FYI - I visited Michelle at Today's Little Ditty on Thursday, with a poem about my granddaughter and school, written to Jane Yolen's challenge this month. Be sure to check Michelle's blog for all the poems she shares and on her new padlet that's collecting those written for the challenges.
And, I am so excited to attend the Highlights foundation workshop beginning Sunday with Georgia Heard and Rebecca Kai Dotlich. Wow! And there will be PF people there that I can now meet, or reconnect with: Robyn Hood Black, Buffy Silverman, Catherine Flynn, Linda Kulp Trout and Charles Waters. Others I've met at other workshops like Heidi Bee Roemer. It's going to be an amazing time. (I'm a little nervous!)
I discovered two poems by Naomi Shihab Nye that she read at the Dodge Poetry Festival in 2008. They feel even more poignant in this strange election year. The first is "Letters My Prez Is Not Sending" and the second is "Ted Kooser Is My President". They can both be found in Honeybee, Poems and Prose, all by Naomi Shihab Nye published in 2008. I've enjoyed this book for a while. Naomi shares small pieces of prose sewing together her usual thought-filled poems. Enjoy!
from "Letters My Prez Is Not Sending"
Dear Rafik, Sorry about that soccer game
you won't be attending since you now
have no . . .
Dear Fawziyz, You know, I have a mom too
so I can imagine what you . . .
from "Ted Kooser Is My President"
When I travel abroad, I will invoke
Ted'a poems at checkpoints:
yes, barns, yes, memory, gentility,
the quiet little wind among stones.
listen here:
Her poems sure pack a punch, Linda. And her voice brings a certain warmth and strength to the words. Heading across to read your words at Michelle's. Enjoy your poetry Highlights!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Kat. Of course I could read the poems in my book, but loved finding that I could hear her read them, too.
DeleteIt's been awhile since I've read Honeybee so this post is a real treat. As you said, these poems are particularly poignant this election year. I love Nye's work!
ReplyDeleteHave fun at the workshop. So cool to be able to meet other PF folks for the first time!
I've used this book so often in class, and these poems in past elections. I'm glad you know the book, too, Jama. It will be wonderful at the workshop. Thank you!
DeleteShe makes me want to elect Ted Kooser for something (although I guess she's already made him president!).
ReplyDeleteWouldn't it be nice, although I imagine Ted Kooser might have something to say back! Thanks, Tabatha.
DeletePowerful poems...a lot to ponder there. Thanks for sharing, Linda.
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome, Matt. It seemed time to share these.
DeleteThankyouthankyouthankyou for this, Linda. Naomi is my president. Much love to you on this Poetry Friday and during these odd times. Hug. xo
ReplyDeleteThank you too, love that Naomi is your Prez! Odd times indeed!
DeleteI hadn't heard of the Highlights Foundation before this week, and now I'm so inspired! Maybe one of these days....a girl can dream, right? :)
ReplyDeleteThis will be my third time there, Jane. It's a wonderful place. I hope you do get there someday.
DeleteWow! Thank you for posting Naomi Shihab Nye's reading. I love hearing people read their work, & hers certainly packs a wallop! Have a wonderful workshop!
ReplyDeleteI loved hearing the poems too, JoAnn. I remember our workshop fondly! Thank you.
DeleteI feel doubly blessed this week. First, I saw Naomi read "A Valentine for Earnest Mann" in the weekly Teach This Poem email. And now you share her readings of these two poems, both new to me. I love "Ted Kooser is My President." I've been fortunate to have heard him read his poems in person and I've been to Nebraska. Have a fabulous week at the Highlights workshop. I still remember how excited we were when Georgia Heard sat at our dinner table a couple of years ago at All Write.
ReplyDeleteYou are so lucky to have heard Ted Kooser, Ramona. That's great! And yes, I remember meeting Georgia that night. It was a fabulous time!
DeleteHow fun. I hope the workshop is as fabulous as it sounds. I need another Highlights workshop.
ReplyDeleteWish you were coming, Jone. How great that would be! Thanks!
DeleteHer poetic voice for compassion and justice rings true in every poem she writes - what a gift to us!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Tara, I agree. Naomi Nye teaches me something every time I read the poems.
DeleteWe share a love of Naomi's poetry. I have this book! And it's signed. Such a generous and hope-filled spirit!
ReplyDeleteAnd give my dear friend Catherine a hug. One for Georgia, too. And make it three with one for you. Wish I could be with all my sweet poetry friends.
DeleteWouldn't it be wonderful, Margaret! I'll pack the hugs along!
DeleteHugs to you, Margaret! I wish you could be with us, too!
DeleteI picked up this book at Teachers College in August and have been savoring it. I am in awe of the wisdom and beauty that Naomi Shihab Nye's poetry exudes. Thank you for highlighting these, and for sharing the link of Naomi reading them. Her voice is so soothing. Can't wait to see you!
ReplyDeleteLove that you found it, Catherine. I'm excited to spend some time together, all checked in! Thank you!
DeleteI am going straight from this blog post to my library (maybe even the interlibrary loan connection) to pick up Honeybee. A does of Naomi Shiab Nye is just what I'm looking for these days.
ReplyDeleteAnd, I'm so jealous of you getting to be at Highlights with all those wonderful, wonderful poets. Is this your first Highlights? If it is, you are in for a treat! I want to hear all about it. The cabin, the Barn, the writing....such a gorgeous time of year to be there. Love all the words here this week.
It's my third time at the Barn, Linda, but that doesn't lessen the excitement. I am so excited. I hope you can find Honeybee & love it, too! Thanks.
DeleteTHANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU for this. I'm going to grab the video and share straightaway -- TED KOOSER FOR PRESIDENT! YEES!! (sorry I'm shouting, but this is the sanest election rhetoric I've heard lately!!)
ReplyDeletePS -- so jealous about you PF Peeps and the Highlights workshop...
DeleteI think the PF community should all get together, but perhaps we wouldn't get anything done but talk! Wish you were going to be there too, Mary Lee. Happy you loved these Nye poems. They really make me happy too. What an election time this is!
DeleteThank you for the opportunity to hear Naomi Shihab Nye reading her poems. Have a wonderful time at Highlights!
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome, Molly. Glad you enjoyed it, and thanks for the wish!
DeleteWow. She is SO great. Going to put that book on my wish list right now.
ReplyDeleteIt's worth it, Ruth, and I love her prose that is interspersed among the poems. Thanks for listening!
DeleteWow, those are moving. We are the country of aggression. We are also the country of Ted.
ReplyDeleteYes, we are! Thanks Brenda.
DeleteI didn't realize Naomi Shihab Nye had so many youtube clips of her poetry - I clicked on your link and was led to so much poetic goodness. This is exactly what my soul needs, dearest Linda. Ted Kooser is my president too.
ReplyDeleteThanks for these poems. I hope you have a wonderful week full of poetry!
ReplyDeleteThree times going? Wow! It must be worth the trip. Maybe someday...
ReplyDeleteThe video was stunning.
Thanks, Myra, Doraine & Diane, am at the workshop right now, had a long travel day, but this is going to be fun, & rewarding too. Glad you enjoyed Nye's poetry, & live! It is a special find!
ReplyDeleteHope you are having a wonderous time at the workshop~ someday. I'd looked into it once, but it seemed they always involved a Sunday.
ReplyDeleteI think since you live rather close, you could come in Monday morning, Donna. This time you would have missed the evening gathering, but all really begins on Monday. You would love it here!
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