Writing Marathon

June 13, 2013 by margaretsmn

Poetry Friday is here!

Today, I am hosting the Poetry Friday blog roundup. Please post your link in the comments. I thought when I signed up for this date that it would be a quiet summer Friday, but it is actually the last day of a writing camp for students. I will check in periodically and post links as they come in.

Writing in the gallery

Leading a writing camp is one of the highlights of my summer. This year we have 9 students ranging from entering 4th through 10th grade. Each of them is in a different place in their writing, yet each has a unique voice. My partner teacher, Stephanie Judice, and I also come from different places. I teach elementary, and she teaches high school. I write poetry. She writes fiction. A perfect match. Every morning, I led the poetry writing, and she led the fiction. Worked out well.

Our favorite day is always Wednesday, the writing marathon. The writing marathon was invented by Richard Louth of the Southeastern Writing Project. He was inspired by Natalie Goldberg’s Writing Down the Bones in which she talks about writing in restaurants. She encourages writers to find a space and write continuously for a period of time. So on a writing marathon, the rules are 1) declare yourself a writer; 2) travel from place to place, write in that place, and if appropriate, order something; and 3) share and thank each other. (No criticism or comment, just thank you.)

One of our stops on the writing marathon was the A&E Gallery, a collaborative gallery of a variety of artists owned by Paul Schexnayder. We did two writing periods at the gallery. During the first one, I asked the students to walk all around the space and to collect words that came into their minds as they walked. After collecting words, we found a spot to sit and write. The second prompt was an ekphrastic poem about one particular piece of art. I am sharing the poem I wrote from the gallery walk and a student’s poem from a group of metal faces.

Mermaids float above her majesty, the sea
swirling waves as a potter’s wheel
forming a lily-lined path
to the land of mortals.

On the shore, rusted beauty emerges
from layers of water–a mint for the gatherers of things.

Look with your soul,
feel the release of imagination.
Find your buried hope.
The music in you awaits!

–All rights reserved, Margaret Simon

Metal Faces
Their open metal mouths,
staring into me,
looking past my casual writer’s appearance.
Can they see my conscience?
They read me as if
I were the art on display.
Their wide eyes,
penetrating my heart,
are full of distaste.
Like judges,
and I have earned myself
a low score.
Their scraps
that they call facial features
bore into me,
like they know everything.
And, perhaps they do,
but it doesn’t show.
All they can do
is watch me,
beg for me to stay
when I’m passing by,
so they can look into my soul.

–Kaylie, 12 years old

Go nuts with Charles at Father Goose with a tribute to Jama Rattigan.

At Random Noodling, a Robert Frost poem “Questioning Face.”

Kurious Kitty has some Flag Day poetry.

At KK Kwotes, find Albert Camus.

At NC Teacher Stuff, find a short poem about fathers by William Hamilton Hayne.

Keri is discovering a children’s bookstore in Vancouver, BC.

Matt Forrest has a poem for his daughter.

Jama is featuring a bilingual poetry collection called Laughing Tomatoes and other Spring Poems/Jitomates Risuenos y ostros poemas de primavera by Francisco X. Alarcón and Maya Christina Gonzalez.

Laura Salas has a rodeo poem by Nancy Bo Flood.

Mary Lee is here with a feast of verse novels.

Ruth has a turtle-y post.

Tabatha is thinking about plagiarism.

The Teaching Authors share online resources and April has a poem about giving up privacy in exchange for a free app.

Renee at No Water River has another wonderful video featuring Margarita Engle sharing her verse picture book When you Wander: A Search and Rescue Dog Story.

Linda at Teacher Dance has a poem she heard at a teaching workshop.

Today at The Poem Farm, Amy has a little goodbye poem from a teacher’s point of view along with a Poetry Peek from kindergarten teacher Erin Jarnot and her students from Elma Primary.

Julie is back this week with an original poem called “Anniversary” and some musings about translation and mistranslation.

Bridget Magee is here with an original poem, “Summer Hazard” about one of the perils of living in the desert.

Over at Today’s Little Ditty, Michelle has a dream poem written by her dad in honor of Father’s Day.

Robyn Hood Black is here with Full Hearts, Empty Nests, and Emily Dickinson.

MM Socks has an original poem today Woodrow’s Shadow.

Doraine Bennett has Winslow Homer and J.G. Whittier.

Irene Latham has a menagerie of Valerie Worth poems.

A traveling poem over at The Florian Cafe this Friday morning.

Author Amok is celebrating with a picnic-full of third graders’ food poems. Chocolate pie, anyone? We can’t end school without some teacherly wisdom. I’m also featuring a portion of poet Joseph Ross’s beautiful post “The Gifts of Teaching.”

Karen Edmisten has a Billy Collins poem to share.

Cathy has an original cat poem.

Lorie Ann Grover offers a haiku today, Whispered through Steam.

Joy at Poems for Kids Joy has an original poem about her flag for Flag Day.

Here’s Becky with Math Poetry.

All About Books with Janet has a doggy poem “I Didn’t Do It” written by Patricia MacLachlan and Emily MacLachlan Charest and illustrated by Katy Schneider.

For some hippity-hoppity froggy fun, go to Reading to the Core.

Little Willow posted Afterthoughts by Edwin Arlington Robinson at her blog Bildungsroman.

Posted in Poetry, Poetry Friday, Teaching | Tagged A&E Gallery, Poetry Friday, Richard Louth, Write your Way writing camp, writing marathon | 43 Comments

43 Responses

on June 13, 2013 at 11:22 pm | Reply Stephanie

Such a terrific writing experience! Thank you for sharing, Margaret. The marathon truly is a joy to embrace. I hope all writers get the chance to experience a marathon of their own. 🙂
on June 13, 2013 at 11:30 pm | Reply Charles Ghigna

Thanks, Margaret! We’re going nuts today over at the FATHER GOOSE Blog
with a little tribute to Jama Rattigan, our favorite foodie/poet!
on June 14, 2013 at 12:45 am | Reply dmayr

Hi Margaret! A writing marathon–what a great idea!

My posts will be up after midnight. At Random Noodling I have a short Robert Frost poem, “Questioning Faces.”

http://randomnoodling.blogspot.com/2013/06/poetry-friday-questioning-faces.html

Kurious Kitty has some Flag Day poetry.

http://kuriouskitty.blogspot.com/2013/06/poetry-friday-happy-flag-day.html

And at KK’s Kwotes you’ll find a quote by Albert Camus.

http://kkskwotes.blogspot.com/2013/06/poetry-friday_14.html
on June 14, 2013 at 12:57 am | Reply Jeff

I love the idea of a writing marathon. I need to do this with my second graders next year. At NC Teacher Stuff, I have shared a short poem about fathers by William Hamilton Hayne:
http://ncteacherstuff.blogspot.com/2013/06/poetry-friday-to-my-father-by.html
on June 14, 2013 at 1:18 am | Reply mattforrest

Thanks for hosting, Margaret! Just the idea of a ‘writing marathon’ wears me out…but I like the ones you’ve shared. “Find your buried hope.’ – great line!

For today, I have a poem I wrote for my daughter: http://mattforrest.wordpress.com/2013/06/14/poetry-friday-more-than-we-are

(the link goes live at midnight, so it’s not up yet)
on June 14, 2013 at 1:25 am | Reply Keri

Hi Margaret! Thanks for getting the round-up started early — I’m traveling tomorrow and don’t want to miss out on the fun. I’m sharing my discovery of a terrific children’s bookstore while visiting Vancouver, B.C. with pictures of their poetry section at http://kerirecommends.com/2013/06/14/poetry-friday–kidsbooks-in-vancouver-bc.aspx.
on June 14, 2013 at 1:34 am | Reply jama

Sounds like some great writing came from your marathon. Enjoyed your description and both poems.

This week I’m featuring a bilingual poetry collection called Laughing Tomatoes and Other Spring Poems/Jitomates Risuenos y ostros poemas de primavera by Francisco X. Alarcón and Maya Christina Gonzalez:

http://wp.me/p1GE6P-2Ay

My post will go live at 6 a.m. EDT.

Thanks so much for hosting, Margaret!
on June 14, 2013 at 2:02 am | Reply Poetry Friday: I Wish to Live |

[…] Today’s Poetry Friday is Hosted by Reflections on the Teche […]
on June 14, 2013 at 2:05 am | Reply Iphigene

I love the poem, Metal Faces, It was lovely to read.

This week I’m featuring another poem from our featured poet about wishing to live in another time in hopes that in that time things would align.

http://gatheringbooks.wordpress.com/2013/06/14/poetry-friday-i-wish-to-live/

Thanks for hosting today. 🙂
on June 14, 2013 at 2:11 am | Reply Robyn Hood Black

Thanks for taking us along for a bit of the marathon, Margaret! I enjoyed both poems and was intrigued by Kaylie’s turning of the tables: “They read me as if/I were the art on display.” Sounds like an inspired and inspiring week!

Thanks for hosting, too. I’m in with “Full Hearts, Empty Nests, and Emily Dickinson” :
http://www.robynhoodblack.com/blog.htm?post=914480
on June 14, 2013 at 2:53 am | Reply Michelle Heidenrich Barnes

Your writing camp sounds amazing! I’m definitely jealous. The luscious quality of your poem doesn’t surprise me at all, but Kaylie’s poem practically blew me away. I can’t believe she’s only 12.

On Today’s Little Ditty, http://michellehbarnes.blogspot.com/, I am featuring a dream poem written by my dad, in honor of Father’s Day.
on June 14, 2013 at 2:56 am | Reply Bridget Magee

Thanks for hosting, Margaret! And for sharing your writing marathon journey. So fun!
This week I have an original poem, “Summer Hazard” about one of the perils of living in the desert.
http://www.weewordsforweeones.blogspot.com
on June 14, 2013 at 3:27 am | Reply Julie Larios

Thanks for that nice post about the marathon, Margaret, and for hosting Poetry Friday. I’ve been absent for quite awhile over at The Drift Record but I’m back this week with an original poem called “Anniversary” and some musings about translation and mistranslation.
on June 14, 2013 at 4:07 am | Reply Poetry Friday: “More Than We Are” | Radio, Rhythm & Rhyme

[…] Anyhoo…for all of today’s Poetry Friday festivities, visit Margaret at Reflections on the Teche! […]
on June 14, 2013 at 4:10 am | Reply amyludwigvanderwater

I so wish that I could have been on this writing marathon. What a gift of a week for these students…and I too enjoyed both poems you shared.

Today at The Poem Farm, I offer up a little goodbye poem from a teacher’s point of view along with a Poetry Peek from kindergarten teacher Erin Jarnot and her students from Elma Primary.

http://www.poemfarm.amylv.com/2013/06/goodbyes-and-kindergarten-poems.html

Thank you for hosting – happy Poetry Friday!
on June 14, 2013 at 4:27 am | Reply Linda Baie

Your writing camp sounds awesome, Margaret! And the poems are terrific. I like “rusted beauty” and “they read me as if/ I were the art on display”. Thank you for hosting. I am sharing a poem that I heard at a teaching workshop today! http://teacherdance.blogspot.com/2013/06/a-workshop-takeaway.html
on June 14, 2013 at 4:57 am | Reply Picture Book "When You Wander" by Newbery Honor poet Margarita Engle

[…] lovely Margaret at Reflections on the Teche is hosting Poetry Friday today. She needs poems — go to her […]
on June 14, 2013 at 5:04 am | Reply Renee LaTulippe

I love the marathon! Your camp is such a wonderful experience for these young writers. Lucky them. Thank you for sharing these lovely poems.

And thank you for hosting!

Today I have an interview with Margarita Engle, who also reads us her verse picture book WHEN YOU WANDER: A SEARCH-AND-RESCUE DOG STORY on video!

http://www.nowaterriver.com/poetry-friday-when-you-wander-by-margarita-engle/
on June 14, 2013 at 7:40 am | Reply April Halprin Wayland

Howdy, Margaret–where do we sign up for your writing marathon? Thank you for showing how you do it–I’ll definitely include this in my bag of tricks.
As Matt said, I love “find your buried hope”…and, like Robyn, I loved the way Kaylie turned tables on the art.

At Teaching Authors we’re sharing online writers’ resources this week…and I’ve written a short poem about giving up privacy in exchange for a free app…
http://www.teachingauthors.com/2013/06/apps-and-resources-for-writers-and.html
on June 14, 2013 at 8:25 am | Reply Tabatha

The gallery sounds very inspiring! Thanks so much for hosting us during your busy day. I am thinking about plagiarism today: http://tabathayeatts.blogspot.com/2013/06/poetry-plagiarism.html
on June 14, 2013 at 9:04 am | Reply haitiruth

Thanks for hosting! I have a turtle-y post today. http://thereisnosuchthingasagodforsakentown.blogspot.com/2013/06/poetry-friday-turtles.html
on June 14, 2013 at 10:00 am | Reply friday feast: are your tomatoes laughing? | Jama's Alphabet Soup

[…] is hosting today’s Roundup at Reflections on the Teche. Flash your biggest tomato smile and check out the full menu of poetic goodness being served up in […]
on June 14, 2013 at 10:04 am | Reply Mary Lee

So much to love about this post! The idea of a writing marathon is tucked away in the brain-folder marked “to do next year.” I love Kaylie’s poem. She got desperate creepiness of those masks just right!

I’ve got a feast of verse novels today:

http://readingyear.blogspot.com/2013/06/poetry-friday-novels-in-verse.html
on June 14, 2013 at 10:27 am | Reply Tamera Will Wissingerr

Hi Margaret,

I don’t have a post today; I just wanted to pop in and say thanks for hosting and for sharing your writing camp poetry…I love your “swirling waves as a potter’s wheel” and Kaylie’s metal faces is wonderful, too. I’ll have to try the writing marathon!

Thanks for all of the good inspiration today poets!

Tamera
on June 14, 2013 at 10:29 am | Reply laurasalas

Thanks for hosting–I’m flying out this morning to speak at a conference about writing nf for kids, but I love the idea of a writing camp. Will return to learn more!

I’m in with a rodeo poem (featuring sheep!) by Nancy Bo Flood: http://laurasalas.wordpress.com/2013/06/13/pf-woolly-rider/
on June 14, 2013 at 12:17 pm | Reply Doraine Bennett

Love that writing marathon idea. I’m in today with Winslow Homer and J.G. Whittier.

http://dorireads.blogspot.com/2013/06/winslow-homer-pictures-and-poems.html
on June 14, 2013 at 12:45 pm | Reply mmsocks

Thanks for hosting. Enjoy my original poem called Woodrow’s Shadow!
on June 14, 2013 at 12:47 pm | Reply Irene Latham

Hi Margaret – thank you for hosting! Such energy and enthusiasm in the writing marathon. Keep going with those camps! I’ve got a menagerie of valerie worth poems: http://irenelatham.blogspot.com/2013/06/menagerie-of-small-poems-by-valerie.html
on June 14, 2013 at 12:48 pm | Reply Laura Shovan

Hi, Margaret. Thanks for hosting! I’m late to the party today because I am hosting my own party.

It’s the last day of school. Author Amok is celebrating with a picnic-full of third graders’ food poems. Chocolate pie, anyone? We can’t end school without some teacherly wisdom. I’m also featuring a portion of poet Joseph Ross’s beautiful post “The Gifts of Teaching.”

http://authoramok.blogspot.com/2013/06/last-day-picnic-food-poems.html
on June 14, 2013 at 1:14 pm | Reply Douglas Florian

A traveling poem over at The Florian Cafe this Friday morning: http://floriancafe.blogspot.com/
Thanks for hosting, Douglas
on June 14, 2013 at 2:04 pm | Reply Cathy

Margaret, what interesting poems inspired from art. Loved them both! Thanks for hosting today’s Poetry Friday Event.

Here’s an original poem for today’s event, inspired by my cat and her double personality: http://merelydaybyday.blogspot.com/2013/06/stalker-poem-for-poetry-friday.html.
on June 14, 2013 at 2:28 pm | Reply Karen Edmisten

I love your writing camp ideas! Thanks for hosting. I’m in with Billy Collins and Marginalia today. It’s here: http://karenedmisten.blogspot.com/2013/06/poetry-friday-marginalia.html
on June 14, 2013 at 3:23 pm | Reply Lorie Ann Grover

What a fun blog to visit today. Thanks for hosting in the middle of your busy schedule.

At On Point I have my haiku Whispered Through Steam.
on June 14, 2013 at 4:49 pm | Reply Becky

Your writing camp sounds wonderful, Margaret. I can tell you are having fun!

Thanks for hosting Poetry Friday this week. My Poetry Friday post is about math poems! http://www.beckyshillington.blogspot,com

= ) Becky
on June 14, 2013 at 5:08 pm | Reply joyacey

I have an original poem about our flag for FLAG DAY at http://www.poetryforkidsjoy.blogspot.com

Thank you for hosting this week. Is it just my imagination or are we all getting better and better each week, even through the summermonths? I’m certainly enjoying the reading today.
on June 14, 2013 at 7:51 pm | Reply haitiruth

Thank you for your wonderful post and for hosting today.
on June 14, 2013 at 8:10 pm | Reply Janet Squires

Thanks for hosting.
My selection is “I Didn’t Do It” written by Patricia MacLachlan and Emily MacLachlan Charest and illustrated by Katy Schneider.
on June 14, 2013 at 11:03 pm | Reply Poetry Friday: There Was a Frog | Reading to the Core

[…] sure to visit Margaret at Reflections on the Teche for today’s Poetry Friday […]
on June 14, 2013 at 11:17 pm | Reply readingtothecore

Margaret, I love ekphrastic poetry, and you and Kaylie did an amazing job! Sorry this is so late, but I had no internet at home last night or this morning, and not a minute at school today. Today I’m sharing “There Was a Frog” from Arnold Lobel’s The Frogs and Toads All Sang. Thanks for hosting!
on June 14, 2013 at 11:18 pm | Reply readingtothecore

Forgot the link! http://readingtothecore.wordpress.com/2013/06/14/poetry-friday-there-was-a-frog/
on June 15, 2013 at 1:42 am | Reply Little Willow

I hope the young writers had a wonderful time! 🙂

Thanks for hosting the roundup today. I posted Afterthoughts by Edwin Arlington Robinson at my blog Bildungsroman:

http://slayground.livejournal.com/748016.html
on June 18, 2013 at 7:27 pm | Reply Joyce Ray

Thanks for your description of writers’ camp. I loved your poem and the student’s poem inspired by metal faces. I hope to be involved in a writer’s camp this summer. Still waiting to hear.
on August 14, 2020 at 12:05 pm | Reply haitiruth

I followed your link to read more about how a writing marathon works. Plus it was fun to look back at what I posted that day.
😀 Ruth, thereisnosuchthingasagodforsakentown.blogspot.com