Begin with "Somewhere a"

Solstice Sun Gingerbread Cookies

Photo by Amy LV

Students - Here where I live in Western New York, yesterday was our shortest day of the year - the Winter Solstice. My family celebrated with a few friends, many candles and a big bonfire, welcoming the return of the sun and thinking together about the new year ahead. Of course today I am thinking about animals, how they too may mark our longest night and this shift in light.

If you wish to take your brain on a little adventure, just write these words on the next page of your notebook:

Somewhere a

You might write it once and see what appears next. You might write it many times, each time completing the sentence with a surprise from your own heart. Then, if you wish, you might choose one of your Somewhere a ideas and let it offer you a poem.

You can learn a bit more about the Winter Solstice here at CBC Kids News.

Jone is hosting this week's Poetry Friday over at Jone Rush MacCulloch with a joyful solstice post. Each Friday, all are invited to share poems, poem books, poetry ideas, and friendship in this open and welcoming poetry community.

I wish you laughter, love, and light as we begin a new year together. See you again here on January 5, 2024!

xo,

Amy

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Sing Someone Else's Song

Our Blazing Hill

Photo by Amy LV

Some of you may remember my talented friend, musician and English professor Gart Westerhout from his music here last spring. Every once in a while, Gart turns one of my poems into a song, and he did so with this poem. Thank you to Gart who always finds the perfect voice for each of my poems.

Students - Our hill is exquisite this week! I have been drinking in the colors and bottling it up in my mind for the white and windy winter days ahead. Today's poem grew from me imagining a fox wishing to match its fur to autumn leaves...and this wish becoming true. Tossing and turning in bed last night, I got myself up and scribbled this poem in all of its messy glory. 

Scribbly Draft

Photo by Amy LV

Today I offer you a new writing idea. Write a song. It does not need to have a tune; it can be a poem in another's voice that feels songlike. You might choose an animal or a person or an object. Pretend to be this other and write in this other's voice. I did not intend to write a fox song, but the repetition of "I am Fox. I'm fire." made me think that this felt more song than poem. Try some repetition in your own song if that sounds interesting to you.

And go for it. Cross out like crazy. Let your poem lead you!

If you are looking for poems in others' voices, check out master poet Joyce Sidman's SONG OF THE WATER BOATMAN or my first book, FOREST HAS A SONG.

Matt is hosting this week's Poetry Friday roundup today at Radio, Rhythm and Rhyme with a celebration of his latest book. Each Friday, all are invited to share poems, poem books, poetry ideas, and friendship in this open and welcoming poetry community.

Wishing you song...and a friend like my orange Claude, who looks exactly like this now at 7:41 on this Friday morning.

Claude, a Sleepy Muse

Photo by Amy LV

xo,

Amy

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If you are under 13 years old, please only comment 

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Poem in Your Pocket Day 2019

Happy Poem in Your Pocket Day!

This is the third year that fabulous illustrator Emma Virjan and I have 

collaborated on a poem for this special day.  2019 brings foxes!

Art by Emma Virjan

(Click to Enlarge this Image)

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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.