It's Poetry Friday - About Memorial Day

 

             It's Poetry Friday! Thanks, Patricia Franz at Reverie here, for hosting. She and her husband are celebrating a special wedding anniversary and she celebrates with a beautiful cento. 

The #poetrypals are writing ghazals today yet I chose to write about Memorial Day, a day important to me this time. But I did write a ghazal in April for poetry month if you'd like to see it! You can find it here! It certainly wasn't an easy form so I'm really looking forward to these newly crafted ones, imagining they will be terrific.

          Memorial Day is special to me. My father died in World War II, was a pilot shot down in the Pacific theater, never found. Other family members were in combat during that war and those since. Thankfully all survived. Every year, the memories return when I see the iris blooming and the peonies popping up. Those were the flowers we took to the cemetery, for remembrance of those we held in our hearts always. 

April - Poetry Month - Day Eight - Haiku

 

       Happy Poetry Month, where poems parade in the streets, run like rivers within our veins or settle in our hearts every.single,time. 

       I am planning to use this older book pictured left that follows the alphabet with one kind of prompt each day. I used this book on occasion in the classroom years ago, but never worked through it day by day, with deliberation! Here goes!

        Today the challenge to H is for haiku. If you wish, you may find out more about this form from this article!

Poetry Friday - Golden News

  

 

  Poetry Friday is with Kathryn Apel, HERE at her website. She's sharing many celebrations from down under, a special kidlit festival where it seems her two recent books got lots of love and two wonderful poetry swaps she created. Thanks for hosting, Kat!

          Usually, I purchase small plants at a local garden center to fill a few pots I have. This year I bought a packet of marigold seeds and planted them (I think) in early May. They have grown into a gorgeous plant, with now only one bloom. It feels like I have been taught patience! The bud burst on the day Queen Elizabeth died. It felt somewhat shivery, nearly a sign that life, and beauty, will continue. I understand that my imagination often bursts with silliness, but nevertheless. the bloom happened exactly when it chose, not a day before, nor a day later.

          As it is nearing autumn, this reminds me of Buffy Silverman's new book out in August, On A Gold-Blooming Day. Many have been sharing it. I did here and Carol Varsalona did here. It's a special book welcoming autumn you don't want to miss!

new bloom

no better name for you –

marigold

 

Linda Baie ©

April - Poetry Month - Day Fourteen

It's April. It's Poetry Month! 
                It's a special day, my Granddaughter Ingrid's birthday! 

         Remember to check out the list of what everyone is doing at Jama Rattigan's blog: Jama's Alphabet Soup.

          And check on the Water Poem Project where every day, a poet is sharing a prompt connected to water, hosted and created by Laura Shovan!

Plus! Check each day for the added line to the Progressive Poem, created by Irene Latham, now hosted by Margaret Simon! The link is above and the graphic to the right!           A leap with the theme of CIRCLES for poetry month, poems & small sketches. I am looking forward to reading everyone's posts. I'm sure I will love each one, knowing they're done during a time we've not lived before. I am worried about so many, those close and those far, my community, too. 

April 1 - haiku
April 2 - cinquain
April 3 - a couplet
April 4 - limerick
April 5 - a kyrielle
April 6 - a skinny
April 7 - quatrain

April 8 - tanka

April 9 - a prose poem

April 10 - free verse
April 11 -  acrostic
April 12 - free verse

April 13 - a nonet

Best wishes for continuing good health to you all!

Poetry Friday - Glad Tidings

             Elizabeth Steinglass hosts today at her blog here, sharing a poem about a favorite word. I imagine you may not be able to guess what it is! Be sure to check it out!

             Whatever you celebrate, or whether you do not, I'm wishing you a lovely time from here to the new year's end, and joy in the solstice welcoming of winter, too. Here's a part of a quote I love from Charles Dickens: 

       

           Reflect upon your present blessings, of which every man has many, not on your past misfortunes, of which all man have some. Fill your glasses again, with a merry face and contented heart.

           Happiest of New Year's to you all for 2020, a new decade!

            

           I have been writing alongside a group each day with the hashtags shown in the picture below, sometimes messing up (like #navember instead of #natember). Here is one that captured my time yesterday with my youngest granddaughter, Imogene! I also seem to have read a lot about trees lately. If you haven't read Richard Powers' The Overstory, please take a look. It's quite an amazing book.

       On a strange note, I have been struggling to fix a blog problem which is preventing me from commenting on certain blogs, including my own. Still trying to find a fix. All else seems okay, just may have to work some from my IPad. 

Poetry Friday - All About The Certainty

             Visiting Tanita S. Davis at {fiction, instead of lies} for Poetry Friday today. She's offering a new link to poetry prompts staring soon! Thanks, Tanita!

             I want to send a thank you to Michelle Heindenrich Barnes at her blog, Today's Little Ditty, to those who gave time to select the poems in her new anthology,  best of Today's Little Ditty 2017-2018, her daughter who created the beautiful cover, and Renee La Tulippe for added help. Of course thank you to the poets! I have loved every poem, many I remember reading during those months, others not quite staying, but now I have them to discover and love, too. The community is a special one, supporting each other Friday after Friday while taking time to read each person's poetry that is shared. People who have a community in these ways are fortunate indeed. 
             Another thing I'm doing now is writing and connecting with various poetry hashtags. I think I was a bit mixed up about who was doing what, but have managed to connect with a few other writers and I look for their writing every day on social media. Those hashtags are #natember #haikuforhope #haikuforkindness #haikuforjustice. During these first days of December, I've written five so far, will write again, as many as I can before family arrives for Christmas. It's nice to know that this community will be there, showing me their thought-filled words all through the month. 
              "There is no power for change greater than a community discovering what it cares about." – Margaret J. Wheatley

          One of the poems I wrote this week connects to our community, too. I feel as if I could show my friend the community of Poetry Friday as well as the moon. (You'll understand my meaning when you read it.) 

a friend cried
over the uncertainty –
I showed her the moon

#NPM18 - 1/30 Celebrating

      Celebrating today with Ruth Ayres and others who share. 

           Fabulous spring break at our condo with family, many skied, lots of writing time for me, visiting, playing games, sweetest time!

the ever-gorgeous view

skiers-Carter, Nathan, Ingrid, Imogene & Sarah

no skiing this day - Barb & Dave,
my daughter-in-law & son-in-law

AND, the beginning of a poem a day for Poetry Month!

April is  #NPM18 - National Poetry Month.

       "Poetry is just the evidence of life. If your life is burning well, poetry is just the ash." 
                                                                                                                      ~Leonard Cohen

  Other things of interest:  See the page on the bar above for the Progressive Poem's schedule of poets, hosted by Irene Latham at Live Your Poem.  

        And, see what many are doing for Poetry Month, by looking HERE at Jama Rattigan's post at Jama's Alphabet Soup.
         

              My goal for Poetry Month: A haiku diary that may include other forms related to haiku, like haibun, haiga. monoku or renga. I have enjoyed studying about and writing in these forms in past Aprils and alongside other's who've given a challenge in this form. And, I look forward to seeing what parts of this month I will choose to collect in a diary. I will also be connecting with others, writing for their challenges, too, along with other kinds of blog posts. 

#NPM17 - 5/30 Plus non-fiction picture books

              Thanks to Alyson Beecher's Non-Fiction Picture Book Challenge at Kidlit Frenzy.  From Alyson and others, you can count on finding a wonderful book!

April is  #NPM17 - National Poetry Month.
       "Always be a poet, even in prose." 
                                                                   ~Baudelaire (1864)

    Poetic things of interest:  
See Irene Latham's  Progressive Poem's schedule on the page above.  
        If you'd like to see what everyone is doing for Poetry Month, look HERE at Jama Rattigan's post at Jama's Alphabet Soup.

              My goal for Poetry Month: TINY THINGS. My point of view may surprise you, but I'm excited to write, share, and read how everyone writes to meet their special goals for celebrating poetry month. Here is my poem today, connected to music, and especially Pete Seeger.

one note

wrapped in poetry,

ear-marked

 Linda Baie © All Rights Reserved

Poetry Friday Counting

        Diane Mayr hosts Poetry Friday this week at her blog, Random Noodling. Join everyone who's sharing poetry this Friday! Thanks, Diane!

       It seems I am doing my own 'random noodling' today, sharing a series of counting haiku, welcoming summer.

Counting Summer

one

one swallowtail swoops  

a pink bloom waits--

connected bliss

two

two apple trees just so

anchors hold the hammock -

summer breeze nap

three

three linden trees bloom

aromas collide from the past. . .

new path 

Poetry Friday-Keri's Farm

            Today, Poetry Friday is hosted today by Keri Lewis, at Keri Recommends on Prairie Blossom Bee Farm. It's lovely to visit the country. Thanks Keri!



Not quite the same, but. . . 

        Each evening I walk to our bank of mailboxes to get the mail. Yesterday, wind was blowing, more than a breeze, and so many wind chimes were ringing, chiming, tinkling that I walked around two blocks so I could hear more. I haven't watched the weather in a few days, but know that this is a signal that the weather will be different soon.  

         evening walk for mail

         wind chimes harmonize -

         weather’s changing

                      Linda Baie ©All Rights Reserved

Poetry Friday With Jama

         Poetry Friday this week is at Jama Rattigan's Alphabet Soup, where we always get to taste our "bright world". You'll need to rush over to understand the reference, and have a lovely blueberry crumb bar while you're there reading poetry.
.

          I am at the end, nearly, just a few more evaluations to write, and then the ordering and copying, ready to mail. I am happy to take a break once in a while, walking around the block if no further. Yesterday I walked onto my porch, and looked to the side at the late lilacs blooming (a different species I think). And look what I found having a bit of a nectar nosh. It stayed for a picture, and I wrote.

Click to enlarge!

spring chauffeured the butterfly

to my garden -

what else am I missing?

Linda Baie © All Rights Reserved

It's Monday - Reading Poetry Plus More

          Every Monday, many of us link up with Jen at TeachMentorTexts and Kellee and Ricki at UnleashingReaders. and Sheila at Book Journeys.  Come join us and tweet at #IMWAYR. Thanks to Jen, Kellee, and Ricki for hosting! 

created by Leigh Anne Eck
at A Day In The Life 

        I'm writing haiku and haiku-related poetry this month. Focus on the out of doors and on word choice is both a challenge and fun.  I'm also grateful that some of us are supporting each other, sharing on twitter with the hashtag #DigiPoetry, created by Margaret Simon, of Reflections on The Teche. Find the many Poetry Month offerings rounded up by Jama Rattigan at Jama's Alphabet Soup.  

12)  

whoosh, wind-driven

clouds became my book -

what are you reading?

       Here's what I read this past week:
How I Discovered Poetry - written by Marilyn Nelson, with some illustrations and
 photos (This is one of my #MustReadIn2015 books. See the list above.)

        Marilyn Nelson writes poetry to tell her story of growing up in a military family, moving more often than a young girl who finally made friends wants to. She gets excited when a close friend she had to say goodbye to shows up at the next base. Marilyn's poems sometimes touch one's heart when she writes, only hint at really, about the racism that occurs.  Here is one part of a poem titled "A Quartet of Geeks: "We have to go to to schools in town: our teachers' First Negroes (thought I doubt they pronounce the word that way)". Her father is one of the first, and at the time, still few, African American Air Force officers. Her fun-loving adventures includes words about Sputnik, playing horses, and the movement of a stuffed animal. The story poems move us as life was moving Marilyn.

Whew-Celebrating Ending The Week Back - Plus Poetry

Celebrating Each Saturday with Ruth Ayres at Discover Play Build, and a wonderful group who joins in too. Tweet at #CelebrateLu

created by Leigh Anne Eck
at A Day In The Life 

        April is a blessing, spring pops out all over and it's poetry month. My goal is to write haiku and haiku-related poetry this month. Focus on the out of doors and on word choice is both a challenge and fun.  I'm also celebrating that some of us also are supporting each other, sharing on twitter with the hashtag #DigiPoetry, created by Margaret Simon, of Reflections on The Teche. Find the many Poetry Month offerings rounded up by Jama Rattigan at Jama's Alphabet Soup. If you want to see some lovely poetry, go to Jama's post to see everyone's plans.

10)

springtime clouds,

rainy gift not opened -

pretend play

Linda Baie © All Rights Reserved

        The week back was a whirlwind, starting on Monday with a day trip downtown. Our long overnight trip to DC and the Chesapeake Bay area happens the first of May, so we first gave students a chance to go off in groups alone to meet a specific challenge, eat lunch together, and then return for our second part of the day. They did wonderfully, captured some good parts in their field journals, seemed to have a good time in groups and were all back in time. We give them lots of independent time on our trips, so this was a good practice.
         One of my former parents is the director of our ACLU here in Colorado, so we spent the afternoon discovering what the ACLU does in terms of supporting all people's rights, and particularly students under 18. It was a terrific experience.
         The rest of the week was a whirlwind, back into the swing of school, more poetry and prose groups, skill groups re-forming, and new book groups beginning. I celebrate that students jumped right in, probably wishing in the morning that they could sleep in a little longer, but excited that so much is going on in these final seven weeks of school. Yikes, seven weeks! Here we go!

         Fridays are always delightful with Ingrid coming home with me, books and pasta and games-nothing better!
         
          Yesterday was my mother's birthday; I thought about her all the day. I celebrate that I was lucky enough to have such a sweet and loving mother whom I miss still.