Poetry Friday round up is with Rose today at Imagine the Possibilities
Awakening the Heart by Georgia Heard is a go-to book for me. I recently came back to it to find an inspiring poetry lesson (page 48) around a stanza of Naomi Shihab Nye’s poem Valentine for Ernest Mann.
We watched this video of Naomi reading it and telling the story of its inception. Then we borrowed the words poems hide for our own poems. Avalyn says it’s the best poem she’s ever written (in her year of writing poetry with me.)
I was reminded of a resident at my parents’ retirement home. When my father was ill, I stayed with my mother in her apartment and got to know many of her friends. This is a true story about Angel, but after I gave her a copy of the poem, she had to correct me that the cats do trust her and let her pet them.
Poems Hide
in an Instagram image
of sunrise
a small songbird
the trickle of water
over a streambed.Poems hide
in the calico that lost its tail
in the woman named Angel
who sits on the ground
to feed the lonely cat,
her hand out, longing for trust.Angel laughs in poetry.
She gives me a Styrofoam cup
Margaret Simon, all rights reserved
of cut roses aflame in her hand.
I find poetry
in the things I touch
and in your forever love.
Poetry Hides
by Avalyn, 2nd grade
poetry hides
in talent,
poetry hides
in your favorite stuffed toy
poetry hides
in the beautiful Robin you saw hurt on the ground
poetry hides
in yourself and all beings
poetry hides
in magnolia flowers
poetry hides
in the things you love most
poetry hides
in the ones that helped you get awards and medals
poetry hides
in the lost and found shared memories
poetry hides
in your life and soul
poetry hides
in the book of quotes that helps you feel grateful
poetry hides
Reflections on the Teche 
Two beautiful poems, Margaret—thank you for sharing. And a perfect topic for how I have been experiencing the ancient and sacred lands of southern Utah, not finding the words to describe the emotional, philosophical, spiritual impact yet, but knowing that poetry is hiding in the pink sand and glorious red rocks, in the spires and canyons and petrified dunes.
I love this poetry prompt, and I enjoyed your poem and Avalyn’s poem too.
I use to visit nursing care patients with my nana, who was a nurse. When my mother in law was in hospice care, I would slip out during her naps and visit the various patients. How I loved the Angels and others who waited to greet me with their hidden poems.
Margaret, your influence as a writer is evidenced in Avalyn’s beautiful poem. Please give her my compliments for a job well done. I especially like the lines: poetry hides in your life and soul.
Avalyn, what a beautiful use of repetition in your poem. You show poet wisdom in your work with Ms. Simon.
I love that Angel corrected you on the cats trusting her. Sometimes the truth of what I see and write is just mine. Nobody else can see it. That’s OK. It’s important for me to write. Those roses in the cup, aflame. That’s such a beautiful image.
Two wonderful poems, Margaret. Your students are so lucky to learn from you.
I agree, Avalyn. This is one of your best poems ever. I look forward to watching you grow as a poet as you write alongside Mrs. Simon. You do know how lucky you are, don’t you?
Wow – both poems shine with the sensitive souls who made them. Thank you for sharing, Margaret – and for the way you share yourself with those whose paths cross your own.
How lucky Avalyn is that you have awakened her heart to poetry this year! I’m so glad you shared your poem with Angel. I love the image of “a Styrofoam cup
of cut roses aflame.”
And sometimes poetry doesn’t hide at all but stands up tall, looks you in the eye and says, “Here–I give you my truest experience like a medal YOU have won.” Beautiful work, Mrs. Simon and Avalyn.
Thanks for sharing these two moving poems Margaret, both with such rich images and metaphors you wove into each.