by Amy LV
Students - This poem grew from a few words and an experience.
The Words - The other week, as I spoke to a group of kindergarten children in Buffalo, NY, I taught them the difference between a bluebird and a blue jay. A teacher in the room said, "Oh! Bluebirds are rare." And they are a bit rare. Our family feels lucky to have bluebirds in our pasture as they love nesting in the boxes my husband has mounted on a couple of fence posts. But bluebirds are, indeed, a little bit rare. This got me thinking about how important it is to appreciate things that are not rare...the daily things. Our daily birds.
The Experience - When I walked our dogs around the pasture the other day, a flash of blue darted from one of those fence post birdhouses. This always happens, and it is magical to see that flash of blue flitting above the grass. It is a moment I love living over and over again.
Sometimes words and experiences come together in a poem. And this poem is a list poem because it simply lists many birds (over and over!) and a concrete poem because the names of the birds are each written in a color from each bird. This was fun, something I have not much played with with writing. Years ago, I did this in a poem about playing solitaire, and that popped up again here. Color play.
Allow words and experience and play to come together in your poems. We are each at our best when we let sparks of joy and surprise peek through us!
If ever you're stuck as to what to write...you also might try beginning with the words, "I have taught myself...." and see where they take you. You don't have to keep those words in your poem, but they might bring you to an interesting set of thoughts.
Speaking of joy and words and thoughts...today I am superhappy to welcome Poet Ella Bender from Sheila Cocilovia's second grade at Jefferson Ave Elementary in Fairport, NY. Ella's poem is modeled after my Revision is..., and I am honored.
Here are Ella's words...and her poem:
When Amy came in and gave us the gift of her poem, Revision is..., we read it every day in class and it inspired me to write Spring is... I liked how it sort of rhymed and that it had repeating lines...The scary part was because in the spring, sometimes there are bees that chase you, and that can be scary!
The Words - The other week, as I spoke to a group of kindergarten children in Buffalo, NY, I taught them the difference between a bluebird and a blue jay. A teacher in the room said, "Oh! Bluebirds are rare." And they are a bit rare. Our family feels lucky to have bluebirds in our pasture as they love nesting in the boxes my husband has mounted on a couple of fence posts. But bluebirds are, indeed, a little bit rare. This got me thinking about how important it is to appreciate things that are not rare...the daily things. Our daily birds.
The Experience - When I walked our dogs around the pasture the other day, a flash of blue darted from one of those fence post birdhouses. This always happens, and it is magical to see that flash of blue flitting above the grass. It is a moment I love living over and over again.
Sometimes words and experiences come together in a poem. And this poem is a list poem because it simply lists many birds (over and over!) and a concrete poem because the names of the birds are each written in a color from each bird. This was fun, something I have not much played with with writing. Years ago, I did this in a poem about playing solitaire, and that popped up again here. Color play.
Allow words and experience and play to come together in your poems. We are each at our best when we let sparks of joy and surprise peek through us!
If ever you're stuck as to what to write...you also might try beginning with the words, "I have taught myself...." and see where they take you. You don't have to keep those words in your poem, but they might bring you to an interesting set of thoughts.
Speaking of joy and words and thoughts...today I am superhappy to welcome Poet Ella Bender from Sheila Cocilovia's second grade at Jefferson Ave Elementary in Fairport, NY. Ella's poem is modeled after my Revision is..., and I am honored.
Here are Ella's words...and her poem:
When Amy came in and gave us the gift of her poem, Revision is..., we read it every day in class and it inspired me to write Spring is... I liked how it sort of rhymed and that it had repeating lines...The scary part was because in the spring, sometimes there are bees that chase you, and that can be scary!
Click to Enlarge
Thank you, Ella, for sharing your spring celebration list poem with us here today!
Mrs. Wyman is the winner of last week's giveaway of Kwame Alexander's new book, OUT OF WONDER! Congratulations! (I will bring it to you when I see you next week!) If you missed last week's post, featuring young poet Ben, please do take a peek HERE to read his work.
Kiesha is hosting today's Poetry Friday roundup over at Whispers from the Ridge with a lovely book share and invitation to write. All are always welcome at these weekly gatherings of poetry and friendship.
Please share a comment below if you wish.
