Hello and Happy Poetry Friday! Be sure to visit Jama's Alphabet Soup for what's sure to be a delectable feast for Roundup.
My latest picture book WILD PEACE was released this week! Thanks so much to those who helped me celebrate! 💜 And for those who don't know: Wild Peace a 150-word long poem about a girl who escapes her chaotic home life and enters the forest, where each wild animal teaches her something about peace. It's quiet and beautiful and meditative, thanks in no small part to the gorgeous art by Il Sung Na, who visited Live Your Poem earlier this year to share about his illustration process. Every book I've been lucky enough to be involved with feels like a miracle. I'm so grateful this book is in the world!
This week's ArtSpeak: FOUR SEASONS poem is short and not-exactly-sweet. Thank you so much for reading!
It Takes Courage to Be a Tree
with or without rainOctober leaves rust,
drop—
soon to reveal
winter's sharp edges
- Irene Latham
P.S. Tomorrow I'll be participating in a 5K Fun Run benefitting our local animal shelter...it's going to take all my self-control not to come home with a new pet! I suspect many of you can relate... xo
Congratulations, Irene, for Wild Peace, which does sound beautiful. All the best on the 5K and another pet might be just what you need. I love the title of "It Takes Courage to be a Tree"
ReplyDeleteIt seems that Wild Peace and the book Ishared today makes a wonderful pair. I am looking forward to your new, beautiful book, Irene. I love your tree poem, especially the title. Best wishes tomorrow on the run!
ReplyDeleteCongrats on Wild Peace. It looks beautiful!!! And thanks for sharing the poignant October trees poem . .. sigh.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations, Irene. Oh I just ordered this. My daughter in law takes the grandkids for hikes and outside every chance she can get. I can't wait to share Wild Peace with them. I know we will all love it. I used to run and wish you well. When I was in shape and "trained" I ran a 3K (I think) but that was so long ago before they even had running shoes! I kid you not. But I LOVED how it made me feel. Walking is a good option though! And I can admire those beautiful trees!
ReplyDeleteJanet Clare F.
Loved seeing you unbox your Wild Peace, Irene! 💜
ReplyDeleteCongratulations! Another book baby out in the world! I'm having a hard time keeping up. I have an Irene Latham shelf. I love your artspeak this week, so simple, so true. Did I tell you we are using your poems as mentor texts. Today my students wrote in nature and decided to use one of your forms again. Having a form helps them express their ideas more clearly.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on Wild Peace. I'm going to order it right now. I enjoyed seeing the video! xo
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on your newest, Irene--it looks gorgeous, and I'm excited to read it! Love this poem with its own sharp edges. I've never thought of leaves as rusting, and I've thought about so MANY metaphors for leaf color change!
ReplyDeleteI love your bittersweet poem about leaves and winter's sharp edges. Congratulations on your new book. I will definitely find it. I love the idea of the forest helping your MC find peace.
ReplyDeleteI'm loving this book. Congratulations on a big deal achievement! "drop" by itself on a line--yes!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on the new book! It's so important for there to be books in the world that provide a respite for young readers, and if the book can show them how to find and be their own respite from whatever is challenging in their world, even better.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations, and please know that the world is glad you are in it making books (and running for shelter animals). I'm thinking about your title and am going to try an "It Takes Courage To Be" poem...
ReplyDeleteCongratulations, Irene! I'm looking forward to reading Wild Peace!
ReplyDeleteIrene, by now you have run your race and found new little furry friends. Congratulations on your new book. It sounds so amazing. I do love your short video. It holds the anticipation of what is to come.Keep on creating books that reveal the beauty of earth and living with gratitude. Your bittersweet poem is one that I would love to place in my Bedecked in Autumn Gallery collection. May I, Irene?
ReplyDeleteHooray! I can't wait to get my hands on Wild Peace. And, you have your fingers on the pulse of autumn with 'It Takes Courage to be a Tree.' Such beauty right before winter IS sharp. I hope the 5K was fun!
ReplyDeleteI've already enjoyed Wild Peace, Irene, and seeing you open your box was another real treat!
ReplyDeleteI loved your video! So fun! And yes, it does take courage to be a tree. New things are scary.
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