Saturday, April 14, 2018

progressive poem line 14 is here!

What a journey--and we're only halfway along! I'll start today by thanking everyone for reading my host post interview with Irene and Liz way back on March 30, and for playing along with our request to note where you thought we might go with Liz's first line.

Now it's my turn to reveal my initial expectations....
"I'm picturing a garden, and while we could spend 30 lines chronicling the growth of this one seed--who is she?!--I see the stories of many awakenings taking place in our garden setting, twining together in the way that spring growth happens, burgeoningly!"

I was imagining the sprouting, budding and blooming of many plants and maybe some minibeasts, all thoroughly grounded, so the introduction of Jasmine (not just jasmine), a thousand stars and the Moon as a character required a total reboot.  And then Owl! And now Lee and his party!  I won't think of myself as "wronger and wronger with every line," but you poets, you really know how to turn a ship with a well-chosen word!

Here's something funny: for a couple days this week I got confused and thought that I had the line on the same day as the surprise party for Lee Bennett Hopkins.  I had already begun to think how I could slip in that other definition of "lee" (shelter from wind or weather given by a neighboring object, especially nearby land), or some hopping, or some little reference--but then I realized that was Linda's job...

and boy, did she do it! She has sent Jasmine and Owl and maybe Moon directly to Lee's party!  Why equivocate?  No symbolic sleight of word here!  Linda, you are now officially a braver poet than I.

But let me move forward, with curiosity if not courage:
  
Nestled in her cozy bed, a seed stretched.
Oh, What wonderful dreams she had! 
Blooming in midnight moonlight, dancing with
the pulse of a thousand stars, sweet Jasmine
invented a game.

"Moon?" she called across warm honeyed air.
"I'm sad you're alone, come join Owl and me.   
We're feasting on stardrops, we'll share them with you."   
"Come find me, Moon called," hiding behind a cloud.

Secure in talons' embrace, Jasmine rose
and set. She split, twining up Owl's toes, pale   
moonbeams sliding in between, Whoosh, Jasmine goes.
Owl flew Jasmine between clouds and moon to Lee's party!

Moon, that wily bright balloon, was NOT alone.



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I hope that puts my friend Donna in an intriguing and challenging position for Line 15!

I'll sign off, wishing a glorious National Poetry Month to all, and inviting you to scroll down for the latest development in the progressive poem project of my 2nd graders.  They really do appreciate and learn from your comments. Thank you!

18 comments:

  1. "that wily bright balloon" is BEAUTIFUL! Thank you for your courage AND curiosity, Heidi! What next, what next?? xo

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  2. This WILL require caffeine. Perhaps a lot. Thanks, Heidi...I think! Lol!
    I do love the moon balloon...boy, that next line looks blank. I hope this is enough caffeine. Hmmmmm.

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  3. Oh, wow! I love that "wily bright balloon" of a moon, too, and a "sky party" can mean a lot of fun. Nice, Heidi!

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  4. Whoa! Shaking in my boots here for line 18. Fasten your seat belts everyone! This is turning into quite a literal and figurative journey. -- Christie @ https://wonderingandwondering.wordpress.com/

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  5. A festive moon balloon. :)

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  6. Moon as a party balloon! Way to bring things together, Heidi! Such a lovely metaphor.

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  7. Love the rhyme of moon and balloon. A fun party is progressing...

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  8. "Hee-hee-hee!"
    she exclaimed with glee,
    "I've had enough coffee,"
    So you'll soon see...

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  9. Whaaattt?! You're a clever one, Heidi, you are. We watched the last bit of the Masters last weekend on TV and this is a bit like it: "How will he (in this case, she) ever get that ball out of that rough/sand trap/water hazard/around that pine tree?" - but you all WILL, with flair. I need to go find a golf tee before the 21st, except I don't think we have any. Go, Donna! :0)

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  10. Guess will find out soon who's up there with Balloon… Fun Heidi!

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  11. I LOVE "Moon, that wily bright balloon..."

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  12. Oh, what is next from the group, oh that "wily bright balloon"! Heading to the party! What is coming, what is coming? It is almost too hard to wait and see! So interesting to imagine what might lie ahead for our little seed!
    Janet Clare F.

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  13. "that wily bright balloon" - just fabulous. It's party time now for these travelers, all finding each other through a poem...just like us. xx

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  14. Good thing Jasmine is twined around Owl's talons and legs -- this is turning into a wild ride!

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  15. Heidi, without looking ahead, I am amazed that Moon is a clever, wily balloon. I am wondering if he will craftily turn the tables around at the party. Is the team going to bring another surprise???

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  16. "wily bright balloon..." I love this phrase. Thank you for your fun twist and beautiful words!

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  17. Whee! I'm lifting up with your balloon. And I love the internal rhyme. Brava, Heidi! (And thanks again for your Progressive Poem interview with Irene, which was a nourishing pre-party stop for everyone.

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  18. I love the internal rhyme, Heidi! And "wily." Ha!

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Thanks for joining in the wild rumpus!