an amazing community of writers and a safe, welcoming space to write, learn, share and grow. http://www.twowritingteachers.org
I’m blaming the birds.
I had every intention of sitting down to write this post first thing this morning, but I kept getting distracted by them–the birds. First, there were the regulars– titmice, nuthatches–both rose-breasted and white, cardinals, blue jays, juncos, hairy, red-bellied and downy woodpeckers, chickadees. But then the finches showed up, flashing their newly golden feathers and I was mesmerized watching them flit and sing. And, Oh, look! The house finches were back, too, sporting their lovely enhanced raspberry hues. What welcome signs of spring!
I tried to turn back to my computer. Honestly, I did. But next, the fox sparrow returned and started doing its scritchscratching dance in the leaves below the wisteria arbor. It was endlessly entertaining to watch its industrious, slightly comic efforts, and even more so when a flock of juncos joined in.
Then, just as I shook my head and settled in to write…a flash of blue! What was that? Not a blue jay… but a blue bird!!
Well, that did it. I could resist the feathered lure no longer. I gave up, grabbed my camera and snuck outside to take some photos.
After a while, I went back inside, sat down, focused, and started writing. But then… What! Another flash of blue!? Oh…it was brighter this time. Sure enough, a male bluebird had arrived! I mean, really, what else could I do?
Out I went again….
And then, oh, my, I swear, right now, just as I was writing this all, just after I attached the picture above, I glanced outside to see the bluebird again, and there it was, something long and dangling in its mouth! Could it be a worm? What a photo op! I jumped up to grab my camera and race outside, recognizing even while doing so that this was precisely the problem!
As I headed out, my husband, who had been aware of both my goal and my distraction, spoke up from the couch.
“There is a simple solution, you know,” he said. “You could pull down the blinds.”
March 2021 SOLC–Day 27 A huge thank you to Two Writing Teachers for all that they do to create an amazing community of writers and a safe, welcoming space to write, learn, share and grow. http://www.twowritingteachers.org
Dear Mrs. Minzy,
I imagine you’re surprised to hear from me. I’m not even sure if you’ll remember who I am or who Connor is, but I wanted to send you a long overdue thank you.
More than twenty years after you spoke them, I still remember your words. It was Connor’s Parent Teacher conference. I think it was in Kindergarten, but you also taught him in second grade, so it might have been then. At any rate, Connor was a bit of a chatterbox, and I distinctly remember what you didn’t say and what you did say.
You could have said, “Connor calls out too much.” or “Connor needs reminders not to talk during work time.” I’d bet that on some days, you probably were thinking, “Connor won’t shut up!”
Instead, you said this, “Connor has such strong verbal skills and when he learns to manage them better, they’ll be a huge asset to him.” I remember being so appreciative, as a parent, with how you phrased that. How you saw potential rather than merely problem. It struck me powerfully then, years before I even considered becoming a teacher. Now that I am a teacher, it influences how I communicate with parents every day.
Last week at the end of a parent-teacher conference, a parent said to me, “I just want to thank you so much for seeing X. the way you do and how you see positives behind his behaviors that can drive people crazy.” They should have been thanking you, Mrs. Minzy, and I realized that it’s about time that I do so as well. So thank you, for your role in Connor’s education and for framing your view of him through a positive lens. Thank you for helping me to be a better teacher and probably a better person.
March 2021 SOLC–Day 26 A huge thank you to Two Writing Teachers for all that they do to create an amazing community of writers and a safe, welcoming space to write, learn, share and grow. http://www.twowritingteachers.org
I thought I was going to write about listening to my students’ conversations in the Google Meet site before morning meeting, when I’m “in” the room, but my video is off as I finish up getting organized. About how my days start with a smile as I listen to their light hearted banter.How they laugh and chatter during breaks. How they crack me up over and over again.
I pondered writing about how this short remote learning stint has gone pretty well. About how much I prefer synchronous teaching to last spring’s video lesson model, even including dealing with technological blips–like losing host control of the Google Meet to one of my students. Multiple times. And about how much I was looking forward to being back at school in person on Tuesday.
I considered writing about the amazing Zoom presentation I attended last night, featuring poet Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer. About how, even after a full day of remote teaching and hours of parent teacher conferences, I still managed to attend and I left feeling energized. Now that truly is amazing.
I still hadn’t decided what I would write about when the text message arrived late this morning. From my principal.
“We have another case in 4th grade. Give me a call.”
Now, the day is over, and I don’t feel much like writing about anything at all.
Our quarantine has been extended through next Friday and I’m awaiting my test results.
March 2021 SOLC–Day 25 A huge thank you to Two Writing Teachers for all that they do to create an amazing community of writers and a safe, welcoming space to write, learn, share and grow. http://www.twowritingteachers.org
Poetry Friday this week is hosted by Susan Bruck at her blog, Soul Blossom Living. She’s sharing the Kidlitosphere Roundup for National Poetry Month. Make sure to check out this week’s offerings and all the poetic riches on tap for next month!
I just realized something kind of odd. I’m not a movie lover, but when times get a bit turbulent in my life, I often think of that boat scene from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. You know the one, right? I’ve shared it multiple times in past posts, including earlier this week, but here it is again, for context:
What a scene, right!?
I wonder now about my initial reaction to this iconic movie moment. How old was I when I first watched it? Was I scared? Probably. Was I spellbound? No doubt. I picture myself, heart racing, peeking through my fingers at the flashing screen and Gene Wilder’s increasingly crazed visage.
I feel a bit like that now, as I’m navigating a sudden short-term switch to remote learning and this year of pandemic in general–like the unwitting passengers on this boat ride that suddenly takes a turn from fanciful toward bizarre and frightening…
A Wondrous Boat Ride
There’s no earthly way of knowing Which direction we are going There’s no knowing where we’re rowing Or which way the river’s flowing
Is it raining, is it snowing? Is a hurricane a-blowing?
Not a speck of light is showing So the danger must be growing Are the fires of Hell a-glowing? Is the grisly Reaper mowing?
Yes! The danger must be growing For the rowers keep on rowing And they’re certainly not showing Any signs that they are slowing
by Leslie Bricusse and Anthony Newley
Luckily, these days the rowers do seem to be slowing, and ultimately, Wilder does stop the wild ride. Eventually, all ends well. Well, at least for Charlie and his grandfather.
Still, I think this brilliant poem (and performance) might just be the pandemic theme song.
