Friday, August 31, 2012

A NERDY POEM FOR POETRY FRIDAY

Why a nerdy poem?

Member of the Nerdy Book ClubBecause today my "Pay it Forward" guest post is up at the Nerdy Book Club! And just between you-n-me: I sorta think Colby Sharp is awesome. I want him to be MY teacher and my kids' teacher. So much goodness!

As for my post: it's regarding some expectations about books and reading and readers that I carried into parenthood -- and what I've done since those expectations didn't quite pan out. I'd love to hear your thoughts!

Also, I've got a guest post over at Smack Dab in the Middle to wrap our monthly theme of "walking away" from one's work -- it features a quote by E.L. Konigsburg, who is quite the wise author, I tell you.

AND I'm thrilled that Sylvia Vardell has Roundup over at Poetry for Children, because holy goodness, how much do I love the Poetry Friday Anthology?? I'm thrilled to be included among so many wonderful poetic voices, and I seriously can't think of a volume more useful to teachers. More on this very soon.

Now, without further ado, a nerdy poem for all my nerdy friends:


Overheard

Some might
think it absurd,

but haven’t you
heard?

Nerd is for
the self-assured,

the no-longer
unheard,

the one-third
who say books

are preferred.
That’s why nerd

 is my favorite
four-letter word.

-Irene Latham


27 comments:

  1. Nerd/preferred: I love that rhyme combo! And thanks for the good words about The Poetry Friday Anthology, Irene!!

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    1. Janet, thank YOU for all your amazing work on the anthology! And your poems! WONDERFUL. Thanks for stopping by.

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  2. Love it. I say, the people who are different, act as themselves, they are the most fun.

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    1. Yes! Dr. Seuss said it best: Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind.

      Thanks for stopping by!

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  3. Love it. I say, the people who are different, act as themselves, they are the most fun.

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  4. 3 posts today-you have been busy! I like 'Nerd is for the self-assured,'-rhyme & meaning.

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    1. Thanks, Linda - self-assurance is certainly something to aspire to... I'm better some days than others!

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  5. Ah, a little mini-anthem for all the nerds out there (and in here, I guess!). Charming, Irene! And I have so enjoyed reading your poems in the PF Anthology, along with all the other wonderful poets. What a treasure!

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    1. Hi Renee! A "mini-anthem"... I like it! Thanks so much for stopping by.

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  6. I'm going to have to get busy just to keep up with your posts today, Irene! Nerd that I proudly am, I am grateful for a poem to celebrate my nerdiness at last. Thank you!

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    1. Word Nerds Unite! :) Thanks, Tara, for stopping by.

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  7. Love this poem. I can relate to nerd.

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    1. Thanks, Liz, for stopping by! Coming from the adult world of poetry, it's still kind of novel for me to use rhyme... fun!

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  9. Thanks for the nerdy poem! Such fun :). Can't wait to read your work in the PFA!!

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    1. Jama, now I'm thinking, hmmm... a poem about nerds and food... except that's a poem for YOU to write. :)

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  10. Thanks for the nerd poem... my kids and I appreciate it.

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  11. Fun Nerd poem, wish I could be considered Nerdy, but I'm much too slow.
    I really,really, really enjoyed your poem Backpack in the FPA. I can just see a backpack speaking to children. They'll never ill treat backpacks again.

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    1. Thank you, Joy -- I didn't realize speed had anything to do with nerd-ism... interesting! Also, I am a big fan of questions in poems, which is why your "Fish" is one of my favorites. Good to know you!

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  12. Love the poem, Irene! We own nerdiness at our house. Congrats on the Poetry Friday anthology too.

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    1. Thank you, Laura! I love how "nerd" has become a positive thing.

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  13. I love this! I will share it with my daughter, who proudly self-identifies as a nerd.

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  14. Yay Yay Yay to Nerds! Thank you for putting a wonderful twist to what has always been an 'uncool' word. And yes I embrace my inner geek!

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  15. Love it! From a life-long book nerd :-)

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  16. I love your Nerdy Book Club post. I have no biological children, just the crowds that have passed through my classroom doorway. So I send books to my college friend's daughter. She's in 2nd grade this year. I just "hit a home run" with Baby Mouse. Makes me intensely happy!

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Your thoughts?