My favorite writing teacher, Tara is rounding up today at A Teaching Life.
Last Saturday I celebrated that my Teachers Write reflection was published in Kate Messner’s new book for writers, 59 Reasons to Write. On Tuesday, I showed the book with my name in the index to my students. Matthew exclaimed, “Mrs. Simon, you are in the index of a book that is written about your passion! I can only dream about being in the index of a book about magic.”
After I glowed in their attention and admiration, we thumbed through to find an activity to do. We tried Kate’s Three-Column Brainstorming activity. I was amazed that all of us, myself included, got good ideas for new fiction stories.
So here it is the eve of Poetry Friday, and I need an idea to write about. Kate to the rescue once again. She suggests using a poem she wrote, Sometimes on a Mountain in April, as a mentor text. So here is my attempt.
Sometimes on the bayou in January,
rain falls all day
soaking the dry leaves,
softening the hard earth
while softly whispering promises
of resurrection.Sometimes on the bayou in January,
temperatures drop twenty degrees
reminding the cats’ coat to thicken,
the cardinals to find nests,
and mothers to pull on fleece.Sometimes on the bayou in January,
bare cypress trees scarcely sway
reminding me to slow down,
take shelter,
drink warm tea.Sometimes on the bayou in January
light hides behind grey,
the owl hoots before sunset,
shadows disappear
and I watch
for a poem hiding there.–Margaret Simon
Through the screen door
Reflections on the Teche 
LOVE this poem, Margaret! I miss the bayou in January… Happy Poetry Friday! xo
I have plenty of room for visitors!
You make me wish for some time on the bayou, Margaret! I love hearing about your students, & that final line!
I’m glad the poem turned out wishful and happy. I had originally ended with life is mortal, but it was such a downer compared to the rest of it. I worried that the new final line was too trite. Thanks for your comment.
What a wonderful life you lead, Margaret; your poem is gorgeous and the screen-door with raindrops is a lovely way to frame the scene.
Your comment is so ironic because it was a totally miserable day. We had a dressy event to attend, so I had to get out in the constant downpour and whipping wind. I am glad that the poem reflects the romantic side of a rainy day.
I love this, especially the thickening cat coats, drinking tea and owls hoots. Congrats on being in the book. Woo-hoo. This is my first attempt at a Poetry Friday, and I am very excited!
Welcome Brenda. You’ve found some of the great lines in this poem. Aren’t the images delightful? I liked mothers pulling fleece.
Yes, it was full of great details!
I love this community of happy, generous poets. Welcome! And thanks for the follow.
My pleasure. I look forward to more views of the bayou. 🙂
I love your poem. Thank you for sharing the bayou. Some excellent lines in here. Love the repetition to start each stanza. You do have me wondering what “It’s July in the bayou…” would be like. Great work here. WOW! “Cypres trees barely sway,” is a delight in my mouth.
July is hot, but there is lots of animal activity. The birds in the morning are a symphony. I probably have a few summer on the bayou poems.
Congrats on being in Kate’s book! What an honor. Your poem, inspired by Kate’s idea, gives us such a strong sense of setting. Beautiful.
Sometimes I feel like all I write about is setting. It is vivid here. Thanks for the comment.
Vivid word pictures of what you see with fresh eyes, beautiful! Congratulations and stay dry — what a wet winter we’re having!
Margaret, I love the image of rain “softening the hard earth/while softly whispering promises/of resurrection. But, as Linda said, those last lines are my favorite. I woke this morning to snow blanketing the hard earth. Maybe I should write a “Sometimes…” poem about that! Thanks for sharing.
Forgot to congratulate you on being in Kate’s book! My copy is on the way. Can’t wait!
Linda mentioned the last line, too. The first time I wrote it the end became morbid, about death. I didn’t like it/ want it, so I felt like I was taking the cheap way out. I’m happy it actually works.
Thank you for this glimpse of your beloved bayou in January. I miss living where I have a deep connection to the landscape, a constant sense of place.
Sounds like this is a “gotta have” book! Congrats on being included!
(LOVELOVELOVE the photo!!)
Maybe you could do a poem for each month on the bayou? A calendar, sort of? I like the whole thing…the first stanza in particular!
Margaret, Poetry Friday passed me by last week since I was reining teachers yesterday so now I am reading what I missed. I am mesmerized by your January thought and hope you place this poem and phot in the Winter Whisperings Gallery. Now, when finished with my errands, I will turn my attention to writing and blogging for the weekend lineups.
This whole post made me verklempt. From “I can only dream about being in the index of a book about magic” to your sensuous poem.
I had to look up verklempt. Great word! I like that my writing can make you feel so emotional. As it should be.
Your students response was so genuine. You inspired him!
I love your beautiful poem, Margaret, and I love love love Mathew’s response. Joy to you!
Thank you for providing this beautiful image of the bayou in January. A place I hope to visit one day.
And congrats for being published.