April is #NPM18 - National Poetry Month.
~Leonard Cohen
It's Poetry Friday today, hosted by Amy Ludwig VanDerwater at her Poem Farm! Thanks, Amy!
As you might see in the comments, Amy and Clarion HMH have offered to send a copy of Amy's new book, With My Hands to a lucky commenter of this post! Hurrah for making things! Thanks for this, too, Amy!
Of interest: See the page on the bar above for the Progressive Poem's schedule of poets, hosted by Irene Latham at Live Your Poem. It's Irene's day this poetry Friday, and mine after. Yikes!
And, see what many are doing for Poetry Month, by looking HERE at Jama Rattigan's post at Jama's Alphabet Soup.
My goal for Poetry Month: A haiku diary that may include other forms related to haiku, like haibun, haiga. monoku or renga. I have enjoyed studying about and writing in these forms in past Aprils and alongside other's who've given a challenge in this form. And, I look forward to seeing what parts of this month I will choose to collect in a diary. My first poem speaks of why I am handwriting the poems.
April’s garden,
growing poems
on lined pages
Linda Baie
links:
Here is Poem Six
I know so well the impact of what children can learn in school. I imagine you readers know a few examples, too. Last week in our mountain condo, with several purchases made for some decor changes, Imogene, the youngest granddaughter, six, had some ideas for two of the boxes. Evidently, her teacher has been showing the class how to meditate and somewhere there also came the idea of massage. Imi got right to work, creating (making) a massage and meditation station. If you wanted a massage, and could manage to fit into the box, loving hands reached through that window to give a soft massage. The circles are for sitting quietly, meditating. The other side is for those who did NOT fit the box.
It's quite wonderful that Amy is our host today because I also want to connect Imi's box creation to celebrate Amy's new book, With My Hands: Poems About Making Things. More than once I have wished I was teaching again. My school's philosophy was built on a few concepts: making things, experiencing the outer world (nature and the authentic that happens outside the building), and choice. I am committed to those three things even for myself and am grateful for the joy of having two young granddaughters near and visiting often.
Amy defines what a maker is in the first poem, "Maker": he or she "is a tinkerer, a maker will explore./A maker creates/something new/that/never/was/before" and adds many poems about the wide varieties of making like painting, knitting, glitter pictures and creating with clay. Readers can use each page as inspiration OR read the poems and re-visit what is most loved and "make something". Will you make "Leaf Pictures" where the "leaves look like stained glass" or bake "Cookies" and "resemble/clouds of flour"? The poem forms vary from rhyme to free-verse, list and shape poems. I'm sure many will run for the needles and the yarn when they read "And as my fingers/twisty-twirl/each stitch into/a knit or purl." or will beg someone to teach them!
Lou Fancher and Steve Johnson MAKE their delightful multi-media illustrations from Amy's words and each becomes the "project" Amy describes. Take a close look at the title and you will want to open the book to see "wood projects and quilts and paintings and glue and scissors and. . .
Amy, too, is a maker but of poems, and this book is her sharing of what can be! Everyone should have a copy, old or young, in school or out. I believe Amy wants us all to MAKE something!
Happy Poetry, any way you can MAKE it!
Brava, Imogene! What lovely things for boxes to become! And you - always the nurturer of creativity. I haven't seen Amy's book in person yet and can't WAIT to get my HANDS on it! :0)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Robyn, Amy's book is a delight, and Imi's box creation gave her, and the rest of us, hours of smiles, feeling-good massages, and a bit of quiet, too.
DeleteLove your poem Linda! What a creative granddaughter you have! My daughter had plans for all the boxes that came into our house. Wonderful meditation center, the window for the hands to reach through is marvelous. Amy's "Hands" book looks enchanting too, thanks!
ReplyDeleteIt doesn't change, does it, the fascination with boxes. Thanks, Michelle.
DeleteI love this whole post! (I would definitely not fit in the box!!)
ReplyDeleteImi's Aunt was kind enough to try, but I understand, Mary Lee. It was hilarious that she thought most of us would fit.
DeleteThis post makes me so happy...and it did even before I got to the surprise of you sharing our new book! Thank you so much, Linda, for your kind words. I always think of how fortunate your granddaughters are to have such a wise grandma. I will sit on one of those circles, please. xxxx ps - If you would like to offer a giveaway of WITH MY HANDS to a commenter on the post, please feel free and Clarion/HMH will be happy to send a copy along! xxxx
ReplyDeleteWow, thank you, Amy, I will update the post and make your kind offer! It seemed to be beautiful serendipity that Imi created this and then your book arrived--loving both!
DeleteLove this post. Imi's box is wonderful. I love that she allowed a place for those who do not fit in the box too. Now I need a massage! Amy's book is such an inspiration for all ages. You are the best grandma -- instilling such joy and creativity. :) (No need to enter me in the giveaway.)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jama, this project was a joy to watch emerge and be, then Amy's book appeared!
DeleteOh, what fun, whether you fit in the box or not! I love the creativity!
ReplyDeleteThanks, JoAnn, children just know about things, don't they? We just need to sit back and enjoy it.
DeleteRequesting Amy's book from the library now. "/A maker creates/something new/that/never/was/before" I love what Imi created. I can't decide which to do first - meditation station or massage station?
ReplyDeleteCan you believe our library system doesn't have Amy's book. They need to remedy that!
DeleteI'm surprised, too. Your library usually has the latest ones. Can you request it?
DeleteThat sounds like my daughter! At the local grocery store, they have used boxes available for people to carry out their groceries, if they'd like, and my 4-yr-old invariably asks me if we can bring one home for her to play with. And my usual response is, why not??? :)
ReplyDeleteI'm not surprised, they're always fun! Thanks for telling me, Matt!
DeleteLinda, since I was always fascinated with creating "things" out of nothing much, I applaud Imi for her creativity. I know that you are always encouraging the grandgirls to explore and discover so showcasing Amy's new book is a great pairing with the fun that Imi is having "making". Talking about making, your poem series is a creative endeavor. Look what fun there is in making with hands!
ReplyDeleteThanks you very much, Carol. It is terrific to make things, myself or with others. I think it started with collecting my own stuff as a child.
DeleteHurrah for boxes. Love Imi's creation. I'm collecting boxes and cardboard tubes -- grandkids will be here in 5 weeks. Boxes, scissors, markers, lots of tape and they are so happy creating. I love that you are handwriting your haiku on a steno pad! There is something really special about text in the longhand of the author.
ReplyDeleteOh, Alice, I love that you're "collecting" already! It is nice to handwrite things, why I love the journals. Thanks!
DeleteArgh! My computer ate my comment.
ReplyDeleteI am looking forward to my grandbabies getting into these kinds of activities. Already, a paper towel, or wrapping paper roll, provides endless entertainment until they start to eat it.
Yes, all that kind of stuff is what teachers save, right? So I continue. I'm sure you'll have more fun as those babies grow, Cheriee! Thanks!
DeleteIt's so true that the packages make the best toys. When my boys were little I put them in the Pampers boxes, and they slid down the stairs in the boxes. So much fun!
ReplyDeleteYes, the stairs are another gem for play, and boxes for sliding too. Thanks, Glenda.
DeleteLinda, this is a beautiful, beautiful post. I'm feeling so special to have been able to read it. I love the relationship your grandchildren have with you. You and they are quite blessed to create and make together. Sign me up for some meditation and a massage. I'm on my way!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Linda, I'm sure Imi would love to accommodate your needs, tehe! It is now at her house, and I haven't asked her yet where she's keeping it. It was a lot of fun that day she completed it.
DeleteThis is wonderful, Linda! Amy's book is a treasure, and your haiku is exactly right. Just yesterday, as I carried a piece of cardboard to the recycling bin I wondered what creation it should become. Imi's massage/meditation station is exactly what I need!
ReplyDeleteA teacher's thoughts, ha! I wonder if we ever will stop saving fun things, Catherine? Thanks!
DeleteSo much to love in your post! I adore the backstory about the cardboard massage/meditation station and love how it sparked your haiku and then how you wove in your philosophy on teaching and Amy's delightful new book. Riches indeed!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Molly, it was a post to love for me, too.
DeleteWhat a wonderful creation made by your Imi! I enjoyed your hand-written poem and the connection you made to Amy's new book. Thanks for sharing that with us!
ReplyDeleteThanks for all, Kiesha. I hope you can find and enjoy Amy's book!
DeleteI remember the fun found in cardboard boxes--both from my childhood and my daughters. (I'm afraid I was ready to jump in the pile of boxes with her!) I'm glad Imogene had fun with hers! Hopefully, you got to enjoy some massage and meditation, too!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Kay. It was lots of fun with those boxes!
DeleteMy kids had so much fun with boxes (the bigger the better) when they were young. I love Imogene's massage station (and glad there's a place for those not fitting in the box!) I've enjoyed reading your haiku on Facebook this month, Linda. Nice to see in your hand.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Buffy. I think we all have memories of wonderful box creations. I remember a huge refrigerator box my husband brought home which brought many hours of fun to my kids. And, it's been fun to do the writing.
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