Some words to carry with you . . .

"Sorry No Image Available" by n e o g e j o

"Searching for meaning is like searching for a rhyme scheme in a cookbook. You won't find it and it will bugger up your soufflé."       

                        – Tim Minchin


June 1st.

Phew, I made it! At certain points last month, I was doubtful I would. Life has been unfolding at such a fast clip, it's been a challenge simply to keep pace. No wonder I struggled to come up with a window poem last month—quite frankly, I couldn't sit still long enough! But thanks to Diane Mayr's helpful link to a marvelous series of "Haiku Windows" at the Haiku Foundation, inspiration appeared in the nick of time. (Read my window haiku here.)

My Wave Pics

I imagine many of you are also finding yourselves racing at breakneck speed toward summer's open door.

It's not just students who are smelling the lusty scent of freedom. Teachers wrapping up the school year are ready for something new, and parents, too, are suffering from physical burnout and mental malaise. While some teachers are putting their final marks on the year and others are envisioning what comes next (ie, life after teaching), there are parents like myself who have children embarking on new life adventures. Whether a teacher or parent, it's exhausting walking that line between trying to be helpful and letting our children find their own path. We all wonder whether we've done enough.


Time marches on.
My oldest is graduating high school tomorrow.

          Is he ready?
                                     I think so.

                      Am I?
                                     Doesn't matter. It's happening whether I'm ready or not.

To commemorate Dylan's graduation, I'd like to share some words from Australian entertainer Tim Minchin—his nine life lessons. While it's not poetry—it's a commencement address that took place at the University of Western Australia in 2013—you'll certainly find aspects of poetry, including metaphor, observation, introspection, and a fresh perspective.

(If you'd rather read a more traditional graduation-themed poem today, I suggest the one Linda Baie shared last week by William Stafford or my own from the Carol Boston Weatherford's abecedarian challenge last September—"A Mother's Advice.")

Comedian Tim Minchin has been described as "unabashedly offensive," but this video is fairly tame. There are just a couple of moments where parental guidance is advised. Minchin's recommendations include atypical notions like "you don't have to have a dream," "don't seek happiness," and "remember, it's all luck," as well as heartfelt pleas to "be a teacher," "define yourself by what you love," and "respect people with less power than you." You may not agree with everything he has to say (or how he says it), but he's funny, thought-provoking, insightful, and surely deserves twelve minutes of your time.

Listen up, Dylan—this is for you.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yoEezZD71sc

Minchin closes his talk with this:

Life will sometimes feel long and tough, and God, it's tiring. And sometimes you will be happy and sometimes sad, and then you'll be old, and then you'll be dead. There is only one sensible thing to do with this empty existence, and that is— fill it. ... It's an incredibly exciting thing, this one meaningless life of yours.

His advice prompted me to check in with my one little word for 2018—RESOLVE. At the beginning of the year I resolved to find out what I was capable of.  How was I going to fill up this one wild and precious year of my lucky life? Reflecting on my specific goals, I've completed one of the two new manuscripts I intended to write this year. This is good—yay me! On the other hand, I haven't sent off nearly as many submissions as I *should* have by now. (I'm really terrible about submitting my work.) But that's okay. Perhaps I'll do some catching up this summer. Or, maybe I won't put extra pressure on myself to catch up. I'll just take things as they come.

If I'm to heed Tim Minchin's advice, Life Lesson #1 entails "passionate dedication to the pursuit of short term goals":

Be micro-ambitious. Put your head down and work with pride on whatever is in front of you. You never know where you might end up. Just be aware the next worthy pursuit will probably appear in your periphery. Which is why you should be careful of long term dreams. If you focus too far in front of you, you might not see the shiny thing out in the corner of your eye.

"Noticing" by Mark

While Today's Little Ditty is on summer hiatus, I'll be enjoying some overseas travel, helping my son pack up for college, and, if all goes according to plan, welcoming my parents who are also undergoing a major life change this summer. If I commit to any more than that, I'm in danger of crowding out the shiny things. So for that reason, one thing I won't be doing this summer is forming a new ditty committee or working on a new volume of The Best of Today's Little Ditty. Instead, I anticipate a 2017-2018 edition coming out in 2019. I do have some very exciting Spotlight ON interviews scheduled for this fall, however, so stay tuned for those!

For now, I'd like to leave you with one final thought:

"Paper Trails" by Leland Francisco

Poetry is everywhere; it just needs editing.

                                                                                                                         – James Tate

Remember that even when I'm not here, you can satisfy your ditty-writing itch by using these handy-dandy alphabetical listings of Spotlight ON interviews and DMC wrap-up celebrations.

As for last month's fabulous challenge brought to us by Julie Fogliano, we've had several more window poems added to the padlet since last Friday. I've added them to the wrap-up presentation and sincerely hope that you'll take another look.

Diane Mayr has carried the window poem challenge into June! Be sure to check out the one she is featuring today at Random Noodling.


Random.org has determined that the winner of a personalized copy of a house that once was by Julie Fogliano, illustrated by Lane Smith, is . . .

JUANITA HAVILL

Congratulations, Juanita!

Join Buffy Silverman for a celebration of summer helicopter seeds and this week's Poetry Friday roundup.

DMC: "window seat" by M. H. Barnes

window seat
the mystery unfolds—
origami moon

© 2018 Michelle Heidenrich Barnes. All rights reserved.

Click HERE to read this month's interview with Julie Fogliano. She has challenged us to stare out the window and write a poem about what we see. You might even consider writing something down every day for a week: 

At the end of the week, read through what you wrote and write your favorite bits on a separate piece of paper. I bet there will be a poem in there somewhere… see if you can find it.  – J. F.

You have until today at 5:00 pm (EST) to join in! Post your poem on our May 2018 padlet and I will add it to the wrap-up presentation HERE. One lucky participant will win a personalized copy of Julie's stunning new picture book from Roaring Brook Press:

DMC: A cherita by Diane Mayr

backyard gone wild
 
the grass needs cutting
desperately
 
it is too late, now...
three young rabbits have found
their world

© 2018 Diane Mayr. All rights reserved.

Click HERE to read this month's interview with Julie Fogliano. She has challenged us to stare out the window and write a poem about what we see. You might even consider writing something down every day for a week: 

At the end of the week, read through what you wrote and write your favorite bits on a separate piece of paper. I bet there will be a poem in there somewhere… see if you can find it.  – J. F.

You have until Thursday, May 31st, at 5:00 pm (EST) to join in! Post your poem on our May 2018 padlet and I will add it to the wrap-up presentation HERE. One lucky participant will win a personalized copy of Julie's stunning new picture book from Roaring Brook Press:

DMC: "The Unappreciated Ninjas" by Angelique Pacheco

THE UNAPPRECIATED NINJAS

I look out of windows,
in Japan where I stay,
I see rooftops,
Chimneys made of clay.

Rats scramble over shops,
And fly across flats,
I begin to imagine,
Urban hilltops.

Where ninjas battle,
And samurai’s hold sway,
Where fears are far,
And nerves don’t fray.

The train screams,
Pulling in the station,
I look down,
To see a Gaijin Invasion.

© 2018 Angelique Pacheco. All rights reserved.

Click HERE to read this month's interview with Julie Fogliano. She has challenged us to stare out the window and write a poem about what we see. You might even consider writing something down every day for a week: 

At the end of the week, read through what you wrote and write your favorite bits on a separate piece of paper. I bet there will be a poem in there somewhere… see if you can find it.  – J. F.

You have until Thursday, May 31st, at 5:00 pm (EST) to join in! Post your poem on our May 2018 padlet and I will add it to the wrap-up presentation HERE. One lucky participant will win a personalized copy of Julie's stunning new picture book from Roaring Brook Press:

DMC: "Circle of Life" by M. Hogan

CIRCLE OF LIFE

Outside my window

morning light grows

the glassy-eyed chipmunk 

yesterday’s gift from my cat

still lies on the granite step

Last night

snarls ripped through 

the dark

My fervent calls

yielded no response

just furtive rustling 

in the shadowed woods

I slipped back indoors

into uneasy sleep

Outside my window

morning light grows

the chipmunk remains

my cat does not appear.

© 2018 M. Hogan. All rights reserved.

* Note from Michelle: I'm pleased to report that Molly's cat did eventually return!

 

Click HERE to read this month's interview with Julie Fogliano. She has challenged us to stare out the window and write a poem about what we see. You might even consider writing something down every day for a week: 

At the end of the week, read through what you wrote and write your favorite bits on a separate piece of paper. I bet there will be a poem in there somewhere… see if you can find it.  – J. F.

You have until Thursday, May 31st, at 5:00 pm (EST) to join in! Post your poem on our May 2018 padlet and I will add it to the wrap-up presentation HERE. One lucky participant will win a personalized copy of Julie's stunning new picture book from Roaring Brook Press:

May DMC Wrap-Up + Giveaway

"A View to Remember" by Marjan Lazarevski

Only be willing to search for poetry, and there will be poetry:
My soul, a tiny speck, is my tutor.
Evening sun and fragrant grass are common things, 
But, with understanding, they can become glorious verse.

          – Yuan Mei

May's ditty challenge has been all about finding glorious verse in common things. 

Read my Two Line Tuesday post related to this month's challenge HERE.

At the beginning of the month, Julie Fogliano challenged us "to stare out the window and write what you see."  She elaborated:

Is there a bird out there? What is it doing? Is anyone walking by? Where do you think they’re going? Is it raining? What does it sound like?  Is there a car going by? A train? It doesn’t have to be anything big or exciting that you write about. Just write what you see. Do that everyday for a week. At the end of the week, read through what you wrote and write your favorite bits on a separate piece of paper. I bet there will be a poem in there somewhere… see if you can find it.

Apparently, many of you did see birds— 
along with a few squirrels, a cat or two, and numerous signs of the seasonal changeover.

On a personal note, I'm wondering if this is the month I break my track record and neglect to write something. It would be a shame—I haven't missed a challenge since the Ditty of the Month Club's inception in May 2014! But the month isn't over yet, so I guess there's still a chance. I'll be sharing a few more daily ditties next week.


Whether your view is grand . . .

Justin Kern

or more subdued . . .

Vladimir Agafonkin

your poetic perspective is always welcome here.


Many thanks to those of you who have already shared your window view, and especially to Julie Fogliano for the opportunity to slow down and let the world come knocking.


Scroll through the poems below, or for best viewing, CLICK HERE.

Inspired to write about what's outside your window?

Dan Vel

There's still time. . .

cgc76

Post your poem on our May 2018 padlet by 5:00 pm (EST) on Thursday, May 31st, and I will add it to the wrap-up presentation.

Participants in this month's challenge will automatically be entered to win a personalized copy of a house that once was by Julie Fogliano, with illustrations by Lane Smith (Roaring Brook Press, 2018). One entry per participant, not per poem.

Alternatively, you may enter the giveaway by commenting below. Comments must also be received no later than 5:00 pm (EST) on Thursday, May 31st. If you contribute a poem and comment below, you will receive two entries in total.

The winner will be chosen by Random.org and announced next Friday, June 1st.

Margaret Simon has "More than Meets the Eye" at this week's Poetry Friday roundup over at Reflections on the Teche. Thanks to a photo and poetry exchange among PF regulars, you'll find many more views and poetic responses. Enjoy!

DMC: "A Grand View" by Janie Lazo

A GRAND VIEW

Sticky fingerprints
A sweet reminder of you
Window to my heart

© 2018 Janie Lazo. All rights reserved.


Click HERE to read this month's interview with Julie Fogliano. She has challenged us to stare out the window and write a poem about what we see. You might even consider writing something down every day for a week:

At the end of the week, read through what you wrote and write your favorite bits on a separate piece of paper. I bet there will be a poem in there somewhere… see if you can find it.  – J. F.

Leave your poem on our May 2018 padlet. While some contributions will be featured as daily ditties this month, all contributions will be included in a wrap-up celebration tomorrow, Friday, May 25th, and one lucky participant will win a personalized copy of her stunning new picture book from Roaring Brook Press:

DMC: "Daily Squirrel" by Suzy Levinson

DAILY SQUIRREL

This squirrel knows where I live.
This squirrel knows who I am.
Every day
he seems to say,
"I'd like one peanut, ma'am."

He stares into my house.
He stares and scratches fleas.
Every day
he seems to say,
"Ahem? One peanut, please."

© 2018 Suzy Levinson. All rights reserved.

Click HERE to read this month's interview with Julie Fogliano. She has challenged us to stare out the window and write a poem about what we see. You might even consider writing something down every day for a week:

At the end of the week, read through what you wrote and write your favorite bits on a separate piece of paper. I bet there will be a poem in there somewhere… see if you can find it.  – J. F.

Leave your poem on our May 2018 padlet. While some contributions will be featured as daily ditties this month, all contributions will be included in a wrap-up celebration this Friday, May 25th, and one lucky participant will win a personalized copy of her stunning new picture book from Roaring Brook Press:

DMC: "Lake Reflections" by Mindy Gars Dolandis

LAKE REFLECTIONS

Sky welcomes morning
Cornflower and cumulus
Mirrored down below

Afternoon sparkles
Dance upon charcoal water
Sunshiny diamonds

Sunset upon glass
A brilliant double image
Coral rose lilac

Deepening twilight
Horizon disappearing
Ochre indigo

Midnight ebony
Crescent moon a tilted smile
Twinkling Polaris

© 2018 Mindy Gars Dolandis. All rights reserved.


Click HERE to read this month's interview with Julie Fogliano. She has challenged us to stare out the window and write a poem about what we see. You might even consider writing something down every day for a week:

At the end of the week, read through what you wrote and write your favorite bits on a separate piece of paper. I bet there will be a poem in there somewhere… see if you can find it.  – J. F.

Leave your poem on our May 2018 padlet. While some contributions will be featured as daily ditties this month, all contributions will be included in a wrap-up celebration this Friday, May 25th, and one lucky participant will win a personalized copy of her stunning new picture book from Roaring Brook Press:

DMC: "Pollen" by Jesse Anna Bornemann

POLLEN

Springtime brings a mating dance
For certain lush, seed-bearing plants:
“Knock, knock!” one says. “A suitor’s callin’!”
“Can’t offer wealth…but I’ve got pollen!”
And though this gift upon the breeze
Makes human lovebirds snort and sneeze,
It works quite well to woo a rose
Whose heart’s not burdened by a nose.

© 2018 Jesse Anna Bornemann. All rights reserved.


Click HERE to read this month's interview with Julie Fogliano. She has challenged us to stare out the window and write a poem about what we see. You might even consider writing something down every day for a week:

At the end of the week, read through what you wrote and write your favorite bits on a separate piece of paper. I bet there will be a poem in there somewhere… see if you can find it.  – J. F.

Leave your poem on our May 2018 padlet. While some contributions will be featured as daily ditties this month, all contributions will be included in a wrap-up celebration this Friday, May 25th, and one lucky participant will win a personalized copy of her stunning new picture book from Roaring Brook Press:

In case you didn't know, I am IMPERFECT

"Escape" by Amelia Whelan

Life is a succession of lessons which must be lived to be understood.

                    – Ralph Waldo Emerson


This Emerson quote is my favorite from Imperfect: Poems About Mistakes: An Anthology for Middle Schoolers, edited by Tabatha Yeatts. It's one of several that are scattered throughout the collection, interspersed with 70 poems by 50 poets (many of whom will be familiar to TLD readers). I'm honored to be among them.

Visit the Team Imperfect blog for purchasing links.

Not all of the poems in Imperfect are about life lessons. You'll find the full gamut—mistakes born from ignorance or naiveté; mistakes that lead to invention, pain, or laughter; silly and fanciful poems about mistake-making; poems about self-discovery and finding one's place in the world; and yes, poems about life lessons and how we move on from them. You'll also find a thoughtful introduction by Tabatha, and useful back matter about making good decisions, apologizing effectively, and a few poetic forms readers can try.

It's fantastic that this anthology addresses middle schoolers directly. Has anyone come out of those awkward, uncomfortable years unscathed? I know I didn't. I do hope teachers, parents, and other caregivers will recognize that this anthology will be helpful to more than just middle schoolers, however. Judging by my children's experiences, I'd say it more accurately spans 4th grade to 9th grade.

The take home here is to make sure Imperfect is ready and waiting for whenever it's needed—that moment when a child reaches out to a book, rather than a person, for private reassurance. Chances are, it will happen.

Reading numerous reviews that have popped up from week to week (I particularly enjoyed this interview with Tabatha), I've been deliberating over which of my Imperfect poems I'd like to share. The one I keep coming back to is "To the boy playing with his army men on the front lawn," but to be honest, I've been reluctant. It's the most personal of the three, by far. Mistakes are hard to confess to when they happen, but sometimes they're even difficult to own up to decades later! It's one thing to see my poem on the page, but another entirely to talk about it openly in a blog post. My reluctance is why I know I must.

TO THE BOY PLAYING WITH HIS ARMY
MEN ON THE FRONT LAWN:

They say that everyone is fighting some kind of battle,
but I have no good excuse for my surprise attack—
a ride-by on bicycle, words flung like a grenade.
I wanted to hear the pop of the pin,
taste the insult in my mouth,
feel my heart pound in the moments before the blast.
And then it was done.
(I couldn't take it back.)
I pedal away feeling like the enemy—
even to myself.

                    – Michelle Heidenrich Barnes

Part of the reason I've been reluctant to share this poem is because the backstory involves more than just myself.

It involves the victim, of course, but I can be fairly sure of protecting his anonymity since I don't even recall his name. If I replay the event in my mind (which I have, over and over), the words weren't all that demeaning. Despite him looking up when I passed, I'm not even sure he clearly heard what I said or thought much about it. He might have—I didn't stick around long enough to find out. But I know very well what I intended. It wasn't about the words. It was the fact that I spontaneously made a choice to hurt his feelings, and the cutting manner in which I put him down.

What makes this mistake particularly difficult to talk about is the fact that it also involves someone I love and care about—my brother. Four years my senior, we were never all that close growing up. We didn't even attend the same schools at the same time. But those who knew my family back then might recall that he struggled to find his place at school—he was teased and bullied. And, by the way, he played with miniature army men. Back then, lots of children grew up playing war. Still do, I imagine.

Jay Javier

Although my brother was not the direct victim of my ride-by attack, he was the indirect, unknowing victim. Ultimately this poem is about my own insecurity. Even though we never went to school together, when you grow up in a small suburb, word gets around among students. Especially students with siblings. And fear is a powerful motivator. Despite the fact that I did "fit in" socially, I was afraid that if I ever stuck up for my older brother, I would bear the consequences. So what did I do? In this instance, I took out my fear of being bullied on someone else. I became the bully. For someone who values compassion as highly as I do, this was a tough pill to swallow. I still feel the heartburn.

Thankfully, this story has a happy ending. (Not all bullying stories do.) My brother turned out fine despite his social struggles at school—something else that's incredibly important for middle schoolers to hear! He turned out better than fine, actually. I'm so proud of the way he's challenged himself throughout his life, his many notable achievements, the respect he garners from his peers, and his incredible ability to create opportunities for himself. Most of all, I'm proud to be his sister.

* * Enter to win a hardcover copy of Imperfect at The Children's Book Review. * * 

I know it doesn't seem fair (I haven't gotten around to writing mine yet either), but believe it or not, there's only one week to go before our wrap-up celebration of window poems! This week's featured ditties included work by Rebekah Hoeft, Donna JT Smith, Dianne Moritz, and Rosi Hollinbeck. Linda Mitchell, Linda Baie, and Jone Rush MacCulloch share poems today at their own blogs. Don't forget to leave your window poem on our May 2018 padlet!

Rebecca Herzog has this week's Poetry Friday roundup at Sloth Reads, along with a fabulous review and giveaway of I'm Just No Good at Rhyming by Chris Harris and illustrated by Lane Smith. (Yep. The same award-winning Lane Smith who illustrated this month's DMC featured book: a house that once was!)

DMC: "Sickle Moon" by Rosi Hollinbeck

SICKLE MOON

Crooked grin in the night sky,

are you the Cheshire Cat 

or a waxing crescent moon

teasing the stars to twinkle? 

© 2018 Rosi Hollinbeck. All rights reserved.


Click HERE to read this month's interview with Julie Fogliano. She has challenged us to stare out the window and write a poem about what we see. You might even consider writing something down every day for a week:

At the end of the week, read through what you wrote and write your favorite bits on a separate piece of paper. I bet there will be a poem in there somewhere… see if you can find it.  – J. F.

Leave your poem on our May 2018 padlet. While some contributions will be featured as daily ditties this month, all contributions will be included in a wrap-up celebration on Friday, May 25th, and one lucky participant will win a personalized copy of her stunning new picture book from Roaring Brook Press:

DMC: "Sunny Day" by Dianne Moritz

SUNNY DAY

Lilac bushes

Bud and bloom,

Wafting perfume

In my room.

Purple Iris

Dance and sway

On this perfect,

Sunny day!

© 2018 Dianne Moritz. All rights reserved.


Click HERE to read this month's interview with Julie Fogliano. She has challenged us to stare out the window and write a poem about what we see. You might even consider writing something down every day for a week:

At the end of the week, read through what you wrote and write your favorite bits on a separate piece of paper. I bet there will be a poem in there somewhere… see if you can find it.  – J. F.

Leave your poem on our May 2018 padlet. While some contributions will be featured as daily ditties this month, all contributions will be included in a wrap-up celebration on Friday, May 25th, and one lucky participant will win a personalized copy of her stunning new picture book from Roaring Brook Press:

DMC: "A Week of Windows" by Donna JT Smith

A WEEK OF WINDOWS

Sunday’s glance shows cool, a breeze,
   pine branches lift and dip;
Monday sits heavy in foggy dew,
   trees wet from root to tip;
Tuesday the mists roll back to see
   a hen and tom stroll by;
On Wednesday the view holds bits of green,
   As doe browses wary and shy;
Thursday hosts a chattering red
   Until big gray appears;
Friday’s air is full of birds,
   and dogs' excited cheers;
And Saturday, as the sun comes up
   To dart through leafless trees,
Azalea’s sweet hush has become blush,
   Saying no to winter’s freeze.

© 2018 Donna JT Smith. All rights reserved.

Click HERE to read this month's interview with Julie Fogliano. She has challenged us to stare out the window and write a poem about what we see. You might even consider writing something down every day for a week:

At the end of the week, read through what you wrote and write your favorite bits on a separate piece of paper. I bet there will be a poem in there somewhere… see if you can find it.  – J. F.

Leave your poem on our May 2018 padlet. While some contributions will be featured as daily ditties this month, all contributions will be included in a wrap-up celebration on Friday, May 25th, and one lucky participant will win a personalized copy of her stunning new picture book from Roaring Brook Press:

DMC: "Proof of Life" by Rebekah Hoeft

PROOF OF LIFE

I see 

not you

but spray of crusts

and flock of birds

I see 

not you 

but steaming dish

and window cracked 

and box with blanket 

on porch on snow

I see 

not you 

but pawprints 

from door to fence
to door to yard
to door to gate to door

I see 

not you

but TV flicker 

and lights on and lights off 

and garbage cans out and garbage cans in

and garage door open and garage door closed

I see not you

but in this twilight rest

see quiet proof

of life intact

in winter’s grip

© 2018 Rebekah Hoeft. All rights reserved.

Click HERE to read this month's interview with Julie Fogliano. She has challenged us to stare out the window and write a poem about what we see. You might even consider writing something down every day for a week:

At the end of the week, read through what you wrote and write your favorite bits on a separate piece of paper. I bet there will be a poem in there somewhere… see if you can find it.  – J. F.

Leave your poem on our May 2018 padlet. While some contributions will be featured as daily ditties this month, all contributions will be included in a wrap-up celebration on Friday, May 25th, and one lucky participant will win a personalized copy of her stunning new picture book from Roaring Brook Press:

Five for Friday: Celebrating Mom

Anders Adermark

Not all of us can do great things. 

But we can do small things with great love.

Although this quote has been widely misattributed to Mother Teresa, it certainly embodies motherhood, don't you think?

I'm quite sure I'm not the only one devoting today's blog post to Mother's Day. In fact, I predict I'm not the only one sharing "The Lanyard" by Billy Collins either. It's a popular favorite for good reason!

But first I wanted to mention how honored I am that Michelle Kogan is featuring one of my original mother-inspired poems at her blog. You'll find "Mother's Heart" along with four others from The Best of Today's Little Ditty 2016—poems by B.J. Lee, Heidi Mordhorst, Charles Waters, and Michelle, herself. She's done a wonderful job presenting each one with some backstory and a photograph. I hope you'll stop by and say hello to 13-year-old me with my beautiful mom!

Now where was I? Oh yes, Billy Collins. I think my mom will really like "The Lanyard." She'll appreciate its message, of course, but also its accessibility and humor. In the words of poet Stephen Dunn, "We seem to always know where we are in a Billy Collins poem, but not necessarily where he is going."

"The Lanyard" by Billy Collins 

(read by the poet)

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=khQ9e0QpEM8

Read the poem in its entirety HERE.
Explore teaching tips and support materials for this poem HERE.

I've made the kind of lanyard Collins talks about, though I'm not sure I've ever presented one to my mother. I have given her a number of potholders from my camp days, however. Does that count? Either way, it's the thought that matters.  Love you, Mom. xo

Watch a do-it-yourself video on how to start your own box stitch lanyard HERE.


Now since we're in DIY mode anyway, how about a Five for Friday celebration?

Today's theme is to write about a specific gift you have given to, or received from, your mother.

It's been a while since our last Five for Friday party, so for those who are new or would like a refresher, all you need to do is come up with five words (plus title if you wish) on today's theme.

Please don't think too hard about it! Off the top of your head is fine. Leave your 5-word ditty in the comments, or email it to TodaysLittleDitty (at) gmail (dot) com. I will move your contribution to the main body of the post.

I'll start us off. Hmmm... okay, here's one. (See how long that took me? Not long at all!) This is based on a Mother's Day poem I wrote for Laura Purdie Salas' cinquain challenge in 2014.

SOGGY KISSES

mommy waters me—

her flower

– Michelle Heidenrich Barnes

* * *

HEARTFELT ART

tenderly tied
by paint tubes.

– Michelle Kogan

* * *

LIFELINE

states away,
our daily visits

 – Linda Baie

* * *

MADE AT CAMP

Sloppy potholder
Neatly transmits love.

– Karen Edmisten

* * *

FOUND IN MOM'S NIGHT TABLE DRAWER

Fifty-year-old card
drawn by me.

– Buffy Silverman

* * *

LIKE MOTHER, LIKE DAUGHTER

Can't miss a
plant sale

– Tabatha Yeatts

* * *

FROM A PLASTIC LOOM

Potholder,
stretchy strips
hugging tightly

– Laura Purdie Salas

* * *

TRAIN RIDE TO SCOTLAND

Time together
one on one.

– Jama Rattigan

 

* * *

FLIGHT

Freedom to spread
my wings.

– Kay Jernigan McGriff

* * *

PLANTED VINE

Twists around
both our hearts.

– Margaret Simon

* * *

MOTHER’S KNITTING

Handmade sweaters
warm, comfort, love

– Dianne Moritz

* * *

Wedding pearls
love to celebrate

– Linda Mitchell

* * *

A GIFT FOR MOM

Popsicle-stick box
holds my love.

– Rosi Hollinbeck

 * * *

ANOTHER MOTHER'S DAY...

Another card-bouquet,
delivered late.

– Brenda Davis Harsham

* * *

Favorite poems shared lovingly together.

– Christie Wyman 

* * *

KNITTED BY HAND

sweater worn well
mamma-warm s t i l l

– Cory Corrado

* * *

homemade
cake chunks,
frosting soup...

– Donna JT Smith

* * *

GRANDCHILDREN

She met all three.

– Diane Mayr 

* * *

squishy hugs
limited by geography

– Bridget Magee

* * *

HER GIFT TO ME WAS MY GIFT TO HER

Vicariously lived:
a happy childhood.

– Mary Lee Hahn

* * *

MY MEME

bathing
grandbabies
with
tender
TLC

– Dani Burtsfield

Sharon Soberon

This month's DMC challenge from Julie Fogliano is to write a poem about what you see outside your window. If you missed last Friday's interview, you'll find it HERE. Off to a splendid start, this week's daily ditties included poems by Lana Wayne Koehler, Janice Scully, Michelle Kogan, and Jessica Bigi. Catherine Flynn is sharing her window poem today at Reading to the Core. Leave your window poem on our May 2018 padlet.

Happiness has landed at Jama's Alphabet Soup! Join Jama for a beautiful selection of bluebird poems and art, as well as this week's Poetry Friday roundup.