Thursday, April 30, 2015

May Day - Finishing April, too

       To welcome May's first Poetry Friday go to Mary Lee at A Year of Reading.) Thanks, Mary Lee!

      I finished my haiku challenge yesterday, writing haiku and one senryū every day in April except for the day I wrote the line for Irene Latham's Progressive Poem. You can find the poem in its entirety at Radio, Rhythm & Rhyme where Matt Forrest Esenwine wrote the final line! What a wonderful thing that is. I wrote to some challenges, guest posted at others, read and read and read others' poems. It was quite a month of lovely and charming and funny and poignant words. Thanks to everyone for their energy and inspiration.


      Matt Forrest Esenwine offered one challenge, Poetry Cubed. He termed this because he gave three pictures, all of which had to be included, at least peripherally. They were a stage, a bee with flowers and a monster truck. I was challenged, wrote for several days, messing around with the lines. The link above is the finale of all the poems shared, including mine. I liked how it turned out, so share it here too. Have a wonderful May everyone! I'm take a couple of weeks away, the reason why below.


Resistance
This early adolescent spring,
this theater of boys,
shows one grown tall, grabs one more fling
with his old friends, his toys.
He plays and plays, barooms around,
hoping no one hears the sound.
The only other life around
are buzzing bees, like thoughts he found
that reach into the boy’s ears.
He sits and listens to his fears
that all the future coming days
won’t be like all the grown ups praise.
He only wants his monster truck,
a track of dirt, a time to play,
the growing up, another day
– Linda Baie © All Rights Reserved
I’m leaving next Tuesday for a 10 day trip with my students to the DC/Chesapeake Bay area, so will take a break from posting. We're doing half the trip in the city, all the tourist places, including being admitted to the White House! The other half will be in nature, studying the Chesapeake Bay habitat, experiencing creek snorkeling, kayaking and zip lines, just the beauty of nature!  I'll try to continue some writing, certainly do lots of field journaling which we (students and adults) all do.  

16 comments:

  1. This poem is truly lovely, Linda. "The only other life around
    are buzzing bees, like thoughts he found" is especially pleasing to the ears.

    Enjoy your trip!

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    1. Thank you, Diane. I hope I find more poetry ideas on the trip!

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  2. Love your poem, Linda -- "theater of boys" pulled me in right away. I like the poignant tone of the poem; you've captured that adolescent angst so well, of being in-between.

    Your trip sounds wonderful -- 10 days! What great plans. Have fun and tell the President Mr. Cornelius says hello. :)

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    1. Thanks Jama. I will be sure to bring Mr. Cornelius' greetings along with us.

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  3. I love "barooms around," and the last stanza really grabbed me. Have a wonderful trip!

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    1. Thank you. We're very excited for the trip!

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  4. I hope lots of kids can put off growing up just one more day. ;-) Wonderful poem!

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    1. Thanks, Holly, I really enjoyed the writing of it.

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  5. Wonderful job you did, Linda - I really like the "theater of boys." And thanks for the link!

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    1. You're welcome, and thank you too, Matt. The challenge was such fun!

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  6. As the mother of two boys who loved their monster trucks, this really brought back memories! Thanks for sharing it today, Linda!

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    1. You're welcome, Catherine. It is old memories, isn't it?

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  7. Your poem made me teary--being the mom of a 10-year old whose hands are almost as big as mine, feelings about this topic are close to the surface. You really captured the difference and closeness of where they are coming from and where they are going. I particularly loved the image of the buzzing bees--such a connection to nature while evoking the notion of our thoughts getting busier as we grow up.

    Good for you for going with so many of those National Poetry Month opportunities. Have a wonderful trip!

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    1. Thank you Karin, it pleases me that the poem touched you.

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  8. WOW! A 10 day field trip! Lucky you!! (Lucky kids!!)

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    1. Thanks Mary Lee, it's quite an adventure!

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