NaPoWriMo: Poems 23, 24, 25, 26

back road rock sentry ignored
highway spirits walk, gossip
empty whispers heard

dividing line here
north, south, confederate, union
stand between two worlds

grandmother's Sundays spent
here, walk the path toward church
her distinct voice sings

neglected graves lean
limestone names, dates eroded
seldom visited

In early April, my aunt and I visited the childhood town of my Grandmother, Catawissa, PA. As photos indicate; the day was dreary, gray, drizzling rain, and cold. It cast an eerie feel as I walked around photographing the places where my grandmother walked and lived as a child. I was surprised by the dedication of part of the cemetery to the Confederate Army. I had relatives who fought on both sides during the Civil War. I also got a sense of place as describe in the Jack Gantos book, The Love Curse of the Rumbaughs, although that story takes place in western Pennsylvania.

OSI: Flowering

pink chiffon dogwood
tutus spin, branches dance
toe shoes optional

peppermint tulip
umbrella protects creatures
unseen by the eye

tango dancer skirt
fiery tulip ruffles
click, click across floor

What a lovely prompt today, especially since out weekend has warmed in comparison to Friday's post. Thank you One Single Impression.

Poems 18 and 19

peppermint tulip
no umbrella to protect
defiant protest

Japanese maple
curled arthritic fingers reach
toward warming sun

Poems 15,16,17: COLOR

daffodil bucket

tissue thin, delicate show

lemon peach sorbet

asparagus heads

sniff open, brisk market air

edible creatures

tangerine lemon

beauty pageant of tulips

ablaze in color

One Single Impression suggestions the word COLOR this week. I was in Seattle and went to Pike Street Marke this past weekend so this is a perfect prompt. More colorful haiku here.

NaPoWriMo: Poems 13 and 14

Glad that I left this year's challenge to 30 Days = 30 Poems. Writing every day is difficult right now.

Poem 13

words stumble over
cyberspace, misinterpret
meet me for coffee
talk, cry, laugh, respond
value of friendship

Poem 14

birds on a wire
gossipers all in a row
I walk unnoticed

Poem 12: A Poem Regarding My Absence at a Book Challenge Hearing

This is a cross post with my school blog "Check It Out".

There was a book challenge hearing last night in my district. The book, Feed by MT Anderson, was the challenged book. I read it last year on the recommendation of a workshop presenter. Not my cup of tea but I can see how the book could resonate with teenagers, especially boys. The book had been at all but one middle school library as well as the high school libraries. The challenge came from a middle school parent. I did not go to the hearing. I am now sorry that I did not attend. I do not know that it would have changed the outcome. I was told that I would not be able to testify because I was elementary and the book was not in the elementary level. But I should have been there to support a colleague and I was not.

In the spirit of National Poetry Month(and thank you once again William Carlos Williams for your stunning idea of a poem of apology):

This is Just to Say

I did not attend
the book challenge meeting
which you probably
were wanting the support
from colleagues
and which the
audience was void.
It would have been great
to have
people present
who understand
the need
to have books
available
that engage
readers in higher level
thinking skills
despite
the language
which can be heard
via a varietyof media formats;
despite the notion
that we may come
to live in a dystopia
one day
instead of a
utopia

Forgive me
I promise
next time
(and hopefully there
will not be a next time)
you will look out into the
audience
and
I will be there.

Poem 11: Fearless

Mister Squirrel hangs

upside down, his suet feast

dog barks, no avail

winter's fearless thief

birds grateful for left overs

Sunday Scribblings offer the prompt "fearless". Mister Squirrel is our fearless visitor despite our Rusty dog ferocious guarding. For more visit here.

Poem 11: For My Granddaughter

Yesterday was my son-in-law's birthday and we celebrated it here. My granddaughter, 2, and he were reaching for the moon. Then she asked us all to reach for the moon, so this is for her.

Grab the Moon

Moonrise, turquoise sky
Pollen glitters around us
“Grab the moon, daddy.”
Cheerful child laughs

Pollen glitters around us
Red, yellow tulip blooms burst
Cheerful child laughs
“Grab the moon, mommy.”


Red, yellow tulip blooms burst
Cheerful child sings
“Grab the moon, mommy.”
Birds join the chorus


Cheerful child sings
Hands stretch above reaching
Birds join the chorus
Child dances round and round

Hands stretch above reaching
“Grab the moon, daddy.”
Child dances round and round
Moonrise, turquoise sky

Poems 9 and 10: Glory

forest trillium

quiet trinity shepherd

abundant glory

lone garden tulip

unexpected gift from squirrel

sunlight glory here

"Glory" is the prompt for One Single Impression this week. It was the suggestion of Guatami Tripathy, Visit to see how others wrote about glory.

NaPoWriMo: Poem 8

I think I really love the haiku form. As Reichhold in Writing and Enjoying Haiku states, "it is a snapshot of everyday life."

This as I arrived home last night:

Crystal raindrops hang
From Japanese maple branch
Frogs volley “ribbets”
Back, forth nighttime serenade
Dogs join the chorus

NaPoWriMo: Catching Up

I have been writing almost everyday but not posting each day. I am using the William Carlos Williams poem, "This is Just to Say" with my students to get them to write a poem of apology.

Here's my take:

This is just to say
Forgive me for
Grabbing the last copy
Of the poetry book
Which you were
Longing to read
And saving for a
Warm spring day
The cover looked
Inviting
I could not resist
I am sorry
I will return it.
I promise
Maybe.

NaPoWriMo: A Pantoum

After reading Joyce Sidman's book Butterfly Eyes and Other Secrets of the Meadow last year, I explored the pantoum form. I love it. The late spring provides much to write about.

Slow spring awakening
Daffodils glance sideways
While snowflakes fall
However, vanish soon

Daffodils glance sideways
Mourning doves call
However, vanish soon
As cold rain plop plops

Mourning doves call
Frogs hoppity hip in mud puddles
As cold rain plop plops
Mason bees sleep in the hive

Frogs hoppity hip in mud puddles
A sliver of sun plays peek-a boo
Mason bees sleep in the hive
Daphne perfumes the air

A sliver of sun plays peek-a boo
While snowflakes fall
Daphne perfumes the air
Slow spring awakening

NaPoWriMo: Stranded

The prompt from One Single Impression is "stranded". Our cold spring provides inspiration.

tulip cups capture
snowflakes for afternoon tea
welcome stranded souls

weary visitors
surprised by early spring snow
sip tulip tea

For more, please visit One Single Impression

NaPoWriMo: Days Two, Three, and Four

Just returned from New Jersey last night. No access to the Internet, thus no postings but here are three poems for days two through four.

April 2, 2008

spring ballet-mill creek
windy day, leaves pirouette
delighted cat purrs


April 3, 2008

nestled in blankets
husband, dogs, cat welcome me
blissful sleep tonight

April 4, 2008

spring rain awakened
the soul who slept on tulips
left a verse behind