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Friday, February 9, 2018

POETRY FRIDAY


This is one of my all time favorite weeks of the year!

It's our state's annual literacy conference, and for three glorious days, I'll spend time with "my people." Lots of terrific speakers- so far I have  attended by sessions by Stacy Shubitz,  Ralph Fletcher,  Jeff Anderson, Maggie Beattie Roberts,  Jeff Zwiers, and Rita Williams Garcia. My sessions today, include Meeno Rami, Dorothy Barnhouse, Vicki Vinton, and Ruta Sepetys. Tomorrow, Peter Johnston, Kylene Beers and Bob Probst.

And then there are all the encounters with dear friends from all over the state. And the exhibit hall. And browsing at the Boulder Book Store. And did I mention that ALA Midwinter is in Denver this year, so Saturday afternoon I'm headed downtown to the Exhibit Hall at the Convention Center! Definitely a dizzying week of thoughts and books and ideas.

In my literary frenzy, I came across this poem by Dylan Thomas. And it seems perfect for the week!


Notes on the Art of Poetry
by Dylan Thomas

I could have never dreamt that there were such goings-on
in the world between the covers of books,
such sandstorms and ice blasts of words,
such staggering peace, such enormous laughter,
such and so many blinding bright lights
splashing all over the pages
in a million bits and pieces
all of which were words, words, words,
and each of which were alive forever
in its own delight and glory and oddity and light.

Sally Murphy is hosting Poetry Friday today.

9 comments:

Ramona said...

Carol, enjoy every moment of literary bliss. Your state conference sounds incredible. Love the Dylan Thomas poem, a new one to me.

Books4Learning said...

I love this poem. I love how he describes poetry and words. I saved this one. Thanks for sharing it.

Brenda at FriendlyFairyTales said...

Love the Dylan Thomas poem. I've been saved by books, and I agree with him wholeheartedly. I love the joy in your post. Happy for all of you!

Kay said...

Enjoy the conference! That is a fantastic group of speakers/teachers/writers to learn from. And I'm adding the Dylan Thomas poem to my list of poems to memorize. It's perfect.

Mary Lee said...

Lucky you! I only wish I could be there to browse and learn with you!!

Tara said...

I've been reading Tweets from this event, Carol, and marveling at all the wonderful learning going on. Enjoy!!!

Linda B said...

It is a marvelous conference, and I miss going, Carol. What a delicious poem you found for it and for ALA Midwinter and what a list of those you've seen. I'm sure you will enjoy every minute!

Sally Murphy said...

Sounds like an amazing cofnerence!
And thanks for reminding me of this wonderfully perfect poem.

Sarah Grace Tuttle said...

I love this poem! Thank you so much for sharing.