February is almost here. I promised to post prompts for this year's month-long poetry project by January 25. (Read about the project here.) However, revisions for THE LAST FIFTH GRADE are due on Monday, January 26. So ... priorities.
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| When I need a break from revision work, I make fake book covers with the Pulp-O-Mizer cover maker. |
I'm taking a short break from novel revisions to Poetry Friday with you. Yes, I just verbed a noun. Twice. That's what happens when you've been eating words for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
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| Tara at A Teaching Life is hosting the Poetry Friday round-up today. |
Kyle Doty has been kind enough to send an ARC of his chapbook, HUSH, DON'T TELL NOBODY, which one lucky commenter will win today!
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| You can pre-order at Amazon now, or wait to buy the book directly from Apprentice House. |
I’m declaring a war on apathy!
– Dr. Kim Worth, year 1999/2000, 9th grade Drama teacher.
by Kyle Doty
I hope for rain in the evening,
for clear sky to give way
to low-hanging clouds, black
like rotten fruit swaying from
summer Maples. I ask for wind --
tempest strength -- and the crooked
rod of electricity that cuts through
twilight. For the sound of thunder
like a herd of elephants trampling
from the distance.
I pray for a storm that cleanses,
like wire brush on metal,
the ebony mood of indifference.
From HUSH, DON'T TELL NOBODY
Kyle Doty is a Middle School English teacher. He lives in Southwest Florida--Tropicalia--with his family, where he is at work on his next collection of poetry. His new website will be up soon at www.kyledotypoet.com
Thank you for sharing this poem, Kyle. I can't wait to pass your book along to one of the Poetry Friday readers.
Remember to leave a comment for your chance to win the ARC. Feel free to send Kyle Doty a thumbs up or congrats on his first book.
See you next week with our February poetry project prompts!
I especially like the freshness and edge of "the crooked rod of electricity that cuts through twilight" and "that cleanses, like wire brush on metal."
ReplyDeleteWhat a dapper poet! Poetry Monster would approve.
Like the Pulp-O-Mizer cover!
I spent a large number of my formative years in Florida, and the imagery here brought me back to late afternoon, waiting for the clouds to let go. The imagery and feeling were so strong that I was surprised when the last sentence said the mood was one of indifference. I had to go back and read it again through that new lens. Kyle is an author to watch, and he ain't too bad to look at either.
ReplyDeleteHi, Laura - Hoping to hop over lots more next month; I won't be in the throes of a move this year!
ReplyDeleteAs usual, Tabatha "took" my favorite lines - I'm fond of "tempest-strength," too... Thanks to you and Kyle for sharing this terrific poem,and I wish much success for this and future books. (For both of you, for that matter!)
Oh, thanks for the heads up about Kyle's chapbook and for sharing a sample poem, Laura. Love the crisp language and energy in his writing. :)
ReplyDeleteSuch fresh and startling description! I look forward to reading more poetic insights from this fellow Floridian.
ReplyDeleteLove this imagery: "...black
ReplyDeletelike rotten fruit swaying from
summer Maples." Congrats to Kyle, and I'm glad you took a break from revisions to publish this post!
That Tabatha--she is a line stealer. I too love "the crooked rod of electricity that cuts through twilight" and "that cleanses, like wire brush on metal." Thanks for introducing us to Kyle's poetry, and for taking a break to poetryfriday today.
ReplyDeleteApathy is the enemy of connection, and it's connections that makes people happy. I hope that wire brush comes and blows it all away, too. Great poem! Thumbs up, Kyle and great post, too.
ReplyDelete"tempest strength" and "wire brush on metal" Wow the imagery is amazing! And is that Kyle's picture? What a cutie. Does his personality match? Would love to attend a poetry reading. Thanks for introducing me to his talent. Gears us up nicely for sound writing in February.
ReplyDeleteLove that 'pulp-o-miser' cover, Laura, & the site! Thanks for sharing Kyle's book & poem. From that first line "I hope for rain in the evening" I can hear such a beautiful voice. I'll bookmark the book for my own middle schoolers, but still, hope I win!
ReplyDeleteThree cheers for a fellow teacher-poet! Congrats on the publication!
ReplyDeleteI love that you're eating words morning, noon, and night, but glad you stopped long enough to introduce us to Kyle and his poetry. Such vivid images!
ReplyDeleteVery lovely poem. After reading I felt like I, too, am off to wage a war against apathy. The poem was so alive. Thanks for sharing his poetry. :)
ReplyDeleteWill now be on the lookout for Kyle's book - thanks for the introduction to his amazing poetry. And bravo on your Pulp-O-Mizer cover - very cool. =)
ReplyDeleteWill look for this book...love this line: the ebony mood of indifference
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