Greetings, Poetry Lovers! Welcome to the Poetry Friday Roundup. Everyone's invited! :0)
Do you know about "mast years" when it comes to trees? Oaks, particularly. In a mast year, trees drop zillions of acorns on the ground, on your driveway, on your metal roof making you jump umpteen times a day, on the top of your car.... (That was a scientific description. For a folklore-ish one, click here.)
Here in the Lowcountry this fall, we're crunching acorns underfoot with every step.
Sometimes poets (& editors!) have a mast year. Or at least a mast season.
Take Sylvia Vardell, for example. No sooner did she welcome her wonderful new anthology, A WORLD FULL OF POEMS (DK Children) into the world, than it was time to launch the newest collection from Pomelo Books with co-poetic-superhero Janet Wong, HOP TO IT - Poems to Get You Moving. (Here's the link. And here's a link to my poem in it, and a graphic with the Blog Tour schedule.)
This fun new anthology features a hundred poems designed to get us all up and moving around, or at least to offer some much-needed mini-breaks during a long school day (virtual or in-person), sprinkled with fun facts and inviting illustrations by Franzi Paetzold.
Each poem is complemented by Sylvia's always-terrific activity suggestions, a fun fact nugget, a spot illustration, a teeny language arts or poetry connection, and a book title on a similar subject. But wait - there's more! In the EXTRA! EXTRA! section at the end, you'll find even MORE resources and ideas to keep the poetry, and your body, hopping!
And, speaking of trees, here's a poem from HOP TO IT by our own Margaret Simon, just begging to be acted out:
ZEN TREE
I am a tree.
A tree is what I want to be.
I spread my branches wide.
I stand tall.
I reach my roots into deep earth.
I grow and grow and grow.
And at the end of the day,
when the sun falls down,
and sprinkles orange all over my leaves,
I wrap myslef in a holding hug.
©Margaret Simon. Used with permission.
I can think of a couple of other folks who are having a mast year when it comes to published books...
Check out Irene Latham's website here, and visit her book pages! So many wonderful new titles, just THIS year, including one co-authored with Charles Waters, DICTIONARY FOR A BETTER WORLD, which is a favorite of one of my daughter's students in Georgia.
Then there's Laura Purdie Salas's treasure trove of new titles this year... Find out about them here. And for nonfiction lovers, Laura shared so much goodness in her Small Reads November newsletter, including a long peek at NONFICTION WRITERS DIG DEEP, edited by Melissa Stewart.
All of these books would make FABulous holiday gifts, don't you think?
As would Amy Ludwig VanDerwater's follow up to READ, READ READ. It's called... WRITE WRITE WRITE! (Click here for more.)
And Jeannine Atkins's new title in the footsteps of FIDNING WONDERS, this one about math: GRASPING MYSTERIES - Girls Who Loved Math. (Click here for more.)
If you need book ideas for the wee-est of wee ones, check out Heidi Bee Roemer's books here. What little one could resist a book called PEEKITY BOO - What YOU Can Do!
I've already gifted Morgan, my daughter who teaches third grade, a copy of HOP TO IT, and a few others! And other folks on my Christmas list will be getting some poetry....
The great thing about giving poetry is that it both enriches the recipient, and supports everyone who works so hard to create these treasures.
These ideas are in NO way complete or conclusive! MANY wonderful titles (maybe yours?) have recently made their way into the world and would make a wonderful present for some young, curious soul - or a young-at-heart one! Feel free to mention your own suggestions in the comments, and readers can peruse those, too.
For the best gift ideas ever, be sure to check out Jama Kim Rattigan's "Nine Cool Things on a Tuesday" posts over at her Alphabet Soup blog. Here's a link to the post from Nov. 3, which I am thrilled and honored to have a mention in! (Thanks, Jama, and Mr. C.)
In fact, a few of us Poetry Friday-ers have Etsy shops. Michelle Kogan offers bright and colorul and inspirational art and products sure to delight a recipient. (Click here.)
Last week's host, Susan Bruck, offers colorful wool wares and more at SoulBlossomLiving on Etsy.
And here's a link to my shop, artsyletters. (By the way, I'll soon send out my little holiday postcard. If you don't receive it already and would like to be added to my real-world mailing list, shoot me an email with your real-world address.)
And, can you keep a secret? It'll have a 15 percent off coupon code good through Dec. 15. Okay, I'll tell you the code, but shhhhh.... please don't post or share widely. It's for my special peeps! You can enter STAR15 in the Coupon Code box, or just use this link directly. I will be listing several new items in the next couple of weeks, so feel free to keep that handy for Cyber Week shopping, or whenever you might need a gift for a reader or writer or POET on your holiday list.
Your post, I know, will be a gift to readers this week! Please include your link in a comment below, and I'll round up old-school-style and list the links right here starting Friday morning. Happy Poetry Friday!
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Little Willow starts us off this week with a lovely moonlit offering at Bildungsroman.
Ever-busy Laura Purdie Salas shares a personal post and poem today at Small Reads for Brighter Days. She wrote "When Hope is Not Easy" just before the 2016 election, and revisits it now, with some light from the recent one.
I'm beyond humbled and delighted that Linda Mitchell grabbed some inspiration here last week and shares two original haiku/haiga - one gentle, one sharp - perfect for November. Enjoy at A Word Edgewise!
Heidi, who has been oh-so-busy serving on the NCTE Poetry Awards Committee (!), chimes in with an aubade in response to a Sunday Swaggers challenge. Her poem, and post, brim with "extra unexpected joy" as always, at My Juicy Little Universe.
You might guess from his blog's title, "Poetry Pizzazz," that Alan J. Wright loves alliteration. He shares a fun original alliterative poem today, and some bits of bewitching backstory.
This lifelong dog lover is wagging away at Laura Shovan's offering today... does your dog 'help' you do yoga, too? Enjoy Laura's original poem, a couple of book recommendations and of COURSE - cute dog pix.
Michelle in celebrating World Kindness Day at Today's Little Ditty, with a remarkable poem by psychiatrist Helen Montague Foster. (I'll be sharing this post with my psychiatrists hubby!)
Have you seen the movie, Arrival? Have you lived through a quarantine? And answer to either or both of those will set you up to appreciate Tabatha's offering at The Opposite of Indifference today - a poem by Natalia Conte.
One reason I so love Poetry Friday, beyond the delicious poetry, is that I'm always learning something new! The lovely Janice Scully shares a perfectly peaceful post and picture today at Salt City Verse, with a reflective haiku and an explanation of "meromictic" - what a fun word!
At Radio, Rhythm & Rhyme, Matt Forrest Essenwine gives us a sneak peek at a new anthology featuring some poetic and artistic stars from New England - FRIENDS & ANEMONES - Ocean Poems for Children. (Is that a great title, or what?!) One of Matt's poems in the book will have you taking a stern look over the bow....
More moonlight magic awaits over at Teacher Dance today, where the ever-lovely Linda shares a poetic treasure she found in an old book from the beloved bookstore where she helps out. It's Walter de la Mare's "Silver" - how have I lived up to now without this poem? It's pure shimmer.
The sparkle doesn't stop there. Get ready for some serious ooh-ing and ahh-ing at Beyond Literacy Link, where Carol shares poems and GORgeous paintings inspired by her many recent "awe walks" in Autumn.
If your feet are more fidget-y than stroll-y, Kathryn Apel has the poem for you with some more HOP TO IT fun! I was delighted to 'meet' Kat in a recent Zoom gathering celebrating the release of the book. Today, Kat shares her reading of her poem there, "Fit as a Fidget" - along with a writing prompt, too!
At her Alphabet Soup, Jama offers the most delicious post featuring a delightful, diminutive kitchen diva and her multi-legged kitchen crew, who star in The Tiny Baker by Hayley Barrett and illustrated by Alison Jay. This rhyming picture book will have you looking at any wayward bug that lands in your kitchen with a new eye!
I don't know exactly what time it is in Switzerland right now, but you'd have to get up pretty early to keep up with Bridget and her ever-clever way with words. Today she enlightens us about the many mushrooms popping up all over, with plenty of puns and a fun wee poem! (Is it a mast year for mushrooms over there?) Hopo on over to Wee Words for Wee Ones and see for yourself.
Michelle Kogan is readying for an art show and also an online poetry reading through the Poetry Foundation, but she's got a few goodies to savor in the midst of the flurries, including some original haiku and art. Good luck with all, Michelle!
At Lit Bits and Pieces, Fran extends the tree theme this week with a rich post of wonder, poetry, images - and even some science behind tree communication - it 'leaves' me both challenged and nourished.
And twist my arm to share another post featuring haiku! At A Year of Reading, Mary Lee brings us haiku from her daily diary (even if they all didn't make it onto Twitter). You'll recognize our 'present moment' in many of them, with nods to current events.
At Nix the Comfort Zone, Molly offers some thoughtful photographs and haiku, and an inadvertent life lesson on perspective. Thanks, Molly!
Kimberly Hutmacher brings us words from one of the geographical front lines of the Covid-19 pandemic, with a somber haiku and a hopeful haiku. (I share Kimberly's frustration, as our family and extended family has experienced illness and loss because of the virus.)
Margaret, at Reflections on the Teche, reflects on another big news story, the election - with her couldn't-help-herself poem in response to events with inspiration from other poetic voices.
Yay - Rose at Imagine the Possibilities is Hopping to It as well today, with a post featuring her oh-so-fun "Can You Wriggle Like a Worm." Well, can you? ;0)
Our Dear Jan of BookSeed Studio has a Mast Year of a post today - with her responses to the election, and history, and Veteran's Day, and her beloved. Grab a second cup of tea and enjoy all the thoughtfulness and links. She also offers up a GREAT suggestion for a book for these times, Georgia Heard's THIS PLACE I KNOW - Poems of Comfort. (Jan has excerpts.)
At There is No Such Thing as a God-Forsaken Town, Ruth shares a poignant and powerful poem by Miroslav Holub from Naomi Shihab Nye's anthology, THIS SAME SKY.
True to Irene's bountiful year this year, her post today at Live Your Poem is a buffet: she's highlighting three poetry books (including HOP TO IT!) which would make wonderful holiday gifts, and she's got a poem as part of her ArtSpeak series, which is a gift across space and time.
Karen Eastlund is in this week with more beautiful fall photographs and an equally lovely poem. How many shades of yellow can you think of? :0)
The amazing Myra brings us a voice I look forward to learning more about: Vidyan Ravinthiran. She has his poem "As a Child" at Gathering Books today - so powerful.
--I am off to keep shop a bit - running late! - but will return this afternoon. Thanks to all for participating!!--
And... Closing out the day (well, the Eastern time one here!) is Jone Rush MacCulloch! What a treat to get to go on so many walks in Fall woods with you folks this week, and peek at journals, pictures, art. Jone shares all three this week, part of her #Autumn Gratiku series. AND, you can sign up for her New Year's Poem Postcard Swap, too!
WAIT - There's more! Carol at The Apples in My Orchard brings us along on a trip to their beautiful cabin celebrating the warmth of this cozy getaway with some hiaku. Ahhhh.... AND, Carol is a long time Etsy seller, too! Check out her lovely handmade jewelry and unique face masks at CarolsJewelryOrchard on Etsy.
And don't miss Susan's post at Soul Blossom Living. It made me slow down and tear up. She takes us on a prairie walk, with a rich long look at gratitude this November, and her poem about it. (It's multi-sensory - she has video links, too!)
I am so grateful for you all.
