The secret, she said,with a wink is to remember that this world is yours: howdoes the protagonist emergeand whathas he gainedand whathas he won that is up to you, and it does not matter how strange the settinghow twisty the plothow odd the characterhow silly the events you can take us anywhere as long asContinue reading “Advice to a Young Writer of Fiction”
Tag Archives: poetry
Under the Wire
Today’s writingwill get snuck in Like bites of chocolatefrom the pantrywhen the kids aren’t looking Or the trip to the bathroomonly made possibleby the teacher across the hallwho will watch to make sureno child explodesin my absence Or the extra steps I gainby parking in thevery last spotat the grocery store Or the moment ofContinue reading “Under the Wire”
A Burden I’ll Gladly Bear
TodayI could reach into my bagDeepdeepdeepAnd rustle upSomething good: My teen guy,Shambling into the kitchenFor one of thoseRare and CharmingExtended chats aboutNothingOut of nowhereThat reminds me howTeen parentingIs a lot like being on call Or A video chatWith sweet kiddosWho need help withOrganizationmanagementfollowthroughBut really needTime to connectAbout udon noodlesOr stuffiesOr ways to hide salmon inContinue reading “A Burden I’ll Gladly Bear”
Ode to the Dinner Table
Now that so many of us are home, perhaps it’s time to once again write an ode to an ordinary object that just doesn’t get its due. Most of the time,You don’t notice me –You just seeThat water from last night’s dinnerPretending someone will drink itOrThe mail, sorted on people’sWorn placemats untilIt’s put out ofContinue reading “Ode to the Dinner Table”
How I’m Doing
It’s around about this time of year that I give my fourth graders a fun warm-up activity. I ask them to tell me how they’re doing, but to respond in haiku. I love haiku. It’s an easy little way to get some poetry in, and I usually think I’m copping out by doing it, butContinue reading “How I’m Doing”
On Transformation
Everyone, it seems, Is ready to make this timeMy next timeTo siezeAn opportunity! If only I hadthisresource!thislink!thislist!thisadvice!thischallenge!thisguidance!thisinformation! But What I really know is All I needIs a momentTo rememberThis timeMay not beThe timeI emerge from my Chrysalis But rather Perhaps All I need Is a cocoon.
A Heart, Moved
There were so very many thingsThat moved my heartTodayIn one direction or another: There were timesMy smile reached past my earsAnd perhaps to my toes There were timesMy smile falteredJust a little bitI heard it crackRight along with a fewPieces of my heart There were timesMy smile held firmIn the enoughOf now.
Poetry Month: Piece of Mind*
I sit on the floor, legs splayed,Jigsaw pieces scatteredMy work is cut out for me. Most people open just oneBut I wonder where the funIs in that. Take out one box, two boxes,SixDump the pieces out and See how it comes together. You say you like to sort for EdgesColorsPatternsGood luck with that. It wouldContinue reading “Poetry Month: Piece of Mind*”
#SOL20 Day 29: Word Casserole
I started today with a bucket full of words: I trounced through the house with it overfull, sloshing,Spent a few on the phone with my mom,A few more with my sister,Then held out pretty fullUntil I got to my school work:Email upon email, text upon text, I found myselfRooting through, huntingFor only the best onesAndContinue reading “#SOL20 Day 29: Word Casserole”
#SOL20 Day 20: Does Anyone Else Feel
Does anyone else feel, she wondered, Like a washcloth wrung within an inch of its life? Like a running shoe, its insole black with sweat and impact? Like the sponge that’s done one too many hand-washings? Like that garbage bag after someone stuffed that one. Last. Thing. In? Like the couch cushion, enduring flop afterContinue reading “#SOL20 Day 20: Does Anyone Else Feel”
Soapbox: The Way I see Things 