Welcome to Poetry Friday, this week hosted by Susan HERE at her blog Chicken Spaghetti. Thank you for hosting, Susan!
This week I will share a photo I took one evening this summer of a perfect half moon. The moon is very big, with a diameter of 2,159.2 miles, about 1/4 the size of Earth. But it is 238,855 away from our Earth and so it looks very small as I gaze up at it from my driveway.
Half-moon suspended held in view by gravity half lit, half hidden
I would not consider the moon a small thing, just a large object that happens to be far away.
Recently an on-line magazine was looking for poems about small things. So I thought about things much much smaller than the moon, things that I encounter here on earth. I wrote a poem and sent it. My poem wasn’t chosen, it’s short and straight forward. I revised it some and will share it here.
SMALL THINGS
A seedling in a forest, a raindrop in a lake, a firefly in the night, snow, a single flake.
The little bird that chatters every stone, or flower or bee.
On Earth all small things matter so we protect them, you and me.
Jone’s gift delighted me. It just so happens that here in upstate New York, today two of my last cornflowers were screaming for attention in my small garden.
So here’s a poem for Jone:
LATE AUGUST BLOOMS (In response to Jone Macculloch's coneflowers)
WELCOME TO POETRY FRIDAY! Today I have the honor of hosting on this mid-August day.
What is Poetry Friday? Find out HERE, on Poet Renee LaTulippe’s website. In short, it’s a bevy of children’s book lovers, poets, teachers, librarians, and artists who share their blogs every week. What’s on my mind today? This book:
As I was roaming the children’s poetry shelf at my local bookstore this week, I discovered Nikki Grimes’ 2023 picture book A WALK IN THE WOODS, Illustrated by Jerry Pinkney and his son, Brian Pinkney. The back story, how this book came to be, is told eloquently in the back matter..
Briefly, Nikki Grimes, and a longtime friend of artist Jerry Pinkney, began a picture book together several years ago. The work to illustrate Grimes’ story was sadly interrupted by Jerry Pinkney’s death.
Fortunately, the artwork was continued by his son Brian Pinkney and also his niece Charnel Pinkney Barlow. It’s a story about a young man’s experience of loss after his Dad. What is it like for him to lose his father and what will be his path forward?
The poems and art are uplifting, hopeful, never too sentimental. Given the losses so many young people have experienced during the pandemic and through gun violence it’s fair to say that many are still grieving along with their families and will for a long time.
A WALK IN THE WOODS begins with this picture and text:
There is never an answer to such a question, but this young man’s father does answer him. He has left him a map of their beloved woods nearby, a place they both loved, with a red X marking a treasure waiting for him. Dad also leaves a key to the treasure.
So the young man is sent on a journey and he heads to the wood. What is this treasure? The reader wonders as we begin our walk in the woods.
Just being in nature is itself a comfort. Grimes writes:
The soft song of a Carolina Wren settles me as I sidestep fallen limbs, keep and eye peeled for rabbits, and survey a stairway of mushrooms sprouting from the trunk of a tree, and with each step, the hurt inside my heart pounds less and less.
Yes, nature has that affect on people. On the way into the woods, the boy encounters woodland creatures, beautifully illustrated: a rabbit, an eagle, a brood of grouse in a nest. Eventually he arrives at his destination: a treasure box. He opens it.
Inside the box are treasures Dad left behind for him are his sketches and poems from when he was a young man, here’s one:
Garter Snake
Quick! Someone's coming to gather the sun-beaten diamonds along your coiled, cold-blooded body. I wonder how much those diamonds are worth? HURRY! Slither behind those rocks leading into the woods. I'll see you again, tomorrow.
Here’s another gorgeous page:
North East Red Fox
An earth of foxes is given chase. Young Red Fox races the wind. His cousins fall far behind. What becomes of them? Once safe, he pauses and dares look back. Too late?
On one page a Great Horned Owl looks out at us and on another, a deer, with Dad’s accompanying poems.
In the end, Dad has left an encouraging note and permission for the boy to write his own story, live his own life, which we all must do, after a loss:
I leave you these drawings, these scribbles, and mostly, this forest-- the true treasure. Finish my stories or not, but this last page is for you, Son. Draw and write your own story. I'll always be watching.
This is a beautiful book and it made me think of losses in my life. After reading this picture book, I wrote a simple and short poem about my mother who has been gone for more than a few years, though she lived a long life. Though I was older than the main character in Grimes’ story, like the boy in the book, I see Mom’s eyes in my own eyes when I look in the mirror.
I have always found it hard to write about loss of a loved one. When writing about such things, it helps to have some distance.
To My Mom
I know you are gone no need to be told but you often feel near to imagine, to hold.
When I look in the mirror I look in your eyes I'm used to it now you're my Mom, no surprise.
My voice is like yours so I have been told so much of me seems directly bestowed.
Still I am myself, as I miss you so much, and will never forget your care and your touch.
Welcome to Poetry Friday, this week hosted by Molly at Nix the Comfort Zone HERE. This week she is sharing some thoughts about joy and creativity. Thank you, Molly, for hosting.
I participated in the Poetry Friday New Years and summer swaps this year. A couple of the gifts I received I never shared and would like others to enjoy them.
For the New Year, I received a card with a photo from Margaret Simon. The photo and I love the words “grace” and “wisdom” in this elfchen poetry form.
GRACE BELONGS HERE TELLING ME HOW GOOD I AM NOW *** WISDOM
Another postcard I received last winter in the poetry swap was from Denise Krebs. I love her very cool, whimsical art work!
by Denise Krebs
Then earlier this week Denise sent me a summer swap full of treasures. Denise took the haiku and accompanying photos from my blog and made small bouquet of signs out of them! I was so touched by it as well as the poem she wrote to go with them.
My bouquet of haiku made by Denise.
Haiku Bouquet A Triolet for Janice Scully After her "Peony Bouquet"
Sing of beautiful photos with words, words of poetry--bouquet of haiku to reimagine flowers and birds. Sing of beautiful photos with words of history, life, and more--herds of topics in poetry month gift--time to sing of beautiful photos with words, words of poetry--bouquet of haiku.
I wrote a triolet to celebrate using a word I don’t usually use, to try it out. Some readers may think it’s an exaggeration but that then again, they might not.
AN EBULLIENT TRANSITION
Surprising indeed how tall they grow, in summertime ebullition! Red and pink in such a show, Surprising indeed how tall they grow. When they will stop, I don't quite know, this sparse to full transition. Surprising indeed how tall they grow, in summertime ebullition!
Good luck to all the teachers and librarians returning to school. I always loved the first day of school as a child; it’s an exciting time and I hope the new year goes well.
Next week I will be hosting Poetry Friday. See you then! Thank you, Molly for hosting today.
Welcome to Poetry Friday, this week hosted by Tracey Kiff-Judson Here. Thank you, Tracey for hosting! Make sure to pay Tracey’s blog a visit to see what she is sharing this week.
Yesterday, as I was at a coffee shop musing over what to share this week, and also recovering from reading the ongoing news of world events, my friend Catherine showed up with a bouquet of peonies for me. I was thrilled and grateful for her generosity and friendship.
Here they sit on my porch.
PEONY BOUQUET
My friend gave me flowers she was thinking of me in early afternoon hours. My friend gave me flowers from her backyard bower, (Also one stubborn ant--but no bees.) My friend gave me flowers, she was thinking of me.
Many poems are inspired by nature. Sarojini Baidu, was an Indian woman activist and poet (1879-1949). I might have learned of her from a Poetry Friday post, though I don’t recall who introduced me to her poem, JUNE SUNSET. The poem celebrates nature through images that seem so fresh. Here is the first stanza:
JUNE SUNSET by Sarojini Baidu
Here shall my heart find its haven of calm, By rush-fringed rivers and rain-fed streams That glimmer thro’ meadows of lily and palm. Here shall my soul find its true repose Under a sunset sky of dreams Diaphanous, amber and rose. The air is aglow with the glint and whirl Of swift wild wings in their homeward flight, Sapphire, emerald, topaz, and pearl. Afloat in the evening light.
Such amazing words: Rush-fringed rivers, meadows of Lily and palm, dreams, diaphanous, amber, rose, sapphire, emerald, topaz, pearl.
The first line inspired this golden shovel poem.
IN BLOSSOMING NATURE, A golden shovel poem “HERE SHALL MY HEART FIND ITS HAVEN OF CALM” Sarojini Naidu
In blossoming nature—here you shall, I hope, understand where my wintering heart awakes. In May, we find Peonies and roses. Spring! It’s a pop-up world, a haven, of petals white and pink, full of new but ancient calm.
What is Poetry Friday? It’s a group of bloggers who write about poetry and share their work. Find out more about Poetry Friday Here.
This week, thrilled by the warm weather, I finally bought a few impatiens and planted them in pots. Due to the local deer population, I’ve curtailed my gardening ambitions, restricted my flowers to the porch. These healthy plants look small, but with time they will fill the pot.
GARDENER'S QUESTION
humble impatiens-- should I count buds everyday? or be more patient?
But let’s get to the heart of my post. Two weeks ago this book appeared at my door, my awaited copy of a new anthology of poetry for students by Carol Labuzzetta. There is already a buzz on Poetry Friday about this book. Available on Amazon, it is full of nature photos and poems inspired by them. Carol did a wonderful job showcasing each poet’s work. I have no favorites but will share one of my poems and two others from the book, all about animals that will interest kids.
Thank you Carol for your careful editing as you put this book together. Below are three photos and poems inspired by them.
I took this photo in Santa Cruz, California:
AN AFTERNOON NAP by Janice Scully
What a comfy pillow comrades make,
when my belly is full of squid and hake.
Snoozing on this slippery bed,
with clouds and seagulls overhead.
NOISY GUESTS By Sally Murphy
What's that ruckus in my yard? A feathered trio laughing hard.
What's that rumpus I can hear? They're carolling that rain is near.
What's that riot on my fence? Kookaburras making sense!
I love that kookaburras are “making sense.” Animals are sensible and do things that help themselves as a species survive. Here’s a poem and photo by Carol Labuzzetta
LEOPARD FROG by Carol Labuzetta
Mossy leopard frog
Hiding near the water's edge
So still and quiet
Until footsteps approach you
Jump! Splash! Off you go to swim!
I was reminded when I used to walk next to a nearby stream just after a rainstorm. Hearing my footsteps, frogs would jump from the soggy water’s edge and hide in the stream with a plunk, plunk, plunk.
I hope everyone is finding time to be outdoors now that spring is here. If you have a blog to share, add your URL below.
Welcome to Poetry Friday, this week hosted by the talented artist Michelle Kogan, HERE. Thank you, Michelle for hosting!
What is Poetry Friday? It’s a group of bloggers who love poetry and like to share their thoughts and their work with others. Learn more about Poetry Friday HERE.
I learn something every week from this very smart group of teachers, librarians, poets and visual artists. This week I’ve written several poems called “Definitos” that I discovered on Mary Lee Hahn’s blog: A(nother) Year of Reading. You can find the definition and a fine example of a definito.
What is a definito? According to Mary Lee:
A Definito is ” a free verse poem of 8-12 lines (aimed at readers 8-12 years old) that highlights wordplay as it demonstrates the meaning of a less common word, which always ends the poem.”
I was up for learning new words to write a poem about, so I found this book on my shelf:
Who doesn’t want to sound smart? I wrote a few definitos:
WALL FLOWER
He avoids noise is as shy as can be
the world can be rough, like a roiling sea.
When people are mean, he dives under a bed
hidden from sight till it is peaceful instead.
Have you known a cat so PUSILLANIMOUS?
A shy, pusillanimous cat
DOES IT MATTER?
An apple in a bushel, A drop of water in the sea, hardly of significance, and no account to me.
So small I’d never miss it if indeed it wasn’t there--
so in the scale of what’s important, it is NOMINAL.
UNCERTAIN
When a strong rocky ledge shows its c r u m b l I n g edge,
When you lie in your bed and hear mice overhead
When you think the Earth’s flat and someone's questioning that,
The world can feel oh so PRECARIOUS.
Using a word in a poem seems an excellent way to actually feel and retain its definition. Pusillanimous will be with me for a while.
Next week, 5/31, I will be hosting and sharing work from Carol Lazuzzetta’s new poetry anthology, PICTURE PERFECT POETRY: An Anthology of Ekphrastic Nature Poetry for Students. See you then!
Welcome to Poetry Friday, this week hosted by poet Patricia Franz, Here. Thanks for hosting, Patricia! Make sure to check out what she has for us this week.
While I was at the Jamesville DeWitt Public Library near my home, this 2024 book for young people caught my eye. I love non-fiction for high-school age kids and this book does not disappoint. WITCH HUNT, was written by Andrea Balis and Elizabeth Levy.
If you sometimes think that we live in political times that are unique, you are right. However, the United States has survived through other times when human rights, such as the right to free speech, and our democracy, was threatened. During the early 1950’s, during the “Red Scare,” Republican Senator Joseph McCarthy held his famous senate hearings and challenged the freedom of speech of many Americans.
In the center of the story is Republican Senator McCarthy who was supposedly a large imposing, heavy drinking, seemingly powerful man. He kept lists of people suspected of being Communists and stirred up tremendous fear, for instance that the State Department was run by communists, which was false.
McCARTHY: I have here in my hand a list of 205---a list of names that were made known to the Secretary of State as being members of the Communist Party and who nevertheless less are still working and shaping policy in the State Department.
The story is put together by a “FLY ON THE WALL” narrator along with the use of quotes from all sorts of government officials to tell the story. For Example:
SAM RUSHAY, ARCHIVIST AT THE TRUMAN LIBRARY: President Truman was blamed for the communist victory in China.
FLY ON THE WALL: In advance of the midterm elections of 1950, the Republicans saw a way to use the growing fear that an international communist revolution would sweep the world and drown American democracy and freedom in its wake.
REPUBLICAN STATEMENT OF PRINCIPLES AND OBJECTIVES: We deplore the dangerous degree to which Communists and their fellow travelers have been employed in important Government posts...We denounce the soft attitude of this Administration toward Government employees and officials who hold or support Communist attitudes.
Joseph McCarthy used the Senate hearings to accuse Americans in government and in Hollywood of being communists who were seeking to destroy the country. McCarthy ruined lives and careers of countless talented and loyal Americans.
You will read in this book about Roy Cohn, a ruthless, relentless lawyer, well- versed in cruelly and falsely defaming his enemies. He who worked alongside McCarthy as they ruined lives. Recognize the name? He was a mentor and inspiration to our 45th president and then, tragically for him, Roy Cohn eventually died of AIDS. You can’t make this stuff up.
The details in this book are fascinating to anyone interested in history. Where does the title Witch Hunt come from? Here’s a quote from the book about the ordeal of dunking those accused of being witches:
VEENA PATEL, HISTORIAN:The ordeal of the swimming test originated as an old Germanic rite and . . . usually involved the tying of a suspect's wrists to their ankles and then throwing the individual into a body of water ...If the suspect sank, they were presumed innocent and hauled up . . . Should they float, however, this was taken as confirmation of their alliance with the Devil.
McCarthy in the end was discredited and in 1957, a few short years after his famous hearings, he died of alcoholic liver disease.
McCarthy was riding high for several years in the early fifties. But nothing good comes in the end to tyrannical leaders who, for a time, seem like kings. Other examples? Hitler killed himself as the Americans closed in and Mussolini was executed while attempting to flee in 1945, by Italian partisans.
A little history helps you to connect what went before to what is happening today, to understand it better.
Thank you, Patricia, for hosting! Have a great weekend.
Welcome to Poetry Friday, this week hosted by children’s author and awesome nature photographer Buffy Silverman Here. Thank you, Buffy, for hosting!
I was a little sad to end my National Poetry Month daily haiku project. It was fun sharing my photos and haiku on Facebook and it was indeed a hodgepodge of subjects. Here are the last few.
SPRING COLOR
Have you seen the trees? Overnight, long gray branches speckled green with leaves!
CONTRAILS OVER SYRACUSE
Morning passengers criss-cross the cool morning sky-- for lunch in New York?
JANUARY 2017
March on Washington-- women looked to the future and saw the present
AFTER "FOG" BY CARL SANDBURG
"On little cat feet" gray fog settled in; slept the whole morning.
Thank you all so much for reading and commenting this month.
Poetry encourages us to look at the world through different glasses. My husband and I found these glasses below at the De Young Museum in San Francisco. They made the world look like multi-faceted cut diamond.
Have a great weekend! Be sure to check in with our host, Buffy Silverman, Here.
Welcome to Poetry Friday! Ruth is hosting HERE. Thank you, Ruth for hosting.
We are at the end of National Poetry Month and I am sharing more of the haiku I have written each day and posted a first draft on Facebook. It has been a challenge, though a fun one. I’ve wracked my brain some mornings to find an interesting connection in each of these photos that might inspire a short poem.
The PROGRESSIVE POEM has taken interesting and evocative twists and turns. On 4/26 check out the newest lines by Karin Fisher-Golton Here .
SPECTRUM 1, 1953, ELLSWORTH KELLY
Juxtaposed color-- Is the first and last yellow the same or different?
COIT TOWER IN SAN FRANCISCO
Tourist attraction. Inside, murals depict hard times-- The Great Depression
IT'S BEEN DONE BEFORE
Charlie Chaplin shows: working from home and childcare is easily done.
PRINT OF SNOWFLAKE BENTLEY'S LIFE'S WORK
He photographed snow, each flake a tiny sculpture-- Quick! Before it melts!
Magritte's Masterpiece
L.A. Museum, an icon of modern art-- No smoking allowed!
SUNDIAL
A goose in April shows us with some certainty that noon approaches
Happy National Poetry Month! Thank you, Ruth, for hosting.
