Several times through the years I have facilitated a moon journaling unit in my class, with the help of a wonderful professional book, Moon Journals: Writing, Art, and Inquiry Through Focused Nature Study, by Joni Chancer and Gina Rester-Zodrow. Other books with moon themes like Owl Moon, by Jane Yolen, Many Moons by James Thurber, along with native American tales of the moon, enhanced our study. We journaled every night for five weeks, at first waiting for, and then observing our wonderful earth's moon. We wrote, sketched, questioned, watched with family and friends, and concluded with a full moon walk.
Since that time, I have continued to be so aware of the moon in its cycles and its beauty. I am lucky enough to have a marvelous view at the back of my house, hence the photo posted yesterday of the special, 'super' moon. I collect poems and quotes about the moon, and have written quite a few poems through the years, especially during the moon journaling time. Here is the latest one, written on Sunday, a response to our 'super' moon on Saturday night. According to the Farmer's Almanac, it can be known as the full worm moon, the full crow moon or the full crust moon-all connected to the end of winter, beginning of spring.
The breeze blew the moon
into the branches
of a tree last night.
It was a rose petal gone astray—
no cheese at all!
I love this short burst of poetry. Sometimes the most impactful of poetry can be surmised in a handful of lines. I will have to add this idea to my list to try: short bursts poems and poems focused on one part of nature.
ReplyDeleteHeather has it. I enjoyed this and you have the best idea! Why didn't I think of it? :) I'll have to write this down too so I don't forget it. Simple is good and your writing especially the "breeze blew the moon" adds a special personification touch to the poem. Thanks for sharing! Happy Slicing! :)
ReplyDeleteI love the image of the moon in the branches of a tree. I can remember when my daughter kept a moon journal. We were out there each night watching and writing.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea to keep a moon journal! Thank you for sharing. It was cloudy here the night of the Super Moon, so I saw through pictures on blog.
ReplyDeleteFun! Love your poem too!
ReplyDeleteWhat great writing ideas you have! I want to try this with my family as well, maybe this summer. I like the poem, with the rose petal moon caught in the tree. It remindes me of some moon poems in a collection my grandmother used to read to me called "Silver Pennies." I think it was published in the 1930s.
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