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Friday, September 27, 2019

Poetry Friday - Celebrating "Dear Poet" - Charles Ghigna

Carol Varsalona at Beyond LiteracyLink hosts today's Poetry Friday. She's sharing beautiful words and images as we move away from summer. Thanks, Carol, for the lovely goodbyes.

And thanks, today, to Resource Publications (Wipf and Stock Publishers) for a copy of this new book of poetry by Charles Ghigna. 

I intended to gather a few books I love of Charles' work and take a picture of the poetry fun I've enjoyed through the years, but now I realize that I have none of them because they now live at my granddaughters' house. This time of year, I See Fall, Oh My!, Pumpkin Pie, and Halloween Night are the ones on my mind, but choose a topic or a season and you will probably discover a book from Charles' long list of published books.

I often used words "about" poetry when my class wrote. I had poetry and prose groups early in the year in order to lay some foundations of writing so that students had choices when they wrote, either fiction or non-fiction. One favorite:

 An Historic Moment
                          William J. Harris

The man said,
after inventing poetry, 
"WOW!"
and did a full somersault.

           I'm doing a somersault over this new book!


              I read this new book, Dear Poet, Notes to a Young Writer, and then I read it again, wishing I had had it for my students. I certainly will share it with former colleagues! 

              It's a quiet song, inspiring writers with short reflections, according to the introduction from Charles and shown in the subtitle "A Poetic Journey into the Creative Process for Readers, Writers, Artists, & Dreamers". 

             I loved how the poems begin with words of advice, but words that allow readers to ponder their own responses, too, then write. There are some "Do nots. . ." but answered with the counterpoint of what "to do". A focus is writing from self: "Let the mirror/of your eyes/fill the page." along with writing truth. And one poem speaks that truth: "There is no/need/for the poet.//"There is only/need/for the poem."
             Advice to get it out, "Get it all out on paper", trust, question, created in brief words that when I read them, felt like loud cheers. A favorite, some words I will keep close: 

"Each writer's block
is not a rock.
It is a stepping stone."

             Toward the end, the actual defining of poems themselves feels like true celebrations, sparkling images that may help poets, young and old, find their own favorites or create their own. Is a poem "whispers made of thunder", something that "opens up an eye" or "a moon, a star,/a glimpse of who you are." What do you think?

             Thank you, Charles, for a wonderful book, which while it says "for young writers", will inspire everyone.

26 comments:

  1. Linda, I see that you love this book as much as I do, and in the same way. It is SO inspiring! Thanks for sharing your review and insights.

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    1. Yes, it’s really special. I hope lots of teachers will add it to their collections. I was glad to read your ideas about it, too. Thanks, Jane

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  2. ooooooooh! This looks WONDERFUL! I think I need this book for a special group of writers at my school. Thanks for the great review.

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    1. Yes indeed, that will be terrific, Linda. It will be perfect for your group. Thanks!

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  3. Linda, I am so glad that your computer was ready for Poetry Friday. Charles Ghigna is a wonderful poet so thank you for the wonderful review. I love the lines you shared:
    Each writer's block
    is not a rock.
    It is a stepping stone." This is great advice for all writers.
    I choose a "poem is whispers made of thunder." It not only sounds poetic but opens up a new level of thinking. A poem may start as a whisper but ends in thunderous, elated voice rising into the universe. I think our poetry community will be inspired by Charles' work. Thanks for sharing.

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    1. You're welcome, Carol. I loved that "whispers made of thunder", too. Each line is one that I could share as special, exactly why everyone needs the book! Yes, so glad to have my laptop back!

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  4. I am going to look for this book.

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    1. Terrific, I imagine you'll love it, Jone! Thanks!

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  5. Thanks for sharing Charles' book Linda–I'm going to look for it too! I loved these lines, "There is no/need/for the poet.//"There is only/need/for the poem."

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    1. You're welcome, Michelle. You'll love all the lines I didn't share, too!

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  6. Thank you so much, Linda, for your beautiful celebration here of DEAR POET! Your generous words and thoughts will no doubt help get the book into the hands of writers who might be in search of a bit of inspiration. Your review here certainly inspired me!

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    1. You are welcome, Charles. I am happy to be able to share this important book, know that everyone will be inspired to put their words on the page!

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  7. Thanks for sharing this new and special book. Putting it on my list.

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    1. Hope you and your students will love it, Margaret. Thank you!

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  8. Loved hearing your reaction to Charles's new book (will also feature it next month at AS). "Quiet song" is such a spot-on way of describing it!

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    1. Thanks, Jama, looking forward to your review of this wonderful book.

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  9. Oooh, this book looks so good! Thanks for introducing it, Linda! I'm going to try to get my hands on a copy (either here via a UK bookseller or when I visit the US). =)

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    1. Terrific, hope you can find it soon, Bridget. It's great!

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  10. I am *uite intrigued by this book, especially since I finally realized that it's a book of poems! (Not sure why this wasn't clear to me at first.) Thanks for the intro!

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    1. I think when I first heard about it, I thought it was a 'how-to' book, & it is, but in a delicious poetic way! Thanks, Heidi!

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  11. Charles Ghigna is loved by me and my grandkids Linda! These days we are reading A Carnival of Cats over and over and over. Ada now knows the names of all the kinds of cats! I have added this to my want to read list. It sounds like a book for writers of all ages!

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    1. I gave my 'Carnival of Cats' to a friend who is a huge cat lover, but it is a gem, I agree. Fun to hear about Ada knowing all those cats, Cheriee. Enjoy this book when you can get it!

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  12. Thank you for sharing this one -- it looks like a treasure for poets and writers young and old.

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  13. Charles is truly a wizard when it comes to small poems—he packs so much into them! I, too, am looking forward to getting my hands on this book. Thanks also for sharing the Harris poem, Linda—somersaults all around. :D

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    1. You're welcome, Michelle. I agree about Charles' poems, words with so much meaning. And, glad you enjoyed the Harris poem. It is a favorite.

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