And then, 37 chapters of the best book ever came to a close, the last chapter having been a wild and unexpected roller coaster of still-so-much-to-learn, of heartbreak and triumph! Congratulations to you, Mary Lee, a teacher and poet of extraordinary insight and imagination. I hope my poem does your name and your work justice.
Christie at Wondering and Wandering rounds up all the tributes to Mary Lee this week...party on!
What a wonderful acrostic! I love how you've captured Mary Lee is this space with excellent metaphors "harmony of fifths" and "steady riverbank worn." A rich poem of love and admiration. I think you introduced me to Mary Lee, but memories are fuzzy.
ReplyDeleteWe were on the same acrostic wavelength, Heidi! (Though yours is much more eloquent.) You've captured all the Marvelousness that is Mary Lee down to "each fish caught". :)
ReplyDeleteHeidi, I am in love with that steady riverbank worn... and so so beautiful! xo
ReplyDeleteOh, this is a beauty. Fun to read aloud, as the phrasing is just so pleasing, like: "for each fish caught, for elegance of thought" My, that's lovely.
ReplyDeleteAnd "new and natural and real and true" Gorgeous!
Acrostics are so much fun, and this is an excellent use of "harmony of fifths" - aren't fifth graders the best? Here's to this wonderful 37 chapter book, and awaiting the next volume.
ReplyDeleteTo celebrate using the name is spectacular, Heidi! I love every part, "for each fish caught, for elegance of thought" spans Mary Lee's universe well indeed.
ReplyDeleteAnd a perfect companion to Tabatha's poem! (I love that even though there are a few of us who fell to acrostic... they are all so different!)
ReplyDeleteFell to? Sounds like we stooped to a low form. #notatall #fellON #turnedTO #ROSEto😺
ReplyDeleteYou so absolutely perfectly capture Mary Lee! I love the steady riverbank worn, but I also love the cookies frosted! Beautiful!!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful tribute to Mary Lee! You've captured so many things that reflect her personality and interests. I love how this phrase: "steady riverbank worn but evermore new..." is in dialogue with the metaphor she used in her recent poem about teaching. Thanks for sharing this!
ReplyDeleteI add my admiration and anticipation to your beautiful poem. What a tribute. More...yes. Ready...yes. Such a perfect description of our Mary Lee.
ReplyDeleteHeidi, your poem is a perfect tribute to "radiant and humble" Mary Lee! You've done a masterful job of weaving so much of Mary Lee's life into your call for us to "stand up and cheer."
ReplyDeleteI love that harmony of fifths.
ReplyDeleteI didn't know an acrostic could be so richly layered, Heidi. How could Mary Lee not appreciate the heart and craft you've put into this little 7-line poem? Beautiful.
ReplyDeleteSo perfect! THANK YOU! I love the introduction, too. Well put. I'm honored by your words and I treasure our friendship.
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