April - Poetry Month - 2024, Day Thirty, For Our Future

   Happy End to Poetry Month!

        It's the finale for April! I've done my best to take the advice from the poet who has given so much to help us all, including students and teachers, write poetry. I'll be moving from A to Z, obviously needing to combine a few to make it all come out to 30. FYI—Sometimes, Paul Janeczko offers a prompt to write a poem that begins with the specific alphabet letter instead of a poem type. It will be fun to be open to writing in all kinds of ways!

       You can find the path to the Progressive Poem over to the right! Simply click on the graphic!

        As you can see above, the 26 letters of the Alphabet and the words that begin with them have been covered. I have been finding a few memories to write about, but this final day, I'm thinking of the future for all of us, considering our current world so filled with conflict! 

Bridge Stock photos by Vecteezy

Untitled

 

Wishing bridge building

between ideas

could be as beautiful

as capturing a chasm

with steel!

Linda Baie ©  

April - Poetry Month - 2024, Day Twenty-Nine, Finding Memories

  Happy Poetry Month!

        I'm taking the advice from the poet who has given so much to help us all, including students and teachers, write poetry. I'll be moving from A to Z, obviously needing to combine a few to make it all come out to 30. FYI—Sometimes, Paul Janeczko offers a prompt to write a poem that begins with the specific alphabet letter instead of a poem type. It will be fun to be open to writing in all kinds of ways!

       You can find the path to the Progressive Poem over to the right! Simply click on the graphic!

        As you can see above, the 26 letters of the Alphabet and the words that begin with them have been covered. These final days I decided to find a few memories to write about, this time preparing for summer time!

Day 29 - Last Day Teaching

 

           It was both hard and easy to retire from teaching. I loved my work, but I knew it was time for other things and, like every year, time for a break! This poem is for my students at the end of every year and me, too, at the end.

Last photo of my desk!

Outta Here!

 

Goodbye pencils

and lined paper,

friends at recess,

game creators.

Farewell teachers, 

homework’s done.

Time to leap into our summers-

filled with fun.

 

 

Linda Baie ©  

 

April - Poetry Month - Day 28 - Finding Memories

 Happy Poetry Month!

        I'm taking the advice from the poet who has given so much to help us all, including students and teachers, write poetry. I'll be moving from A to Z, obviously needing to combine a few to make it all come out to 30. FYI—Sometimes, Paul Janeczko offers a prompt to write a poem that begins with the specific alphabet letter instead of a poem type. It will be fun to be open to writing in all kinds of ways!

       You can find the path to the Progressive Poem over to the right! Simply click on the graphic!

        As you can see above, the 26 letters of the Alphabet and words that begin with them have been covered. These final days I decided to find a few memories to write about, preparing for summer time!

Day 28 - Long ago when I taught first grade, a parent came walking in with her girl, my student, kind of hiding behind her mother. Today, many kids wear ball caps and now, looking back, I wish there had been one for her. Her older sister and a friend pretended to be beauticians and practiced cutting hair, on the little sister. No picture today. I'll leave it to your imagination. (It took a long time for the hair to grow out!)

Pretending

 

Sissy loved 

playing beautician.

It took months

for my bangs 

to grow back.

Mama cried.

 

Linda Baie ©  

April - Poetry Month - 2024, Day Twenty-Six, Z is for Zen + Poetry Friday

Happy Poetry Month!

It's Poetry Friday, too, and Ruth Bowen Hersey is hosting HERE on her blog, There is no such thing as a God-forsaken Town. This week, she shares a poem about her 'forever' home, Haiti, its struggles continuing, and the fact that she is often there in her dreams. Thanks for hosting, Ruth! 

        I'm taking the advice from the poet who has given so much to help us all, including students and teachers, write poetry. I'll be moving from A to Z, obviously needing to combine a few to make it all come out to 30. FYI—Sometimes, Paul Janeczko offers a prompt to write a poem that begins with the specific alphabet letter instead of a poem type. It will be fun to be open to writing in various ways!

       You can find the path to the Progressive Poem over to the right! Simply click on the graphic!

     This is Day 26, the alphabet's ending, Z - I chose "zen"!

Zen

 

In April, chiming

a tiny rhyme

for listeners 

who take the time

to venture near

with ears to hear, 

the poetry!

It’s spring; it’s here!

           Linda Baie ©  

April - Poetry Month - 2024, Day Twenty-Five, Y is for Yearning

 Happy Poetry Month!

        I'm taking the advice from the poet who has given so much to help us all, including students and teachers, write poetry. I'll be moving from A to Z, obviously needing to combine a few to make it all come out to 30. FYI—Sometimes, Paul Janeczko offers a prompt to write a poem that begins with the specific alphabet letter instead of a poem type. It will be fun to be open to writing in all kinds of ways!

       You can find the path to the Progressive Poem over to the right! Simply click on the graphic!

April - Poetry Month - 2024, Day Twenty-Four, X is for X-ray

  Happy Poetry Month!

        I'm taking the advice from the poet who has given so much to help us all, including students and teachers, write poetry. I'll be moving from A to Z, obviously needing to combine a few to make it all come out to 30. FYI—Sometimes, Paul Janeczko offers a prompt to write a poem that begins with the specific alphabet letter instead of a poem type. It will be fun to be open to writing in all kinds of ways!

       You can find the path to the Progressive Poem over to the right! Simply click on the graphic!

        Day 24 - X, I chose X-ray

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Medical_X-Ray_imaging_GDO04_nevit.jpg

From a Teacher to A Student 

 

They reveal what is not readily seen

the inside of a body, the bones, in between,

but when I wish to see the most important part

ofttimes, it’s hiding, deep within the heart.

No x-ray has been created;

No technology today

will peel the layers back, just so

to show me what I yearn to know –

the inside-technicolor “YOU” show.  

                          Linda Baie ©

 

 

April - Poetry Month - 2024, Day Twenty-Three, Begins with W - Wait

 Happy Poetry Month!

        I'm taking the advice from the poet who has given so much to help us all, including students and teachers, write poetry. I'll be moving from A to Z, obviously needing to combine a few to make it all come out to 30. FYI—Sometimes, Paul Janeczko offers a prompt to write a poem that begins with the specific alphabet letter instead of a poem type. It will be fun to be open to writing in all kinds of ways!

       You can find the path to the Progressive Poem over to the right! Simply click on the graphic!

       It's the perfect time of year for "Wait", don't you all agree?

Waiting, waiting, 

wrapped up tight;

seeds wait

to welcome the sun, 

to savor a shower.

Called faith, 

my belief emerges

as a flower.

 

Linda Baie ©

April - Poetry Month - 2024, Day Twenty-Two, V is for Van

 Happy Poetry Month!

        I'm taking the advice from the poet who has given so much to help us all, including students and teachers, write poetry. I'll be moving from A to Z, obviously needing to combine a few to make it all come out to 30. FYI—Sometimes, Paul Janeczko offers a prompt to write a poem that begins with the specific alphabet letter instead of a poem type. It will be fun to be open to writing in all kinds of ways!

       You can find the path to the Progressive Poem over to the right! Simply click on the graphic!

       It feels like serendipity that I wanted a word that begins with V for today's poem/post. I've been reading James Crews' anthology, The Path to Kindness, a few poems every evening. Friday evening, a poem appeared that touched me, and I knew, especially because it's near Mother's Day, too, that I wanted to share it instead of writing my own poem. Here is the first part, followed by a link to the entire poem. 

                 My Mother's Van

                                by Faith Shearin

Even now it idles outside the houses

where we failed to get better at piano lessons,

visits the parking lot of the ballet school

 

where my sister and I stood awkwardly

at the back. My mother's van was orange

with a door we slid open to reveal

beheaded plastic dragons and bunches

                                                        find the rest here

 

April - Poetry Month - 2024, Day Twenty-One, U is for Umbrella

 Happy Poetry Month!

        I'm taking the advice from the poet who has given so much to help us all, including students and teachers, write poetry. I'll be moving from A to Z, obviously needing to combine a few to make it all come out to 30. FYI—Sometimes, Paul Janeczko offers a prompt to write a poem that begins with the specific alphabet letter instead of a poem type. It will be fun to be open to writing in all kinds of ways!

       You can find the path to the Progressive Poem over to the right! Simply click on the graphic!

       This is Day Twenty-One - U is for Umbrella

Umbrella Duty

 

Patient

umbrellas

wait for rain,

and people

to hold onto.

 

         Linda Baie ©

Rain Stock photos by Vecteezy

April - Poetry Month - 2024, Day Twenty, Begins with T -

 Happy Poetry Month!

        I'm taking the advice from the poet who has given so much to help us all, including students and teachers, write poetry. I'll be moving from A to Z, obviously needing to combine a few to make it all come out to 30. FYI—Sometimes, Paul Janeczko offers a prompt to write a poem that begins with the specific alphabet letter instead of a poem type. It will be fun to be open to writing in all kinds of ways!

       You can find the path to the Progressive Poem over to the right! Simply click on the graphic!

     This is Day 20, a word that starts with T -  tree

          Did it snow yesterday and continue this morning just for my poem? I don't know but it really is serendipity that it happened!

Overheard on A Snowy Day

 

Hey, we’re growing up.

           We’ll never be as big as that cottonwood.

No, but our branches flourish.”

            Have you noticed more birds visiting?

And we’re still part of the gathering.

They help us underground, don’t you know!

             Yes, I’m grateful for all those older trees around.

             Their chatter when it’s snowing makes a pleasant day.

We caught a lot of snow this time, good for a big drink!

              I’m glad we’re together, too

              in our own cozy corner of the world.

Growing old together makes a good life.

              Yep! 

 

         Linda Baie ©

April - Poetry Month - 2024, Day Eighteen, Begins with R - Rhythm

 Happy Poetry Month!  

        I'm taking the advice from the poet who has given so much to help us all, including students and teachers, write poetry. I'll be moving from A to Z, obviously needing to combine a few to make it all come out to 30. FYI—Sometimes, Paul Janeczko offers a prompt to write a poem that begins with the specific alphabet letter instead of a poem type. It will be fun to be open to writing in all kinds of ways!

       You can find the path to the Progressive Poem over to the right! Simply click on the graphic!

It's also "Poem in your Pocket Day"!  And the letter is R! I'm reaching a little bit, perhaps, but I'm going with R is for RECITE, REMEMBER, and, RHYTHM!

What’s In Your Pocket?   

 

I’m waiting for the words today

you’ve pushed into your pocket.

Is the poem a favored tale,

or new words you won’t forget?

 

Does it speak of trees or blooms, 

something growing in the ground?

Does it keep a rhythm when 

you tap tap out the sound?

 

I hope you’ve memorized the lines.

Kept close these treasured works of art.

Instead of tucked in folds of cloth,

you’ll keep them tucked inside your heart.

                               Linda Baie ©

April - Poetry Month - Day Seventeen - Q is for Question

 Happy Poetry Month!

If you'd like the poster, go here!

 

        I'm taking the advice from the poet who has given so much to help us all, including students and teachers, write poetry. I'll be moving from A to Z, obviously needing to combine a few to make it all come out to 30. FYI—Sometimes, Paul Janeczko offers a prompt to write a poem that begins with the specific alphabet letter instead of a poem type. It will be fun to be open to writing in all kinds of ways!

       You can find the path to the Progressive Poem over to the right! Simply click on the graphic!

       Q is for "Question"

photo from Stocktake

             

What does a child know?

         At school, you line up in a row.

         A ball’s to bounce and catch and throw,

         and most things happened long ago.

 

What does a child know?

         Of whispers saying ‘grow, grow’,

         but yearns to learn the facts that show

         why minutes travel awful slow.

                                       Linda Baie ©

April - Poetry Month - 2024, Day Fifteen - PLUS - It's Monday - Poetry for Young Ones!

                

        Visit Kellee and Ricki at UnleashingReaders and Jen at Teach Mentor Texts to see what they and others have been reading! Your TBR lists will grow! 

Happy Poetry Month!

        I'm taking the advice from the poet who has given so much to help us all, including students and teachers, write poetry. I'll be moving from A to Z, obviously needing to combine a few to make it all come out to 30. FYI—Sometimes, Paul Janeczko offers a prompt to write a poem that begins with the specific alphabet letter instead of a poem type. It will be fun to be open to writing in varied ways!

       You can find the path to the Progressive Poem over to the right! Simply click on the graphic!

       I'm on a different path because today's Alphabet letter is O, and O is for Opposites! Charles Ghigna, whose poems are often for all ages, has this time written a book for young ones, and also for those beginning readers who will love a story with a few words to learn along with a delightful story that will make them smile. The title, The Magic Box, publishes at the end of this month! 

      Pandora, a cute panda, is out for a walk and finds a box. "Hmm", I'm sure she thinks, what could this be? "She picked it up. /She put it down." After a bit more exploration, wow, the box begins to talk! In this journey, that "magic box" tells about itself in brief phrases that are also small poems,  like "I like NIGHT." and "I like DAY." followed by "I go LEFT." and "I go RIGHT." Jacqueline East's illustrations are color-filled with fun expressions and actions! She also leaves enough white space so young readers' centers of attention are of Pandora's and the Box's actions. Also, that space helps the focus on new words being read, too. 

  One peek inside!

Thanks to Schiffer Publishing Ltd. for my copy!

April - Poetry Month - 2024, Day Fourteen - Starts with N

       Happy Poetry Month!

If you'd like the poster, go here!

 

        I'm taking the advice from the poet who has given so much to help us all, including students and teachers, write poetry. I'll be moving from A to Z, obviously needing to combine a few to make it all come out to 30. FYI—Sometimes, Paul Janeczko offers a prompt to write a poem that begins with the specific alphabet letter instead of a poem type. It will be fun to be open to writing in all kinds of ways!

       You can find the path to the Progressive Poem over to the right! Simply click on the graphic!

     This is Day 14, a word that starts with N - I chose "News", and this time, thinking of the very different way we communicate with family some of the time. You'll see when you read the poem!

a screenshot of a few of the texts my 
family shared on eclipse day

New News

 

family phone calls 

news hums over the wires

words like hugs

 

now love What’s up?

texts sent in a breeze

no wires needed

Linda Baie © 

April - Poetry Month - 2024, Day Twelve, It's LOVE

     Happy Poetry Month!

          It's Poetry Friday, too, and Jone Rush MacCulloch is hosting HERE on her brand new, wonderful website, with a couple of interviews you'll want to read! Thanks for hosting, Jone!

If you'd like the poster, go here!

 

        I'm taking the advice from the poet who has given so much to help us all, including students and teachers, write poetry. I'll be moving from A to Z, obviously needing to combine a few to make it all come out to 30. FYI—Sometimes, Paul Janeczko offers a prompt to write a poem that begins with the specific alphabet letter instead of a poem type. It will be fun to be open to writing in all kinds of ways!

       You can find the path to the Progressive Poem over to the right! Simply click on the graphic!

      Spring brings all kinds of thoughts and observations, and April is Poetry Month. This time, I admit I'm sharing an old poem. I wrote it years ago when Matt Forrest Esenwine was offering a challenge he called "Poetry Cubed." It remains a favorite of mine for spring.

     Sit. Look long into that bloom.

Place its picture show in your mind,

the first love story. 

Linda Baie ©

April - Poetry Month - 2024, Day Eleven, Kite

    Happy Poetry Month!

If you'd like the poster, go here!

 

        I'm taking the advice from the poet who has given so much to help us all, including students and teachers, write poetry. I'll be moving from A to Z, obviously needing to combine a few to make it all come out to 30. FYI—Sometimes, Paul Janeczko offers a prompt to write a poem that begins with the specific alphabet letter instead of a poem type. It will be fun to be open to writing in all kinds of ways!

       You can find the path to the Progressive Poem over to the right! Simply click on the graphic!

     Today's prompt - Kite

What A Kite Means

 

I wander around a lake

as the wind blows clouds

across the sky.

 

Geese fly in to shelter;

the duck pair I see often

huddle near the bank.

 

The other side holds

a playground – empty now,

and a runner leans into the wind.

 

An older man wearing a hoodie

stands alone in the field

flying a kite.

 

I wonder if he’s that young boy

still inside,

flying kites, then, too?

 

Linda Baie ©

April - Poetry Month - 2024, Day Ten - Jewels

   Happy Poetry Month!

If you'd like the poster, go here!

 

        I'm taking the advice from the poet who has given so much to help us all, including students and teachers, write poetry. I'll be moving from A to Z, obviously needing to combine a few to make it all come out to 30. FYI—Sometimes, Paul Janeczko offers a prompt to write a poem that begins with the specific alphabet letter instead of a poem type. It will be fun to be open to writing in all kinds of ways!

       You can find the path to the Progressive Poem over to the right! Simply click on the graphic! It's my day to add the line!

      This is Day Ten, the prompt is Jewels!

Wikimedia Commons - unknown author

Ideas collect and mix with my own.

Thoughts rise in slow bubbles:

the jewels of today.

I stir and swirl them in the air.   

             Linda Baie ©