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Tuesday, March 31, 2015

April - Poetry - Other Words Too


design by Leigh Anne Eck

        There is a group of us who plan to write and support each other for poetry month with the hashtag #DigiPoetry (created by Margaret Simon at Reflections On The Teche. If you want to join in, link your post on twitter with this hashtag, and we'll come looking. 
        As I discover them, I'll share challenges or blogs that are sharing something poetically special during April. Right now, I am planning to write something every day in the practice of haiku or other related forms like the senryū, tanka or lune. I know that I don't know a lot, but will read and learn, and write, perhaps improve a little too.

        On Wednesdays I also link up with Alyson Beecher of Kidlit Frenzy to share non-fiction picture books. Sometimes there will be poetry, but today, I hope to share an original Senryū that responds to a non-fiction book.

          none but Grandpa knew
  that paint could change the world
       till drug dealers disappeared
             Linda Baie (c) All Rights Reserved
      
   

         The book: Magic Trash: A Story of Tyree Guyton and His Art - written by J.H. Shapiro and illustrated by Vanessa Brantley-Newton.
            Tyree grew up in a poor Detroit neighborhood, messing around with trash, creating his own toys and fun. His Grandpa Sam, a house painter, taught him to use paint for fun, and Tyree didn't stop even when he grew up. When he returned from the service, he found the neighborhood even more rundown, so began what is called the Heidelberg Project, cleaning up and using trash to make things beautiful again. He is known, has spoken throughout the world about the project, even when the city tried to bulldoze some of the "treasures" down, like abandoned, "polka-dot" houses. When those houses, previously used by drug dealers, were painted, the dealers hid in the shadows, and then disappeared. Tyree was "painting the world" just as his Grandpa told him to.


challenges to check out:  
                                Jama Rattigan of Jama's Alphabet Soup has much more rounded up than I do.
                                Tricia Stohr - Hunt at Miss Rumphius - sharing poetry forms every day
                                Laura Shovan - of Author Amok - read what she says about clothing
                                Mary Lee Hahn - A Year of Reading - poetry emoticons-each day is different

28 comments:

  1. What a beautiful, hopeful poem. Thank you, Linda. I just read these words -

    "Poetry is an act of peace." - Pablo Neruda

    - and it seems that paint is an act of peace too.

    I look forward to checking out this book. Happy National Poetry Month!
    xo,a.

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    1. Thanks Amy, wow, the quote fits so beautifully! Happy Poetry Month to you too! Time to dive in!

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  2. Linda, What a beautiful poem! I haven't read that book, I'm going to look for it in my library!! It sounds amazing! I, too, love the quote Amy shared above. I'm so impressed at how many different things you were able to accomplish on your blog today! :) Well done!

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    1. Thanks Michelle. Someone shared the book on their blog so I got it at the library. I think I'm going to use it with my students for an art project.

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  3. How am I going to keep my head on straight this month? There is so much to do and so many blogs to read! The book you reviewed looks very interesting. I need another day at the children and YA sections of the public library!
    Now to check out Laura's clothing... already checked in on how Mary Lee was feeling!
    Oh, and I think I did my linking to #digipoetry right. Let me know if it's not there, okay?

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    1. I'll look Donna, glad you will join the group! Yes, it's going to be a widespread group to keep track of, I agree. Will try!

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  4. Wow, this is such an interesting title. Can't wait to find it. Marking it as TBR and the search is on!

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    1. The illustrations are marvelous collages, too, which I didn't mention, Carrie. It's worth taking a look! Thanks!

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  5. I love how you used poetry to accompany the book. I will need to find this one and compare it The Junction of Sunshine and Lucky. The character is that book used folk art to clean up the town, but it wasn't accepted. These could be great companion titles. Thanks for the links too. So much to keep track of this month.

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    1. Yes, there is a lot going on, Leigh Anne. Thanks for telling me about your book, too. I haven't read it, will look for it!

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  6. So many wonderful resources Linda! Thank you for sharing these.

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  7. Oh that sounds like a delightful book! I am going to have to look for it for my Mom (and me ). Mom grew up in Detroit and the Institute of Art was her refuge. Thank you again, Linda for sharing such good titles. (Amazon only has 1 left!)

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    1. It is a delightful & inspiring story, too, Lee Ann. Hope you & your mom will find it good as well. Thanks!

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  8. "Paint can change the world" one brush stroke at a time. So can poetry. Love your response poem. I am excited about our shared poetry project this month. More ways to support and connect and grow our community. Spread the love!

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    1. I agree, Margaret, this is going to be fun to gather and support each other. Thanks!

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  9. Thank you so much for sharing this book and your response to it. I love the idea of writing poetry in response to a picture book.

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    1. You're welcome, Liz. Because I do review on Wednesdays, this book turned out to be quite an inspiration for beginning April poetry, too.

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  10. The book looks great, and what a great way to respond to it. I may try this out when I get back to linking up to Nonfiction Wed!

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    1. Thanks Holly. Hope you're going to write some poetry with us too this month.

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  11. This book sounds like one I need to own and also share with our second grade team, who has just finished a unit on advocacy. It sounds perfect! And I love that you paired it with an original poem!

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    1. Thanks Carol-it is a wonderful book, to know the story & to see those illustrations. You can also research him online!

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  12. I was in a conversation about picture books today and how they are appropriate for older kids too - my daughter's teacher told her 4th grade class they shouldn't be reading PB anymore... This book is a great example for content - it definitely has a place in a high school class! It's all in what you do with the PB that counts... Thanks for sharing the title!

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    1. I'm still reading picture books to my middle school gifted kids, just read them Red last week & they loved it, brought so much conversation because of it. What a shame. I actually believe that some PBs coming out are not for the younger ones! Thanks Michele. Hope you get to see this book sometime.

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  13. "Paint could change the world." I just love that! Imagine if paint, or pens, could change the world. I believe that might just be true. Looking forward to your poetry journey.

    Cathy

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    1. Thanks, Cathy, just headed over to see what you shared today. Paint helped this man's world according to the story!

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  14. Now this sounds like a truly beautiful and inspiring story that tackles a very difficult topic. Just my kind of reading material. Will have to find this one soonest!

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    1. Thanks, Myra. It's a book I'm so glad to have found. I hope you enjoy it, too.

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