May you find a surprising truth (or poem or treasure or teeny secret) this week. What is true for you?
xo,
Amy
May you find a surprising truth (or poem or treasure or teeny secret) this week. What is true for you?
xo,
Amy
Students - I woke up very early this morning with some words in my mind:
Late last night - I walked outside - and stars fell from the sky.
I didn't get out of bed right away. Instead I stayed and thought for just a couple of extra minutes, repeating these words, asking myself, "What might the next line be?" Soon I turned on the light, snapped up my notebook, and began drafting the messy lines you see below.
I feel very lucky to have spent most of this week visiting schools and working with teachers in the Wyckoff School District in Wyckoff, New Jersey. Thank you to the teachers and students of Washington School, Coolidge School, and Lincoln School for so warmly inviting me into your classrooms. I can't wait to visit Sicomac School and to return to you all in February!
Marcie is hosting this week's Poetry Friday roundup at Marcie Flinchum Atkins with some recommendations of books to go with her WAIT, REST, PAUSE: DORMANCY IN NATURE. (I am unable to link to this post yet, but will as soon as it is available.) Please know that all are welcome each Friday as folks share poems, poem books, poetry ideas, and friendship.
Remember: a memory may be real....or it may be real in spirit.
xo,
Amy
Susan is hosting this week's Poetry Friday roundup at Chicken Spaghetti. (I am unable to link to this post yet, but will as soon as it is available.) Please know that all are welcome each Friday as folks share poems, poem books, poetry ideas, and friendship.
May nature offer your a surprise gift this week.
xo,
Amy
Catherine is hosting this week's Poetry Friday roundup at Reading to the Core with a poem about change and the story of how it came to be. Please know that all are welcome each Friday as folks share poems, poem books, poetry ideas, and friendship.
May Damar Hamlin continue to get well, and may we all learn from the examples of great leaders.
xo,
Amy
Karen is hosting this week's Poetry Friday roundup at Karen Edmisten with wonderful poem titled "Be Kind" by Michael Blumenthal. Please know that all are welcome each Friday as folks share poems, poem books, poetry ideas, and friendship.
xo,
Amy
"After nourishment, shelter, and companionship, stories are what we most need in the world."
I read the quote and then imagined a real person living it, surviving a difficult time of darkness by the light of a remembered story. Stories and poems help me get through difficult times too, and even though they are not physically solid like rocks and candles are, they are solid to our spirits.
I had copied Pullman's quote into my notebook back in October, and then, when I wasn't sure what to write a poem about, I just read through my notebook looking for memories, words, ideas. His quote jumped right out at me.
This is only one of the many values I find in keeping a notebook, having a place to return to when you want to write but do not know where to start. Consider copying quotes into your own notebook, or looking for quotes in books for inspiration when you're not sure where to start. A quote can be like a candle too, illuminating the path as we start a new writing journey.
You may have noticed that today's poem (like last week's!) has a circular structure, beginning and ending with many of the same words. Try this with one of your drafts. Circles can bring a pleasing sense of form to words.
Michelle is hosting this week's Poetry Friday roundup at More Art for All with a cozy poem and artwork as well as bits from an interesting article she read. Please know that all are welcome each Friday as folks share poems, poem books, poetry ideas, and friendship.
xo,
Amy
Students - I have written about "Fluffy" (Winnie) and "Gray" (Tuck) here before, and some of you may remember the poem I wrote about Tuck being many different colors of gray.
Life is filled with all kinds of moments, and while loving Tuck was filled with joy...losing him has been filled with sadness. He was the most loving and wise boy, and the last day we saw him was October 8. Winnie got sick for a bit after he was gone, and while she is healthy now, she really misses him too. We have another good kitty named Fiona, but she is not interested in cat friends, so Winnie feels the loss of Tuck.
Catherine is hosting this week's Poetry Friday roundup at Reading to the Core with a neat poem which answers an unasked question - she left the question for readers to figure out...and I happily did. She and her poetry group The Inklings all tried this out, inspired by my poem Answer. I am honored and am looking forward to reading them all. Please know that all are welcome each Friday as folks share poems, poem books, poetry ideas, and friendship.
I wish for you a then-and-now full of joy this week. And too, a place to save and honor your own sadnesses.
xo,
Amy