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| National Poetry Month may be ending, but you can eat poetry anytime. It's as easy as opening a book. |
Clothes -- and poems about them can:
help us express our individual style,
make us feel connected to the person the article of clothing belonged to,
represent a season, a mood, or a longing,
be descriptive of a battlefield or a shared experience between parents and children,
create a sense of comfort and warmth,
be intimate, because they are held close to our bodies in a way that few other things are.
I am beginning a third grade poetry residency. This week, we worked on list poems. Naomi Shihab Nye's "Words in My Pillow" from the anthology Falling Down the Page was our model.
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| You'll find "Words in My Pillow" in this anthology of list poems from MacMillan. |
Words in My Closet
by Laura Shovan
after Naomi Shihab Nye
I keep words in my closet.
Words that make me look good.
CASHMERE
QUIRKY
PONCHO
No one sees them
until I put them on.
but I know what's in there--
DENIM
SNEAKERS
PURPLE
BATHROBE
STRIPES
ELEGANCE
UNDERWEAR is in there.
JELLYFISH SOCKS are in there.
The words plan outfits together
when I'm not looking.
This BLOUSE and that SKIRT
like hanging around together.
FLOWERS brighten up my closet.
RAVENS cheer "TOUCHDOWN!"
in my closet.
My friends the words
know better than I do
what fits me well.
Next week, I'll begin posting some of the third grader's list poems. They have been doing an awesome job.
Thanks again to all of the wonderful bloggers who let us into their poetry closets this month.
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| A skirt-full of flowers from me to you. You'll find this and more floral skirts at Polyvore. |
- Introductory Post
- Jane Elkin looks in her childhood closet. Poems by Mark Irwin and Ron Koertge.
- Tabatha Yeatts shares an ensemble of clothing poems by Greg Pincus.
- Margaret Gibson Simon tries on orange high heels. Poem by Ellen Bass.
- Robyn Hood Black borrows Alice Schertle's "Hand-me-down Sweatshirt."
- Jone MacCulloch wears her Grandma Mac's aprons.
- Heidi Mordhorst pulls on some big, black boots.
- Linda Baie's outfit would not be complete without a poem in her pocket.
- Catherine Johnson getting dressed with Alexander Resnikoff.
- Robyn Campbell is showing off her favorite vintage clothes with a poetic picture book from Mary Ann Hoberman.
- Donna Smith twirls her poetic skirts for us.
- Jan Godown Annino treasures a rainbow skirt worn by her mentor.
- Linda Kulp's shoe poem lesson gets muddy.
UPDATE: Thanks to all those who have posted a clothing poem on your home blogs and shared a link to AuthorAmok.
Read Irene Latham's ekphrastic poem "Yellow Dress."
Read about Carol Varsalona's vintage pantaloons!
And be sure to stop at Space City Scribes. The blogging team out of Houston (thus their cool name) is hosting Poetry Friday this week.
And be sure to stop at Space City Scribes. The blogging team out of Houston (thus their cool name) is hosting Poetry Friday this week.
*Your suggested clothing poem prompt for Friday, May 1: Personification
If an article of clothing could talk, what stories would it tell? Whether it's a thrift store find, or an item for your closet, let your clothes speak for themselves. Has that black fedora traveled with you to Mexico? Was your daughter wearing that dress on her first day of kindergarten? Have your white Keds become mud-streaked from your hours spent in the garden? Maybe your jeans are tired of being patched and mended and would love to be retired.
Send your poems any time. I'll post original work and recommended poems on Friday.
I bought Falling Down the Page. I hope it's ok for me to use your poem, too, as a mentor text. I'd love to see what my students come up with. Thanks for hosting this wonderful month of clothing poetry.
ReplyDeleteEnjoyed your wordy closet, Laura!
ReplyDeleteThe connection of 'words' and 'clothing' is clever, Laura. Sometimes they do speak to me, sometimes crying out for someone new to join them! Thanks for a terrific month.
ReplyDeleteOh I am sad to take off this poetry outfit & fold it away Laura. It's been a joy to try on.
ReplyDeleteBut wait, it's always a great fit online, so we can return & have samples.
Your list poem with the words creating outfits is fun & inventive.
It brought an image to my mind of my Mother wearing an orange poncho one time. And I hadn't thought of that in years.
I am sure the third-graders are wrapped up in your poet residency.
Waving my scarf at you,
Jan
Have a great residency and thanks for all the delightful word pictures you gathered for us in April.
ReplyDeleteYou make it seem simple, but coming up with a poem in relation to words on my closet might not be as easy as it seems. I love this poem and the whole exercise of it.
ReplyDeleteI might attempt it, on my own, for a little something new in my poetry.
thanks for sharing.
Your poem is so clever, Laura. Love it! Jellyfish socks!
ReplyDeleteSuch a delightful poem! It grabbed me at "cashemere, quirky, and poncho" together--made me see that closets can have their own energy and personality. I love thinking of the flowers brightening it up while the Raven's sweatshirt is yelling, "Touchdown!"
ReplyDeleteI add my thanks for this wonderful month of poetry garb! Your list poem came out so well (PURPLE) and I'm sure that the 3rd-graders are benefitting immensely from your poetry presents (sic).
ReplyDeleteBut where's the picture of you in a wrap dress?
:)
Your project was so much fun! I loved getting to know you and other bloggers via clothes! (So fun to have quirky and elegance in the same poem/closet!)
ReplyDelete