Poetry Friday's party today is at Jama Rattigan's Jama's Alphabet Soup. Be prepared for laughter and chocolate chip cookies. Sounds great to me during my usual stay-at-home time, Jama. Thank you for hosting!Since April and poetry month, I've been struggling to find some new goals for writing. I am enjoying the #PoemsofPresence group on twitter and those who have also been writing for Margaret Simon's challenge on Today's Little Ditty, but it doesn't fill the time like my April work did. I am working on a picture book idea, but that too does not fill the day. So these recent days I've turned to the ABCs and alphabet books, enjoying the ones I have for their creativity and their awesome differences. Each approach can be a story or stand-alone letters and the illustrations are ones also to linger over.
Thus, I've worked this week on abecedarian poetry. These two seem to reflect my moods throughout the days, worry over the times we're in, and trying hard to look on the sunny side of life. I may find some other themes for these. If nothing else, they are a vocabulary challenge! Best wishes for goodness in each of your days!
Here's a pic of some of my favorites. Do you recognize any? Do you have one or two favorites?
As Beauty Comes,
Debuting Every Forgotten Garden,
Heaven Is Just Knocked Lower,
Managing Newest Overflow Passing Quickly –
Random Salvage,
Tortured Undercutting,
Vast Wasteland Xenophobic,
Yearlong Zoo.
Linda Baie ©
Adding Balance Can Define Each Feeling:
Good Hearts Imparting Justice,
Kitten Love, Mothers,
Neighbors Optimistic, Peace, Quiet,
Robins, Sunrise, Take-out,
Understanding Voices,
Walking, Xeriscapes, Youth,
Zoo-Cams
Linda Baie ©
Note that both Z words are the same but looked at in very different ways.
Brava for these two abecedarians Linda, no small feat… Your "Adding Balance" sings with so much hope–and thanks for the new word xeriscape, I'd like to xeriscape my front lawn into a series of ground coverings one day. Grand collection of Alphabet books, I have a few of Patricia Polacco's books but not "G is for Goat. Good luck with the picture book!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Michelle. Happy to share 'xeriscape' with you, a word for arid states, I guess. Much is made for xeriscaping one's lawn & garden here. G is for Goat is another of Polacco's beautiful books!
DeleteI love this post because, once upon a time, I actively collected alphabet books, and I don't have a single one of those pictured (although I know many of them). What a good way to spend some writing time, looking at how they work! I love "Heaven Is Just Knocked Lower," and commend you on choosing the most challenging approach to the abecedarian--26 words only.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Heidi, I imagine you know so many alphabet books from your teaching. I've had my middle-school students create them, a fun project. The challenge of 26 words passes time like I've wanted to.
DeleteYour learning....gives me learning. And, I love that. I'm impressed with your abed poems. Wow. I do love that phrase, "yearlong zoo" and of course, "kitten love" there is nothing better. I'm really having a good time writing in community with #poemsofpresence . Sometimes, I write silly...sometimes I actually try to be poetical. But, always, I love that someone else is out there writing along side. It's like a hug. I wish you loads of great picture book words today. Let me know if I can help with reading...when you're ready.
ReplyDeleteYes, the #poemsofpresence has been a wonderful group to read what others have shared, the ups & downs of their lives, too. Thanks, Linda. I will keep your offer close.
DeleteWhat a challenge. I know this one would keep me busy for a fair amount of time. It's hard and you accomplished it beautifully.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Liz, a challenge needed! I enjoyed writing them, will try again with some new topics.
DeleteLinda, your search for writing projects is commendable. Your inquiry led you to a new way to communicate via ABC poetry. The visual for your two poems is exemplified in your horizontal approach that I would like to try out one day. Thanks for sharing your creativity.
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome, Carol. It was fun to do something different for a change.
DeleteAbecedarians!! *swoons* Love your two abc poems, Linda -- so clever. I, too, admire how creative you are in coming up with new challenges to spark your writing. Have never seen abecedarians reading horizontally that way -- very innovative. And I love seeing some of your books (I have only one or two of those pictured). Such a treat today!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you recognized some of these, Jama. Each one unique & wonderful! Thanks for hosting with the sweets today!
DeleteLinda: I have a collection of ABC books also, and hardly any duplicate yours. Some day I will send you a photo! These are interesting poems... Yes, abecedarians are tricky! Thanks and best wishes...
ReplyDeleteOh, I'd love to see your photo, Karen! I can't buy them all, but certainly would love to! (I miss the library!) Thank you & best wishes to you, too!
DeleteThis is such a challenging form, Linda. (I LOVE Z is for Moose, just had to say.)
ReplyDeleteOne of the things I love best about forms is that the "I'm being creative now" part of my brain takes a back seat and the puzzle-solving skills fill in. You've certainly done that in your two poems.
Yes, Z is for Moose is terrific, Laura. I like taking form challenges, too, not so easy, but it feels especially good when I write from a favorite topic. Thanks!
DeleteOh fun! I haven’t tried a Abercerian poem in a long time.
ReplyDeleteNow time to try, Jone! Thanks!
DeleteWriting is a form of problem solving and what you are featuring here is a prime example of that. A most interesting challenge Linda. Thank you also for prompting my thinking about alphabet books. My newest grandchild will no doubt be in need and so I will search from A to Z to find the best that can be read!
ReplyDeleteI think it will be fun for you to find some alphabet books for that grandchild, Alan. There are some we have at my used bookstore where I work that are board books! It was fun to take on this new challenge! Thanks!
DeleteI have an ABC book collection and most of the ones in your photo are ones I own. You've got me thinking about how I'll decide which of my books to keep when I retire. My classroom is FULL, but how could I leave behind even one of these carefully chosen and much loved books?
ReplyDeleteBut I digress. I LOVE your abecedarians. Mine tend to be lists, but I like how you've crafted whole alphabetic lines. You've given me some mentor texts!!
Oh, Mary Lee, I, too, had so many books in my classroom. I left many there, brought home others & had a sale of some, kept favorites. Now I keep adding to my collection! It is tough to give them up! Thanks for the comment. I'll look to see if you try this challenge.
DeleteWoohoo! I love the final three cutting letters on your first one. Even though their truth makes me sad...
ReplyDeleteThanks, Laura, & I know. They make me sad, too.
DeleteSo good! I love "Heaven Is Just Knocked Lower." That's perfect!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Ruth!
DeleteWriting abecedarians is a challenge that needs plenty of time and attention, for sure, Linda. Brava on these! I especially like the second one, reminding me of things to feel good about. Love zoo-cams. :)
ReplyDeleteA good challenge for me, at least for a while, Michelle. Thank you!
DeleteAbecedarians are such fun but so challenging to write!! I'm especially fond of your second one and appreciated learning a new word (xeriscapes). Brava :)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Molly. As I wrote above, when one lives in an arid climate, "Xeriscape" is the word (method) to know!
DeleteWow. Two amazing efforts and yes, the contrast between your two zoos is thought provoking.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Sally. It was my attempt to show such contrast in our lives today.
DeleteI love your abecedarians, Linda, especially the second one. "Kitten love" and "Take out" - yes, please! Your creativity is inspirational. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Bridget, hope you all are doing well!
DeleteI love ABC books, too, but I'd never heard of abecedarians before--how Absolutely, Breath-takingly Charming! I especially like "heaven is just knocked lower." Thanks for sharing your poems and for teaching me about another poetic form.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Susan, and I'm so glad you've learned about abecedarians. They are a challenge & fun to do.
DeleteI know you didn't say so, but your second poem in particular feels like a poem of presence to me. Such a fun way to write a poem, but challenging, I'm sure. It makes you creatively search for the just right word.
ReplyDeleteWell, it contains numerous things I notice, things that ground me, so I suppose it is, Margaret. Thank you!
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