I found my way to this one, a swoon-worthy shaft of perfection that flies to my heart, singing out "Why d'you have to go and make things so complicated?" Seriously, it's time for me to get back to where I once belonged and write some simple, straightforward rhymes of joy. Perhaps I'll let Lilian shake me, take me, make me fly....
Go Wind | Lilian Moore***********
Go wind, blow
Push wind, swoosh.
Shake things
take things
make things
fly.
Ring things
swing things
fling things
high.
Go wind, blow
Push things
wheee.
No, wind, no
not me–
not me.
These first weeks of September have been hotter than most of August was where I live. Today the Mighty Minnows made their second visit out to our special tree, where we steamed and sweated in heavy humidity and worked to draw like scientists, observing textures and colors.
Tree trunk
tree bark
I think I'll park
myself in maple shade.
Tree branch
tree leaf
my rest is brief--
I need some lemonade.
By golly, I believe Lilian's inspiration blew over me indeed! Enjoy the round-up today at No Water River.
Heidi, I remember when the books we were able to buy from Scholastic had very few actual kids titles. I first read Pearl Buck's The Good Earth and The Big Wave from my book club editions.
ReplyDeleteLillian's poem is a delight (I love "simple, straightforward rhymes of joy") and her influence on your poem is apparent. Lovely. = )
ReplyDeleteLove Lillian's poem! So simple, it's beautiful. And an obvious influence on yours!
ReplyDeleteOur primary teachers share Lilian Moore's poems so often with their students. They're wonderful, I agree, & your own poem inspired by her, & by your student activity, is terrific. Thanks for both, Heidi.
ReplyDeleteHeidi, I'm going to take your advice (and your resulting poem) to heart for the next few weeks as I write - i'm going to try to make my way back to simple. Not as easy as it sounds, of course, but worth the effort. thanks!
ReplyDeleteI, too, have "ancient" Scholastic book club editions from my childhood. A Wrinkle in Time was one such. It became a watershed book in my reading life.
ReplyDeleteAnd I just sent home the first bookclub fliers of the year. The beat goes on.
Yes, I'd say Lilian Moore's inspiration took hold -- love your version!
Such a refreshing post, even with a little humidity. I remember those newsprint order forms and probably still have some of those paperbacks, too! And agreed - simple, while not easy, is good.
ReplyDeleteOh you took me back in time, a time when I fell in love with reading and writing and poetry. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteNow I want me some lemonade! :) Delightful poems! :)
ReplyDelete