A POCKETFUL OF POETRY PROMPTS:
TIPS FOR TEACHING VERSE
A Blog Created by Nikki Grimes
2027-2028 Young People’s Poet Laureate
Hooray! So many congratulations to Nikki on this outstanding accolade, on top of so many others!
Today's ArtSpeak: WOMEN features art by Mary Cassatt. Funny thing: I wanted this to be a trinet. But a trinet requires 7 lines, and I stopped at 6. I just felt like the poem was d-o-n-e. So it was better to let go of the trinet dream and let the poem be what it wanted to be!
Full-fledged trinets I've written:
Alabama Sunrise; Key West SunsetA Dream of Rabbits
Trinet after an Argument
And here's today's effort—a gratitude poem for my parents who read to me...and gratitude for all parents out there who read to their kids. It's important. Please keep doing it just as long as you can.
Praise Be, I Have a Mother Who Reads to Me
Half human,
half angel
she tucks me in a nest
of words, glorious words! I sing—
half bird,
half sky.
- Irene Latham
Ah, Irene! This is beautiful! I especially love "she tucks me in a nest/of words..." Bookmarking this!
ReplyDeleteLove the poem and art! Feels like I've been hugged. :)
ReplyDeletePerfect as is. And yes to all the parents who read to their kids...and YES to all the teachers who hold onto read aloud in the classroom against all odds!
ReplyDeleteThe gratitude shines through in your short but evocative poem, Irene. Being read to is a gift that lasts a lifetime. I love reading to my grand-daughter. It's such a special time.
ReplyDeletetucks me in a nest of words - lovely
ReplyDeleteWords, glorious words - perfect. LOVE this poem, and yes, it is all it needs to be! Also, I love that Nikki just received this honor/appointment and I'm excited about her project. :0)
ReplyDeleteSo delighted by your bravery to end your poem where it wished to be ended. :)
ReplyDeleteIrene, what a joy to be reminded of the joy of reading to and being read to. Thank you for your sweet non-trinet. It is perfect. "she tucks me in a nest / of words, glorious words" Wow. So beautiful.
ReplyDeleteWowee wow wow! Hooray for Nikki Grimes! This is outstanding news...and your Wordspinners is a just right celebration of her. I love that. I read your poem and can remember being tucked into my Grandma's side listening to Swiss Family Robinson. Thanks for the time travel!
ReplyDelete"she tucks me in a nest/of words" — oh, just perfect.
ReplyDeleteIrene,thank you for sending us the information on Nikki's new title and her project. Since I am a high believer in parents reading to their children, I am delighted by your poem.Yes, mothers do so lovingly tuck children into a nest of words. What a beautiful thought. I love your poem.
ReplyDeleteof words,