April 20, 2014
I’m happy to host day 20 of the Kidlitosphere PROGRESSIVE POEM, the brainchild of our poetic community organizer, Irene Latham. Nineteen poets have taken us on a line-by-line reflective journey that began with peacock strutting and elephant trumpeting, denied the fate of stars and stones, rode whirlwinds on eagle wings, stopped to pick up sage advice from Irene, and acquired maps and warm sapphire eggs from merry hens. As we started toward the coast, Julie invited the birds and beasts to accompany us.
And I suppose it’s my job to give their answer. Can I match the dreamy, mysterious quality that the poets before me have set in motion? Or will my realistic bent creep into the reply? Perhaps a bit of both…
Sitting on a rock, airing out my feelings to the universe
Acting like a peacock, only making matters that much worse;
Should I trumpet like an elephant emoting to the moon,
Or just ignore the warnings written in the rune?
Those stars can’t seal my future; it’s not inscribed in stone.
The possibilities are endless! Who could have known?
Gathering courage, spiral like an eagle after prey
Then gird my wings for whirlwind gales in realms far, far away.
But, hold it! Let’s get practical! What’s needed before I go?
Time to be tactical— I’ll ask my friends what I should stow.
And in one breath, a honeyed word whispered low— dreams —
Whose voice? I turned to see. I was shocked. Irene’s
“Each voyage starts with tattered maps; your dreams dance on this page.
Determine these dreams—then breathe them! Engage your inner sage.”
The merry hen said, “Take my sapphire eggs to charm your host.”
I tuck them close – still warm – then take my first step toward the coast
This journey will not make me rich, and yet I long to be
like luminescent jellyfish, awash in mystery.
I turn and whisper, “Won’t you come?” to all the beasts and birds,
and listen while they scamper, their answers winging words
I’ll leave it to Renee to translate those scampering, winging words. Or to take us in another direction altogether! For a complete itinerary of our poem’s travels, please click on the links in the sidebar.
I fell way behind on following this poem during our school vacation week. This was a great addition, Buffy, and cleverly set up for Renee. 🙂 I’ll click over and see what she came up with.
Scamper – such a great word. And those winging words… :0) Thanks, Buffy!
I love your line, Buffy! I just hope I can figure out what this all means before 4/25.
Relax, Michelle–you can always punt like moi.
There is so much life in this new line! What are their answers? Such a great line and wonderful invitation to Renee. I am getting excited about my turn (and was so hoping for ‘words’!)
Thank you, Amy. I’m also excited to see where you and the remaining poets lead us!
Well done, Buffy! Nice alliteration and internal rhyme, and a great set-up for Renee! (I wonder if she’ll bring all the animals to a certain river with no water??)
Thanks, Matt–I appreciate it!
DOH!!! I was hoping YOU would have the words, Buffy. Yeesh, now I have to go to bed all angsty about what to put in their mouths in the morning. HA! I’ll have to be an early bird…
A fun addition – what sound and movement!
So much easier to leave that to you….and I have faith that you’ll find the perfect ones!
Hi, Buffy. I like how your line suggests that listening to the animals around us — totems from earlier in the poem — can help us find the answers we seek.
Thanks, Laura. (I like how you found something insightful in my line that I hadn’t realized I was contributing!)
Wonderful imagining, Buffy. Now I see those excited words arriving all over the place. Hm-m, will we hear the words next?
That’s the big question, Linda–and we’re both looking forward to finding out tomorrow!
What a fun idea!
It certainly is–so much fun to read the twists and turns that different people weave into this.
I love “winging words,” Buffy! Thank you. Wonder what will happen next?? xo
Thanks, Irene. I’m wondering with you.