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,I am adopting an idea from the talented Michelle H. Barnes. It's called MONDAY MUSING.  A couple of Friday's ago, I wanted to share a Fire poem that was rolling around in my head. But alas, I waited and struggled getting it our and then the news of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg and hit and the blog post went a different direction.
I happened upon a poem by Kim Stafford and was taken by the craft: each line held only three words. I had found my mentor text for my fire poem based on daily observations during those dark, ashened days. Here is the poem: Fire Week by Jone Rush MacCulloch on Labor Day we eat dinner graffiti decorates walls I add mine forty-eight hours later the restaurant burns to the ground with the town smoke suffocates sky asthma lungs labor a giant campfire nobody has s’mores we can’t breathe say Covid patients we can’t breathe say police victims we can’t breathe says climate change ash cloud pillows smother the sun smoke suffocates sky coast to coast oxalis, mice, ferns, pets, firs, children hallowed ash dust feed forests, gardens silent curfew streets birds stop singing smoke suffocates sky we can’t breathe we weep 
Welcome, welcome, welcome. I've been wanting up my website game for awhile. I'm so glad you are here! Today, I have a special treat because I get to share the latest collaboration of Janet Wong and Sylvia Vardell, HOP TO IT: Poems to Get You Moving. This is a SNEAK Peek because the book's birthday it OCTOBER 15, 2020. PLUS...five people who comment on this blog, will get their very own copy thanks to the generosity of Pomelo Books. How cool is that? A few poems in the book tie in well with today being NATIONAL MATH STORYTELLING DAY #MathStorytellingDay as well as #NationalBraveDay 
Everyday Use reminds us that good muscles, a compassionate heart can help us to be brave as we march on the long road to justce.
In March, I met Xelena Gonzalez at the AWP2020 convention in San Antonio, TX (maybe one of the last conventions before the Covid shutdown). I love the idea that sometimes we just need warm up in our chair to be brave enough to dance.
In Reach!, Rebecca Balcárcel, reminds us that we can reach for our dreams and reach for bravery if we stretch our hands to the sky.
Our final sneak peek involves math and what a poem it is! Mixing math and science and movement with a stamp and clap. Thank you Joan Bransfield Graham.
What poetry goodness do you bring to the world today? We certainly are in need. Please join the fun. Don't forget to comment for a chance to win a copy which will be mailed to you in mid-October.
 Today was a day that I should have written my post earlier in the day. I have this poem about smoke and ash in my head that is figuring itself out. I was going to work more on it until the news at 4:50 PM which announced the passing of Judge Ruth Bader Ginsberg. I am gutted. What more 2020, what more? I have no words.  From my trip to Washington, DC in 2018 My invitation is to stop by next Friday, September 25 when I host Poetry Friday. Consider a poem about bravery or a math story problem. NATIONAL MATH STORYTELLING DAY #MathStorytellingDay is September 25 A little history. It was created in 2009. It’s a day to tell stories using math. The fourth Friday of September is #NationalBRAVEDay. September 25th is that Friday. This began in 2017 to uplift and honor the women who make up feel brave. How about the theme of poems that tell a math story or honor a brave woman might be fun. Need help with some mathematical poetry types? Poem Types PLUS…I have some VERY EXCITING news about the latest collaboration from Janet Wong and Sylvia Vardell. PLUS a GIVEAWAY or TWO!!
This has been a week. It’s difficult to believe that on Monday, we traveled to Central Oregon for grandgirl’s drop off. Understanding the wind and traffic we chose a different route. Little did we know that were on a road that within 12 hours would be engulfed in flames. Little did we know that the place we ate dinner would be flattened by fire overnight. The smoke has moved in and settled around us, it’s an unwelcome guest. Here are two thoughts about the week.  And today marks 19 years, since once again innocence was destroyed,  On September 25, I will be hosting Poetry Friday. NATIONAL MATH STORYTELLING DAY #MathStorytellingDay is September 25 A little history. It was created in 2009. It’s a day to tell stories using math. The fourth Friday of September is #NationalBRAVEDay. September 25th is that Friday. This began in 2017 to uplift and honor the women who make up feel brave. So why am I focusing on September 25, 2020? Because I will be hosting Poetry Friday. How about the theme of poems that tell a math story or honor a brave woman might be fun. Maybe your poem will feature a poem steeped in a mathematical structure: Fibonacci, Zeno, Cinquain, Nonet, Sijo, or Arun. Or any poem with a mathematical structure. Maybe your poem will combine both BRAVE and a Math Story. Need help with some mathematical poetry types? Poem Types |
