April - Poetry Month - Day Thirty - Goodbye April

 

       Happy Poetry Month, where poems parade in the streets, run like rivers within our veins or settle in our hearts every.single,time. 

       I have been using this older book pictured left that follows the alphabet with one kind of prompt each day. I used this book on occasion in the classroom years ago, but never worked through it day by day, with deliberation! But now I've finished the alphabet and have arrived at the final four days - free choice!

       And, sadly, it's the end!

Kandukuru Nagarjun from Bangalore, India, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

April - Poetry Month - Day Twenty-Nine - Free Choice - Reading and Me

 

       Happy Poetry Month, where poems parade in the streets, run like rivers within our veins or settle in our hearts every.single,time. 

       I have been using this older book pictured left that follows the alphabet with one kind of prompt each day. I used this book on occasion in the classroom years ago, but never worked through it day by day, with deliberation! But now I've finished the alphabet and arrive at the final four days - free choice! ONE MORE DAY!

        Last week was Library Week. Last week more books in some areas were censored, taken from libraries, taken from schools. Often this happened from a complaint from one person, or only a few. I didn't have so much money to buy books when I was growing up. Libraries were my favorite places. In my early grade school days, I lived in a small town, and relied on the marvelous, wonderful, exciting visits from the Bookmobile! I couldn't have survived without it. From grandparents and parents and aunts and uncles, all readers, all read to me. I am sad to imagine what it might be like to have someone looking over my shoulder to see if they "approve" what book I'm reading. And, I moved to my home now eleven years ago. One thing that sold me on it was that the local library is only ONE block away. Now I work in a used bookstore (all-volunteer run) and with books and others surrounding me who love books, it seems like another 'best' place in the world.

Here's a 'glimpse' of one part of the store,
trade fiction.
There are hundreds more –
all topics, hardcover and softcover, a delightful place to be.

Bibliophile

Today I wanted to confess

that I have times of deep distress

deep down real unhappiness

when I have nothing to read.

I have gone to great extremes

often let out wild screams

to others I’m crazy (it often seems)

when I can’t find a book.

Just call me an unreformed bibliophile

My feelings of book-loving have never been mild

I’ve been known to read cereal boxes a while

When I can’t locate a book.

The changes that come over me

are wonderful for all to see

I think it’s terrific just to be

when I am reading a book.

                                   Linda Baie ©

April - Poetry Month - Day Twenty-Eight - Free Choice # 2 - And Poetry Friday

 

       Happy Poetry Month, where poems parade in the streets, run like rivers within our veins or settle in our hearts every.single,time. 

       I have been using this older book pictured left that follows the alphabet with one kind of prompt each day. I used this book on occasion in the classroom years ago, but never worked through it day by day, with deliberation! But now I finished the alphabet on Wednesday, April 26th with Z is for Zany and have arrived at the final four days - free choice!

And, it's Poetry Friday! Thanks, Ruth Hersey at There is no such thing as a God-forsaken Town here, for hosting!  Ruth is in Uganda so the time change will be interesting! She's celebrating her 17th blog birthday - Wow! And because that year calls for 'furniture', there are two poems that include chairs in her post! Congratulations, Ruth and thanks for hosting!

         Remember to check out what's happening with the next Progressive Poem line today by Karin Fisher-Golton. See the entire list on the right. Only two days to go!

We had snow last week but it was "moisture". Yesterday was rainy - loved it! Thus, I believe our spring might have finally arrived with tulips and a few other blooms! We have the 70s predicted for the next week!

Thus, my poem plea!

        Also, I keep forgetting to thank Linda Mitchell and Irene Latham for their poetry postcards and from Linda, an extra treat. They were a big lift during this winter that doesn't seem to want to say goodbye! Thanks much, Linda and Irene!

Have a wonderful weekend!

April - Poetry Month - Day Twenty-Seven - Free Choice One

 

       Happy Poetry Month, where poems parade in the streets, run like rivers within our veins or settle in our hearts every.single,time. 

       I have been using this older book pictured left that follows the alphabet with one kind of prompt each day. I used this book on occasion in the classroom years ago, but never worked through it day by day, with deliberation! But now I've finished the alphabet and arrived at the final four days - free choice! This is number one.

April - Poetry Month - Day Twenty-Six - Z is for Zany Words

   

       Happy Poetry Month, where poems parade in the streets, run like rivers within our veins or settle in our hearts every.single,time. 

       I am using this older book pictured left that follows the alphabet with one kind of prompt each day. I used this book on occasion in the classroom years ago, but never worked through it day by day, with deliberation! Here goes!

      Hey! I made it all the way from A to Z! Here's my poem for "zany" words!

My Zany Time

 

I’m sure it’s indeterminant

how to define a list

of words defined as zany.

Isn’t it often hit or miss?

You may like ones I choose or not

but this time it’s up to me.

a favorite that I love to say is 

“Yes! I’ll have a skosh of tea.

Then others around who hear the word

smile and even laugh.

They try to honeyfuggle me

but I know it will not last.

They want to find another word,

become iconoclasts.

It’s clear they have no better choice,

cannot be superseders.

My own long list, my pride and joy

also includes, Tada!, a word 

you lately might’ve never heard

is 

d-r-i-p-p-l-e.

I guess I’ll stopple!

                              Linda Baie ©

April - Poetry Month - Day Twenty-five - YOU Voice

  

       Happy Poetry Month, where poems parade in the streets, run like rivers within our veins or settle in our hearts every.single,time. 

       I am using this older book pictured left that follows the alphabet with one kind of prompt each day. I used this book on occasion in the classroom years ago, but never worked through it day by day, with deliberation! Here goes!

       The "you" voice simply means writing in the second person point of view, speaking "to" someone, as in "You are a treasure of information." 

       No picture today. I imagine this for everyone!

                           Up

 

Here you stretch

again up high

reaching, climbing

for the sky.

 

Deep down in your toes

can you feel,

what’s been accomplished

what is real?

 

You took the words

that told what to do

and sailed beyond them.

It's all true!

 

But also what

you did so much

was give each other

a gentle touch.

 

So you should allow

yourselves a pat

when someone inquires

if you’ve done that.

 

You can answer

with pride, with style,

sit back and bask

In this glow—quite a while.

                         Linda Baie ©

 

 

 

April - Poetry Month - Day Twenty-four - Xanadu

  

       Happy Poetry Month, where poems parade in the streets, run like rivers within our veins or settle in our hearts every.single,time. 

       I am using this older book pictured left that follows the alphabet with one kind of prompt each day. I used this book on occasion in the classroom years ago, but never worked through it day by day, with deliberation! Here goes!

        Here is part of what the book describes as a Xanadu poem: "refers to a poem that describes an imaginary place that is more beautiful and more wondrous than any place that really exists. The word Xanadu comes from a poem called "Kubla Khan" by Samuel Taylor Coleridge. Kubla Khan was a real person who conquered China in the eleventh century. In the poem, however, Coleridge made up a beautiful underground kingdom and had Kubla Khan visit it." 

       Some of you may know that beautiful poem. Another poem some think of as a Xanadu poem is Yeatts' "The Lake Isle of Innisfree". 

Dimitris Vetsikas from Pixabay

April - Poetry Month - Day Twenty-Three - Weak Rhyme

  

       Happy Poetry Month, where poems parade in the streets, run like rivers within our veins or settle in our hearts every.single,time. 

       I am using this older book pictured left that follows the alphabet with one kind of prompt each day. I used this book on occasion in the classroom years ago, but never worked through it day by day, with deliberation! Here goes!

      Still April, but today it's W is for Weak Rhyme, often in my experience termed "slant" rhyme. It's "almost" correct in sound but not quite. See if you can find the "weak" rhyme in my poem today. It snowed Friday night, and was expected but we just had spring warmth a few days ago! This picture is from Saturday morning!

April - Poetry Month - Day Twenty-Two - Villanelle

  

       Happy Poetry Month, where poems parade in the streets, run like rivers within our veins or settle in our hearts every.single,time. 

       I'm using this older book pictured left that follows the alphabet with one kind of prompt each day. I used this book on occasion in the classroom years ago, but never worked through it day by day, with deliberation! Here goes!

  

V is for Villanelle - The first challenge to me was to find a topic. Here it is, speaking to all those wonderful kids out there!

April - Poetry Month - Day Twenty-One - Ubi Sunt - And Poetry Friday!

  

       Happy Poetry Month, where poems parade in the streets, run like rivers within our veins or settle in our hearts every.single,time. 

       I am using use this older book pictured left that follows the alphabet with one kind of prompt each day. I used this book on occasion in the classroom years ago, but never worked through it day by day, with deliberation! Here goes!

        I am continuing with my Poetry Month challenges and thank Karen Edmisten for hosting Poetry Friday HERE  She has already made me happy with a special poem by Ted Kooser. Hope you'll be happy when you read it, too! Thanks very much again, Karen!

         Remember to check out what's happening with the next Progressive Poem line today by Sarah Grace Tuttle. See the entire list on the right.

         Whew, this is a brand new form to me. the Poetry Foundation says this: "This is a Latin phrase meaning “Where are they?” By posing a series of questions about the fate of the strong, beautiful, or virtuous, these poems meditate on the transitory nature of life and the inevitability of death."  There are examples also found at the site.

          A modern-era example is Pete Seeger's "Where Have All the Flowers Gone". You can listen to Peter, Paul, and Mary sing it HERE, at their 25th reunion.

      As you will see, I was looking at the past but bringing the loss forward for all of our hopes.

         Where?

 

Where are the good ones we need for support?

John Lewis, Justice Ginsburg, we cherish your words.

Bring Martin along; he sings the same song,

that all lives are better when we get along.

Where are the people from out of my past?

My grandfather told me words from his heart. 

He’s no longer here but his wisdom will last.

They’re of hope for each of us good folks today.

No matter who we meet, sometimes far away.

striving for what we all want, like those 

   yesterday–

Freedom for loving and caring, a freedom to be.

They are all gone, but we still sing the song

of those we are missing who called out the wrongs:

César, Mahatma, Gloria and Eleanor, too

have stayed in our circle,

their words ringing out

despite how we miss them

they taught us to shout!

 

Linda Baie ©  

Free Stock photos by Vecteezy

April - Poetry Month - Day Twenty - Tanka

  

       Happy Poetry Month, where poems parade in the streets, run like rivers within our veins or settle in our hearts every.single,time. 

       I am using this older book pictured left that follows the alphabet with one kind of prompt each day. I used this book on occasion in the classroom years ago, but never worked through it day by day, with deliberation! Here goes!

D is for Tanka: The tanka is a thirty-one-syllable poem, traditionally written in a single unbroken line. A form of waka, Japanese song or verse, tanka translates as “short song,” and is better known in its five-line, 5/7/5/7/7 syllable count form.

Free Stock photos by Vecteezy

April - Poetry Month - Day Nineteen - Sonnet

  

       Happy Poetry Month, where poems parade in the streets, run like rivers within our veins or settle in our hearts every.single,time. 

       I am using this older book pictured left that follows the alphabet with one kind of prompt each day. I used this book on occasion in the classroom years ago, but never worked through it day by day, with deliberation! Here goes!

        

       S is for Sonnet, a happy place to be!

 

April - Poetry Month - Day Eighteen - Rap

  

       Happy Poetry Month, where poems parade in the streets, run like rivers within our veins or settle in our hearts every.single,time. 

       I'm using this older book pictured left that follows the alphabet with one kind of prompt each day. I used this book on occasion in the classroom years ago, but never worked through it day by day, with deliberation! Here goes!

Day Eighteen - R is for Rap

           I have no picture today; it's all in my mind and imagine it might be in yours, too, after reading. 

          I found the rhythm of the rap and a real one in order to get the main idea in my mind. This was a challenge but, I knew I wanted to say something about the many tragic shootings that have happened, are happening, past and present. I am sad that it seems little will continue to be done. 

Shots Here, There, Everywhere

 

Verse 1:

I'm just a baby in this game,

But it's time to speak up, ain't that lame?

Can't believe what they did at the school over there,

Just shots and screams through the air.

 

Chorus:

Every day is just another newsflash 

About bullets flying before we've made our last dash  

It's not so simple, but one thing I know for sure

We need a change today or forever be unsure

 

Verse 2: 

Cops rollin' up like it was yesterday 

All guns blazing with nothing else to say 

Parents kissing their babies goodbye 

Another day of hate gone awry 

 

(Chorus)

 

Bridge:

The world keeps turnin’, life goes on

Even though my dreams are almost gone.

When will this end? It's okay to fear.   

Tears in my eyes as I watch futility near. 

                                        Linda Baie © 

April - Poetry Month - Day Seventeen - Quatrain

 

       Happy Poetry Month, where poems parade in the streets, run like rivers within our veins or settle in our hearts every.single,time. 

       I am using this older book pictured left that follows the alphabet with one kind of prompt each day. I used this book on occasion in the classroom years ago, but never worked through it day by day, with deliberation! Here goes!

The simple definition of a quatrain: "a piece of verse complete in four rhymed lines". Although I have read other places that say they do not have to rhyme.

I'm sharing an old poem shared before. I enjoyed writing it and the picture is my very own puffer fish shell, found long ago on an ocean trip.

 

If too hard to read:

Close Encounters - Advice?

 

And if you know a puffer fish

at times, they make a ball.

They float away from danger,

quite the smartest act of all.

 

No one can imagine hidden

in the amazing moon-like puff, 

is a prickle that more than tickles

and you’ll soon be feeling rough.

 

Don’t take a bite or lickle it.

It’ll stop your taste of any dish.

And you certainly cannot tickle it,

the pretty prickle puffer fish.

                         Linda Baie © 

April - Poetry Month - Day Sixteen - Picture Poem

 

       Happy Poetry Month, where poems parade in the streets, run like rivers within our veins or settle in our hearts every.single,time. 

       I am planning to use this older book pictured left that follows the alphabet with one kind of prompt each day. I used this book on occasion in the classroom years ago, but never worked through it day by day, with deliberation! Here goes!

      Today I also have a second post. It's my turn to write the next line for the Progressive Poem. See that HERE!

      P is for Picture Poem, often returned to as a concrete or shape poem. Here's what I created!

Progressive Poem - Starting the Second Half!

       The Kidlit Progressive Poem was created by Irene Latham and is now being organized by Margaret Simon at Reflections on the Teche. A different poet adds a line each day for the month of April. This is my 7th year participating in the collaboration, and I am always inspired by the other poets who contribute and grateful they let me play along!

        It's Irene Latham's special creation from back in 2012, now carried on by Margaret Simon for a few years, a marvelous gathering of poets contributing poetic lines with loads of mindful answering a question, "What next?" as April move along. 

       I am receiving the handoff from Jone Rush MacCulloch and Carol Varsalona will continue the second half of April! I divided the lines into couplets but if someone believes it should differ, so be it. We're starting the downward spiral, the second half of the month. 

       Here is the poem so far along with my added line. . .   

Suddenly everything fell into place

like raindrops hitting soil and sinking in.

When morning first poked me, I'd wished it away

my mind in the mist, muddled, confused.

Was this a dream, or reality, rousing my response?

The sun surged, urging me to join in its rising,

Rising like a crystal ball reflecting on morning dew.

I jumped out of bed, ready to explore the day.

My feet pull me outside and into the garden.           

Where lilies and bees weave…but wait! What’s that?  

A bevy of bunnies jart and dart and play in the clover.      

A dog barks and flash, the bunderstorm is over.    

I breathe—brave, quiet. Like a seed.        

as the day, foretold in my dream, ventured upon me.    

Sunbeams guided me to the gate overgrown with wisteria   (Thanks, Jone)

where I spotted the note tied to the gate.

Carry on, Carol!

Thanks for joining me today. Here's the entire trail of poets!

April 1 Mary Lee Hahn, Another Year of Reading
April 2 Heidi Mordhorst, My Juicy Little Universe
April 3 Tabatha, The Opposite of Indifference
April 4 Buffy Silverman
April 5 Rose Cappelli, Imagine the Possibilities
April 6 Donna Smith, Mainely Write
April 7 Margaret Simon, Reflections on the Teche
April 8 Leigh Anne, A Day in the Life
April 9 Linda Mitchell, A Word Edgewise
April 10 Denise Krebs, Dare to Care
April 11 Emma Roller, Penguins and Poems
April 12 Dave Roller, Leap Of Dave 
April 13 Irene Latham Live You Poem 
April 14 Janice Scully, Salt City Verse
April 15 Jone Rush MacCulloch
April 16 Linda Baie TeacherDance
April 17 Carol Varsalona, Beyond Literacy Link
April 18 Marcie Atkins
April 19 Carol Labuzzetta at The Apples in My Orchard 
April 20 Cathy Hutter, Poeturescapes
April 21 Sarah Grace Tuttle at Sarah Grace Tuttle’s Blog, 
April 22 Marilyn Garcia
April 23 Catherine at Reading to the Core
April 24 Janet Fagal, hosted by Tabatha, The Opposite of Indifference
April 25 Ruth, There is no Such Thing as a God-Forsaken Town
April 26 Patricia J. Franz, Reverie
April 27 Theresa Gaughan, Theresa’s Teaching Tidbits
April 28 Karin Fisher-Golton, Still in Awe Blog
April 29 Karen Eastlund, Karen’s Got a Blog
April 30 Michelle Kogan Illustration, Painting, and Writing