Give children poetry. It is one of the best gifts you can give them…a gift to last a lifetime. -Lee Bennett Hopkins
Lee Bennett Hopkins – poet, educator, mentor – died earlier this month. Today on Poetry Friday, many are celebrating his life. This master of poetry compiled numerous poetry anthologies for children which I often used in my teaching. In his anthology, Sharing the Seasons: A Book of Poems (Simon & Schuster, 2010), Hopkins begins each section by introducing the season with an original poem. All of the poems have the same structure which I borrowed to honor him with my own poem today. I used a place of beauty loved by children and adults, Longwood Gardens, as inspiration.
Longwood
purples and
scarlets in
wonder-filled rooms
always –
always –
bountiful blooms
butterflies
fountains
lilypads
lights
the
beauty
of
nature
is
here
to
delight.
Imagine the Possibilities 
What a lovely poem honoring a format Lee used in his book on seasons, Rose. Longwood Gardens is such a fabulous place to wander through and be inspired. I am collecting poems for a spring gallery and am wondering if you have a photo that can pair with your poem? If so, please send the poem (single spaced) and photo to me.
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Sigh – “wonder-filled rooms” is so beautiful. The way you used a Lee poem structure to inform your own structure is wise, and I hope you share when you share this pair with children so they can learn to do the same. (Will you send a copy to Longwood?) Hugs at our loss. Thank you for joining this celebration of Lee, Rose. xx
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I love that you thought to use the structure of Lee’s Sharing the Seasons poems. always–always lovely.
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You’ve captured the beauty of Lee in this poem as well as the gardens! Thank you for your beautiful tribute, Rose.
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I also love that you used the structure of the season poems from Lee, and this is a beautiful one to accompany them, full of a garden’s beauty. Thanks, Rose.
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A beautiful tribute to Lee.
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Such a beautiful poem.
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Thanks!
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What a beautiful poem. Now I can’t wait to find this collection of poetry.
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Purple, light, beauty…all words that describe Lee. Thanks for sharing this!
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Bountiful blooms, butterflies, fountains — what rich imagery in your poem!
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Thank you, Laura!
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