Thursday, March 30, 2017

#SOL17 - 31/31 - Poetry Friday Too!

 


         #SOL17 31/31 I'm writing for the March Slice of Life challenge with the Two Writing Teachers community for Day Thirty-One of Thirty-One.  Thank you, Stacey, Beth, Deb, Betsy, Lanny, Kathleen, Lisa, and Melanie for helping us all arrive at THE END! I appreciate all that you have done to make the challenge a success. Happy Tenth Anniversary!



If it's the end of March, then it's also time for April and poetry month. Today on Poetry Friday, Amy Ludwig VanDerwater hosts us at The Poem Farm, a place I love to visit.


Endings today and preparation for beginnings. 

For those poetry Friday people, and others who may want to continue with poems in April:  "It is not every day that the world arranges itself into a poem"  That is what happens in April, regardless of the weather, regardless of where you live, April is Poetry Month. 

       
       My goal for Poetry Month: TINY THINGS. My point of view may surprise you, but I'm excited to write, share, and read everyone else's goals for celebrating poetry month. See you tomorrow!



       Other things of interest:  See the page above for the Progressive Poem's schedule of poets, hosted by Irene Latham at Live Your Poem.  And, if you'd like to see what everyone is doing for Poetry Month, look here at Jama Ratiigan's post at Jama's Alphabet Soup.

Today is Poetry Friday, but also the final day in this March Slice of life challenge. For those of you who've traveled every day even when it was hard to find any possible collection of sentences to knit together, Congratulations. I hope you made new discoveries about yourselves as writers when you persisted and did not stop.


A Poem of Reflection


Am I a writer?

I'm mindful of the memories
as time and thought 
work out the words
to grace the page.
I press the pencil  
up, down and around, 
dot the i's, cross the t's,
creating images
for me
        for you.
I want you to read on!

But the pencil stops,
starts,
stops.
How will I show these trunks
blackened with spring snow
standing in opposition 
to green grass beneath?
What melodic metaphor can I use
to catch the cheeky squirrel
high-stepping on power lines,
crossing six lanes of rush?
When will letters flow
to parade my frozen happiness
for this one moment?
Am I a writer?


Linda Baie ©All Rights Reserved

            From Karla Kuskin, only part of my favorite goodbye poem, found In Moon, Have You Met My Mother? collected poems of Karla Kuskin.

"The words were then spoken
And written
And read.
Take a look and go on
We are practically done.
--------------
You and I
turn the page
Read its message
'The End.'

Does the end mean goodbye?"

Happy Writing!

photo credit: Dean Hochman buttons via photopin (license)

78 comments:

  1. I am so excited for April! This is my first year participating in the online poetry community, and I looking forward to immersing myself in poetry, and exploring new poets, styles, themes and more! It's going to be a great month!

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    1. It is exciting, Jane. I'm glad you're coming along, too!

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  2. Cheeky squirrels! Enjoyed this poem Linda!

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  3. My favourite lines:
    ...letters flow
    to parade my frozen happiness
    for this one moment..
    Thank you, Linda, for writing and commenting. I appreciate your words.

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    1. Thank you, too, Terje, it's been a month of wonder! I'm always happy to click on your posts!

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  4. Dear Linda,

    "A Poem of Reflection" answers it own question.
    The images spring to life.
    And I am wondering
    about that cheeky furry one -
    "high-stepping on power lines
    crossing six lanes of rush?"

    Vivid.

    Happy April Poetry Party to you!

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  5. I love your poem and the portion of the goodbye poem you shared. Thank you for being part of my journey every March! Happy April! Happy Poetry!!

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    1. Thanks, Michelle, always fun to connect with you and what you're doing!

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  6. Linda, how very beautiful....your March SOL accomplishment and your final reflection. There is no doubt in my mind that you are not only a writer, but one that inspires me. Thank you for creating and sharing and including all who meet you as friends in your journey.

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    1. You're welcome, Linda. I'm glad that we've connected this year!

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  7. Your poem brought a smile to my face! Thank you for sharing your writing with us this month, and for the wonderful comments you left on my own posts. You've inspired me to explore poetry this coming month!

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    1. You're welcome, Chris, I've enjoyed your posts, and how wonderful you'll continue writing!

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  8. Oh those cheeky squirrels crossing six lines of rush! Perfect!

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  9. I"m going to hold your squirrel words in my mind this morning, and try to make my novel dialogue squirrel-nastic acrobatic-fun. I guess I'm still thinking of not making sense after reading Alice Nine. :-)

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    1. Wasn't Alice's creation fabulous? Fun to read about everyone. Best for those acrobatics, Brenda!

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  10. I know those squirrels! Poetry Month is all about crossing "lanes of rush," isn't it, Linda? But I do love the momentum. Looking forward to keeping tabs on your tiny things.

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    1. Thank you, Michelle. Exciting to contemplate what happens in April! Looking forward to your newest challenge!

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  11. What a beautiful poem. These lines reminded me of Billy Collins:
    How will I show these trunks
    blackened with spring snow
    standing in opposition
    to green grass beneath?
    What melodic metaphor can I use
    to catch the cheeky squirrel
    high-stepping on power lines,
    crossing six lanes of rush?

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    1. Wow, thank you, Adrienne. It was a joy to write for this ending celebration.

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  12. Have enjoyed and learned so much from your posts all month, Linda. Looking forward to weekly posts. Thanks for you comments, support, and encouragement on my posts.

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    1. You're welcome, Bob, and I've loved seeing what you're doing from your own sharing! I know this month will be the wonderful anticipation and prep for your coming trip! See you on Tuesdays!

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  13. Oh, Linda, I love the lines: 'When will letters flow/
    to parade my frozen happiness' - yes, that's what I feel when I am writing poetry! Looking forward to your "Tiny Things" coming this month! =)

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    1. Thank you, Bridget, will look for your writing, too!

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  14. What a great project idea, Linda. I love all the tiny details in this reflection poem, and I do want to read on! I look forward to reading your poems!

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    1. Thanks, Kiesha. It's going to be a month of fun writing, and surprises, too!

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  15. I'm looking forward to saying "hello!" to your poems of tiny things, Linda!
    Loved the reflection "Am I a writer?" I would answer, I believe so! Write on!

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    1. Oh, and the Scavenger Hunt poem is up with your line in it today!

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    2. Thanks Donna, I always appreciate you coming by, will be over soon! I'm looking forward to those license plate responses, still watching for them here!

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  16. There's so much to love in this post. I love these lines from your poem:
    "I'm mindful of the memories
    as time and thought
    work out the words
    to grace the page."
    They remind me of your Thursday posts throughout the month. I can't wait to read your Tiny Things poems. Are those buttons first ones up? And I just checked out Moon, Have You Met My Mother to share with my book club in April!

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    1. No, the button pic is a quick find for the post, but I think 'buttons' will be in the month somewhere! Thanks, Ramona, still wishing you lived down the street! I hope you love Moon, Have You Met My Mother? Karla Kuskin's writing pleases me so very much.

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  17. You are absolutely a writer! I ask myself the same question every day, so I can relate to your poem! I look forward to your TINY THINGS poems!

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    1. Thanks, Linda, hope you'll be posting for April too!

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  18. Congrats on your month of slicing and thank you for this lovely poem today. You ask a question I think every one of us asks ourselves daily. Looking forward to your Tiny Things month!

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    1. Thanks, Jama, April is another exciting month, after March, exciting too!

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  19. Those squirrels got me too. There's something so magical about the way that we read and respond to each other. Your poem for today gives such hope and voice to that questioning voice inside each of us. Thank you. "I want you to read on!" Yes! Yes! We want to read on. Happy PF, friend! xo

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    1. Thank you, Amy, feelings shared matter, don't they? Looking forward to your box of colors!

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  20. Yeah and Congrats for writing this month and taking on the poetry month as well. I love your poem. I will be checking in along the way this year as poems develop. See you on Tuesdays at Slice of Life!

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    1. Thank you, Joanne. It's been a lot of fun reading so many slices in March. Yes, I will see you Tuesday!

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  21. Yes, you are indeed a writer--and one whose poems and other words I look forward to reading! I love those cheeky squirrels in you poem. They must be kin to some of the country squirrels down here!

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    1. Thanks, Kay, I imagine that everyone has a "cheeky squirrel" tale to tell.

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  22. Thank you for a wonderful post and poem (as well as Karla Kuskin's words). Thank you, also, for your support this past month--I appreciate it! -Tim

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    1. You're welcome, Tim. I hope to see you back writing, at least on Tuesdays!

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  23. I love the idea of those high stepping cheeky squirrels, Linda. Here's to another year of slicing through March together.

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    1. Amazing to believe so many years have passed, Tara. Here we go into the 8th year! Thanks and have a happy weekend!

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  24. You are a powerful writer whose slices and comments always inspire and encourage me. I am so glad you are here.

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    1. Thank you, Anita. Our community of writers is blessed with so much support, isn't it? I'll look for you on Tuesdays!

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  25. Love this poem, Linda! This line especially, "When will letters flow to parade my frozen happiness for this one moment?" It has been such a pleasure to reconnect with you during this month of slicing! Here's to Tuesday slicing in the future!

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    1. Yes, you know that I love hearing about your little ones, Maureen and all your posts. Have a wonderful weekend and see you Tuesday! Thank you!

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  26. How long have you and I been doing the SOLC together? I think this was year 6 for me. Your poem makes me think of you with your pencil at your window staring out at the snow. You are a writer. Like my students, I can see how you've grown over these years of writing together. One of these days we should meet, don't you think?

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    1. I started the year before, Margaret. Whew, time sure flies. I hope there will be a time to meet. The conferences hold no motivation any more except to see people like you. Someday! Thank you for all your comments!

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  27. "Frozen happiness"--I love it, my friend!

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    1. Thanks, Diane. Poetry presents the thing. . .

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  28. Thank you for your poem, (loved the cheeky squirrel) and all the resources you pointed me towards. I am a lover of poetry and celebrate with a poem everyday in April and usually longer. A lovely way to move on from this glorious writing month. It was wonderful to get to know you through your posts and comments.

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    1. Thank you, Mary Ann for all your words of wisdom from your own life. You made me think, and process, and that was good. Enjoy April. It is a wonderful month for words, too.

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  29. Your poem is just plain delightful, Linda! The form is great... love how you posed questions to "tell" us. I'm so glad I've gotten to know you this month and look forward to Tuesdays and Fridays in the months ahead.

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    1. I'll look for you, too, Alice. It was a pleasure reading your posts, clever and creative!

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  30. Linda, Thank you so much for the Poetry Farm link. I will check it out. I so appreciate all the times you "visited me" through the month. It was always a pleasure to see what you were up to.

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    1. You will love Amy's Poem Farm, Barbara, always something to enjoy and inspire! Thank you for visiting me, too. I wish you well as spring comes in to your home.

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  31. Congratulations on completing the SOL challenge. I'm sure all the little things in your life with thank you for the spotlight this April! What a fun challenge!

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    1. Thanks, Violet, and I will enjoy those tiny things, I think!

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  32. Hooray for another successful month of Slicing! I love your "Tiny Things" theme and your poem. We all ask those questions daily and keep searching for that elusive "perfect" word or phrase. Looking forward to continuing on the journey
    with you, Linda!

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    1. Thank you, Catherine. Happy Poetry Month, and have a wonderful weekend!

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  33. Yes, you're a writer! Thank you for writing!

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  34. Hooray, Hooray, thank you writer, Linda for your lovely poem. It reminded me of two very filled out squirrels I saw scurrying around a tree trunk today. I like your goal of focusing on "Tiny Things," Emerging plants and flowers will probably populate many of my poems, as these excite me this time of year.

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    1. Nature is a wonderful thing to write about, Michelle. I imagine I will include some of its tiny things, too! Thank you!

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  35. Can't wait to read your Tiny Things poems!

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  36. Tiny Things bring such vivid thoughts to your mind, friend. I am adding my comment to your long string of comments with hopes that your day is filled with tiny things that make you notice, wonder, write, and send your voice out to us.
    Resonating line: When will letters flow
    to parade my frozen happiness
    for this one moment?

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    1. Thanks, Carol, it was an interesting poem to write.

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  37. Something I ask myself everyday, Linda: "Am I a writer?" And I'm still not sure!

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    1. Yep, me, too! Maybe that's what keeps us going? Thanks, Matt!

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