Friday, December 19, 2008

Welcome, Poetry Friday!

I'm welcoming winter with an original poem. An Absolute Vista Our six year old climbed a snow bank at the back door to walk and meet his father. The snow was too deep. White erased everything – fences, sandbox. Ground was something to imagine. Why would he go? His weight was too sleight to puncture the icy crust with his boots. Our son floated on the surface, a dark form crawling away from the house. Midway he stopped. No one near but the wind, racing. My husband left off sweeping pear branches, strode deeply toward our child, and lifted him off that shifting surface. One body, they turned for home, each step sinking to the good, solid ground. I wrote this poem – about the blizzard of 2003 -- in response to William Stafford’s, “With Kit, Age 7, At the Beach.” His poem is set during a different kind of storm.
The rawness of Stafford's landscape gets at the elemental nature of being a parent. That’s how his poem reminded me of my son stranded in all that white (the kid is standing full height in this photo). We had 40 inches, the worst recorded snowfall in Baltimore.
You can hear Stafford read his poem here: Contribute winter welcome poems, warm weather wishes, Hanukkah book reviews, holiday verse, bah-humbugs (“ha-bumbugs!” if you’re a Runny Babbit fan), or anything else you’d like to share. Please leave a comment with a link. I’ll be rounding up throughout the day. Winter Welcomes Liz in Ink has “Picture Books in Winter” by Robert Louis Stevenson. Stacey from Two Writing Teachers has Billy Collins Poem, "Snow Day." Collins' poem is a popular one today. You'll also find it at Karen E's blog and at Shelf Elf. Check all these blogs out to get three different views of the poem. You’ll find some icy concrete poems by Heidi Roemer at Laura Salas’ blog. Those of us traveling during the holidays will want to take some of the poems from her “15 Words or Less” blog along for the ride. If you're travelling with little ones, Lorie Ann at Reader Totz shares "Horsey Horsey" for the ride. Sara at Read, Write, Believe is brightening the longest night of the year with Aretha Franklin's A Deeper Love. Fiddler at a Habit of Reading is also thinking about the solstice with a poem by Susan Cooper. And "my first ever holiday-themed original poem in the blogging world." Ruth is sharing a traditional Christmas Carol today: Hark the Herald Angels Sing. Another traditional carol from Kelly Fineman, who's posting Greensleeves. And another holiday rocker, Karen E. has Bruce Springsteen's "Santa Claus is Comin' to Town." She says, “My six-yr. old loves it. :-)” Bruce is from Jersey – what’s not to like? Little Willow also wants us to get up off that cozy couch by the fire and onto the dance floor. Visit Bildungsroman: Poetry Friday: Dare You to Move by Switchfoot If dancing doesn’t warm you up enough, learn to be a “Rock Star Reader” at Just One More Book. At Write Time, Linda's holiday post is a must-view for cat lovers. Jennifer at Ink for Lit opened an early holiday gift, Gardener's Magnetic Poetry. The resulting found poem is here. 7-Imp is in with "Sonnet in the Shape of a Christmas Tree" by George Starbuck. At Wild Rose Reader, Elaine offers us an original poem about her grandmother making Christmas babka. At Blue Rose Girl, she has a link to George Bush's Nightmare before Christmas. Elaine says, "In the video, an actor impersonating Bush recites a parody of Clement Moore's classic holiday poem." Tiel Aisha Ansari says, "I also have a winter-inspired original: December Idyll." It's a lovely sensory poem. Nadine at Kiddos and Books has Alvin Tresselt's opening poem from Caldecott Winner "White Snow Bright Snow." At Miss Rumphius Effect, Tricia is reading Douglas Florian’s Winter Hues with her family. Kurious Kitty has poetry in the news -- W.S. Merwin's interview on Fresh Air and his winter poem, “The Cold Before Moonrise.” She asks us to visit her quote blog also. Kelly has an original snowy poem with a sad ending (if you're a kid hoping for a Snow Day). And an original winter haiku (very cute -- you've gotta love the word "sashay") from Lorie Ann Grover at her site. Scrub-a-Dub-Tub has a great post about the joys of reading "The Grinch Who Stole Christmas." Seems there are as many poets writing Christmas poems as singers who do holiday CDs. Kevin Conder brings us "Old Angel Midnight" by Jack Kerouac and "Christmas Night" by Conrad Hilberry. Tributes & Celebrations Yat-Yee Chong has a beautiful poem about marriage by Arthur Conan Doyle. She is celebrating her own 20th wedding anniversary. At The Drift Record, Julie’s celebrating a wedding anniversary, too, with a spicy original poem. HipWriterMama is celebrating her blogiversary with Incantation by Czeslaw Milosz. Carol's Corner has a tribute to her wonderful 10-year-old student poets and some of their original poems -- many with winter themes. David Elzey’s tribute to a high school friend ends with a parody of Frost’s “Stopping by Woods.” Everything Else Mary Lee has news this morning, a post about the announcement of the inaugural poet. So you didn't get invited to be the inaugural poet, and you're wondering: "How Do You Know You're A Poet?" There's an answer at the Write Sisters. Sylvia Vardell at Poetry for Children has news about poet Helen Frost receiving an NEA Fellowship. jama at Alphabet Soup is ruminating about Kenneth Koch’s, "You Want a Social Life, With Friends" and the stresses of a writing life. I hear that! Stenhouse author Jeff Anderson is also thinking about a balanced life with "You Can't Have It All" by Barbara Ras. RM1(SS) says, “I'm in with an assortment of silly stuff” – all recommendations for his daughter’s poetry memorization assignment. Florian CafĂ© posted one of my favorites, Allen Ginsberg’s "A Supermarket in California." At What Adrienne Thinks about you'll find Marvin Bell's "I Didn't Sleep." Sarah Reinhard has a religious themed haiku. Still trying to find the perfect gift? If you have a writer on your list, check out how meaningful a pencil can be with Lisa Chellman's original poem, "Sharpen Your Pencil." My buddy Tabatha Yeatts bring us the real meaning of "Giving," with a poem by Khalil Gibran. Jill Corcoran wrote, "In these tough economic times and frigid cold weather I bring hope and warmth together with Langston Hughes' uplifting words." His poem, "Dreams," is a wonderful way to end our holiday Poetry Friday. I'm finally home from school parties, wrestling practice, and a friend's Hanukkah service. Time to relax with some hot chocolate and poetry. Thanks for the poems,everyone, wintry and otherwise. P.S. There was so much snow in ’03, we were inspired to make Snow Ice Cream. I’ll post the recipe tomorrow. It’s fun to make with kids.

47 comments:

  1. Thanks for hosting today, Laura, and for allowing early access to your blog.

    This week is the 20th anniversary of our wedding. My offering is a short poem called Retrospect.
    http://yatyeechong.blogspot.com/2008/12/twenty-years-of-unexpectedness.html

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  2. Thanks for hosting. I'm in this week with a juvenile high school parody of a Robert Frost poem this week, in honor of a lost friend.

    http://fomagrams.wordpress.com/2008/12/19/poetry-friday-the-poetry-of-robert-yamashiro-frost/

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  3. Thank you for hosting, Laura. Looks like this is the season of wedding anniversary poems - I'm in with something not exactly traditional over at The Drift Record

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  4. P.S. Can't wait for the Snow Ice Cream recipe!

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  5. Happy hosting, and thanks for sharing your own poem + backstory! Enjoy the holidays and the snow.

    Bildungsroman: Poetry Friday: Dare You to Move by Switchfood

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  6. Good morning and thanks for hosting! I'm in with a post about the announcement of the inaugural poet.

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  7. Today I'm ruminating on a Kenneth Koch poem, "You Want a Social Life, With Friends."

    Thanks for hosting, Laura. LOVE your winter poem :)!

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  8. Oops, forgot to leave my link: http://jamarattigan.livejournal.com/213117.html.

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  9. Thanks so much for hosting! Love your poem...

    Here's mine for today:
    http://liz-scanlon.livejournal.com/94679.html

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  10. Snow, delicious snow. Good for forts, sledding, ice cream---and poetry!

    I'm in today with Aretha Franklin's A Deeper Love, a poem/song for getting through The Longest Night.

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  11. Thank you so much for hosting! I'm in with Incantation by Czeslaw Milosz to help celebrate my second blogiversary.

    http://hipwritermama.blogspot.com/2008/12/poetry-friday-incantation-by-czeslaw.html

    I really like your poem!

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  12. Thanks for hosting. Your poem is beautiful-such an image of love!

    This week I'm honoring some of the ten-year-old poets in my life.

    Carol
    http://www.carolwscorner.blogspot.com

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  13. I love your poem, Laura. Visceral. I breathed a sigh of relief when Dad swooped in!

    I have a poem from Heidi B. Roemer about Icicles at http://laurasalas.livejournal.com/118412.html. And 15 Words or Less poems at http://laurasalas.livejournal.com/118111.html.

    Thanks for hosting!

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  14. Thanks for rounding us up! Today we celebrate campfire classic On Top Of Spaghetti.

    http://www.justonemorebook.com/2008/12/19/be-a-rock-star-reader-on-top-of-spaghetti/

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  15. Thank you for hosting this week. I'm linking to a Billy Collins Poem, "Snow Day." Seems to be a common theme.
    My P.F. Submission is located at http://twowritingteachers.wordpress.com/2008/12/19/pfonfriday/.

    Have a great day!

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  16. This week's poetry selection on the Stenhouse blog comes from Stenhouse author Jeff Anderson. Read his post here.

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  17. Thanks for hosting. I'm in this week with an original holiday poem at http://ldkwritetime.blogspot.com

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  18. Enjoyed your poem on this day when we're expecting 6-12"! Diane of The Write Sisters asks, "How do you know you're a poet?" at www.thewritesisters.blogspot.com
    Happy Holidays!

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  19. Good morning, Laura. Thanks for the snow poem and for hosting. I have a "found" poem at Ink for Lit.

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  20. At Wild Rose Reader, I have an original memoir poem about my maternal grandmother making her Christmas babka.

    http://wildrosereader.blogspot.com/2008/12/christmas-babka-original-poem.html


    At Blue Rose Girl, I have a link to a video made by Brave New Films entitled George Bush's Nightmare before Christmas. In the video, an actor impersonating Bush recites a parody of Clement Moore's classic holiday poem.

    http://bluerosegirls.blogspot.com/2008/12/poetry-friday-george-bushs-nightmare.html

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  21. Oooo, your poem is perfect today. In Chicago the plows were going all night, and everything's blanketed in white. No 40 inches, though, thankfully!

    My contribution this week is an original poem called "Sharpen Your Pencil". Thanks for hosting!

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  22. Hey, nice poem! I love the idea of having to imagine the ground.

    7-Imp is in with "Sonnet in the Shape of a Christmas Tree" by George Starbuck. Thanks for rounding up!

    http://blaine.org/sevenimpossiblethings/?p=1536

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  23. http://thereisnosuchthingasagodforsakentown.blogspot.com/2008/12/poetry-friday-hark-herald-angels-sing.html

    Thanks for hosting!

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  24. Thanks for hosting. Nice work on your original poem!

    I'm in with Greensleeves. Here's the link info: http://kellyrfineman.livejournal.com/358884.html

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  25. Thanks for hosting, and for that beautiful original poem.

    I'm in with Alvin Tresselt's opening poem from White Snow Bright Snow.

    http://kiddosandbooks.blogspot.com/

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  26. Thanks for hosting this week and for sharing this lovely, personal poem. This week I have posted about poet Helen Frost receiving an NEA Fellowship!

    http://poetryforchildren.blogspot.com/

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  27. I'm in with Billy Collins and Snow Day, and I see I'm not the only one. :-)

    My post is here.

    Thanks for hosting!

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  28. I'm in with an assortment of silly stuff.

    Thanks for hosting!

    Word verification: nocesses. The opposite of excesses.

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  29. I've posted an Allen Ginsberg poem "A Supermarket in California."
    Thanks for the roundup.
    douglas at the Florian Cafe
    where it's snowing.
    http://floriancafe.blogspot.com/

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  30. I'm in today with a poem by Douglas Florian called Winter Hues.

    Thanks for having us at your place this week!

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  32. Kurious Kitty is in with mention of W.S. Merwin's interview on
    Fresh Air
    . www.kuriouskitty.blogspot.com Also check out KK's quote blog.
    www.kkskwotes.blogspot.com

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  33. One more seasonal bonus from me here. Bruce Springsteen's "Santa Claus is Comin' to Town." My six-yr. old loves it. :-)

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  34. Thanks for hosting this week!
    I have an original snowy poem at http://www.kpolark.blogspot.com
    Love your wintry poem!

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  35. Here I am:

    http://www.watat.com/archives/2008/12/ai_didnat_sleep.html

    Thanks for hosting!

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  36. Here's mine (a little later than usual!)

    http://shelfelf.wordpress.com/2008/12/19/poetry-friday-snow-day/

    Billy Collins' Snow Day

    Thanks!

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  37. Thanks so much for hosting! Over at readertotz Horsey Horsey is making an appearance.

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  38. I'm late today, as well, but here are both a solstice poem and my first ever holiday-themed original poem in the blogging world.

    Thanks for hosting! Happy Holidays to all.

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  39. And on my own blog I have an original haiku, Snow Flurry, inspired by our storm!

    Thanks again!

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  40. On our blog we wrote a post about a teacher's recitation and performance of Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas. A reminder that poetry can be enjoyed by the tall and small ... and read aloud.

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  41. Thanks for posting.
    In these tough economic times and frigid cold weather I bring hope and warmth together with Langston Hughes' uplifting words.

    http://jillcorcoran.blogspot.com/2008/12/hold-fast-to-dreams.html

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  42. Hi Laura! Hope you are having a great day! I've got a "giving" theme this week. Hope to talk to you soon.

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  43. Hey, all. Thanks for the great winter poems. You may have noticed that parts of my blog are down (basically, everything that usually runs down the right). Any advice?

    I'm having trouble with the updates also. It's taking me a little extra time, but I'll get to everyone.

    Have a wonderful Hanukkah, those of you celebrating on Sunday night (the Solstice)! A joyous Christmas, Kwanzaa, New Year, etc.

    Laura

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  44. Yikes! I forgot to submit my link this morning (your post wasn't up yet) and now it's late-late-LATE! Here it is anyway, some haiku (not snow-related, sadly).

    Loved your poem, and will have to check back for that recipe tomorrow! :) Thanks for hosting!

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  45. I'm so sorry to be arriving so late to the party. I was messing about with men all day. Gingerbread men that is. ;p

    I am sharing gorgeous poem and I don't know who wrote it. Perhaps one of your clever readers will: When will my heart arise?

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