Traditions can be a comfort when life is not as it should be. The tradition of a Kidlit Progressive Poem started in 2012 by Irene Latham. Last year sometime she decided to pass it on. I said yes to coordinating this year, and so far, it’s been an easy job. The Progressive Poem is such a well-oiled machine that it just works. Each poet takes their turn. I haven’t had to remind anyone…yet.
This year Donna Smith started us off with a choose-your-own-adventure style by giving a choice of two lines. Subsequently, each poet has done the same. Choose a line. Compose two lines. Move on.
The first stanza wasn’t following a strict rhyme scheme. However, stanzas 2 and 3 unfolded in rhyming couplets.
Leave it to Kat Apel to stir things up a bit. From across the globe in Australia, she introduced some suspense. I’m good with that, but the two end words were snaps and glimpse. Try a search for rhymes, and you get impossible words like claps and wimps. When I left a comment for “katswhiskers”, she responded, “I confess, I wasn’t thinking ahead to any rhymes when I wrote my line. But now that you say that… I think a disruption of flow (and rhyme) is a good thing in a turning point. #permissiontobreakrules”
Sweet violets shimmy, daffodils sway
along the wiregrass path to the lake.
I carry a rucksack of tasty cakes
and a banjo passed down from my gram.I follow the tracks of deer and raccoon
and echo the call of a wandering loon.
A whispering breeze joins in our song,
and night melts into a rose gold dawn.Deep into nature’s embrace, I fold.
Promise of spring helps shake the cold.
Hints of sun lightly dapple the trees,
calling out the sleepy bees.Leaf-litter crackles…I pause. Twig snaps.
As I pass this pleasant romp to the lake on to Leigh Anne, I decided to go the way of near rhyme. Will our hero fall? Or will they handle the pressure with mindfulness? You choose…
Option 1: I stumble, reach out… there’s nothing to grasp.
Option 2: I gasp! Shudder! Breathe out. Relax…
You can follow the Progressive Poem using the links on my sidebar. Thanks for stopping by.
Well played!
I’m just peeking in now and then to see where things are going. I have multiple alerts set in my calendar so I’M not the one you have to remind!
I would be inclined to go with Option 1 for the lyrical quality and Option 2 for the practicality, as one might react exactly like that to the unexpected sound of the twig snapping.
How DOES one CHOOSE?
But isn’t it coming together so beautifully.
Who’d of thought our poem would have a bit of suspense? Adore them both, but I have to go with #2. Gasp!
Going with a near rhyme works so well, Margaret. Missing my yoga practice makes me inclined to go with Option #2 but let’s see what Leigh Anne chooses. What a great turn has started here.
Oh, I believe you did a brilliant job, Margaret!! Yes, yes, suspense, action, questions, surprise and your near rhymes work beautifully. Thank you again for hosting me at your blog and for taking on this tradition. Lucky us, lucky poetry and so much fun to be part of it again. Thank you!
I love that you’ve continued the mystery, Margaret. Both lines ‘sound’ great, but what befalls this person remains to Leigh Anne! Love the anticipation!
Ooh, I like how you’ve introduced a little topical element to the tale as well – nothing to grasp, indeed. How true!
Ruth, thereisnosuchthingasagodforsakentown.blogspot.com
What a fun idea! This poem is really coming along. Well done!
I’m so glad you chose that line from Kat–it is my favorite. And both of yours build the suspense–what will be revealed behind that snapping twig?
So glad I stopped by. What a collaborative poetry celebration. It’s also a celebration of what can be accomplished when we are apart. Great poets can still compose a poem together. Thanks for sharing!
[…] choice for the next host, Leigh Anne. You can find Margaret’s line choices on her blog, Reflections on the Teche. I’m excited to provide the 24th line on Friday, April 24th. I hope you’ll join us to see what […]
Love the turn to something unexpected. And a stumble or a namaste–who knows?
You have given me to ponder!
Let’s try that again – you have given me much to ponder!
I am intrigued! A collaborative poem – something like “Story in a Bag” that I used to do with my fourth graders. I think I would go with Option #2. I’d like to know what caused the twigs to snap. I can imagine the possibilities. Thanks for sharing.
Ooh, I like both of your options, Margaret. This poem is so much fun!
I love that you’ve added some mystery, Margaret!
Haha. Great catch, Margaret. Now to see where Leigh Anne goes with it. I do like the change in pace. (And have my preferred line. But waiting to see what Leigh Anne chooses.)
You handled that rhyme challenge with ease and brewed up a heroine in the process! Can’t wait to see the way Leigh Anne takes her.
Margaret, you are one busy bee this month! It’s very inspiring to see. I’m intrigued by the way you prolonged the suspense…I was very sure that both twig snapping and glimpse caught, offered by Kat, were making way for another character, human or beast! But you have chosen for it to be the SPEAKER snapping the twig, I think…
I’m readying for more surprises!
Playing catch-up. Loved reading about your process, Miss #permissiontobreakrules”. Knowing you to be a yoga gal, I’m pulling or the breathe out ,relax line.
I’m playing catch up, too! Interesting choices, with tension in the air! Thanks, Margaret – off to see what’s what! :0)
Both lines show so much emotion. How will Leigh Anne choose?!