On Saturday, early in the morning, I set up a booth with two of my regional SCBWI friends. We offered our books for sale and some fun crafty activities for kids at the Lafayette Farmers & Artisans Market.
Middle grade novels and poetry books are not best sellers in this market. My friends who have picture books sold more than I did. But I didn’t care. It was a beautiful day!
When I saw a middle grade girl, I asked her if she would like to write a poem. She looked eager, so I gave her a card with a prompt from Bayou Song, a Things to Do poem. She did it! I told her she was the poet of the month and posted it on Facebook. Her mother recognized immediately that we were all teachers and said, “This is a magical space.” That comment and her daughter’s poem made every minute worth it.
Reflections on the Teche 
I agree with the mom. This is a magical space and I’m not even physically present to see it. I think I want to steal this idea of accessible poetry for the poetry kiosks I’m setting up around the county. I know I’m preaching to the choir, but I honestly think that what the world needs is more spots just like this one scattered across the nation – where people are empowered to be successful at writing, are celebrated for who they are, and are heard for what they have to say. Call me holistic and dreamy, but there’s more medicine here than in any prescription bottle for soothing the mind, heart, and soul.
I whole heartedly agree. Poetry saves!
Fun to invite a young one into poetry at the market! Always a good thing to do on a spring morning!
Margaret, not only is this a magical place but a wonder-filled place where the imagination can take off with the poetry activity. I’m glad you and your friends enjoyed your morning.
A sale with a beautiful bonus of inspiring a young poet—a treasure, surely!
It doesn’t matter how much a book sells, it matters how it inspired the writer and the readers. I love that you put books and creativity in the hands of children.
What a lovely way to spend a Saturday…and a wonderful poetry experience with a child as well. Seems totally worth it to me!
Margaret, what a fun day! I love the idea of creating a magical space with your SCBWI friends. A perfect way to spend an afternoon. I love that busy cat the girl wrote about in her poem, and putting it on Facebook was a nice idea.
You are such a creative and generous force, Margaret! I’m sure that child will remember this day forever. What a lovely seed you’ve planted at the farmer’s market!