I'm excited! All those flower bulbs I planted in fall are coming up tulips and daffodils! (I think bulbs are my favorite kind of gardening: plant 'em and forget 'em. And then...surprise! flowers!)
Also: My son helped me put up a new bluebird box, and a couple has moved in! They're frequent guests at the feeder, too, so, I am really enjoying getting glimpses. I also put out the hummingbird feeder to attract those early scouts. No visitors yet, but soon. . . isn't spring wondrous?
When I wrote this one, I was thinking about one of my most favorite poems for kids: "Knitted Things" by Karla Kuskin. I do enjoy a poem that tells a kind of magical story, and because this book is informational, I especially wanted to create a poem with some whimsy! I'm grateful to Matt for including it.
The Rainbow Keeper
by Irene Latham
There was a girl who loved brilliant things:
crystals, gemstones, diamond rings.
She digs them up, wipes them clean.
She asks them: what wonders have you seen?
She marvels at their varied colors—
periwinkle, lime, cyan, butter.
She sings to them of geometry, of heat.
She displays them on her bedroom window seat.
Crystals are her favorite find—
especially the broken kind.
Their way of speaking is to glimmer,
shimmer, SHINE!
How do they make their tiny rainbows?
Only the Rainbow Keeper knows.
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I'm also super-grateful to have a poem included in 40 Poems for 40 Weeks: Integrating Meaningful Poetry and Word Ladders into Grades 3-5 Literacy edited by David L. Harrison and Timothy V. Rasinski.
Y'all this book is really special because in addition to the poems and word ladders, each poet speaks directly to kids! I loved learning more about all these wonderful poets, and I know children will, too.
My poem is called "Strawberry Self-Portrait." It was a poem cut from my collection Fresh Delicious: Poems from the Farmers' Market (because it was in the voice of the fruit, and the publisher decided it was maybe a little too creepy for young readers to be empathizing too much with something that will be eaten!). But it's remained a favorite poem of mine, so I am delighted it found a home in this book. Thanks, David and Tim!
Strawberry Self-Portrait
by Irene Latham
Juicy, sweet, delectable:
that's me.
But do you see?
I'm also bumpy, grumpy.
My skin is pink in places
it ought not be.
My cap is crooked
and ants have chewed
a hunk out of me. See?
My brothers are bigger,
my sisters sweeter.
But it's fine, it's okay.
I'm the only me
there will ever be.
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Finally I'm excited to share this week's ArtSpeak: PICASSO poem. I love this dreamy painting, I think because I love taking naps! :)
I was thinking of Janet Wong's noodle poem when I wrote this one. Janet uses her noodle poem as a reminder that poems for kids needn't be complicated. Sometimes simple (silly!) language is best. So instead of wordplay or surprises, I focused my energy on channeling my (egocentric!) child-voice in this one. I was definitely a child who adored her mama (as my mom's box of love poems written by wee me proves!). Thanks so much for reading.
Mama So Pretty
by Irene Latham
Mama so pretty
when she smiles
Mama so pretty
when she sings
Mama so pretty
when she dreams
Mama so pretty
she must be
dreaming about
ME!
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What lovely poems. Was excited to see your rainbow poem in Matt's anthology. :) Speaking of spring, we had a nice surprise with daffodils too. A bunch came up where we didn't plant any bulbs -- we suspect squirrels dug up some bulbs from another location and decided to leave us a gift. :)
ReplyDeleteSo much lovely poetry and happy news! Congrats! Your Mama poem (and poetry box anecdote) are beautiful and sweet.
ReplyDeleteEnjoyed all the whimsy today, Irene. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteThe Mama one describes my granddaughter. She loves to tell people they look pretty. But of course it's all a ploy to be noticed for her own beauty. Which she has plenty of as a sassy 4 year old.
ReplyDeleteSo many beautiful poems, Irene! I put out a hummingbird feeder, too, but so far no visitors. Fresh Delicious is a yummy collection. Congratulations for having poems in two new books!
ReplyDeleteI love the very-young-child voice you channelled in your poem!
ReplyDeleteSo many lovely poems! And love those daffodils! Mine are finally blooming.
ReplyDelete"Mama So Pretty" is so very sweet. ❤️ Exciting to have so much of your poetry out, about, and everywhere!
ReplyDeleteLovely cornucopia of poems you've sprouted here just in time for spring, congrats on all and for your growing garden too!
ReplyDeleteAwww, my son still says I'm pretty, and it just warms my heart, even though he's the reason for most of my grey hairs and frown lines. ;-)
ReplyDeleteGosh, I needed this post--the celebration feeling is contagious and I'm just happier after stopping in here. Hooray for rainbow keepers and strawberries that paint themselves and little girls and boys in love with their mamas. These bits of joy give me energy. I hope today I find a broken bit of something that can make a rainbow!
ReplyDeleteI just came across this now - thanks for sharing the news about "Rainbows," Irene. Your poem is a real "gem!" (Yes, I had to go there) Seriously, though, thank you so much for your contribution! Lee would be proud.
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