Thursday, May 7, 2015

Look for the Helpers + the Poetry Friday Roundup




Today's Little Ditty is all about celebrating the small stuff.  

The everyday ditties of life. In our little corner of the online world, we challenge ourselves, learn together, take risks, and support one another in the writing process. We're about community, helping each other to reach our potential, communicating shared experiences, and spreading the gospel of children's poetry, or what I like to call "dittylove."

What a bunch of blah-blah. right?  Sorry. Blah-blah is my middle name. Check my passport.

But seriously, this is who I am. I feel most myself when I'm bringing folks together and helping to promote creativity.  I claim it as part of my "heartbeat" – that one little word I spoke about last January.

This month I'm shining the TLD spotlight on Nikki Grimes and Poems in the Attic. If you missed last Friday's interview, you'll find it HERE along with Nikki's DMC challenge and instructions on how to participate. I'm so impressed with the free verse poems I've received so far! Keep them coming, and be sure to check out this week's featured ditties by Julie Larios and Renée LaTulippe.

Today we're not only celebrating Poetry Friday (we'll get to the roundup in a minute), but also World Red Cross Day. May 8th was chosen for World Red Cross Day because it's the birthday of Henry Dunant, the Nobel Prize-winning founder of the Red Cross.


You want to talk about helping? The Red Cross and Red Crescent network has been helping people for over 150 years! Millions of people. Each year. Visit the American Red Cross website to discover the many ways they help others, and also how you can support them in that work.



I'm so pleased that Sylvia Vardell and Janet Wong selected my poem "Look for the Helpers" to represent World Red Cross Day in The Poetry Friday Anthology for Celebrations. When Janet and Sylvia suggested that I also create a poem movie for the occasion, I jumped at the opportunity.

This wasn't the first time they challenged my technology skills. My son introduced me to iMovie when Sylvia and Janet were TLD's spotlight duo last June.  You would think making a video the second time around would be easier... but no, not really. Again, I couldn't have done it without my teenage IT guy. (Thanks, Dylan! xo)  But it was just as fun and creatively satisfying.

And what a boon to find so many wonderful photos in the Red Cross' database! I waded through more than 300 of them, but it was worth it to find just the right ones. I knew I wanted the focus to be on children, because children are some of the best helpers I know. 



Find this video and other goodies on PoetryCelebrations.com – home and party central 
for The Poetry Friday Anthology for Celebrations. Find the accompanying "Take 5" activities
for this poem at Sylvia Vardell's blog, Poetry for Children.

 
Now, who's ready for the Poetry Friday roundup?

It's been some time since our last Five for Friday party, so in honor of World Red Cross Day, Teacher Appreciation Week, and Mother's Day, I hope you will leave a five-word ditty (plus title, if you wish) about HELPERS or HELPING, along with your Poetry Friday link and a short description.


Participation is voluntary, of course. You may:
1. come up with 5-word ditty on the spot (please don't stress over it),
2. leave your link now and come back to add your 5-word ditty later,
3. choose not to participate in the Five for Friday at all, or
4. participate in the Five for Friday without a link. 
Here's mine, to start us off:

1. From Michelle at Today's Little Ditty:
 
 BECAUSE THE MOTHER'S DAY CARD SELECTION STUNK

Love you, Mom!
-Ditty Girl

2. From Kelly at Writing and Ruminating:
I'm in with an interview with the talented poet, Kendall A. Bell.

3. From Jama at Alphabet Soup:
At Alphabet Soup, I have a roundup of my ten favorite food poetry anthologies for adult readers

4. From Keri at Keri Recommends, in honor of helpers who don't know they are helping:

TO THE BAKER OF THE TURTLE CHEESECAKE

Your work salvaged my day.
My post is about dealing with scoliosis, complete with an acrostic poem and a video of a dolphin with a spinal curvature!

5. From Tara at A Teaching Life:
I'm in with a poem by Wendell Berry, inspired by one of my students, about being a poet.

6. From Laura at Author Amok:
I'm continuing my "In Residence" series from Northfield Elementary's 3rd grade today. The students I'm workshopping with have a few more list poems to share, modeled after Naomi Shihab Nye's poem "Words in My Pillow."

7. From Diane at Random Noodling and Kurious Kitty:

TODAY ON THE SUBWAY

Hoodie gives up his seat.
At Random Noodling: May 8 was V-E Day in 1945, I'm celebrating today with a poem from Kids of the Homefront Army.
Kurious Kitty has a poem from Rita Dove, one that she read last weekend at the Mass Poetry Festival.

8. From Robyn at Life on the Deckle Edge:

YOUNG WRITERS

Your words enrich us all.
I'm honored as always to feature our Student Haiku Poet of the Month, Dylan Levy.

9. From Penny at a penny and her jots:

TO TEACHERS EVERYWHERE

Your shoes are not fillable!
At a penny and her jots, Landon and I are sharing our 13th collaboration on A Great Nephew and a Great Aunt.

10. From Laura at writing the world for kids:

LIBRARIANS

Selectors
Connectors
Protectors
Of books!
I'm in with an old poem of mine that just won a 5th-grade class poetry tournament: Oh, Did You Need That Homework?

11. From Catherine at Reading to the Core:
I'm still thinking about Irene's Artspeak! project from April, and have "Spring Blossoms," an original poem inspired by a George Inness painting.

12. From Donna at Mainely Write:

TO A SON FROM HIS MOM

You've
always
been a
super hero!
 A few acrostics for a spring tulip or three.

 13. From Matt at Radio, Rhythm & Rhyme: 

HELPER

Son:
he's a big one.
Today I'm re-posting an original poem that Jama originally posted last week. Make sense?? I also pose a question that needs to be solved.

14. From Carol at Beyond Literacy Link: 

                    In honor of Mother's Day (families who help each other):
 
 BINDING TIES  
Family lives intertwined in love
 
                    In honor of Teacher Appreciation Week:

GREAT TEACHING
Rests in the teacher's heart
Today's post is a compilation of images for Spring's Symphony enticing writers to join in to bring a creative, vivid spring gallery of artistic expressions. Included is my offering for the NIkki Grimes' wordplay challenge.

15. From Sally Murphy:

TO MY BELOVED ON HIS BIRTHDAY

Your love
lifts me up.
I am in this week with a post about repetition in poetry

16. From Tabatha at The Opposite of Indifference, with two five word ditties:

Who sees a ripple's end?
 
Best first impulse: a smile.
I've got swaps and moms.

17. From Mary Lee at A Year of Reading:

FOR MY GENIUS HOUR HELPER

Couldn't do it
without
you!
Today, I have a poem about poetry.

18. From Charles Waters:
Happy Poetry Friday! I have a new blog post up at Poetry Time.

19. From Brenda at Friendly Fairy Tales:

FOR MOMS:

Hearts are full of you.
My link is for a haiku in honor of the UK’s new Duchess of Cambridge and to celebrate May flowers.

20. From Karen Edmisten:
I'm in today with Spring (Again) by Michael Ryan.

21. From Heidi at my juicy little universe:
Thanks to you and Nikki for getting me going today. I've answered both challenges in one painful poem.

22. From Tricia at The Miss Rumphius Effect:
I'm feeling a bit melancholy today as we prepare to send our graduates out into the world this weekend. In their honor I am sharing the poem If by Rudyard Kipling.

23. From Julie at The Drift Record and Books Around the Table:

A HELPER IN THE GARDEN

Little hands pulling big weeds! 
Over at THE DRIFT RECORD, I posted the poem I wrote in response to Nikki Grimes's DMC challenge.

And at BOOKS AROUND THE TABLE, I posted some thoughts about the terrors and joys of motherhood.

24. From Amy at The Poem Farm:

"Poetry Friday host serves...friendship!"
Today at The Poem Farm, I have a crafty poem, a Poetry Peek with 5th grade poets, and a giveaway of a CD that matches your post today - a kindness CD titled FORCE FIELD FOR GOOD, by Barry Lane.

25. From Renée LaTulippe:
I have no PF post this week, but here's my ditty:
HIGH FEVER
Brother offers brother soothing art.


26. From Jan at Bookseedstudio:

TO MY DAUGHTER

Daughter-made tea mug, hugs
With a heartmelt thank you to the TEACHING AUTHORS, please hop on over to my site, Bookseedstudio, for collaboration with Katherine Paterson,
this Poetry Friday.

27. From Sylvia at Poetry for Children:
Thanks for your fabulous poem AND video-- which is the focus of my post today-- only I'm adding the "Take 5" activities for your poem. Happy World Red Cross Day!

28. From little willow at Bildungsroman
I posted The House and the Road by Josephine Preston Peabody at my blog, Bildungsroman.

29. From Myra at Gathering Books:
I have Naomi Shihab Nye's "Flag of Childhood" up at Gathering Books today.

30. From Joy at Poetry for Kids Joy:

DEAR AMERICA,

Stitch
stripes
stars.

Yours,
Betsy
I've got an original poem and a poetry challenge.

31. From Laura Law:
I discovered Poetry Fridays after taking Renee and Penny's rhyme and meter webinar. (It was excellent!!) I hope to learn the ropes so that I can become a participant with this group. I've enjoyed reading the other ditties posted. Here's mine.
TO ALL HELPERS

Going before, showing the way


32. From Jone at Deowriter:
I have an original poem today about house wrens.

33. From Margaret at Reflections on the Teche:

On your feet, scars: a story
Like Laura Shovan, I have invited my students to write list poems after Naomi Shihab Nye.

34. From Jessica Bigi, an original poem:
Walking the balance Beam

Poem BY Jessica Bigi

Little steps
Tiptoeing steps
Little steps
Growing into
Bigger steps
You’re sweet
Steeps balancing
Across life
And our hearts
Tip to toe -
Tip to toe
Clapping cheering
Letting go
Little steps
Tiptoeing steps
Growing into
Bigger steps
Your steppingstones
In life

35. From Buffy Silverman:
No post for me today--I've been in Michigan's Upper Peninsula this week, speaking to 3000 plus kids who were participating in Young Authors. Here's a ditty in honor of all the wonderful kids I met this week:
Young authors write the future.


36. From Ramona at Pleasures from the Page:
Here's a ditty I created to go along with my post and gratitude for the poetry friends who share each Friday: 
POETRY LOVE FOR UNDER $10!
Thank you Catherine and Tricia.



Thanks, poetry helpers!
The Poetry Friday roundup is closed to links now, but 5-word ditties are still welcome.

Wishing you and yours...                                          
Art4TheGlryOfGod Photography by Sharon



72 comments:

  1. What a great post - and what a nice tribute to Mr. Rogers, who always said to "Look for the helpers", too.

    I'm in with an interview with the talented poet, Kendall A. Bell. Here's the link: http://kellyrfineman.livejournal.com/861040.html

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You nailed it, Kelly! Mr. Rogers was my original inspiration for this poem. Maybe I should have mentioned that in the post. Oh well.

      Delete
  2. Love the poem movie, Michelle. Happy World Red Cross Day!

    At Alphabet Soup, I have a roundup of my ten favorite food poetry anthologies for adult readers (link goes live at 6 a.m.):

    http://wp.me/p1GE6P-41Z

    Thanks for hosting this week and for putting this post up early. :) Will be back with my Five for Friday.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Hi Early Bird! My post will go live in the wee hours of tomorrow at http://wp.me/p4P49X-bC. It's a post about dealing with scoliosis, complete with an acrostic poem and a video of a dolphin with a spinal curvature!

    In honor of helpers who don't know they are helping ...

    TO THE BAKER OF THE TURTLE CHEESECAKE

    Your work salvaged my day.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Be a hugger, a helper... Oh, i love this, Michelle - sharing it with my kids tomorrow. I'm in with a poem by Wendell Berry, inspired by one of my students, about being a poet:
    https://ateachinglifedotcom.wordpress.com/2015/05/08/poetry-friday-how-to-be-a-poet-by-wendell-berry/

    ReplyDelete
  5. Hey, Michelle! I'm jugging teaching and an education conference this week. Stopping by to say thank you for hosting! Celebrating small stuff -- the stuff of so many wonderful poems.

    I'm continuing my "In Residence" series from Northfield Elementary's 3rd grade today. The students I'm workshopping with have a few more list poems to share, modeled after Naomi Shihab Nye's poem "Words in My Pillow." http://authoramok.blogspot.com/2015/05/in-residence-poetry-friday-words.html

    ReplyDelete
  6. Hi Michelle! May 8 was V-E Day in 1945, I'm celebrating today with a poem from Kids of the Homefront Army. http://randomnoodling.blogspot.com/2015/05/poetry-friday-v-e-day.html

    Kurious Kitty has a poem from Rita Dove, one that she read last weekend at the Mass Poetry Festival. http://kuriouskitty.blogspot.com/2015/05/poetry-friday-rita-dove.html

    TODAY ON THE SUBWAY

    Hoodie gives up his seat.

    ReplyDelete
  7. So much to love here today, Michelle! Your video is so uplifting (like your poem), and I believe you; no need to dig out the passport. ;0)

    I'm honored as always to feature our Student Haiku Poet of the Month, Dylan Levy.

    YOUNG WRITERS

    Your words enrich us all.

    (Thanks for hosting, Michelle, and for all you do to HELP us connect with poetry!)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm thankful that you enjoy spreading the wonder of children's poetry as much as I do, Robyn.

      Delete
  8. Oops - LINK: http://www.robynhoodblack.com/blog.htm?post=995456

    ReplyDelete
  9. Thanks for hosting, Michelle. Loved the video.

    At a penny and her jots, Landon and I are sharing our 13th collaboration on A Great Nephew and a Great Aunt. http://wp.me/p22d5X-1bw
    The post goes live early Friday morning.

    TO TEACHERS EVERYWHERE

    Your shoes are not fillable!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Teachers rock big time. I realize that as a parent more than I ever did as a student.

      Delete
  10. I can't turn on sound right now, so will be back in the morning to watch your video! And I'm in with an old poem of mine that just won a 5th-grade class poetry tournament: Oh, Did You Need That Homework? It's at http://www.laurasalas.com/blog/for-teachers/homework/ Thanks for hosting, Michelle!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Thanks for hosting today, Michelle! Your poem and video are terrific. I'm still thinking about Irene's Artspeak! project from April, and have "Spring Blossoms," an original poem inspired by a George Inness painting:
    https://readingtothecore.wordpress.com/2015/05/07/poetry-friday-spring-blossoms/

    ReplyDelete
  12. A few acrostics for a spring tulip or three. http://mainelywrite.blogspot.com/2015/05/threelips.html - live at midnight.

    TO A SON FROM HIS MOM

    You've
    always
    been a
    super hero!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Enjoy your Mother's Day, Donna.

      Delete
    2. I assume this is about your son, Donna? I bet he feels the same. :)

      Delete
  13. Thanks for hosting, Michelle. Good job with the movie, even if it DID require a "helper!" Today I'm re-posting an original poem that Jama originally posted last week. Make sense?? I also pose a question that needs to be solved. Post goes live shortly after midnight! http://wp.me/p2DEY3-1fm

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oops, forgot the 5-word ditty!

      HELPER

      Son:
      he's a big one.

      Delete
    2. I wouldn't doubt for a moment that your little one is a HUGE helper, Matt!

      Delete
  14. Michelle, your Poetry Friday post is packed with all sorts of goodies. You did a wonderful job with the Helpers' Movie. Today, I am giving you two Five for Friday Party Ditties:

    1 In honor of Mother's Day (families who help each other):
    Binding Ties
    Family lives intertwined in love

    2. In honor of Teacher Appreciation Week:
    Great Teaching
    Rests in the teacher's heart

    Today's post is a compilation of images for Spring's Symphony enticing writers to join in to bring a creative, vivid spring gallery of artistic expressions. Included is my offering for the NIkki Grimes' wordplay challenge. The post can be found at http://beyondliteracylink.blogspot.com/2015/05/may-blossom.html. Thank you for hosting.


    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you for these two ditties from the heart, Carol. And also for taking part in Nikki's challenge!

      Delete
  15. Michele - I love your wonderful poem and its movie. Bravo!
    I am in this week with a post about repetition in poetry at http://sallymurphy.com.au/2015/05/poetry-friday-repetition/

    And my five word ditty:

    TO MY BELOVED ON HIS BIRTHDAY

    Your love
    lifts me up.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. What a beauty of a ditty, Sally. :) Happy birthday to your beloved.

      Delete
  16. Thanks for being a wonderful host, Michelle!

    Two five word ditties:
    Who sees a ripple's end?
    Best first impulse: a smile.

    I've got swaps and moms: http://tabathayeatts.blogspot.com/2015/05/summer-poem-swap-sign-ups-and-wreath-to.html

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Leave it to you, Tabatha, to find a fresh way to approach the Five for Friday. Your ditties sing like haiku!

      Delete
  17. I'll have to come back to watch your video and leave my ditty. Thanks for hosting!!

    Today, I have a poem about poetry
    http://readingyear.blogspot.com/2015/05/poetry-friday-kind-of-poetry.html

    ReplyDelete
  18. Love your video and poem, Michelle. So clear, simple, and touching.

    And here's my ditty.

    LIBRARIANS

    Selectors
    Connectors
    Protectors
    Of books!

    ReplyDelete
  19. Hi Michelle!

    Happy Poetry Friday! I have a new blog post up at Poetry Time.

    http://www.charleswaterspoetry.com/#!POETRY-TIME-BLOG-25/c23vc/554517400cf23d01646a9de5

    ReplyDelete
  20. For Moms:

    Hearts are full of you.

    Love you video. You have such a gentle voice. My link is for a poem here: http://friendlyfairytales.com/2015/05/07/duchesses/

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you for the nice compliment, Brenda. Love your 5-word ditty!

      Delete
  21. What a rich post! So much to dig in to!
    I'm in today with Spring (Again) by Michael Ryan. The link is here. Thanks for hosting, Michelle!

    ReplyDelete
  22. Hi, Michelle--

    Thanks to you and Nikki for getting me going today. I've answered both challenges in one painful poem. I appreciate your hosting!

    http://myjuicylittleuniverse.blogspot.com/2015/05/ditty-challenges.html

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I guess you won't be sharing this one with your kindergarteners. You do realize how amazing you are, don't you?

      Delete
  23. Morning Michelle!
    I'm feeling a bit melancholy today as we prepare to send our graduates out into the world this weekend. In their honor I am sharing the poem If by Rudyard Kipling.
    http://missrumphiuseffect.blogspot.com/2015/05/poetry-friday-if.html

    Thank you for hosting this little shindig.
    Best,
    Tricia

    ReplyDelete
  24. Thanks for hosting, Michelle! Over at THE DRIFT RECORD, I posted the poem I wrote in response to Nikki Grimes's DMC challenge. Here's the link for that: https://booksaroundthetable.wordpress.com/2015/05/08/lilacs-roller-coasters-mothers/

    And at BOOKS AROUND THE TABLE, I posted some thoughts about the terrors and joys of motherhood. Here's the link: https://booksaroundthetable.wordpress.com/2015/05/08/lilacs-roller-coasters-mothers/

    And here is a 5-word ditty about a helper:

    A Helper in the Garden

    Little hands pulling big weeds!

    ReplyDelete
  25. "be a hugger...a helper."
    What a beautiful poem and video. Hug to you for that.

    Today at The Poem Farm, I have a crafty poem, a Poetry Peek with 5th grade poets, and a giveaway of a CD that matches your post today - a kindness CD titled FORCE FIELD FOR GOOD, by Barry Lane.

    http://www.poemfarm.amylv.com/2015/05/walking-stick-fifth-grade-poets-kindness.html

    Here is my ditty:

    "Poetry Friday host serves...friendship!"

    Thank you for hosting!
    xo,
    a.

    ReplyDelete
  26. I love your poem movie, Michelle! Great post all around.

    I have no PF post this week, by here's my ditty:

    HIGH FEVER
    Brother offers brother soothing art.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh no! I hope your little one feels better soon. I'm sure the art helps. :)

      Delete
  27. TO MY DAUGHTER


    Daughter-made tea mug, hugs


    With a heartmelt thank you to the TEACHING AUTHORS, please hop on over to my site, Bookseedstudio, for collaboration with Katherine Paterson,
    this Poetry Friday.


    Bookseedstudio
    https://bookseedstudio.wordpress.com/2015/05/08/katherine-patterson-in-collaboration-for-poetry-friday/

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. What a sweet daughter! BTW, I saw that your going to the Orlando SCBWI conference, Jan. Looking forward to meeting you. :)

      Delete
  28. Hi, Michelle, thanks for hosting-- and thanks especially for your fabulous poem AND video-- which is the focus of my post today-- only I'm adding the "Take 5" activities for your poem. Happy World Red Cross Day! The link: http://poetryforchildren.blogspot.com/2015/05/celebrating-world-red-cross-day.html

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Sylvia. I'm thrilled and honored to be part of the PFAC!

      Delete
  29. Thank you to all of the helpers out there who make the world a little brighter and a little safer for others.

    I posted The House and the Road by Josephine Preston Peabody at my blog, Bildungsroman:
    http://slayground.livejournal.com/806588.html

    ReplyDelete
  30. Hello there Michelle! Thanks for hosting this week. I have Naomi Shihab Nye's "Flag of Childhood" up at GatheringBooks today. Here is the link:
    http://wp.me/pDlzr-9Cx

    ReplyDelete
  31. Michelle, I've got an original poem and a poetry challenge up today at www.poetryforkidsjoy.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  32. I discovered Poetry Fridays after taking Renee and Penny's rhyme and meter webinar. (It was excellent!!) I hope to learn the ropes so that I can become a participant with this group. I've enjoyed reading the other ditties posted. Here's mine.

    TO ALL HELPERS

    Walking ahead, lighting the way

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Welcome, Laura! Goodonya for jumping right in with a 5-word ditty. That's a great place to start! Looking forward to getting to know you over the coming weeks.

      Delete
    2. LauraLaw17@yahoo.comMay 9, 2015 at 12:19 PM

      I couldn't help editing ...

      Going before, showing the way

      Delete
    3. Okay, changes made. :) BTW, Laura, if you haven't seen Renée's post about what Poetry Friday is and how it works, have a look: http://www.nowaterriver.com/what-in-the-world-is-poetry-friday/ It will probalby help accelerate the process of learning the ropes.

      Delete
  33. And I have an original poem here: https://deowriter.wordpress.com/2015/05/08/poetry-friday-house-wrens/

    ReplyDelete
  34. Great poem on helpers. Michelle. Have a wonderful Mother's Day.

    ReplyDelete
  35. Love your video and poem! Here's my ditty:

    FOR MY GENIUS HOUR HELPER

    Couldn't do it
    without
    you!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Mary Lee. :) Gotta love those "come to the rescue" sorts of helpers!

      Delete
  36. Like Laura Shovan, I have invited my students to write list poems after Naomi Shihab Nye. https://reflectionsontheteche.wordpress.com/2015/05/08/trying-on-other-poets-clothes/

    On your feet, scars: a story

    ReplyDelete
  37. Walking the balance Beam

    Poem BY Jessica Bigi

    Little steps
    Tiptoeing steps
    Little steps
    Growing into
    Bigger steps
    You’re sweet
    Steeps balancing
    Across life
    And our hearts
    Tipp too tow -
    Tipp too tow
    Clapping cheering
    Letting go
    Little steps
    Tiptoeing steps
    Growing into
    Bigger steps
    Your steppingstones
    In life

    ReplyDelete
  38. mad some changes


    Walking the balance Beam

    Poem BY Jessica Bigi

    Little steps
    Tiptoeing steps
    Little steps
    Growing into
    Bigger steps
    You’re sweet
    Steeps balancing
    Across life
    And our hearts
    Tip to toe -
    Tip to toe
    Clapping cheering
    Letting go
    Little steps
    Tiptoeing steps
    Growing into
    Bigger steps
    Your steppingstones
    In life

    ReplyDelete
  39. No post for me today--I've been in Michigan's Upper Peninsula this week, speaking to 3000 plus kids who were participating in Young Authors. Now I'm in my hotel room, looking at a beautiful Lake Superior sunset. Here's a ditty in honor of all the wonderful kids I met this week:

    Young authors write the future.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sounds like you had a great time and a very positive experience, Buffy. :)

      Delete
  40. Joining in late this week, but it's still Friday in the NW. Here's a ditty I created to go along with my post and gratitude for the poetry friends who share each Friday:

    Poetry love for under $10!
    Thank you Catherine and Tricia.

    ReplyDelete
  41. FIVE WORD DITTY (Sometimes the poems come easy, it's the ideas that are hard.)

    DEAR AMERICA,

    Stitch
    stripes
    stars.

    Yours,
    Betsy

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Nicely done, Joy! I noticed too that this helping theme was a bit more difficult than ones I've used in the past.

      Delete