One of the projects is one that has been dear to Jone MacCulloch (Deo Writer) for several years, and I was a lucky recipient of one of the Poetry Project poems created by students at her school. Thanks to Michael C. for the lovely reminder of the beauty and mystery of snow leopards. Wouldn't it be awesome to really see one? Enlarge the picture to see that "tiny" leopard sketch.
Yesterday, today and tomorrow, big things are happening in the twitter and blogging world, a push to let the world know that we need more diversity in children's lit, #WeNeedDiverseBooks is the hashtag, and the information about it can be found at Gathering Books, from Myra who is passing it along from someone else, and then that someone from someone. The chain is growing... Because the latest theme on the Gathering Books blog is Rainbow Colors of Diversity, Voices of the Silenced, it's fun to highlight this from them.
And spring is very long in coming this year. We've had the usual early blooms but there is still a world of buds ready to open anytime. Maybe this next week; there are much warmer temperatures in our future! I've been contemplating all that's happening behind the scenes!
Behind The Scenes
From sunbeams
and water streams,
flowers grow.
Seed sends letter
communicating
the possibilities
of flower abilities.
No one knows
the bloom better.
Words meaning
roots thrusting,
petals opening,
then
showing
pistil, carpel
stamen, sepal.
Magic resumed.
Air perfumed.
©Linda Baie, all rights reserved
photo credit: monteregina via photopin cc
"Magic resumed. Air perfumed." Lovely poem, Linda. Great use of present participles to describe all the miraculous changes taking place this time of year. Love the overall upbeat tone and feeling of hope. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jama. I enjoyed imagining that the seed was commanding the rest of the plant.
ReplyDeleteMmm! Perfumed air. Lovely. I love your little snow leopard poem from Jone's student. A great project. I somehow missed the sign up this year. So many good things going on in the poetry community.
ReplyDeleteI have been hearing the news about diversity in books. My book Blessen is about a bi-racial child. I'm not sure how to jump in to the conversation, though. Ideas?
Thanks Margaret. You certainly could tweet about your book! Send a link!
DeleteLike that ending, Linda! The magic is back :-)
ReplyDeleteThanks Tabatha-it's supposed to be about 80 tomorrow-leaves are coming, flowers are too!
DeleteLove the ending, Linda. We'll have to savour Spring and its poems all the more for being short.
ReplyDeleteYes, we certainly will. Before long, it'll be summer weather! Thank you, Catherine!
DeleteThank you for sharing Michael's poem. I have been showing the classes the impact their postcards have made.
ReplyDeleteLove the line: roots thrusting.
Thanks Jone-I hope the student poets are happy. They brought just joyful surprises at the mailbox!
DeleteMmmm...I can smell the perfumed magic, Linda! I love the lines:
ReplyDelete"Seed sends letter
communicating
the possibilities
of flower abilities."
And their abilities are so magical. Great poem! = )
Thank you-finally we have flowering trees! I really do love the idea of all that magic in those tiny things!
DeleteThank you Ruth!
ReplyDeleteHi there Linda, your poem touched a core in me, as someone who steadfastly believes in the magic of words:
ReplyDelete"Words meaning
roots thrusting,
petals opening,
then showing
pistil, carpel
stamen, sepal.
Magic resumed."
Thank you also for sharing about our reading theme this month. I am actually pretty sad that we are concluding it today, but we're also pretty excited for our upcoming reading theme, which would also deal with diverse books :) Great to see the poetry postcard too!
Thanks Myra-the diverse books project has been terrific, and I hope it helped bring more attention! Your theme has been good, and of course, I'm looking forward to the next one! Happy Weekend!
DeleteSo much in this post. Michael's poem and illustration is perfect. Sorry to hear about this #diversebooks project so late. I saw something about it, but didn't focus on it. Problem w/ twitter sometimes. Thanks for spotlighting it. I'll look into it. AND beautiful poem and picture. Love your flowers.
ReplyDeleteHopefully the diversity challenge will continue its impact on everyone, Julieanne. How wonderful to see so many contribute. Thank you!
DeleteLOVE your poem!
ReplyDeleteThanks Mary Lee.
DeleteLovely, Linda! Your poem is spring distilled!
ReplyDeleteAnd thanks to Michael C. for reminding me that Snow Leopard isn't only a version of Mac software!
Violet N.
Oh Violet, I hadn't thought of the 'snow leopard' that way, funny. Yes, Michael did remind us of the beauty of the "real" animal. Thanks!
DeleteI love the energy and action of the poem, and then the simple, quiet conclusion - nicely done!
ReplyDeleteThanks Matt. I enjoyed writing it.
DeleteI love the "possibilities" your poem captures, Linda. I've been enjoying spring in Virginia the past few days while my son recuperates from knee surgery and hope that there are some signs of spring when I return to CT tomorrow!
ReplyDeleteThanks Catherine. I hope your son's surgery went well, and he's recuperating fast. Knee surgery does take some time! When going north, bet you will miss some spring that's already in Virginia. Hope your own home will be warming up soon!
DeleteLinda,
ReplyDeleteWhat a delightful poem! It's rhythm made it fun to read. I just loved the way the words danced through the possibilities.
Also, a big thank you for always keeping me informed. I have been trying to track the origin of #weneeddiversebooks. Off to follow your lead.
Cathy
Thanks Cathy. The first time I saw about #weneeddiversebooks was on Kate Messner's blog. She may have referred back. Grace Lin was also one of the early ones.
DeleteYour poem expresses the complexity of this beautifully stage-managed production we call Spring-- " the possibilities/of flower abilities"... precisely!
ReplyDeleteThank you Michelle. I'm happy you enjoyed the poem!
Delete