Thursday, March 12, 2020

Poetry Friday - It's "A Dictionary for A Better World"


It's Poetry Friday, it's March, that month that cannot seem to behave. All the week it was warm enough for short pants and short sleeves, now expecting snow! Welcoming us is  Matt Forrest Esenwine at  Radio, Rhythm, & Rhyme.  He's sharing some coming books by dear Lee Bennett Hopkins and reminding us about March Madness Poetry which you can find here! Considering these days since March 1st, I guess "madness" is the word! Denver Public Schools just announced they will close starting Monday for the next three weeks!  Thanks for hosting, Matt.

             Way back in September, I had the pleasure of revealing the cover of Dictionary for A Better WorldPoems, Quotes, and Anecdotes from A to Z by Irene Latham and Charles Waters, illustrated by Mehrdokht Amini. Here is that post with a few questions answered by these creators who've made what is now a favorite alphabet book. Of course, I imagine alphabet books as page by page reveals a letter, a word and an illustration. And they are wonderful.
              However, this is so much more. And in these times, welcomed and needed! In the past, I have had students create their own alphabet books and now wish I could share this book with them, to see the marvelous ways that Charles and Irene have enhanced the twenty-six letters with more, more, more. Mehrdokht's illustrations are icing on the cake! Each word presents a poem with a footnote that tells in what form the poem is written. Charles and Irene alternate the writing and some are collaborations. The opposite pages offer a companion quote, a comment by Irene or Charles and a challenge action to "Try It!" They've given me much to ponder as I've read slowly, trying to find ways to incorporate their suggestions into my life, whether poetry or actions. 


        The opening poem, an abecedarian, celebrates the words, opening a world that I believe Irene, Charles, and Mehrdokht want us to know, to embrace, to celebrate. 

        One thing I loved, too, was that every word brought a new idea, sometimes serious, sometimes whimsical, and Mehrdokht's illustrations added to the emotion. In the final page, after "Z", a poem proclaims "we're all in this together", and there these three creative people are, among other people, children and adults, dogs and birds, crocodiles - TOGETHER! 
        In another favorite, a quiet picture of two children sitting on a sofa, looking at each other. The word (and poem) is Charles' poem, "Listen", the quote, by Jacqueline Woodson: "Even the silence has a story to tell you. Just listen. Listen."
         In "Reach", by Irene, she ends her poem with "all for the possibility/of rising/together." The illustration shows two hands reaching, almost touching, painted on a sketchbook as an artist readies a brush. 
          My own descriptions fail to show the beautiful emotions from the illustrations, gathering all the words together into one beautiful entry!

          There is an author's note and so much more at the back, resources used and recommended, a gratitude list, and an index of poem forms used. This book has it all!
           I've read the book slowly since it arrived, used it to inspire my own poetry, especially during Laura Shovan's birthday month February challenges. Here is one that I wrote to a song shared by Margaret Simon that had the theme of musical freedom. In our world of much divisiveness, my hope "For A Better World" feels more positive after reading this wonderful new book.

Our Imperfect World

Here in my home, we love a storm
while you wish it away –
the trees in need, the grass is brown,
sol reigns another day.
If you send a bucketful,
I’ll send some cloudless blue,
offering a weather change
for all, a different view.
Like life, not always easy
but people aren’t truly far apart.
To find a common ground
we can look into their hearts.
                           Linda Baie ©


         “I wish it need not have happened in my time," said Frodo. "So do I," said Gandalf, "and so do all who live to see such times. But that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.”

30 comments:

  1. Linda, I am in love with that Gandalf quote. LOVE. Thank you!. And your poem!! These lines are ones I am particularly savoring:
    If you send a bucketful,
    I’ll send some cloudless blue

    Thank you for sharing about DICTIONARY -- it's always a joy to learn what speaks to whom. Thanks for being a part of our journey. So grateful! xo

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    1. You're welcome, Irene. I adore yours and Charles' book, have given it to a former colleague, too, imagining he will share it, too. I am so glad that it is out in the world!

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  2. This book looks so good - can't wait to see it! Thanks for sharing, and congrats again to Irene & Charles!

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    1. Yes, you must get a copy, Matt. It's one that you'll want to read again and again. Thanks!

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  3. I'm excited to read Irene and Charles's new book. Your Gandalf quote is just right for these times, Linda.

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  4. Linda, your review of Irene and Charles' book is wonderful and your poem is the right one for these trying times. This is what we need, "offering a weather change
    for all, a different view." We need this Dictionary for a Better World!

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  5. What a wonderful review! I have a copy of this book and it's all you said it is (I call it an alphabet book in overdrive). :) Love your poem too, and the Tolkien quote is especially poignant and relevant. Of course I'm swooning over "I'll send some cloudless blue."

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  6. I recently received my library copy of Dictionary for a Better World. I'm in love with it! And buying a copy today from my local indie. I wrote a golden shovel poem using some of Irene's words.
    Funny how we were on the same wavelength today. Love these words from your poem, (and the Frodo quote too):
    " To find a common ground
    we can look into their hearts."

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  7. Many thanks for your kind words, Linda! We're all so grateful in how it's being received.

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  8. Thanks for this review and the Frodo/Gandalf quote. Much to think about, much to hope for. The poem shows an open heart... wonderful!

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  9. Thanks everyone. I've been at the bookstore working on some tech problems. I appreciate your comments, hope those of you who have not read this lovely Dictionary get it FAST! It's special! Also, happy you like the quote from Tolkien, whose stories of triumph inspire me every time I read them.

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  10. Great review of a simply beautiful book! And lovely quote and poem, too. I especially love the If you send a bucketful... part!

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  11. Joyous review, Linda! Your enthusiasm is terrific, and so is your poem. Like Laura, I love the "bucketful" trade ♥️

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  12. Thanks, Laura & Tabatha, the book is a joy. I hope many of us find a way to be helpful through poetry!

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  13. What a great review, a wonderful poem and a fantastic quote to finish it all up. A trifecta of a post! Thanks!

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    1. You're welcome, Molly the specialness of the book made it easy!

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  14. Thanks for introducing me to this book, Linda. And your poem is beautiful. We all need to remember to look into others' hearts.

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  15. I adore this book! I am excited to have the time now to read it like you did -- slowly, and savoringly. I'm struggling to decide how to approach National Poetry Month...maybe I'll be inspired, as you have. Your poem speaks right to me. I'd gladly trade a bucket of our rain for a bucket of your blue skies!

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  16. This book looks amazing! I love the poem it inspired and the universality of your message: "people aren’t truly far apart" - indeed! Well done, Linda! =)

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  17. What a lovely review of this super book. I too love, Dictionary for a Better World. There just isn't a better time to be reading this book with and for young people. I'm hoping that all the coronavirus won't interfere with my school's plans to have Charles visit in June. With all the craziness...there's no point in even asking yet. We have to see what comes. But, I love the idea of asking kids to create an ABC book...I would love kid thoughts on what words will make our world better!

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  18. I"m looking forward to reading and looking through Irene and Charle's "Dictionary for A Better World," thanks for sharing all this special kernels from it! And also for sharing your lovely poem encouraging us to "find a common ground," how we need this now…

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  19. Thanks again to everyone who've come by to share how much you love this book or are looking forward to reading it! I loved writing my poem as I read pages from this wonderful book.

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  20. I think I may have to forego social distancing tomorrow and head to Tattered Cover to buy this book. I need it!!! Now!!!! Thank you so much for sharing it! And you have captured one of those hot summer, no rain for weeks days in Colorado absolutely perfectly.

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    1. Yes! Do go. I suspect you'll use it again and again with students and love it for yourself, too, Carol. Thanks, didn't see you on the poetry list, will look!

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  21. Thanks for this lovely poem and review, Linda. It reminded me of the poem Carol W. shared on her blog this week and gave me the same calming response.

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  22. Irene's book sounds so good, and I love your poem, Linda!

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  23. I was lucky enough to get a copy of Dictionary for a Better World at NCTE, as well as hugs from the amazing Irene and Charles! I've been dipping in and out of it ever since, but as Mary Lee said, now hope to really dive in and savor every lovely word. Thank you for including the quote from Tolkien, Linda. We will be remembered by how we responded to this crisis. Be well, my friend.

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    1. Thanks, Catherine. This arrived just as I pushed "publish" for this final comment. I'm happy to hear you have this wonderful book. I imagine we'll read and browse it again and again. Best to you also.

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  24. Thanks, Michelle and Ruth. Yes, that Pandemic poem is wonderful. Hope you both enjoy this new "Dictionary"!

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  25. What an inspiring book! Love how you were inspired to write this wonderful poem from both the book and my prompt. The weather is changing in our world so rapidly. We need this reassurance, "Like life, not always easy
    but people aren’t truly far apart." Our virtual community does that.

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