Swinging HIGH
by Amy LV
Today's poem is an oldie. I found it in my files...and decided to dust it off and play with it a bit. I wrote this teeny verse in 2005, and you can see its original version below. For today, I decided to turn it into a concrete poem, to make it swing back and forth, just like a real swing. I also took out the word "the" in line 3.
Students - Summer is upon us, and many of you have folders and notebooks full of this year's stories and drafts, books and songs that you have written. You may think, "Oh, I'm done with that." But your mind may wish to circle back to those words someday. So save. Save your writing, and revisit it from time to time. Reread your old self and you may find some useful and favorite old snips. Just as my old towels become beds for kittens, sometimes my old poems become my new poems. Yours might too.
In case you missed Wednesday's post, I invite you to take a peek at the beautiful poems by Betsy Hubbard's kindergarten students along with her sharing of their process. These words will warm your soul.
Jama Rattigan is hosting today's Poetry Friday breakfast, lunch, and supper over at Jama's Alphabet Soup. Please visit her today to read the Poetry Friday menu, and bring her a hostess gift of your comment...
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Amy, you don't inspire only young poets, but old ones too. Love your ideas for writing and rewriting and journaling. What a great model!
ReplyDelete(And this poem is so much fun, plus true--even grandmas remember tickling the sky with their toes:)
Violet
So lovely, Amy! You perfectly captured the moment, and what a difference the absence of a "the" can make. :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun way to play with your poem. I just love this image and will probably jump on a swing with my students today at recess just to feel that tickle! And...Thank you again for your kind words and encouragement.
ReplyDeleteLove the new concrete version of your poem. Perfect capture of movement and joy. Can just feel my tiptoes tickling the sky. I also love your drawing of the little boy with glasses :).
ReplyDeleteI still love to swing! Very nice. I like the concrete version, too.
ReplyDeleteWhat a neat concrete poem!
ReplyDeleteand as my eye swoops from low lines to high i can hear the squeak of my old childhood playground swings filling in the rhythm.
ReplyDeleteneat-o!
Love this.Swings are a favorite and I still love them. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteFun! Your revision completely made this poem!
ReplyDeleteI used to think if I was strong enough, I could go all the way around at the swings. Obviously, your swinging poem touched everyone, still loving that idea of toes tickling the belly of the sky. Thanks Amy. I'm glad you found this & shared it now. Lovely.
ReplyDelete