INSTRUCTIONS FOR A STOP SIGN
In a shifty,
Shifting world,
Be sincerely
Single-minded.
Greet everyone
You see with
Recognizable red—
Offer an
Unmistakable
You.
Be clear
And direct—
Draw our attention away
From everything else
Onto this
One thing:
Becoming
Still.
© 2019 Tabatha Yeatts. All rights reserved.
Elizabeth Steinglass has challenged us to write a poem giving instructions to an inanimate object about how to do its job. Click HERE for more details and to read this month's Spotlight ON interview.
Post your poem on our May 2019 padlet. All contributions will be included in a wrap-up celebration on Friday, May 31st, and one lucky participant will win a personalized copy of her fantastic debut poetry collection from WordSong:
What wonderful instructions and advice for us all! You've stopped me in my tracks yet again, dear Tabatha.
ReplyDeleteLove this! I've been thinking so much about being still in this shifty, shifting world. The short lines work perfectly!
ReplyDeleteWonderful, "becoming still" especially great. I won't look at a stop sign again without thinking of your poem, Tabatha!
ReplyDeleteOh this is great, Tabatha! I love the beginning and the ending (and the middle too, come to think of it.)
ReplyDeleteThis is wonderful, Tabatha! I was wowed when I read it on the padlet and am glad to read it again here. I especially love the beginning...and the ending...and the lines "Offer/An unmistakable/You." I agree with Linda--I won't look at a stop sign the same way again. Well played!
ReplyDeleteBravo, Tabatha! What's best about this is the concise language with such clear direction. Wonderful last line...but I also love, "Unmistakable you."
ReplyDelete"Draw our attention away
ReplyDeleteFrom everything else" and help us focus–Yes! Thanks for this playful reminder poem Tabatha!
Becoming Still. Perfect. Thanks for a terrific poem, Tabatha.
ReplyDeleteI sent my students to Today's Little Ditty today and they all enjoyed this poem. I love showing them how we can write about the most ordinary of things in a very extraordinary way.
ReplyDeleteThank you, all! :-) Special appreciations to Liz and Michelle for making this challenge happen. I'm so happy your students enjoyed making a Stop here, Margaret!
ReplyDeleteThere's so much to love in this poem! I have a new-found appreciation for the stop sign at the end of my street.
ReplyDeleteLove the ending: becoming still!
ReplyDelete