This week I have been fortunate to serve as Artist in Residence at Greenacres Elementary School in Scarsdale, NY. I had planned to write about crayon colors with the second grade students on Tuesday, and the evening before, I walked into my hotel only to find his broken crayon on the sidewalk in front of the door.
Broken Cerise Colored Crayon
Photo by Amy LV
Of course I picked it up. It was meant to be! I must write about this red color. My memory took me back to French class in high school where we learned that cerise means cherry in French.
Close-Up of Cerise
Photo by Amy LV
Students - If you were to ask me what I love most about writing, it is this element of surprise. We may think we have no ideas, but when we sit and work...the ideas will appear. We may think we are too tired to write, but when we sit and work...writing wil show up. We may think that all of the good ideas have already been taken, but when we sit and work...again and again...our brains will give us gifts. Our brains will surprise us. Where did this old lady come from? I am not sure. Perhaps from here:
Someone's Broken Crayon + High School French Class + My Tree Planting Husband = A Poem
As we think about finding ideas in new ways, today I am so happy to welcome Adela, a thoughtful poet from Karen Caine's sixth grade ELA class at Hommocks Middle School in Larchmont, NY. As her poem creates an enchanted sense of place, you may wish to close your eyes and have someone read it aloud to you.
Adela was able to find the idea for her magical moment-in-the-forest-poem by writing outside. She allowed an idea find her by placing her body in a new location. This week, consider trying what she has done, and write in a new place. In this new place, new ideas will find their way to you. Much gratitude to Adela for her generosity in sharing her poem with us today.
Michelle Kogan is hosting this week's Poetry Friday roundup over at Michelle Kogan along with a celebration of poems by poets with May birthdays...including herself. Happy birthday, Michelle! Each Friday, all are invited to share poems, poem books, poetry ideas, and friendship in this open and welcoming poetry community.
Thank you, Adela! Thank you, Greenacres! Thank you, Greenacres second grader who suggested a wonderful idea for a future poem! Thank you, Michelle! Friends, may you be found by ideas!
xo,
Amy
ps - Guess what I found on Thursday morning on the hotel sidewalk? Cerulean.
The Broken Cerulean Crayon Wants to be Next
Photo by Amy LV
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