The other day Jessica Bigi posted on Facebook that she liked my poem in Cricket. Hmmmm, I thought, I have a poem in Cricket? I figured she must be thinking of Ladybug, which I knew was reprinting a poem of mine this month. But out of curiosity I googled the October table-of-contents–and there was my poem! Because of an address mix-up I had not yet received any contributor copies (and had actually forgotten that it was in the pipeline.) I was thrilled to get a peek at it via email:
This poem started life as a response to Laura Salas’ 15 word-or-less challenge. When I revised and expanded it, it grew a concrete oak leaf shape–and I was happy to see that the illustrator featured oak leaves falling near my poem. Thank you, Laura, for the original inspiration! And thanks to Shelly Hehenberger for the wonderful illustration.
And while I’m celebrating, here’s my poem that’s reprinted in Ladybug this month. It also started from a prompt–this one from Shutta Crum many years ago at a Michigan SCBWI conference. Shutta gave a talk about adapting fairy tales and nursery rhymes. Can you recognize the original nursery rhyme that inspired Five Little Bandits?
It’s Friday–there’s lots more poetry on tap! Tricia has the Poetry Friday roundup at The Miss Rumphius Effect.
You’re a genius with words! I love reading your poetry!
Oh you’re making me blush, Penny….and making my head swell simultaneously. Now I am a tomato!
Dear Buffy, Every time I try to post to your blog is says:
Duplicate comment detected; it looks as though you’ve already said that!
I wonder why?
(Okay…maybe that’s my prompt for today?)
It’s all doublespeak to me!
Oh, Buffy–wonderful and leafy!
(My dog Eli has a bad relationship with those cute little bandits–with a scar on his nose as proof!)
Thanks, April (but poor Eli!)
Yay, Buffy!! Double the fun! Your poems delight me every time! I’m sure both groups of magazine readers will be charmed too.
Thank you Keri–it is a double delight for me this month!
Oh, your leaf poem makes me so happy! Once, I wrote a poem with the words xylem and phloem in it and got laughed at to the point where I went into poetry hiding for a while. Viva the science poem! Nicely done and congrats on the publication. Have a great week.
Boo hiss for the xylem and phloem laughers! I’m glad you’re out of poetry hiding, Linda.
Librarians are going to love to use your variation of Five Little Pumpkins in their story hours! Since the kids are already familiar with the rhythm, it should be a snap to teach them your poem.
I hope some librarians use it, Diane–that would be very cool! I have used that one in programs with kids and they catch on very quickly.
Congratulations! They are both lovely!
Thank you, Ruth!
Congrats for getting published in two great magazines! Fun poems too! Those 5 little raccoons may have been the 5 that fell out of the tree when it toppled up at the cottage last spring.
Another great autumn surprise–a note from my pal Kate! Remember the grubs that were also in the stump? They are still alive in my garage and have not pupated yet.
Buffy I love both poems, especially the leaf one. I had remembered it from 15 words. I knew some of it was familiar. Glad that I could share such wonderful news with you.
Thanks, Jessica, and thanks again for letting me know the poem was in Cricket!
What a lovely surprise, and how exciting to see your poetry in print!
Thank you, Jane!
Buffy, your choice of words and rhythm in both poems are wonderful. I especially like the first poem with its fashion sense and of course, it has to do with fall. It should be a great model of seasonal concrete poem. May I place the Life of a Leaf in my Autumnventure Gallery?
Thank you Carol. I’m happy for you to share the poem, but I can’t give you permission to share the illustration (I asked the editor if I could post it on my blog.) I probably have a photo that you could put it on if you’d like.
What lovely ideas, and perfectly executed–no, not executed, brought to life! I especially like the first line of your leaf poem: “A leaf is a map with roadways of sap.”
Thanks, Violet. I’m guessing it was that first line that sold the poem–once in a while we get lucky with a good idea!
I fell in love with this post with the first four lines of the leaf poem. Perfect! And the shape… Your wonderful words inspired gorgeous artwork for both poems.
Thank you, Kat–those illustrations are pretty great, aren’t they? I should probably have included the second page of the raccoon spread…
Both are delightful. I do like the layout on the tree especially.
Thank you, Dori–it is cool to see my words on that gorgeous tree!
Those are wonderful! Life of a Leaf is especially enchanting–I love that it started at 15 Words or Less. That art is just gorgeous, too. Congratulations on both publications!
Thanks, Laura–and thanks for the weekly inspiration!
Yay, Buffy! Both these poems are a delight. I love that they both were inspired by a prompt. Was the second inspired by the rhyme 5 Little Pumpkins?
Ding, ding, ding, ding, ding! Bridget gets the prize–it is indeed inspired by 5 little pumpkins!
Buffy–these are just wonderful! What a lovely surprise for all of us.
Thanks, Liz–and yes, it was a nice surprise.
Love both poems, Buffy. Great illustrations too — the oak leaf shape is too cool. We have some bandits around here so it was fun reading about them. 🙂
Those bandits are ubiquitous! Thanks for stopping by and reading, Jama.
Beautiful, both of them. The second reminds me of Five little monkeys. I like your little bandits.
Thanks, Brenda–glad you enjoyed them.
That IS a nice surprise! So much good stuff packed into that leaf poem, Buffy—the shape, the rhyme scheme, the mouth-watering word choices, and nutritious information, too. And those those sloshy little bandits…now how fun is that?!
Thanks, Michelle–it was indeed a nice surprise.
Wonderful–both poems. And I’m pleased that my prompt led to such a fun poem about raccoons!! Hugs.
I remember at the time that it was eye-opening for me–so much easier to steal (er…borrow) an existing rhyme and make it your own!
Thanks for the poems. <3
Thank you, Ann, for always stopping by and reading!
I’m entranced by Life of a Leaf…
Thanks, Monica–glad you enjoyed it.