Thursday, March 20, 2014

March Madness



Spring has arrived! 

The calendar says so, 
           the azalea bushes concur, 
                         and then there's this:

http://www.thinkkidthink.com/mmpoetry-2014/tournament-bracket/

"What is this lunacy that has so thoroughly distracted you from writing this blog post?"  Ah, yes... well, I suppose you have a point.

Now in its third year, the March Madness Poetry Tournament was designed by Ed Decaria to bring the excitement of the NCAA March Madness tournament to the world of kids’ poetry. 64 poets from around the world participate in the event; together, these poets write 126 new kids’ poems in just 21 days.

For me, it's my second year as an enthusiast, my first as a participant.  I lapped up the wonderful poetry that came out of this deliciously insane event last year, and even though I wasn't an authlete, I still got my butt kicked.  Well, sort of.  When I think back on it, March Madness was the kick in the pants I needed to start Today's Little Ditty.  And here we are, nearly one year later, happy as a mad hatter to look back on how far we've come.

Here is my #MMPoetry first round poem, currently up for vote (until Friday night, 10:40pm EST):

IN CONCLUSION …

Kids of the jury, believe me,
if you had a sister like mine,
you, too, might be bucking authority—
her conduct was way out of line.
She kidnapped my Captain America
and threw him in Barbie’s pink jail!
So it seemed like a sensible sequitur
to place the ad: “SISTER FOR SALE.”


© 2014 Michelle Heidenrich Barnes.  All rights reserved.

I'm up against a worthy competitor, but win or lose, it's all good.  I'm proud of myself for coming this far!

I'm also excited about my secret plans for continuing to grow and develop Today's Little Ditty into an even more active and vibrant community.  Look for an announcement next month, but in the meantime, let's enjoy the sweet anticipation for a few more weeks, shall we?

Oh, and by the way, did you know I'm only 10 likes away from 100 on my Facebook writer's page?  Today's Little Ditty sure would appreciate a birthday present like that.  And hey, look!  There's a link on the right side of this web page... just sayin'.  <wink>

For those, like me, who like Poetry Friday, you'll find today's roundup at The Drift Record.  Thanks Julie!

29 comments:

  1. It's a terrific poem, Michelle, love the kid appeal, will try to share with my granddaughter this weekend. I'm excited about your secret plans-wonder what??? Best wishes in MM!

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    1. Thank you, Linda. I think you wrote a terrific poem too!

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  2. Happy as a mad hatter is a great way to describe the buzz in the air this spring. Looking forward to your announcement :-)

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    1. Just hoping that the buzz of the mosquitoes stays away a whole lot longer!

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  3. Fun poem, Michelle...I chuckled when I read it yesterday while voting. Good luck!

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  4. The outrage! This is very fun. Good luck!

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  5. Love your little ditty. And the azaleas. Mine are peeking but not in full bloom yet. They usually bloom on March 1. Spring is late this year. I hope that means summer will be too. Sending warm thoughts to you and your poetry boldness.

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    1. Alas, the boldness is not quite as bold now that I'm watching the results of the public vote come in. But I appreciate your encouragement nonetheless!

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  6. Of course I must vote for your perfect meter and clever use of the word, Michelle. Well done!

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    1. Thank you, ReneƩ. That means a lot coming from you! :)

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  7. Saw this yesterday and enjoyed it. Great job!

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  8. This is perfect, Michelle! How many times would I have gladly put my sister up for sale? Good thing I didn't, though, because now she's my best friend. Do you know Emma Dilemma: Big Sister Poems, by Kristine O'Connell George? I shared a poem from it for a Poetry Friday last March:
    http://readingtothecore.wordpress.com/2013/03/15/slice-2013-15-of-31-a-big-sister-poem-for-poetry-friday/Thanks for sharing!

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    1. Thanks so much for pointing me to this book, Catherine. No, I was not aware of it, but now I'm going to go seek it out. Glad to hear your own sister story has a happy ending!

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  9. Haha. This is cute! Great work, indeed. I would have put up my sister for sale too if my Captain America was imprisoned in Barbie's jail! How positively loathsome! :)

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    1. "Loathsome" is such a great word! Perhaps I'll put it in my pocket for the sequel. ;)

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  10. Very fun and funny poem, Michelle! I miss being in the thick of the madness this year (didn't really go with the madness of a move!) but I look forward to checking out all the great poems, like this one. Congrats on the Ditty dynamics, too! :0)

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  11. Hilarious! I kidnapped my brother's Captain America and his Stretch Armstrong. They were a little cooler than Ken don't ya think.

    Good luck! I'm on my way over to see how your first round went. Win or lose you are one of my favorite poetry stops.

    Cathy

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    1. What a nice thing to say, Cathy-- thank you! And I agree, Ken has got a lot to learn when it comes to cool.

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  12. LOVED your poem! (so did my students!!)

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  13. I can't wait to hear your plans for growing your blog! Can you give us a hint?

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  14. Hi, Michelle. I'm late to your post, but must say I LOVED your poem. Except, can we make it brothers for sale? Mine went on strike -- with handmade picket signs -- when I babysat them. Great details in your poem.

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    1. Too funny, Laura! I bet you would have been fun to hang with as a kid. :)

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