No Thank You
by Amy LV
Click the arrow to hear me read this poem to you.
Students -This poem grew from something I have noticed. Peer pressure affects all of us, and while young people often pressure each other in uncomfortable ways, sometimes grownups can be pushy in unkind ways too. (Here I am not speaking of the many healthy ways that parents require responsibility of their children or the necessity of teachers expecting students to do fine work; I am speaking of unkindness.) I wanted the speaker in my poem to hold fast to a belief (vegetarianism), even in the face of a grownup who is teasing in a not-so-nice way. I am not a vegetarian, but I admire all who stand up for their beliefs, and "Saying No" is a way for me to honor these people.
Today's poem is a free verse poem; it does not have a driving meter or rhyme. Rather, I wrote it in a conversational tone, as if the speaker is talking to a friend or to him/herself.
Today's poem is a free verse poem; it does not have a driving meter or rhyme. Rather, I wrote it in a conversational tone, as if the speaker is talking to a friend or to him/herself.
"Saying No" can be found in a new book, THE POETRY FRIDAY ANTHOLOGY FOR MIDDLE SCHOOL, released last Friday, March 1, 2013. For those of you who know about THE POETRY FRIDAY ANTHOLOGY...and for those of you who do not...the middle school edition is here! Launched last Friday, March 1, this book is full of poems and Take 5! suggestions of ways to explore each poem.
Sylvia Vardell and Janet Wong have done it again, and it is an honor to have two poems in this book - one about a first sports practice and the one I share here today. You can learn more about the book and enter for a chance to win a copy at the POETRY FRIDAY ANTHOLOGY FOR MIDDLE SCHOOL website.
Sylvia Vardell and Janet Wong have done it again, and it is an honor to have two poems in this book - one about a first sports practice and the one I share here today. You can learn more about the book and enter for a chance to win a copy at the POETRY FRIDAY ANTHOLOGY FOR MIDDLE SCHOOL website.
Available through Pomelo Books
In FOREST HAS A SONG (my book to be released in 22 days) news, illustrator Robbin Gourley, has generously shared development sketches for our girl character. I find her behind-the-scenes drawings and photos and sketches to be fascinating, and I hope you do too. You can see them here.
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It's good, Amy, a little surprise for those grinning, & then the end--oops!
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