A (red) Poppy Poem for Comfort and Cheer

Hello and Happy Poetry Friday! Be sure to visit Michelle Kogan for Roundup.

The way I deal with stress is kind of a closing-in -- think turtle or snail. Which means limiting screen time especially. However, when I have popped my head out, it's been wonderful to find so many people in our community offering virtual learning during this time when kids are at home. What a great way to give to the world!

I also found some good book-news: THE CAT MAN OF ALEPPO, which I wrote with Karim Shamsi-Basha, illustrations by Yuko Shimizu, coming next month from Penguin has earned its 4th starred review! ★ ★ ★ ★

We're delighted and hopeful this means many readers will discover Alaa and be inspired by his good works. Plus... cats! Lots and lots of cats. :)

And... DICTIONARY FOR A BETTER WORLD, which I wrote with Charles Waters, illustrations by Mehrdokht Amini, released last month from Lerner has been selected by Naomi Shihab Nye as the Young People's Poet Laureate Book Pick for April. YAY! What an honor... we couldn't be more encouraged, especially during these challenging times.

And now for the latest installment of ArtSpeak: RED.  Like many of us, I have been compelled to return to old comforts this past week... which led me to write after "Red Poppies" by Mary Cassatt. Enjoy!

Boy in Poppy Field

So many poppies

under the sun –

so many poppies,

but I only want one.

This tiny poppy

that's broken, drowsy –

this tiny trampled poppy

who's probably feeling

a little bit lousy.

I lift it from its web

of thick, dead grass.

I gaze into its wide, bright eye –

Little poppy, I promise you:

this, too, shall pass.

- Irene Latham