Today I am cheating and doing this prompt backwards. I wrote a poem that I like from another Taylor Mali prompt. I remembered that I took a picture of the image I conjured in the poem. I am convincing myself that this is fair because I had the image in mind when I wrote the poem. Taylor’s website has a collection of fun prompts for teachers to use with kids. They work even with the youngest students that I teach (8 year olds). The one I used can be found here: Once I was a Flower.
Once an owl lifted off
Margaret Simon, draft
from a tangle of branches;
it rose above me
like a hot-air balloon.
It was fall
and morning chill sprinkled fog
over the bayou.
There I was left
floating alone–
solid, steel canoe.
Now it’s your turn. If you want to use the prompt, begin with Once and end with an inanimate object. Or just write whatever the photo muse brings forth. Be sure to leave encouraging comments for other writers.
This response to the Once prompt is from my student Jaden in 6th grade.
flew across my face
in the path of others
it was a fall sunset
I stood still
I was a light
Jaden, 6th grade
Reflections on the Teche 
Wow, Margaret, what a great example of this form of poem. I like Nikki Giovanni’s example too. I love the image of a “solid, steel canoe.”
Once I climbed a live oak for the last time,
Just a boy looking at the big picture,
but before I saw it, I fell, batted like a pinball.
I didn’t want to break.
I didn’t want spindly folded pencil legs
or to be fused to this rolling metal rig.
So I created commands and became a god.
(Explanation: I wrote this sevenling poem about Neelay, a character in The Overstory because I’ve just been reading about him, and the live oak is the kind of tree he was climbing when he had an accident that paralyzed him at age 11. Some of the images are found in the book by Richard Powers.)
Denise-
I just read The Overstory and you capture Neelay perfectly! I especially love your last line.
I’m intrigued. Must get the book.
Jaden, I love the moth and light image you have created. I picture the girl, the light, standing still and attracting the moth. I love that you stand still and let it happen.
Getting a late start today. Thanks for the great prompt, Margaret.
Act of Kindness
once I was a bird
in a nest so high
I wanted to touch the sky.
Right away.
So I hopped
and I tumbled
and I fell
down
down
down
through a tangle of branches—
then saved by a small warm hand.
You nailed it!
Rose, that image of “a small warm hand” is precious.
How fun! I love Jaden’s take on the prompt.
A story about a kind oak? I’m in!
“solid, steel canoe” brings me right to where the speaker was seeing these leaves.
And, Rose…that small warm hand. How beautiful!
Once
I looked to
green flutters–
leaves giggling
with this season change.
Ticklish temperatures
Crazy colors
Long sleeves
Short sleeves
Flip-flops
Boots
and I ama wardrobe
of emptydrawers.
darn it! one of these days I’m going to get the lines ending the way I intended!
Once
I looked to
green flutters–
leaves giggling
with this season change.
Ticklish temperatures
Crazy colors
Long sleeves
Short sleeves
Flip-flops
Boots
and I am
a wardrobe
of empty drawers
Love how this poem brings us to the flip-flop of fall weather and the empty wardrobe. I love seeing all the different ways people put together this prompt.
OK, Linda, you nailed this prompt to be sure. What wonderful images and transition description from warm to cool weather.
Once I was a branch
trying to stay connected
to the trunk,
covered with bark
and leaves
and with a nest
cuddled close.
The storm
left me
on the ground
looking up,
part of the ground
looking up.
Now I am
the ground.
(Well, it’s a first draft. I think I’ll keep working on it.)
Ruth, thereisnosuchthingasagodforsakentown.blogspot.com
I feel this poem is becoming as many drafts do. Finding its way to the message it wants to say. How figuratively a storm changes us.
Ruth, I love this progression of tree to earth. It is such a step of nature. Such a beautiful image here: “with a nest / cuddled close” Delight before the storm.
Hello, Mrs Simon. I really loved this writing prompt so I would love to write a poem.
Beloved Branches
these branches signify me
sending a signal to peers
as i look at people,
all i see are those tears
of people filled with sorrows
and regret of those sins
sinning as i don’t neglect
i write this poem here
shedding my tears
but on falls down
and i wish you were here.
This poem basically means that I miss you a lot, yes you Mrs. Simon. But, I wish the best for you and your new students, and I hope you don’t forget me at all. I wrote a bunch of poems for/about you and I will show them to you next time we see each other. I love you a lot, and I thank you for everything you ever did and have done for me. You mean a lot.
P.S – I am writing the newsletter for my school!!!
Oh, Kaia, thank you for sharing your poem here. What a beautiful poem. I love what you see in these tangled branches. What a tribute to your teacher. All the best in your new school. It sounds like you are doing well there!