Thursday, February 28, 2019

Riffing on Poetry of the Forties

Happy Poetry Friday

This week's round-up is hosted by Linda at Teacher Dance. She's worked some magic with anagrams and the new spring that comes with March. Just amazing, her poem.

I've been following A History of American Poets of the 20th Century with Lee Bennett Hopkins at Renee LaTulippe's No Water River. It's a rich presentation that includes readings from both Renee and Lee.

Episode three is poets of the 1940s. I fell for Harry Behn's poem, Trees and took Mr. Behn as my mentor this week.


https://www.nowaterriver.com/history-of-american-childrens-poets-episode-3-the-1940s/


Dear Harry,


I love that trees are kindest things for you
Your poem makes me want to share something too.


Snow days are most joyful days I know
Waking in a shhhhh-ed world of winter cold.


Happy kitchen sounds that brother makes,
pouring, mixing, flipping his best pancakes.


Hunting for mittens, scarf and boots
Dressed in a zipped-up down-filled snow suit.
click on photo for LOC citation 


Snow day brings bundled friends up the hill
racing sleds back down again - shrieking shrill.


When we are tired and worn down
Snow day’s blanket covers the ground.


My friends and I collapse to rest
Waving angels – our snow day best.


When snow day sun sinks toward snow night
My house throws out inviting light.


I go indoors to peel off all my layers
sipping hot cocoa an answered prayer.


I read a book by the radiator
Filling up on stories now and for later.


Finally, snow day’s moon rises ... glows
Finds me fast asleep on my pillow.

Linda,
February 2019



Thanks so much for stopping by. I am on a college preview tour with my high school senior. I may not respond to Poetry Friday comments and posts until later than usual. I'll catch up!


Andō, Hiroshige, Artist. Kanbara. [Between 1833 and 1836, printed later] Photograph. Retrieved from the Library of Congress, .

UPDATE! Today, is a snow day for me. Ha ha ha ha ha. I can have fun with some Poetry Friday before taking off for the weekend.

12 comments:

  1. I love the Harry Behn poem and am so happy to have the reminder to listen the 1940s installment from Renee and Lee. Somehow last weekend spun away out of control and I never got back around to it. I think it's delightful that you've answered Harry Behn's poem with your own. I especially like these lines: "When snow day sun sinks toward snow night
    My house throws out inviting light." You've captured so many of the nuances of snow days--from shrieks to serenity. Well done!

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  2. Sounds like an exciting time for you and your senior! Thank-you for sharing your snow day.
    My two favourite stanzas;
    'Snow day brings bundled friends up the hill
    racing sleds back down again - shrieking shrill.'
    and,
    'When snow day sun sinks toward snow night (love that snow night!!)
    My house throws out inviting light.'💙

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  3. Oh, I remember the Harry Behn poem, but so long ago. Thanks for it, Linda and for your own joyful poem, snow day! We had our share this past week & I don't have much to shovel because of my HOA, but I got out anyway & shoveled my patio, played a little. You've brought back good memories with your words, and this is just nice: "When snow day sun sinks toward snow night
    My house throws out inviting light." Hope your college tour is fun and helpful! Thanks, Linda

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  4. Both poems are lovely, though I have to say that if I were to choose a season, it would be Spring. It's been a long cold, snowy winter in the midwest, and I'm ready for those green buds Mr. Behn speaks of.

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  5. Travel joys for you & your senior. I know you are experienced at this fun kind of quick trip.
    Appreciations for the reference & reminder to the nourishing podcasts from LBH & RLT.
    I am happy with any poem that salutes the most giant of our plants. And thanks for introducing a poet new to me.
    Your kindness to snow is pure glimmer. I especially love:
    "When snow day sun sinks toward snow night
    My house throws out inviting light."

    Happy Snow Day, dear Linda.

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  6. Love the Behn poem and your response! Wonderful images of a snow day -- something I never experienced as a child. You captured that joy so well. :)

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  7. Thanks for a peek at your snow day fun and your college Preview tour, Linda! It is wonderful that you are choosing mentors to guide your writing.

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  8. Both poems are so joyful and uplifting! Lovely. Hope you had a fun college preview!

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  9. Wow, Linda--so much goodness packed into that snow day poem! I love the zipped-up down-filled suit and the inviting light. Thanks for planning to join me on March 15 at mjlu with a climate poem or post!

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  10. Enjoy that college preview trip - it was always such fun when I did the same for our three kids. I love these lines:

    My friends and I collapse to rest
    Waving angels – our snow day best.

    Sounds like fun!

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  11. I'm looking forward to a "joyful day" tomorrow. I don't think I'll be doing much sledding, but I will definitely be reading and sipping on hot cocoa! Well done, Linda! Thank you too, for sharing "Trees." If I ever read it, I don't remember it. Trees are "the kindest things."

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  12. Hope your tour has gone well. Love your snow scene image and fond memories of snow in your poem!

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Friendly, positive comments and feedback are always welcome here. Please let me know I'm not just whistling in the dark!