Pages

Friday, February 12, 2016

POETRY FRIDAY


A couple of weeks ago, Mary Lee told me about Laura Shovan's found poem project.
I wanted to participate. I really did. I even went so far as to paste the first two pictures, one of an old box, and one of vegetables, into blog posts. But somehow it just hasn't happened.

Life is just a teeny bit much right now and I haven't been writing. At all. Hardly even blog posts.

I decided, then, that I would feature African American poets on my blog this month. Last week, I had Langston Hughes. Today's offering is from Eloise Greenfield's book, IN THE LAND OF WORDS, first published in 2003.  The book is divided into two sections. The first half of the book, THE POET/THE POEM features poems about Greenfield's family, past, and experiences. Each poem is accompanied by a brief explanation of its history. The second half of the book, IN THE LAND, features poems about books, and words, and other literacy-related topics.

Here are a couple of my favorites from that book:

Poet/Poem
by Eloise Greenfield

Poet:  Where are you, words,
           the ones that will fit
           the thoughts I am thinking
           as here I sit.

Poem:  Hiding, I'm hiding,
             I let you see
             only the smallest
             part of me.
             If you want to see more,
             you'll have to go deep
             into the forest
             where I sleep.

Poet:   But suppose I get lost?

Poem: You might.

Poet:    I'm afraid.

Poem: All right. Good-bye.

Poet:   Wait. Don't go.
             I'll try.


I Go to the Land
by Eloise Greenfield

I go to the land of words,
for I am at home there,
and never leave
for long. My thirst
pushes me through
the open door.
The more I drink
of the falling water,
the more I know.
I drink. I think.
I grow. 

Review copy of book provided by publisher. 

Poetry Friday today is hosted by Kimberly Moran. Kimberly is featuring Kristine O'Connell George's book, HUMMINGBIRD NEST. A friend just gave me a beautiful new journal and I really want to try some nature journaling. This book seems like it would a good mentor text. 

Happy reading! Happy writing! Happy poetry!

6 comments:

Irene Latham said...

Thank you for sharing this! The poem is happy to leave us at the edge of the woods, isn't it? It is most definitely fear that has stopped me many times -- fear of failure, fear of not being perfect... when the best thing we can do is just WRITE. Thank you!

Linda B said...

This is new to me, Carol, and looks great. I have "Honey, I Love" and love it. The words your shared will speak to kids, I think. I imagine you do love "Poet: Wait. Don't go./I'll try." since that is part of one you shared. I like it too.

Mary Lee said...

I think we must have gotten the same box of books for review -- there were treasures in there, weren't there?!?!

Brenda at FriendlyFairyTales said...

Wow, that is powerful poetry for those of us lost in the tangle of word undergrowth. Great post!

Donna Smith said...

Yes, a poem satisfied to leave if we don't quickly put some effort into the relationship!
Thanks for sharing these!

Bridget Magee said...

Happy belated Valentine's Day, Carol! Oh, the conversation between poet and poem - inspiring! We must try... Thank you for sharing! =)