Slice of Life Day 27. Join the Two Writing Teachers Slice of Life Challenge.
I was suffering with severe “noideaitis,” a term created by my student Magic Matt. So I traveled around the kitlit blogosphere for inspiration. I found some at the site Teaching Authors. I follow Laura Purdis Salas on her blog, and she has just recently joined the Teaching Authors. Her Wednesday Writing Workout post outlined a process for writing a rhyming nonfiction poem. I gave it a shot. Recently I bought some new spring flowers for my deck. One of these is a bougainvillea. I just love saying the name. I looked it up on Wikipedia and learned all I needed to know to write a quick poem. As Laura suggested, I used Rhymezone to find rhyming words. I don’t think the results are brilliant, but they do teach a bit about this mouthful of a plant.
The actual flower of the bougainvillea is a small cluster of three white flowers in the center.
Bougainvillea
Bougainvillea is a thorny, ornamental vine.
From Brazil or Peru, paper petals intertwine.The actual flower will fool ya’
hiding white in the bracts of Bougainvillea.Each heart-shaped leaf steadily climbs.
Don’t you want to say it three times?Bougainvillea
Bougainvillea
Bougainvillea
Red bougainvillea on my deck looking all perky and springy.
Reflections on the Teche 
Congratulations, Margaret! I completely applaud you for trying a writing exercise that didn’t feel comfortable and then sharing your results. (Which is scary. I know that because every week when I share my super-quick 15 Words or Less first draft, I think–Oi, I really shouldn’t show this to anyone.) Anyway, I love your result. That first couplet is my favorite! Line 1 is so fun to say with those neighboring -orn sounds. And then “paper petals intertwine” on line 2 is just gorgeous. Brava!
I like “paper petals intertwine” too, Margaret. Fun to see what you did, and oh, that flower is beautiful. None here unless one has an inside space.
First, I love the term “noideaitis.” 😉 I also love the links you shared. Thirdly, I want to incorporate writing creative nonfiction in April, so this is the perfect mentor text. Thank you! 🙂
Thanks, Holly. A give and take. I used your rooster story and got some great animal stories from my students. I’d love to hear how it goes. I’m going to try this for our chalkabration.
In India, where I grew up, we had these growing all over the place. So loved them!
Great poem. Maybe we will try nonfiction rhyming poems with our students. Thanks for sharing the link.