For me, writing a poem is like solving a puzzle. What rhymes and rhythm can I play with today? What words will be the most delicious ones to say out loud? What poetic form will best suit my subject? How can I bring an image alive in a reader’s mind? I love puzzles… and playing with poetry!
One of my recent books, On a Snow-Melting Day: Seeking Signs of Spring, is an extended poem that celebrates the change of season. I was honored that it was selected as a 2021 Notable Poetry Book by the NCTE. On a Gold-Blooming Day: Finding Fall Treasures is also written as a poem, and was selected as a 2023 CLA/NCTE Notable Children’s Books in the Language Arts.
You can find my poems in these anthologies:
“Mountain Maker” and “Spring, 2020.” u003cemu003e Imperfect II: Poems About Perspectivesu003c/emu003e.
“Otter.” u003cemu003e10 •10 Poetry Anthology: celebrating 10 in 10 different ways, u003c/emu003ewee words for wee onesu003cemu003e.u003c/emu003e
“Be the Beat.” u003cemu003eHOP TO IT: Poems to Get You Moving. u003c/emu003ePomelo Books.
“Tulip Time Festival.” u003cemu003eThe Poetry of US,u003c/emu003e National Geographic.
“Cat Coder.” u003cemu003eGreat Morning! Poems for School Leaders to Read Aloud. u003c/emu003e
“My Fargle,” “Potter Wasp,” and “The Crane.” u003cemu003eChildren’s Books in Children’s Hands: An Introduction to Their Literature (6u003csupu003ethu003c/supu003eEdition.)u003c/emu003e
“Origami Morning” and “Prayer from the Bottom of the Backpack.” u003cemu003eImperfect: Poems About Mistakesu003c/emu003e.
“Impatie…” “Ode to a Toad,” and “Web Weavers” in u003cemu003eThe Best of Today’s Little Dittyu003c/emu003e, 2017-2018.
“Buried Treasure,” “Bat and Moth,” and “The Brave Remora.” u003cemu003eThe Best of Today’s Little Dittyu003c/emu003e, 2016.
“Ducklings,” “Today’s Piggies,” and “Fortress.” u003cemu003eThe Best of Today’s Little Dittyu003c/emu003e, 2014-2015.
“At the Farmer’s Market” and “At the Seder.” u003cemu003eThe Poetry Friday Anthology for Celebrationsu003c/emu003e.
“Think of an Atom.” u003cemu003eThe Poetry Friday Anthology for Science,u003c/emu003e Grades K-5.
“Iroquois Garden.” u003cemu003eDear Tomato: An International Crop of Food and Agricultural Poemsu003c/emu003e.
I also write poems for popular children’s magazines. Some of my magazine poems are reprinted on my blog, which you can read here, here, here, and here. Visit my blog for more poetry.
What Does a River Rock Gather?
Riffles and ripples Water-smoothed edges, A ride on the river A view of green sedges. An eddy, a burble An oxbow to slow it, A sparkle, a shine A song for a poet. —Buffy Silverman
Published in Cricket, 3/2019
Poetry begs to be read aloud. Click here to hear me read a couple of my poems on my friend Renee LaTulippe’s No Water River blog. Try to “Be the Beat” with me as you watch a reading here.
Here I am reading my poem “Think of an Atom” from the Poetry Friday Anthology for Science.
Watch two first graders read one of my poems from the Poetry Friday Anthology for Celebrations: