Welcome to Poetry Friday!
If you're new to Poetry Friday, have a look HERE to find out what it's all about. I'm looking forward to making the rounds of this week's offerings!
At Today's Little Ditty, I've been sharing "ME poems" inspired by Lee Bennett Hopkins' Ditty of the Month Club challenge. According to Lee, a ME poem is based on "one simple moment in your childhood – a thrilling moment, a sad moment, a moment that changed you in some way." Like the little girl in the picture above, I imagine all the children in these poems sitting down to write about the special moments that helped shape their future selves.
This week I featured poems by Linda Mitchell, Michele Krueger, Ellen Leventhal, and Kristi Dee Veitenheimer. Today it's my turn.
DEAR DOG
Was it the snow that set you on edge?
The swish of my pants?
The crunch underfoot?
The day I took the shortcut.
Or was it the race–your hunger, my fear?
The thrill of the chase?
The moment I slipped?
The day I took the shortcut.
Things might have been different.
We could have been friends
if you weren’t so mean
and I wasn’t so tasty.
The day I took the shortcut.
© 2015 Michelle Heidenrich Barnes. All rights reserved.
Believe it or not, next Friday I will be posting the end-of-month wrap-up. If you'd like to participate, please send your poem to TodaysLittleDitty (at) gmail (dot) com, or use the contact form in the sidebar to the right. I look forward to reading them!
THE POETRY FRIDAY ROUNDUP
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| Photo: Rick Cameron |
Ellie (who is not the dog in my poem) invites you to leave a direct link to your post in the comments along with a
short description. I will list them below.
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1. Laura Shovan shares her fascination with an uncovered skeleton, a childhood memory of a hurricane, and a storm-inspired poem by Sid Gold at AUTHOR AMOK.
2. Jama Rattigan has sweets for the sweet this week at ALPHABET SOUP: a Marie Antoinette poem by Christie Grimes and a little gallery of wedding cakes.
3. Laura Purdie Salas is in with a nature-inspired riddle-ku at WRITING THE WORLD FOR KIDS.
4. Irene Latham shares a "poetry potpourri" at LIVE YOUR POEM...: a Gwendolyn Brooks poem, a little Einstein, what she's been reading... and more.
2. Jama Rattigan has sweets for the sweet this week at ALPHABET SOUP: a Marie Antoinette poem by Christie Grimes and a little gallery of wedding cakes.
3. Laura Purdie Salas is in with a nature-inspired riddle-ku at WRITING THE WORLD FOR KIDS.
4. Irene Latham shares a "poetry potpourri" at LIVE YOUR POEM...: a Gwendolyn Brooks poem, a little Einstein, what she's been reading... and more.
5. At RANDOM NOODLING, Diane Mayr has an original a poem inspired by living alone with an active imagination and a cat. And at KURIOUS KITTY'S KURIO KABINET, a poem by Lisa Williams about grackles, called–what else?–"Grackles."
6. In celebration of Grandparents Day last weekend, CBHANEK shares a touching story about a little girl, a grandma, and a poem you'll recognize about a tree. Also, don't miss her ME poem in response to Lee Bennett Hopkins' challenge HERE.
7. Matt Forrest Esenwine has a bit of everything, including a new poem, a new anthology, and a new CYBILS category he'll be judging, over at RADIO, RHYTHM & RHYME.
8. Linda Baie has a lovely original poem infused with ocean memories at TEACHERDANCE.
9. At A TEACHING LIFE, Tara Smith shares a sigh-worthy poem about the end of summer: "Solitudes" by Margaret Gibson.
10. At A READING YEAR, Mary Lee Hahn's inspirational poem, "To My Students," uses the form Tabatha Yeatts introduced to us a couple weeks ago with the video of Lennon and Maisy.
11. Donna Smith is also sharing an original poem today at MAINELY WRITE. "Aquasphere" is a poem she didn't end up using for SPARK, but here, she illustrates it herself with her new passion for watercolors.
12. Iphigene's heartwrenching original poem at GATHERING BOOKS references three Emily Dickinson poems as it explores a child's coma and a mother's choice.
13. Delighted to see Carol Varsalona is sharing a ME poem at BEYOND LITERACY LINK. She contrasts her childhood seaside memories with a another original poem titled "Summer Splashings." If you haven't yet checked out Carol's extensive Summer Splashings Gallery (unveiled last weekend), you can do so HERE.
14. At HATBOOKS, Holly Thompson writes about a life-changing moment from her late teen years that pointed her toward Japan–thanks to a pair of geta.
15. Amy Ludwig VanDerwater shares an original poem about change and memories at THE POEM FARM, along with the book and life happenings that inspired it.
16. Tabatha Yeatts has got mindfulness on her mind. She shares "Admit Something" by Hafiz at THE OPPOSITE OF INDIFFERENCE.
17. Heidi Mordhorst has some happy news to share, including a momentous event in Room 203. She commemorates the occasion with an original poem at MY JUICY LITTLE UNIVERSE.
18. SALLY MURPHY is in this week with a poem she wrote about bird watching and walking.
19. Do you know the difference between a box turtle and a snapping turtle? You will after reading Ruth's original poetry offering today at THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS A GOD-FORSAKEN TOWN.
20. Doraine Bennett shares a poem about talking with light by Thomas Aquinas and her own beauty of a ME poem at DORI READS.
21. Catherine at READING TO THE CORE, has been searching for just the right form for her campfire poem. She found it, thanks to Eve Merriam.
22. Penny Parker Klostermann has a yummy collaboration from guests, Sandy Lowe and her granddaughter, Mary, on A GREAT NEPHEW AND A GREAT AUNT.
23. Poets and Doctor Who fans will appreciate this lyrical quotation shared by Little Willow at BILDUNGSROMAN.
24. VIOLET NESDOLY offers a poetic tribute to the founder of her local poetry club: "This is the house that Donna built."
25. Anastasia Suen shares the rhyming picture book, Goodnight Football, on her new WRITING LESSONS blog.
26. Sylvia Vardell is "reverse engineering" The Poetry Friday Anthology for Celebrations. At POETRY FOR CHILDREN, she shows how you can ignore the holidays component and use the book to find poems to match with 156 favorite contemporary picture books for story times and lessons.
27. Janet Squires has a review of Fold Me A Poem by Kristine O'Connell George at ALL ABOUT THE BOOKS.
28. Tricia Stohr-Hunt shares some great consignment shop finds at THE MISS RUMPHIUS EFFECT: books by Elizabeth Spires and Myra Cohn Livingston.
29. In honor of Constitution Day, Jone MacCulloch has Georgia Heard's "A Dream Come True" from The Poetry Friday Anthology for Celebrations at CHECK IT OUT. She also reveals the roster of 2015 CYBILS poetry judges. (Hooray!)
30. KAREN EDMISTEN is giving us a taste of autumn this week with Arthur Sze's beautiful and poignant "The Shapes of Leaves."
31. Last, but never least, Margaret Simon has been spending the day completing a Dot Day project with her students. Enjoy their collaborative poem on video at REFLECTIONS ON THE TECHE.
22. Penny Parker Klostermann has a yummy collaboration from guests, Sandy Lowe and her granddaughter, Mary, on A GREAT NEPHEW AND A GREAT AUNT.
23. Poets and Doctor Who fans will appreciate this lyrical quotation shared by Little Willow at BILDUNGSROMAN.
24. VIOLET NESDOLY offers a poetic tribute to the founder of her local poetry club: "This is the house that Donna built."
25. Anastasia Suen shares the rhyming picture book, Goodnight Football, on her new WRITING LESSONS blog.
26. Sylvia Vardell is "reverse engineering" The Poetry Friday Anthology for Celebrations. At POETRY FOR CHILDREN, she shows how you can ignore the holidays component and use the book to find poems to match with 156 favorite contemporary picture books for story times and lessons.
27. Janet Squires has a review of Fold Me A Poem by Kristine O'Connell George at ALL ABOUT THE BOOKS.
28. Tricia Stohr-Hunt shares some great consignment shop finds at THE MISS RUMPHIUS EFFECT: books by Elizabeth Spires and Myra Cohn Livingston.
29. In honor of Constitution Day, Jone MacCulloch has Georgia Heard's "A Dream Come True" from The Poetry Friday Anthology for Celebrations at CHECK IT OUT. She also reveals the roster of 2015 CYBILS poetry judges. (Hooray!)
30. KAREN EDMISTEN is giving us a taste of autumn this week with Arthur Sze's beautiful and poignant "The Shapes of Leaves."
31. Last, but never least, Margaret Simon has been spending the day completing a Dot Day project with her students. Enjoy their collaborative poem on video at REFLECTIONS ON THE TECHE.
Thank you for all of your kind comments today, and especially to those of you who shared your own harrowing dog encounters. Just to set the record straight, while I have moved on from the incident and hold no grudges, sweet Ellie is not mine. (I borrowed her from Flickr Creative Commons.) I'm more of a cat person.
See you next week for the DMC Wrap-Up Celebration!
That's a scary memory, Michelle. I'm glad you made peace with dogs!
ReplyDeleteI wrote about a childhood memory of a hurricane in my post, but the stormy poem I'm sharing is by Sid Gold. "Clear Intents" is about uprooted trees and reminded me of a news story I read this week. A medieval skeleton was discovered when an old tree was uprooted in Ireland. Quite an image.
http://authoramok.blogspot.com/2015/09/poetry-friday-under-surface.html
Oh, Michelle - no wonder that was a moment you can't forget. As Laura said, glad you didn't let that experience keep you from making friends with other dogs.
ReplyDelete[I'm in and out of town and don't have a real post this week, but I'm sending any visitors your way. Thanks for hosting - Happy Poetry Friday to all!]
Thanks for stopping by to say hello, Robyn! I confess, I'm still a bit skittish around German Shepherds, but there's too much doggy goodness out there to stay mad for long.
DeleteI'm glad that scary experience didn't put you off dogs for the rest of your life.
ReplyDeleteThis week at Alphabet Soup, sweets for the sweet: a Marie Antoinette poem by Christie Grimes and a little gallery of wedding cakes: http://wp.me/p1GE6P-4cb
My link goes live at 6 a.m. EDT.
Thanks for hosting! Can't believe how fast September has flown by.
I can't believe it either, Jama! It's a conspiracy, I tell you.
DeleteI love the heartfelt voice in your poem, Michelle, and the great details. I'm in with a riddle-ku at http://laurasalas.com/poems-for-teachers/a-forest-riddle-ku/
ReplyDeleteThanks for hosting!
Oh, Michelle! NOT a fun experience in that poem. :( But isn't Ellie a cutie with that snowy snout?! Thank you for sharing. I've got a Poetry Potpourri -- little bit of everything this Poetry Friday! A Gwendolyn Brooks poem, a little Einstein, what I've been reading... and more. :) Thanks for hosting. http://irenelatham.blogspot.com/2015/09/poetry-potpourri-for-poetry-friday.html
ReplyDeleteWell, I just realized that I didn't follow the instructions, "one simple moment in your childhood – a thrilling moment, a sad moment, a moment that changed you in some way." The poem I sent you was a general childhood impression. Back to the drawing board...
ReplyDeleteAt Random Noodling I have a poem inspired by my living alone with an active imagination and a cat. http://randomnoodling.blogspot.com/2015/09/poetry-friday-cats-not-in-sight.html
Kurious Kitty shares a poem by Lisa Williams about grackles, called--what else?--"Grackles." http://kuriouskitty.blogspot.com/2015/09/poetry-friday-grackles.html
By the way, I love the photo of Ellie and I'm glad you weren't scarred for life by your earlier encounter with the "dear dog."
DeleteI don't think you need to go back to the drawing board, Diane... unless you really want to. I'll email you.
DeleteGreetings, Michelle! Thank you for hosting Poetry Friday, and for sharing your childhood memory poem. Scary stuff to read about; I can only imagine what it was like for you (re)living it! Thank God you're canine-OK as others have said.
ReplyDeleteHere is this week's PF poetry-post link (which I greatly appreciate linking tonight! Thank you!): http://cbhanek.com/2015/09/15/at-the-end-something-about-god/
In celebration of the most recent Grandparents Day, the post shares thoughts about a Grandma who sent her first grade Grandbaby to school with a poem in her pocket—a poem the little girl lost, a poem she described as being about a man who wrote poems, a tree—and at the end, something about God.
Thank you for everything you do to promote poetry! God bless you.
Apologies. Here is the link http://cbhanek.com/2015/09/15/at-the-end-something-about-god/
ReplyDeleteWhen I was in 7 grade, I was walking home the back way when two dobermans sneaked through a hole in their fence and I came face-to-face with the most snarling, vicious creatures I'd ever seen. I slowly backed up, yelling at them to hopefully confuse them - which worked. Once I was safely out of their sight I ran home - a good mile or so - and collapsed on the porch. Needless to say, my folks were NOT happy with the owner! So I can totally identify with your poem...good to see you made it safely through, too!
ReplyDeleteToday I'm sharing a bunch of things, including a new poem, a new anthology, and a new CYBILS category I'll be judging! http://wp.me/p2DEY3-1lu
That does sound scary, Matt! Goodonya for having your wits about you and backing up slowly rather than inviting a chase.
DeleteYour poem seems so forgiving, Michelle, but with that underlying tension, that 'shortcut' line. I love the picture of your Ellie. Thank you for hosting. I have an original poem, returning to the ocean again, loving my memories! http://www.teacherdance.org/2015/09/poetry-friday-once-more-sea.html
ReplyDeleteActually Ellie is not mine, Linda. I'm more of a cat person. But who can resist that snowy snout?
DeleteOh, dear. It's always that short cut that gets you. here's my link - a poem about the end of summer (sigh) and solitude:
ReplyDeletehttps://ateachinglifedotcom.wordpress.com/2015/09/18/poetry-friday-10/
Time to get busy on a ME poem! Luckily, I don't have any scary dog memories, but I might write about a very vindictive Shetland pony...
ReplyDeleteI have an original today, using the form Tabatha introduced to us with the video of Lennon and Maisy: http://readingyear.blogspot.com/2015/09/poetry-friday-to-my-students.html
A vindictive Shetland pony? That's a story I need to hear, Mary Lee!
DeleteHaving taught for a bazillion years, I've seen plenty of scars on the faces of children bitten by dogs.
ReplyDeleteYears ago, for no reason, our dog attacked our son (who turned just in time and was alright). I was right there, fortunately, grabbed the dog and called my husband. That was the dog's last day.
I love dogs, but I NEVER totally trust them. They are dogs.
So that said...glad all worked out for you and the dog in the poem!
My original poem today is "Aquasphere" - a response that I didn't use for Spark. I illustrated it myself using... my new passion... watercolors!
http://mainelywrite.blogspot.com/2015/09/aquasphere-another-response.html
That's where I'm at with dogs too, Donna. While I've met plenty of mild-mannered sweeties, I'm never completely at ease and the barking sets me on edge.
DeleteHi Michelle,
ReplyDeleteI used to take all the detours I could to avoid dogs when I was a child, now I own 3. I like the idea of the ME poem. I might do something like this soon. Today's I share a poem that references on 3 Emily Dickinson poems as it explored a child's coma and a mother's choice.
here's the link: http://gatheringbooks.org/2015/09/18/poetry-friday-a-childs-life-a-mothers-choice-and-emily-dickinson/
Thanks for hosting.
-iphigene
Michelle, you took me by surprise with your "me" poem. It reminded me of the fear of dogs I had when I was little because one was so mean, loud, and always had to be all over me. Biting was his habit of choice. Thankfully, I recovered from that experience when I grew older. My offering for today's Poetry Friday and Your Little Ditty is Seaside Memories at http://goo.gl/IIJYkM.
ReplyDeleteI'm probably stretching the definition of childhood since this memory is from my late teen years! For Poetry Friday this week I've written about the moment that changed everything and pointed me toward Japan--thanks to a pair of geta. http://hatbooks.blogspot.com/2015/09/geta-poem.html
ReplyDeleteOh, Michelle, this reminds me of the time my sister and I had some trouble getting past a collie. Scary! I love all of those little details, especially "the swish of my pants."
ReplyDeleteOver at The Poem Farm I have a poem about change and memories along with the book and life happenings that inspired it.
http://www.poemfarm.amylv.com/2015/09/that-day-when-writing-comes-from-many.html
Happy Poetry Friday!
Hi Michelle! Thanks for hosting! I was bitten by a dog on my eyelid when I was young -- isn't that a strange place to be bit? Glad that both of us are still dog-friendly.
ReplyDeleteI've got a poem by Hafiz today: http://tabathayeatts.blogspot.com/2015/09/a-full-moon-in-each-eye.html
Have a great weekend!
Yep, seems a bit strange to me, but maybe not to Donna (see her comment above). My original poem talked about where the dog bit me, but my daughter was not at all happy with that information going public. Ha! Another poem for another day!
DeleteHey, Michelle! Here's my link and I'm coming back after the school bus run to read and enjoy...
ReplyDeletehttp://myjuicylittleuniverse.blogspot.com/2015/09/diamond-shiners-cybils-news.html
Hi Michelle. Thanks for hosting, Your dog poem was something I could relate to, having had an encounter with a German shepherd as a young teen. I'm in this week with a poem about birdwatching and walking. http://sallymurphy.com.au/?p=1535
ReplyDeleteMine was a German Shepherd as well, Sally. My best guess was that I was about 7 or 8.
DeleteThanks for hosting! Here's my entry for the day: http://thereisnosuchthingasagodforsakentown.blogspot.com/2015/09/poetry-friday-turtles.html
ReplyDeleteI really love your poem, Michelle--it has all the clues but no straightforward storytelling--my favorite kind of mystery. Your refrain contains the decision point for this me-defining event and gives readers THREE chances to consider the implications of the decision. Really terrific! and thanks for hosting.
ReplyDeleteI think perhaps we will write ME poems this morning...why wait?
I think that sounds like a most excellent idea, Heidi!
DeleteMy dad told me I had a moment like that. Apparently my two-year-old mind has blocked it out forever, leaving me a definitely not a dog person. Today I'm sharing a poem about talking with light by Thomas Aquinas and my ME poem. http://dorireads.blogspot.com/2015/09/poetry-friday-talking-with-light.html
ReplyDeleteRunning late today, so I'll come back to read your post this afternoon, Michelle. I have a campfire poem that I finally found a form for, thanks to Eve Merriam. https://readingtothecore.wordpress.com/2015/09/18/poetry-friday-channeling-eve-merriam/
ReplyDeleteThanks for hosting!
My sister had a similar dog incident, Michelle. Very scary and your poem captures it in such a creative way.
ReplyDeleteThanks for hosting.
Today on A Great Nephew and a Great Aunt I have a yummy collaboration from guests, Sandy Lowe and her granddaughter, Mary.
http://pennyklostermann.com/2015/09/18/sandy-lowe-and-granddaughter-mary/
Good morning! Thanks for hosting! I have a Doctor Who quote at Bildungsroman. Tenth Doctor forever. http://slayground.livejournal.com/815175.html
ReplyDeleteThanks for hosting, Michelle, and sharing that shivery "ouch" poem with us. A scary story, without being gory!
ReplyDeleteMy offering today is a poetic tribute to the founder of the local poetry club of which I'm a member. "This is the house that Donna built" is here: https://vnesdolypoems.wordpress.com/2015/09/18/this-is-the-house-that-donna-built/
Love this line: "and I wasn’t so tasty."
ReplyDeleteWe must have met the same dog! (OUCH!)
I'm sharing Goodnight Football, a rhyming picture book on my new WRITING LESSONS blog.
Thanks for hosting, Michelle!
http://asuen.com/goodnight-football/
Anastasia, I cannot figure out where the comment link is on your page! Help! I'm feeling dense. I've obviously not looked everywhere...but I feel like I have!
DeleteThe new blog looks great, Anastasia! I really like your clean mini-lesson format. (To Donna: I think the comment function is probably turned off.)
DeleteHi, Michelle, and thanks for hosting once again. Love this take on a "dog poem"-- and the photo! My post today looks at "reverse engineering" the CELEBRATIONS book and starting with the picture books cited and how there's a poem for all 156 books! Here's the link: http://poetryforchildren.blogspot.com/2015/09/reverse-engineering-picture-book-poetry.html
ReplyDeleteThanks for hosting.
ReplyDeleteMy selection is "Fold Me A Poem" by Kristine O'Connell George with illustrations by Lauren Stringer.
Hi Michelle,
ReplyDeleteI love your Dear Dog poem. It's a terrific example for Lee's challenge.
Today I'm sharing a few poem from two books I found in a consignment shop.
http://missrumphiuseffect.blogspot.com/2015/09/poetry-friday-consignment-shop-finds.html
Thanks for hosting this shindig!
Best,
Tricia
I am looking forward to getting back to participating in these DMC's. I miss them. I am sharing from the Poetry Friday Anthology: Celebrations. Georgia Heard's A Dream Come True by Georgia Heard:https://maclibrary.wordpress.com/2015/09/18/poetry-friday-constitution-day-citizenship-day-plus-an-announcement/
ReplyDeleteThe DMC challenges miss you too, Jone! But no pressure... I know how busy life can get.
DeleteForgot to say that I love the graphic at the top of the post. :)
ReplyDeleteOops! I don't think my original comment went through.
ReplyDeleteFirst, yikes on the dog memory! My husband had a scary experience with a dog when he was young. I'm surprised he put up with our getting a dog, but ours turned out to be a sweetie. I am really more of a cat person, though. :)
I'm in this week with Arthur Sze's "The Shapes of Leaves." It's beautiful and a bit sad, but so evocative of autumn. The link is here. Thanks for hosting, Michelle!
I'm late posting today, but I needed the day today to complete a Dot Day project with my students. Enjoy our collaborative poem on video. https://reflectionsontheteche.wordpress.com/2015/09/18/celebrating-dot-day/
ReplyDeleteAs someone who walked many extra blocks to avoid scary dogs as a child, I could relate to your poem. You certainly brought that fear to life! (Happy to say that now I have all the dog love and none of the fear.) Happy P.F.
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by, Buffy. :) I confess, I still have some fear when it comes to large dogs, and German shepherds in particular, but I always do try to give them the benefit of the doubt.
DeleteQuote By Jessica Bigi
ReplyDeleteHow to Change the World wings of inspiration window-pages under fingers windy word swirl from open books reading is knowledge imaginings of life learned
Lovely, Jessica!
Delete"The day I took the shortcut"...we woke a sleeping rattlesnake! Someday I'll have to tell you this story, Michelle!
ReplyDeleteLove your poem. My childhood nemesis dog (that actually lived next door and terrorized the neighborhood) was a St. Bernard named Marcus. Just thinking about him gives me the shivers! As an adult I am a complete and total dog person who is much more brave...mostly. =)
But are you as brave with rattlesnakes? How long will I have to wait for this story???
DeleteJust read through all the posts. It's the first time in a long time that I've done that! Thanks for hosting, and what a great collection of poems this week!
ReplyDelete