From a True Story to a Bit of Advice

Just Getting Gas

Photo by Amy LV

Students - Today's small free verse poem grew from a real experience that I had this week, one that I keep thinking about. I simply wished to hold onto this bittersweet memory (so sad, but so many people stepped in to help) by shaping the minutes and hours of that day into a poem to keep. I realize now that it is a bit of an advice poem, offering advice to myself and possibly to readers.

Consider paying close attention to your own life this week, to the small lessons you learn when you listen to your heart. Where have you been? What have you seen and heard? How have you grown? How might you shape this all into a memory or memory-and-advice poem for yourself or others? 

Feel free to use the words You might....

Our lives and stories matter. When we write about them, we learn. And once in a while, we may even teach without even knowing it.

As you may remember, a few weeks ago I had the good fortune to write color poems with the third graders of Greenacres Elementary School Greenacres Elementary School in Scarsdale, NY. We are lucky that Teacher Amy Correnti and her students are generously sharing their crayon color poems with us today. Enjoy these poems, noticing how one hue can bring a person to a character, to a moment, to life!

Thank you, Poets, for sharing with us today. I know that many of us will look for colors and see them in new ways this week thanks to you.

Denise is hosting this week's Poetry Friday roundup over at Dare to Care with a sacred seven poem and information about some upcoming poetry happenings. Each Friday, all are invited to share poems, poem books, poetry ideas, and friendship in this open and welcoming poetry community.

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If you are under 13 years old, please only comment 

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Peace

Sky and Field

Photo by Amy LV

Students - Sometimes a person can have a busy week and yet still have one important word in the background of everything. This afternoon I took a walk with our dogs Cali and Sage around the pasture, and it sounded like the big spruce trees were whispering, Peace. Peace. As I looked at and listened to those trees, I imagined the oceans making the same plea.

It is important to pay attention to the thoughts that return to you. If a word or idea returns to you again and again, it may be asking you to write or make music or art about it. Listen to those thoughts -- they know.

You might wish to try taking a walk outside to get your writing started. Close your eyes and listen to your imagination. Imagine what the nature may be saying to you.

If you'd like, feel free to experiment with a two stanza poem like the one I share here. You might even choose to begin one stanza with the word outside and one stanza with the word inside.

Consider writing a poem focused around just one word. As you write and revise, experiment with repeating it in different ways.

Kat is hosting today's Poetry Friday roundup at Kathryn Apel with a celebration of the release of her new verse novel, WHAT SNAIL KNOWS which I am very excited to read!  Please know that all are welcome each Friday as folks share poems, poem books, poetry ideas, and friendship.

Peace.

xo,

Amy

Please share a comment below if you wish. 

If you are under 13 years old, please only comment with a parent

or as part of a group with your teacher and class.

Remember Imagination

Happy 2022 to You!

Snug Mug

Drawing by Amy LV

Students - Today's poem is a true memory poem. When I was in upper elementary school, our classrooms were very cold. And so my friends and I did exactly what this poem describes - we pretended to drink hot cocoa...and we really did feel warmer inside. Looking back, I think it was because we were together and we were using our imaginations to help our bodies.

It has been many years since I have remembered these moments, perhaps thinking of them now because my 2022 happy goal is to drink more real hot chocolate. In fact, I am drinking hot chocolate right now!

This Morning's Drink

Photo by Amy LV

A writer like you or me can turn any true memory into a free verse poem. By adding a few more words and taking out the line breaks, I could have written this as a story. But with fewer words and line breaks, it is a poem. 

If you are seeking a writing idea, I suggest you try beginning with the two words I remember... I recommend this sometimes and sometimes turn to this strategy myself. Sometimes memories are waiting to be called up.

Also, imagination. When have you pretended something in your life? The world of pretend is a world full of writing ideas!

It is a new year, and this means that Sylvia Vardell is sharing her annual "Sneak Peek" list of children's poetry collections and anthologies, poem picture books and novels in verse to be published this year. Find all of the goodness at Poetry for Children, a treasure box of poetry and poetry resources. I am so happy to share that I have a book on this list together with illustrator Emma Virján - our IF THIS BIRD HAD POCKETS: A POEM IN YOUR POCKET DAY CELEBRATION - will be out on March 1, 2022.

Learn more at Wordsong, Astra Publishing House

Carol is hosting today's Poetry Friday roundup at Beyond Literacy Link, sharing her "One Little Word" for this year along with a winter poem to go right along with it. Please know that all are welcome each Friday as folks share poems, poem books, poetry ideas, and friendship.

I am grateful to be starting a new year with you and with a so many days of poetry possibility stretched out before us. Stay warm, dear friends, in your body and in your imagination too.

xo,

Amy

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If you are under 13 years old, please comment only with a parent 

or as part of a group with your teacher and class.

Poem for a Good Human

Graduate and Good Human

Photo by Amy LV

Students - Happy graduation to so many of you! And happy graduation to our son Henry who graduates from both high school and community college this week. This poem is dedicated to him. If you admire someone you can always write a poem for this person as a tribute. Doing so helps us appreciate those we care for, and too, the poems can be sweet gifts.

Usually I write more here about Friday poems, but during this time (through Mid-June 2020), I am instead sharing weekday writing videos for students and teachers at Keeping a Notebook and will crosspost here on Fridays.

Carol is hosting today's Poetry Friday roundup over at Beyond Literacy Link with a sneak peek at her lovely Nature Nurtures 2020 Gallery. As for Poetry Friday, we invite everybody to join in each Friday as we share poems, poem books, poetry ideas, and friendship. Check out my left sidebar to learn where to find this poetry goodness each week of the year.

Please share a comment below if you wish.day 

If you are under 13 years old, please comment only with a parent 

or as part of a group with your teacher and class.