Kidlitosphere Progressive Poem 2013
When you listen to your footsteps
the words become music and
the rhythm that you’re rapping gets your
fingers tapping, too.
Your pen starts dancing across the page
a private pirouette, a solitary samba
until
smiling, you’re beguiling, as your love
comes shining through.
I love writing rhyme. After thirty years
of directing a laboratory Pre-School, it’s a part of me. The children loved
story time, but rhyming picture books were the biggest hit. So I guess when an
idea strikes me for a picture book, it almost always comes in rhyme.
Older kids like rhyme too, but what
changes is the topic: humor for boys, and some girls, flowery for most girls,
and some boys. Sometimes it’s the form. Teachers make use of haikus in class,
as well as couplets and free verse.
Poems that are puzzles, like a cleave
poem, are also a hit with older kids.
Always have a paper and writing
instrument handy. You never know when ideas will strike you. Get the gist down
and the rhyme and beat will follow. J
Another thing that is essential to
writing poetry is a good critique group. I’ve been a member of THE POETS’
GARAGE for several years. As a collective unit we’ve churned out thousands of
poems, some in children’s magazines, some in poetry anthologies for children,
and some of us also have, or will have, rhyming picture books published.
In fact, you’ve already heard from our
newest member, Matt. And following me you will be hearing from several more. So,
long live children’s poetry and enjoy our progressive poem. You can follow the poem by checking in at the blogs in the sidebar.
Warm regards,
Gayle C. Krause
Warm regards,
Gayle C. Krause
I'm so excited you brought in rhyme, Gayle! I'll be vary curious to see if it sticks as the poem progresses.
ReplyDeleteYay for Poets' Garage! I'm so happy to be a part of it. :)
I guess I'd better check out Poets' Garage! I'm not familiar with it.
ReplyDeleteI like the way you echoed Matt's internal rhyme and then rhymed your ending with his line as well!
I like the "smiling" and "beguiling", a love story unfolding. With a long way to go, there might be a conflict in there somewhere?
ReplyDeleteI was thinking the same about the rhyme, and counting lines to see mine will be a third...hmm... Will every third line have internal rhyme? We'll see!
ReplyDeleteAwesome, Gayle. I love that you rhymed! Very nice. And...
ReplyDeleteGo Poets' Garage...I hang out there, too :-)
I love that you brought some rhyme into this. Good line, Gayle. And yay, Garage!
ReplyDelete-- Carrie
Brilliant way to resolve what our ears were aching for, Gayle!
ReplyDeleteGreat line, the vibrancy and rhyme give some zestiness. Love it!
ReplyDeleteThank you all for your comments. It will be interesting to see if "rhyme" continues throughout the poem. I hope it does. It makes it more challenging.
ReplyDeleteAnd now I'm off to read the next line.....
I like the fact that you've continued the internal rhyme...it really underscores the rhythm & musicality of the poem!
ReplyDeleteOh big fat smile. This is just fun to read....I am tapping too! Thank you. And thank you for the introduction to cleave poetry too.
ReplyDeleteGood description
ReplyDelete