Poetry Friday is a weekly place to celebrate the power of poetry, so join me this week for another crop of poetic goodness. Our host, Jone MacCulloch, is celebrating many different events with us: the debut of her new website, recognition of the latest collaborative effort of two of my favorite poets, Janet Wong and Sylvia Vardell. Jone provides a sneak peek into their new book, HOP TO IT: Poems to Get You Moving. that celebrates its book birthday on October 15, 2020. Jone is also recognizing National Math Storytelling Day at #MathStorytellingDay, and #NationalBraveDay. Lastly, she invites poetry friends to write a poem that tells a math story or honors a brave woman.
My math story begins with a digital inspiration created to bring hope to the 2020-2021 school year of learning in a strange new world. I offer a Shadorma poem format that is a new one for me. It consists of a 3-5-3-3-3-7-5 syllable pattern. Pangs of nervousness swell but the excitement of challenge spurs me on. The third image prompts me to create a Zeno, a pattern featuring syllables of 8-4-2-1-4-2-1-4-2-1 with an "abcdefdghd rhyme scheme created by J. Patrick Lewis. The next photo allows me to try out the Poetry Princesses' challenge: use the word ponderous or an image of a hippo in any poetic format.
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bravely taking the helm at sea,
maneuvering
the wheel,
glee
spreads like sea salt
on waves,
free-
rising crystals'
swishing
spree
©CV, 2020
Photo by Judi Drucker
graceful sails blow peacefully,
stretching across new crossways
opening channels of thought
with each swell of swishing waves
ponderous times are set free
summer dances its swan song
©CV, 2020
There is something about a writing challenge that brings on a "be brave" moment. Recalling the sailing trip with our friends, the Druckers, the freshness of the sea air and the gloriously-clear sky freed my mind of worry as summer started to drift away.
For those who missed other editions of my #EmbraceableSummer Gallery filled with poetic goodness and artistic expressions from around the globe, please click on the following:
I've never heard of a shadorma, but I'm excited to try it. Your "found art" poem is so cool, with the intricate striped shadows. I see it!
ReplyDeleteLaura, "found art" poem-now that is a great title for what it is. Thanks for joining me here.
DeleteYour enthusiasm and willingness to try new poetry forms is inspiring and infectious, Carol! I think your line, "ponderous times are set free" sums up your poetic adventurous spirit. :)
ReplyDeletePoetry does temper ponderous times for it brings me to a new level of thought, Bridget.
DeleteOh, your photographs are lovely - and I'm so glad you clearly had a glorious day, letting the ponderous, heavy things blow away on the breeze...
ReplyDeleteIf we could wish away what is heavy in our lives in an easy manner, then stress would be reduced. As it is now, writing and especially poetry, provide the release for me. This prompt from your Poetry Sisters was a worthy one that lead me to many places. I look forward to the next challenge, especially since I know nothing of the nanni. It will be fun exploring that format.
DeleteCarol, your math story poems have got me counting syllables in people's replies in case I miss their 'being-mathematical' moments! I had students doing science safety projects where I chose several categories for evaluation & they could add two categories for the peer evaluations as well. One student's card was missing so I guessed what her extra two categories were. When I saw her in passing I asked and one of her categories was poetry! I thanked her & slipped back to finally notice she had made the whole thing with an intricate rhyming scheme. All that effort & joy she had worked on would have been missed without my asking.
DeleteTo @HarMath: Fred, how exciting it is that one of your students chose to use a rhyming poem for her science safety projects. I applaud you for adding the choice options for students. Thank you for stopping by to read my post and comment.
DeleteI love the way you're meeting all these writing challenges! Inspiring!
ReplyDeleteChallenges provide a fun distractful from #QuarantineLife, Ruth. Thanks for joining me here.
DeleteI love that "glee" & "spree", Carol. Your ocean pictures & writing leave me yearning, yearning! Have a wonderful weekend!
ReplyDeleteLinda, thank you for the exchange of conversation each week. I know that you love the beach and the ocean as much as I do. When I move I will not have easy access to these sights but the digitals will remain in my heart. i will find other natural resources to soothe my soul but the yearning will always be there.
DeleteI always learn new poetic forms from you, Carol, for which I am grateful. Your graceful lines buoy the spirit and the blues in those photos soothe the soul! Just beautiful - I especially love these lines: "Stretching across new crossways/opening channels of thought." Poetry is the very vessel for this. Here's to sailing on!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Fran, for always being supportive. As for the blues in the photos, the last one was digitized and in doing so, I lifted the color to share the breathtaking beauty of what i saw during the sailing trip. Poetry is an amazing vessel to transfer thoughts from the mind to paper. Have a great weekend.
DeleteThe awe in your expression is priceless as you take the helm. Love “glee spreads like sea salt...”. Lovely farewell to summer photos embellished with mathematical
ReplyDeleteWords!
DeleteThank you, Joyce, for your response. Here is a side thought on the phrase you mentioned. I have been baking with sea salt lately and those words seemed appropriate for my poem. When down by the water in different settings, I see the glistening and think of diamonds sparkling so that thought may come up in future poems.
DeleteOh, that photo of you at sea is precious...so much like your writing and sharing, pure joy on your face! I see the kid in you and the love for adventure and the call of the sea. Dancing, indeed. What a joyful post!
ReplyDeleteThanks for adding to my joy by commenting, Linda. Yesterday, I went to the ocean and while my husband and I sat in the sun on the boardwalk, I walked down to the jetty. The sea air and the foam cresting gave me time to think quietly. Some of the pics will appear in future blogs.
DeleteLove these! I grew up racing sailboats and coached for awhile. There isn't much better than being out on the water with the wind in your face.
ReplyDeleteBecky, I did not know that about you so thanks for the info. I was being coached by my friend whose boat I was on. He has been sailing since college. While he makes taking the helm seem effortless, I found out it is note, especially when there are boats all around. But the weather was wonderful and the experience one filled with immense joy.
DeleteHurrah for trying out new forms, Carol! I've been doing that a lot lately. I'm especially impressed by your Zeno because I've tried to write one and have failed so far. Yours is terrific!
ReplyDeleteCarmela, I am all for trying out new formats until I hit a roadblock. Then, I need to pause and wait for the muse to join me in creative thought. Thanks for your comment. It feels good to be cheered onward.
DeleteThat picture of you at the helm is priceless! I can tell that trip is rich with memories, just from the poems you've written. And a big huzzah for three poems, three challenges in one post! WOW! Sail on!
ReplyDeleteThese are all great, but my favorite bit is the glee spreading like sea salt and that wonderful photo of you!
ReplyDeleteLove the helm photo. And I bet it was a wonderfully fabulously fun day.
ReplyDeleteThe art in the shadorma was a sad reminder of our world and hopefully we will sit on benchese again.`