Today's poem celebrates this new life that I felt so happy to see just because I happened to be at the right place at the right time. It is easy to walk around talking and thinking and stuck in our heads and to miss what is right around us. This weekend I promise myself that I will pay more attention to everything around me, jotting down what I notice. Would you like to join me?
If so, go outside to a parking lot or driveway or a grassy patch or woods or anywhere outside near you. Quiet yourself and look around. Find something that surprises you, and write or draw about it. If you are unable to go outside, close your eyes. Imagine being outdoors anywhere you wish. Look around in your imagination. What do you see? Hear? Feel? Taste? Smell?
Beauty hides everywhere. We can each be a beauty detective.
I was so lucky to spend the past two days with the students and teachers of Cayuga Heights Elementary School in Depew, NY. Thank you to Librarian Tonya Bulas who organized such a delightful visit with all kinds of book preparation beforehand. I will be sharing more of her work at my website and also look forward to hosting a couple of Cayuga Heights poets and teachers here at The Poem Farm in the near future.
Next week I look forward to working with the students and teachers of Brook Park Elementary School in Brook Park, Ohio, the students and teachers of Tioughnioga Riverside Academy in Whitney Point, NY, and the Binghamton Area Reading Council in Binghamton, NY.
Robyn is hosting this week's Poetry Friday roundup at Life on the Deckle Edge with love for mothers and a lovely haiku she wrote after her own son was born. Each Friday, all are invited to share poems, poem books, poetry ideas, and friendship in this open and welcoming poetry community.
xo,
Amy
It always feels amazing to me that those "mouths with legs" can survive. They mamas and papas are super parents. Thanks for the poem for and about them, and us, too, Amy! Your visit and their 'menu' looks as if they had a great time!
ReplyDeleteOh, you beautiful, birdwatching soul. Glad you had a wonderful school visit experience - lucky students! And - "Don't baby birds look like mouths with legs?" - YES! Ha. We've got some bluebirds nesting out back and I'm eager to see those babies. Thanks for reminding us all to notice the big and little things. xo
ReplyDeleteyes, paying attention. Linda showed us last week how to pay attention to the kindness all around us. I will love walking and looking for nature to surprise me with its everyday wonders.
ReplyDeleteOh, that baby bird is so precious. You are lucky to get t photo of it.
ReplyDeleteA "beauty detective." Sounds like the right job description for me!
ReplyDeleteGreat picture (and the poem to go it), Amy! I'm with you on noticing what's all around us. This morning I sat quietly on my back porch and listened to the squirrels pitter pattering back and forth on the roof. They always seem to be in such a hurry.
ReplyDeleteYou are very busy, Amy, and forgetting to be a beauty detective would be easy--but you keep on the job. Enjoy all the poetry energy overflowing from those schools. New link for WHISPERshout Magazine: https://bit.ly/WHISPERshoutMagazine-PoetrybyKids
ReplyDeleteMouths with legs indeed. :D Enjoyed your spring secret!
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