Time for the weekly Slice of Life at the Two Writing Teachers blog. Tweet at #SOL14 Thanks Stacey, Tara, Dana, Beth, Anna and Betsy!I love flowers, and until I can cut some of my own, I purchase them at my grocery. I always hope they last a long time, not just because of the expense, but also because I learn to love them a little when they are with me every day. It's slightly different with the plants, I talk to them, and am convinced they hear me. Those I like best (yes, there are favorites) thrive better than the others, although I really do not neglect any.
It is still poetry month, the next to last day, and I promised I would do something poetic every single day, and I have reviewed poetry books, written poems, shared those by others, etc. Tomorrow I'll link up and end the month with Betsy Hubbard for Chalkabration! Don't forget!
In the class in which I'm working, we're writing a bit of poetry, and tomorrow the teacher will share William Carlos Williams "This Is Just To Say", and other apology poems from Gail Carson Levine's Forgive Me, I Meant To Do It: False Apology Poems. It will be a lesson that gives everyone a chance to write free-verse for fun. You may think I'm changing topics willy-nilly, but I am not. Here is an apology poem and a couple of pictures. You'll see how they connect. Have a great rest of the week everyone!
Forgive me
chrysanthemums.
Your lavender beauty
filled me with pleasure
these past grey days.
I wish to keep you longer,
but your strength of stem
is waning.
I’m sorry that
you can no longer hold
your heads up high.
Forgive me.
Into the trash
I toss you with a sigh
Goodbye.
Linda Baie ©all rights
reserved
Love, love this! . My students and I am finding apologies everywhere. One even found the poem in the Sisters Club book! Who'd a thought! So sad this month has come to an end. I didn't do enough poetry, but more than before!!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Julieanne. I love that you did so much! And you've started with Poetry Friday too. I know the students will love doing them, too.
DeleteI love apology poems! Well, the funny ones. Your poem is perfect! It reminds me that I should cut some tulips and bring them in to enjoy as long as they last! I also need to remember to read the Progressive Poem today!
ReplyDeleteThanks Jaana, yes, Progressive Poem, next to last day!
DeleteIsn't that moment of decision sad? To toss or not to toss...yet!
ReplyDeleteIt was an easy choice today for the poem, at least. I cut stems, weed some out, etc. to save what I can. Thanks, Tara.
DeleteLove this! The false apology format is one my students love to use. Loved yours, especially the line, "you can no longer hold your heads up high." :)
ReplyDeleteI hope I can post some of the students' work next week. Glad to hear your students like doing them, too.
DeleteYou are amazing!
ReplyDeleteI wish to keep you longer,
but your strength of stem
is waning.
I’m sorry that
you can no longer hold
your heads up high.
I'm looking at Tuvia's latest batch of yellow flowers in the vase and they could join yours. I'm wondering what he will bring home to fill the vase for this next week but first I need to be more thoughtful of the dying.
Thanks Bonnie-sometimes I think I anthropomorphize too much, but still, it is who I am! This was very fun to write!
DeleteI love apology poems too. They are so tongue in cheek. William Carlos William was such a genius! To all things there is an end, and when you can no longer hold up your head, it is time to go. Sounds cruel, but necessary. :-)
ReplyDeleteLove that 'cruel, but necessary', Elsie. Ha! Thank you for the practical side!
ReplyDeleteMy wife always apologized to the cut flowers as well when it is time to throw them away. The fresh scent they give to a room just can't be matched by any room air freshener.
ReplyDeleteOh I love hearing about someone else who thinks of saying goodbye. And yes, the scent is wonderful.
DeletePoems of apology are fun to write, aren't they? I love yours, Linda, especially those final lines! I'm so reluctant to toss wilted stems that I'm often forced to when the petals start dropping on the counter!
ReplyDeleteThanks Catherine. Yes, I often wait until there's a mess of petals at the bottom of the vase. This was fun to write!
DeleteThis is great Linda! I enjoy flowers too but I never think to buy them for myself. I guess I should work on that! I know that feeling though of having to toss them out. I always seem to wait a little too long to toss my flowers out though and they don't look as pretty as yours did in the trash. :) I think you captured this feeling in a fun way with the apology poem.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Robin, & yes, buy some for yourself once in a while-nice to have for you and the whole family.
DeleteAw, poor chrysanthemums! I enjoy hearing about your love of flowers and plants. Have you read Ida B.? Your apology poem is priceless - love the contrast of photos. It really does make me feel sorry for them! ;-)
ReplyDeleteI have Ida B., have still not read it. You've made me curious, Holly! Happy you like the poem!
DeleteLove this poem Linda. That's exactly how I feel with my flowers. My husband gets me roses or carnations every couple of weeks and I hate to see them die. But I love them while they are there.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Beverley. It's fun to see how many have the same feelings.
Delete