Yearning for the Splash

The slight increase in temperature today, to a balmy high of 33 degrees, had me roll down my window a bit, breathe in the fresh cool air and dream of summer. Car packed and buckled in for our trip north, the anticipation was excruciating. The highway never seemed to end. All the kids could think about was dropping their stuff, slipping on suits and racing to jump off the end of the dock.

So I fished though my files and found a poem that I wrote for a contest last year.

(unfortunately it did not place), but I like it, as it brings back happy memories. It was also a fun poem to write too— playing with font size, color and spacing to give a visual to the poem. I hope you will enjoy it!

Happy Poetry Friday everyone! Hang in there... Spring is on the way!

Oh, and Special thanks to Laura Purdie Salas for hosting this week. Be sure to stop by her blog for a cool sneak peek at her new board books and some lovely FREE downloads of coloring pages. Such a talented poet!

So pour yourself some lemonade, put on those flip flops and crank up Margaritaville.

We are going to the lake in our imagination!

Will You Be Mine?

Happy Valentines Day!

How lovely to be able to focus on what the world need so much more of these days, LOVE.

I browsed through my photos today looking for inspiration for my Valentine's poem and was reminded of so many things I am grateful for: people, experiences, words, walks in the woods and more. Sometimes I get so caught up in "today" and 'right now" that I forget just how many wonderful moments I have experienced in these 65 years. Its good to look back and see the scope of your life once in a while.

My poem today, is in honor of my amazing husband of 44 years.

What a blessing to feel so loved every single day!

Hope you all are feeling the love today too. Lets all put more of it out into the world. :)

Happy Poetry Friday, Everyone! Check out more poetry at Teacher Dance- The blog of this week's host- Linda! Thanks for hosting!

Double Dactyl, Anyone?

Studying poetry, meter and its forms this past year or so, has been so interesting. When I feel brave enough to try a new form, it is both scary and exciting at the same time. It feels like working the NYT crossword puzzle. Definitely a stretch for me, but a great way to keep the brain in shape.

Your "crossword clues"in double dactyl, are the form's "rules" for the poem. I use them to think of the words that will fit. But, instead of counting squares for letters, you count stressed and unstressed beats.

On this Poetry Friday, I want to share with you one of my favorites:

Here is a link to The Writer's Digest information about Double Dactyls.

I stumbled across this form when exploring options to use for a children's poetry collection I was working on. It was so much fun! And the dancing way the poems felt when I read them was exhilarating.

After much brain strain and adventurous hunting for just the right words, completing these double dactyls made me giddy. I think I sat and read them 10 times, just enjoying how the beats moved over my tongue. :)

With out further adieu, I am excited to share two of my double dactyls.

Can you feel that delicious DUM da da beat?

You smiled, didn't you... I knew it!

Thank you to Carol Varsalona at https://beyondliteracylink.blogspot.com/ for hosting this week. Be sure to go to her post to see all the other wonderful poets!