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Friday, May 10, 2019

A Poem Can Be Short



Two Tulips in May
Photo by Amy LV




Students - Yes, this IS a short poem.  

The weather here in Western New York has at last turned to spring, so I have been enjoying watching the new life everywhere.  The other afternoon, as I got out of my car at home, I was struck by these two tulips.  Don't they look like they are yawning?  When I spotted them, this was my first thought.  I took a picture because I knew these yawns would not last long.

Of course, this sight and observation caused me to wonder, Why would tulips yawn?  I figured it might be because they are so beautiful...but then I imagined other words for beautiful, at last landing on stunning

Two lines only, but you find a question, a possible answer, some personfication, and a wee bit o' play with sound.

Watch your world.  Look at things and imagine them as other things.  Attach unlikely verbs to objects.  Play.  And know that your poems may be short.  Your poems need not rhyme.

This week I was lucky enough to write with the second graders of Dodge Elementary in Williamsville, NY, to talk writing with the Pre-K through seventh graders at DeSales Catholic School in Lockport, NY, and to Skype with three thoughtful classes of third graders in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.  Thank you, schools and teachers, for welcoming me!

Liz is hosting today's Poetry Friday roundup at Elizabeth Steinglass.  Visit her place to celebrate her forthcoming, fun, energetic book --  SOCCERVERSE: POEMS ABOUT SOCCER, illustrated by Edson Iké, and to read an early poem draft from this book as well as an abecedarian soccer poem. Of course, Liz has links to all poetry happenings around the Kidlitosphere this week...we do this each Friday, and all are welcome.  Congratulations, Liz!

Please share a comment below if you wish.

12 comments:

  1. Simply lovely, Amy! Happy Mother's Day!

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  2. Your poem made me smile, Amy. Thanks for sharing.

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  3. Happy Mother's Day, Amy! Our tulips have 'yawned' & sadly, gone to tulip heaven. The cold & snow was the end. Yes, poems can be short, but oh so breathtaking!

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  4. I think your yawning tulips are speaking, and I love the premise of your short poem–"Is it tiring to be so stunning?" It must be. Happy Mother's Day!

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  5. I enjoyed your song with Barry Lane and your tulips. Thanks for both of them.

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  6. Love image of them yawning. So simple, yet so very lovely.

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  7. I like your poem! So succinct! Happy Mother's Day.

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  8. I'm waiting for my iris (Mom's Iris, truth be told) to open and yawn and stick their tongues out!! (literally!!)

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  9. Short but sweet--those yawning tulips do make me wonder.

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  10. Beautiful photograph, Amy. I dream of visiting the tulip fields in Holland someday. Thanks for this post and the way you value little poems.

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  11. And alas, they are only around for a few days. We've had so much rain this spring that I've been snapping pix the minute anything opens, knowing it won't be around for long. I'm yawning with your yellow tulips! xx Christie @ https://wonderingandwondering.wordpress.com/

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