Two Writing Teachers Slice of Life March Challenge
Poetry Friday round-up is with Heidi at My Juicy Little Universe.
National Poetry Month is upon us. Is it really April already? I absolutely love the month of April. It’s so fragrant and beautiful. My middle daughter was born in April. And April is all about poetry!
Join me and many others at Poetry Friday for daily doses of poetry. My plan this year is to write ekphrastic poetry, poetry about art. We did this in February for Laura Shovan’s birthday month challenge. I love art. Art often gives me an entry point into a poem that I may not have written otherwise. I find art digs deep into my soul.
As a warm-up, I captured a photograph from Ralph Fletcher’s Facebook Photography page. You may recognize Ralph from his work with literacy for children in books like What a Writer Needs, Joy Write, and many more resources for teachers.
Ralph has become quite an amazing photographer and especially of birds. I was attracted to this amazing photo of a hummingbird by the name of Anna’s hummingbird.
Anna’s Hummingbird
Fierce in a hot pink boa,
this perfection of nature
dominates beauty
with feathers of lace,
a flying, glimmering gemstone.
–Margaret Simon (c) 2018
Reflections on the Teche 
oooooh, that hot pink boa and glittering gem stone….reminds me of Flappers of the Twenties….pun not intended but it works in there. lol. Can’t wait to see your daily creations. I’m following the NoWaterRiver daily prompts. I’m already choking on the first prompt. I need to go read some PF posts and relax a little.
( : Linda – flappers!!! You FUNSTER. love it.)
Wish I had thought of flappers. Love it.
I love poetry! I will have to follow along for the month. Can’t wait to try some poetry writing with my 1st graders!
Hi Margaret! Leave it to you with jazzy influence there so close to NOLA to wrap up a boa metaphor – it’s perfect. And Anna’s hummingbird has always attracted us here – our daughter’s name, my grandmother’s name – so many bright Anna’s in our circle. Lovely poem gift to me. Happy April!
Love your take on this photograph. Thanks for sharing.
Ekphrastic poetry is among my favorite. I remember reading Daphnis and Chloe, an ekphrastic romance, years ago and fell in love w/ the idea of expressing art in words.
That photo is gorgeous, and your poem is equally stunning w/ the boa image and tight diction. I love it.
Yay for your art poems project! You and me and Diane will all be writing after art… who else, who else? I am loving that boa-wrapped hummer… and I will send this link to my niece Anna. 🙂 Happy Birthday (early) to our daughter! xo
I love the metaphors you create in here – the boa, the gemstone. And tell me about this poetry Friday thing – I found it on KidLitosphere & see it on the side of your blog – is that the one? I just follow the prompt & use a hashtag? How does it work? I am just so dang inspired by all this. Where have I been before I stumbled onto this SOL challenge? Where will I go next? Thank you for being so generous with your own learning and connections!
Contact me by email so I can lead you to PF. A wonderful community!
I agree with you, Ralph’s photography is absolutely stunning. Like other commenters, I love the hot pink boa. I love how you have paired it with “fierce.” I also love the “feathers of lace” and the “flying glittering gemstone.” I can’t wait to see more of your ekphrastic poetry. I didn’t write last year and was really sad, so I definitely want to participate this year, but I’m still trying to decide on my theme/format.
Yours is a project after my own heart, Margaret! I adore your poem and this little hummingbird. She is indeed “a flying, glimmering gemstone.”
Oh, Margaret, you almost entice me to commit to another month of writing!
I love watching “a flying, glimmering gemstone” alight just outside my kitchen window at our hummingbird feeder. It’s pure poetic delight.
You should try it. There is tremendous support in the kidlitosphere.
You’re almost enticing me to commit to another month of writing too. I will tell anyone who will listen (and probably those who aren’t listening too) that I am not a poet and don’t write poetry, and yet when I read your blogs and poems, I want to write poetry!
Elisabeth, you have found the very best poetry mentor in Margaret, so if you are ready to follow your desire to try out poetry, she can help you! Speaking from experience, I have grown to really enjoy writing poetry, and have found a wonderful, very welcoming community in the Poetry Friday group. April is looming!
I would like love to have you along. Just check my posts and write alongside me. No pressure. Post when you feel like sharing.
Ralph’s photograph is absolutely captivating, Margaret! Your poem is so rich in beauty that perfectly matches the beauty in the photo. I will have to check out his FB page – thanks for the tip!
I also love Ralph’s posts on Instagram. Your poem is a fantastic match. And, I am in awe of all of the poetry you share. So inspiring!
Oh! I thought I was going to do types of “found” poetry this month, but now you have enticed me to try this too. I just followed Ralph’s Facebook page. I love your choice of words in your poem – hot pink boa and glimmering gemstone! Always a wealth of resources and inspiration in the bayou!
You are welcome to respond to any of the images I use. I’ll be using some of my father’s art. Often when writing poems I feel like I am finding them rather than writing them.
Gorgeous hummingbird, and your poem flatters her even more! I love the “hot pink boa,” and “glimmering gemstone,” they really are–they sparkle, and are fun to paint to. I look forward to reading more of your ekphrastic poems this month Margaret. Happy Spring and Happy Poetry Month!
I’m really getting into Ekphrastic poetry. Have you seen https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1419728458/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Thanks, I ordered it. Irene Latham has a poem in it. https://irenelatham.blogspot.com/
I had no idea Ralph had a photography page. I’m intrigued. What a delightful poem you’ve placed alongside this image. The last line is perfection.
It sounds like you have an exciting plan for April. Happy writing!
Terrific photo and a great first line. Also love the word “dominates”–makes this wee bird larger than life, as she is. I have an idea for you for the Prog Poem…
Just beautiful! I especially enjoyed the last two lines, such a brilliant image you have created with your words. Best of luck with your project!
Love your poem, Margaret. You had me from the hot pink boa. Good luck this month. I look forward to reading your poems!
Wow! What a gorgeous photo and a sparkling poem to go with it! I’m looking forward to seeing your art and poetry responses this coming month.
You, me, and Irene–The Ekphrastics! It’s going to be a fun month!
I love that title.