Thursday, October 31, 2013

Poetry Friday-After Party!

Poetry Friday is here today!  Welcome!  It's an interesting time to be hosting, the day after Halloween, the beginning of November, a month filled with gratitude, nearly ending with Thanksgiving, family literacy month, NaNoWriMo.  Yes, it is filled!  Leave your link at the end of the post and leave a comment if you want to share the special things about your post, or about November.  Have one more handful of candy corn, read, look, and enjoy!

      I need to apologize for giving the incorrect origin last week for Mortimer's Minute.  Thanks to Janet Wong's wonderful idea, many of us have had a great time hopping around!  Thanks Janet!

               Here's a poem of contemplation for what is past.  Now you have the chance to take all the next year to choose a new costume, and to decide just what kind of pumpkin will be best for making the next fabulous jack o'lantern.



Leftovers

The bubble gum is over-chewed;
the candle’s lost its wick.
My tummy’s under the weather
but I’m really never sick

from eating too much candy
although Mom has froze the rest.
She’s stripped off all the webs
and cleaned up all the mess.

The jack o’ lantern’s living now
in the backyard compost bed.
It’s gonna grin a little longer
while little animals are fed.

I dropped my costume in the corner
and a smile is peeking out
reminding me that tricks ‘n treats
are what Halloween's all about

Now witches, goblins, and ghosts are stored
until the year comes round again,
with scary poems and ghastly tales
for Halloween, October’s end.

Linda Baie ©All Rights Reserved
photo credit: Scorpions and Centaurs via photopin cc


68 comments:

  1. Wonderful poem, Linda. November is definitely a time of contemplation. I like the jack o' lantern grinning in the compost bed. :)

    This week I'm featuring a delicious poem by new-to-me poet Diane DeCillis and her recipe for Panna Cotta (my link goes live at 6 a.m. EDT).

    Thanks for hosting; hope you had a fun Halloween!

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    1. Thanks, Jama. My school celebrates Halloween in a very big way, and I had fun there and saw lots of 'treats' this evening, too. Looking forward to your 'delicious' Panna Cotta!

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  2. What a lovely way to say goodbye to Halloween! This week I'm sharing a chicken poem by Jack Prelutsky to celebrate the fact we've ordered a chicken coop and plan to get our first hens in the spring. Happy November, Linda, and thanks for hosting!

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    1. I know someone who collects chicken picture books; there are quite a few around! Fun to think about poems you might write, too! Thanks, Keri!

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  3. Fabulous poem, Linda! Love that the Mom "froze the rest" of the candy. We do that too! Today I have Mortimer's Minute thanks to you...and thank you for hosting.

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    1. Of course, looking forward to seeing how you 'hopped', Bridget. Thanks again for sharing the journey with me!

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  4. Leave it to you to throw a Halloween after-party! Thank you for the fun, festive and original poem and for hosting today.

    I've got two new haiku and a haiku-themed blog series heads' up: http://www.robynhoodblack.com/blog.htm?post=933360

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    1. You are welcome, Robyn, and thanks for sharing more of the series.

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  5. Ah, yes, the after party! I was nodding as I was reading - guilty, as charged! I did away with Halloween much too soon, according to my kids. Thanks for hosting this party today, Linda!

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    1. I know, for classroom teachers, it's a tough day, although fun, too. Hope you got some rest, and have a good weekend! See you very soon!

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  6. Thanks for hosting, Linda! I see we're both thinking about the end of the holiday...appropriate that you're having the after-party! (You'll recognize the poems I'm sharing today, as they were two that I read at the Highlights workshop.)

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    1. Thanks Matt-I know I'll enjoy them all over again.

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  7. Thanks for hosting the after party, Linda. SInce I posted my link Thursday night, I'm afraid my post is still caught up with Halloween, but I promise I'll put my Halloweeny things away tomorrow. Promise!

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    1. It's okay to do more, B.j. I wondered how many might still be celebrating... Thanks!

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  8. Linda, thank you for drawing October to a close with such a lovely poem! I feel empathy for those decomposing pumpkins in the compost heap, and am very much ready to move on. Thanks for hosting the roundup today too!

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    1. My pumpkins aren't on a compost pile, but are about a third eaten by the local squirrels. They are prolific this year! But it is time to also think of pumpkin pie!

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  9. You've captured that over-chewed, too-much candy, post-Halloween feeling with your poem! Love the pumpkin living in the compost bed.
    No post-Halloween treats for me--I've got my poem for Susanna Leonard Hill's Halloweensie Contest on my blog.

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    1. No problem, Buffy, I think a few have entered her contest. It'll be fun to see what everyone creates! Thanks!

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  10. Thanks, Linda. We're celebrating the international "Day of the Dead" this weekend at the FATHER GOOSE Blog

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    1. A special time, Charles. Thank you.

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    2. What a great Halloween party of poets you gathered here! Thank you so much for YOUR poems and for hosting us all.

      Thanks, too, for mentioning my Halloween book on your sidebar. I received a couple of nice notes from friends who first saw it here on your blog.

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    3. You are very welcome, Charles. I'm so glad you mentioned it when you shared your spook house poem on FB. That's how I found out about it, and since have ordered it and enjoyed it very much. And you're right, it's quite a nice After Party today, isn't it!

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  11. Thanks for hosting, Linda, and for the perfect end to a Halloweeny day! I love your cheery little pumpkins, who grin even in the compost bin. And now it's on to November...

    Violet N.

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    1. You're welcome, Violet. Glad you like those pumpkins, still giving cheer. Happy November!

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  12. Linda, thanks for hosting. Your poem will be fun to share with teachers and kids today. Today my post contains an old favorite, Robert Frost's "Nothing Gold Can Stay>" as well as a reiview of a brand new picture book biography, PAPA IS A POET.

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    1. Thanks Carol & I'll look forward to your post. My son-in-law likes to be called 'Papa', so I look for books using that.

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  13. Great poem! And thanks for hosting! I look forward to cruising the roundup tomorrow morning -- my favorite Saturday routine!

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    1. It's a great relaxing way to do Saturday am, isn't it? Thanks Mary Lee.

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  14. SUCH a busy month, November is! I love your look at the day after Halloween. So many treats in store with this Roundup. Thank you for hosting. xo

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    1. You're welcome, Irene. Hope November is wonderful for you and your family.

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  15. Thanks for hosting on this blustery day-after-Halloween. Your delightful poem was educational, too--I never knew candy could be frozen! I wish I could share something that is wonderful about November, but, it's not a month I ever look forward to. The holiday craziness starts with Halloween and doesn't let go until the new year. I don't do crazy well.

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    1. I just try to ignore most of it and enjoy what I like, Diane. I know what you mean! Thank you!

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  16. Linda--fun poem--my favorite lines were about the pumpkin on the compost heap--and then how fun to scroll down and see that's what the picture is! I'm in with my poem "This Is the Book," which is at poetryminute.org today. I have a recording at my blog, and a link to the poetryminute site--but that site appears to be down at the moment:>( Hopefully it will be back up soon!

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    1. Congratulations on that wonderful poem being on Poetry Minute, Laura. You're right, I still haven't received the feed. Soon, I hope! Great that you've recorded it!

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  17. Yeah, November! Thanksgiving!
    Thanks for sharing the post-halloween party! Great image of the pumpkins in the compost smilingly feeding the animals!

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    1. Thanks Donna-yes, we love Thanksgiving too, & it seems to be always a slightly different crowd, so slightly different food! Makes life interesting! Happy November!

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  18. Hi, Linda--

    Thanks for hosting--I'll be back later to read, revel and respond!

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  19. Thanks for hosting! I have the day off today, so I'm excited about having the time to come explore all the links. I like your post-Halloween poem. Happy All Saints' Day!

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    1. I know a bunch of teachers who would like to take this day off, am sure they will be so tired today. Enjoy your day!

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    2. Linda, you had me from over-chewed gum, something I've known, but never given words to. The faint stomach ache, the compost heap, the costume in a corner -- all give a shape to that post holiday feeling.

      Hope you have a restful weekend!

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    3. Thanks Jeannine-I received your book and plan to start reading! Hope yours is a good one, too!

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  20. Super poem, Linda! Thanks for hosting. I'm sharing a poetry book but I sent it back to the library before picking a poem oops!
    https://catherinemjohnson.wordpress.com/2013/11/01/skeleton-bones-and-goblin-groans/

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    1. Thanks Catherine, perhaps there's something from it online? I'll look forward to hearing about the book!

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  21. Oh, the after-party!! Love. I have a minute today to "dig in" to Poetry Friday. Hooray.
    Do you know about the Swedish custom (not sure how prevalent it still is) where they have a big party in Jan. on St. Knute's Day to put away the decorations etc. It's always a good time for a party. My son would announce a couple of days after Halloween what he would be the next year! Thought that kind of "odd" but it worked for me and he did not change his mind. I like your tidying up poem, Linda, especially the still grinning Jack-o-Lanterns on the compost pile!
    Janet F.

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    1. Thank you, Janet, & no, I don't know about that custom-sounds like a way to continue celebrating! Yes, even students yesterday were already talking about what they would be next year!

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  22. Happy November, everyone! :)

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  23. A lovely post-Halloween poem, Linda! Thank you for hosting the after-party. :)

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  24. Love your poem! I've never been a fan of Halloween or the day after (from a commercial or classroom perspective!), but there was always something about the church observances that moved me.
    November is my favorite month, though I have to say the sudden countdown to Christmas has my head in a tizzy. I'd love to spend more time on the notion of thankfulness, so thanks for that gentle reminder in your intro.
    Today I'm sharing two cinquains by Adelaide Crapsey.
    November Night and Triad
    Thanks for hosting!
    Tricia

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    1. Thank you Tricia, I love October, for the beauty of it, not necessarily for Halloween, but I love the children's excitement over it, and I do love the quiet of November, gathering thoughts for giving thanks. Looking forward to your "November Night".

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  25. Love the poem. The day after Halloween I always feel a bit like the candle that's lost its wick. ;)

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    1. Ha,ha, Melissa, I suspect we all do. Thank you!

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  26. I know the feeling. We still have lots of candy. Way too much. Great poem.

    Mary-andering Creatively

    Mary-andering Among the Pages

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  27. Every October we mix cashews, candy corn and M&M's. I have been munching on it all month...so I am kind of sick of candy...LOL! But I'm not that sick of October and I kind of hate to see it go. Your poem captured that perfectly. Thanks for hosting..

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    1. Thanks Penny. What a fun tradition, sounds like a good 'trail mix' to me. I love candy corn, but keep it only at work, keeps me out of it some of the time anyway. October was a glorious month this year!

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    1. I enjoyed your post-halloween celebration. Thanks for hosting! I am reviewing a book of poems, prayers, and songs of Thanksgiving edited by Katherine Paterson, with gorgeous paper-cut illustrations by Pamela Dalton. Exquisite! (edited for spelling)

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    2. Thanks Andi, it sounds like a wonderful book for this month!

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  29. Hi, Linda. Stopping back to check out your post-Halloween poem. There were so many images to love here: the candy in the freezer (why didn't I think of that?), the costume smiling in the corner, the pumpkin adding some brightness to the compost heap.

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    1. Hi, thank you Laura-it was fun to do, to think about all those things that happen 'after'!

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  30. Thank you for hosting Poetry Friday, Linda! This is a beautiful poem to end October and welcome November with open arms. It is always nice to look back. I can still feel traces of Halloween in the air but maybe it's just me slowly letting go of my favorite holiday of the year. =)

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    1. You are welcome, Fats. We've had such wonderful weather, even today, & then it's supposed to snow on Tuesday! I think I'll leave the scary webs up just a little longer! It's a favorite holiday of mine too!

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  31. Our teacher Ms. Gelson read us your poem and this is what we said:
    *Some people throw up if they eat too much candy.
    *The Mom froze the candy because she wants to save it for later. She thought that the child was eating too much candy and would get cavities.
    *The smiling costume reminds us that Halloween will come again next year and we are excited
    *Is the pumpkin rotten? Is it turning black and lumpy? Are bugs eating it and turning it into black gold? (We learned about black gold from Marty McGuire Digs Worms)
    From Division 3 - The Curiosity Racers!

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    1. Hi Curiosity Racers! I love that you read and replied to my poem, and hope you had a very Happy Halloween, and that no one ate too much candy! I do know some moms freeze the candy, to save for having a little at a time, and it does create cavities, especially if you don't brush your teeth! I'm glad you noticed that smiling costume, and yes, I think that Halloween will come again. I put away all my things, but they'll be ready for next year. I dress up as a clown every year, with different accessories, like a big rubber nose! And my pumpkin didn't actually go into a compost pile, but has been slowly eaten by the squirrels who live around here. Sometimes poets add things in their poems that aren't true, but it still could be true! I hope you keep writing, and perhaps we can share more another time. Thank you for the terrific comments!

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