Allergies

April 20 2012

Sneeze

Sniff

Snuffle

Wheeze

Whiff

Kerfuffle

Get me a new box of tissues

Turkey Lullaby

April 15, 2012

Wild turkey gobbling

Under my open window

Strange new lullaby

April Mosquito

April 15, 2012

April Mosquito

Overachieving Mother

Leg itching wildly

Howl

written April 6, 2012, but not posted until today

In the library

I chose poetry and banned books

In just one volume

Alan Ginsburg’s Howl

I’ve never read it

But my friend

A sweet and lovely woman

Met Ginsburg years ago

At a reading of Howl

She has a signed copy in her basement

I read today that Daniel Radcliff

Will play his part in a new movie

I will read it at long last

I don’t know if I’ll think it brilliant

Or whether I’ll be turned off

But I’ll have read it

Which is more than I can say right now.

I’ve heard about Alan Ginsburg and his poem Howl for many years. I decided that the time had come for me to read it. After all, I’d be tackling a work of poetry and a banned book at the same time.

Talking with a friend about poetry and National Poetry Month I mentioned that I had finally read it and she asked me “what did you think of it?” I didn’t have an answer for that. Finally, I said “It was long.” She burst out laughing and we both agreed that wasn’t much of a recommendation.

Certainly the poem is striking and raw and full of the spirit of the times. I could feel myself transported to a different time. I found myself wishing that I could have edited it down to a page, maybe a page and a half. Made me think about going back and editing my own work more ruthlessly.

All the same, I’m glad I read it and know.

Fishercat Alarm

Winter is over

fishercats growl all night long

hungry for living

Penvy

Wish I had a pen
'cause this point once again
needs sharpening
Pencil

My toothbrush

Today was a great day with the kids. When they heard about my challenge to write a poem for every day of April and that I was going to hold myself accountable by telling them there was cheering. When I asked how many people thought I could do it, there was about 80% support. When I asked how many children will try to submit a poem to my poetry wall, about 90% raised their hands. Remember, these are kindergarten and first grade students! 


The rest of the day got away from me. If I hadn't made the announcement, I probably would have turned in without writing a poem. I don't want to let my students down, so I churned this one out. I know it needs work, but it will do for the challenge. Another thing I am learning through this challenge - I have been writing poetry for adults and I really need to start writing poetry for children. I will turn my efforts in this direction this month. 

My Toothbrush

My toothbrush is pink

It sits by the sink

Waiting for me all day

When we see each other

It says “O brother,

All I wanted to do was play.”

I feel pretty proud

And I tell it outloud

That I have no time for games

I pull out the paste

Squeeze it out on it’s face

While my toothbrush calls me names