The prompt this week in my poetry group was to write a mask, or persona, poem. So the first thing I did was to start exploring some mentor texts. Instinctively I turned to In the Middle of the Night: Poems from a Wide-Awake House by friend and poetry mentor, Laura Purdie Salas. In the Middle of the Night is a collection of persona poems about the antics and thoughts of objects that come to life while we are sleeping. Not only did I think about all the poetry techniques Laura used to bring the objects to life and express their feelings, I also studied her poem titles and how they summed up the essence of the poem. Laura’s books and blog posts are great sources of inspiration and perfect for use by teachers and aspiring poets, so be sure to check them out.
I wasn’t sure what I wanted to write about, but when I read “Empty Pocket” about the lonliness of a pocket with nothing in it, I started thinking about kids going back to school and leaving their toys behind.
Bike’s Thoughts on Back to School
I’m propped up by the garden shed
With nothing much to do.
You’re back to school. I’m feeling blue.
It’s lonely here without you.
No more carefree summer days
Exploring someplace new.
You took the bus. There’s no more us.
It’s lonely here without you.
I count the hours, check the days
Until excitement breaks through.
Woohoo! Hooray! It’s Saturday!
It’s wheely wonderful with you!
Draft, 2022Rose Cappelli
Tanita has the roundup today here. Be sure to check it out for more poetry fun and learn about the Bop.
Imagine the Possibilities 
What a lovely surprise to find my work mentioned here, Rose! Thank you so much! I adore mask poems, and I really like that, although Bike misses its kid, it still gets to play on weekends. And the wordplay at the end! This feels like a poem with such emotional truth to it–yes, it’s lonely when a kid (especially a sibling) goes off to school. But there will still be moments and days to connect.
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Thank you, Laura! I don’t consider myself very punny, but I wanted to do something different at the end. Not quite sure it works exactly right, but it was fun to try.
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“You took the bus/ there’s no more us” – oh, sadder words were never spoken. What a fun poem! I can imagine teaching this, and the kids personifying skateboards, videogames, etc. This is a “wheely” wonderful poem.
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Thanks, Tanita!
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Rose,
I always find Laura’s work inspiring. I love what you have done with the voice of the bicycle. I’m empathetic with “There’s no more us.” Your rhyme and rhythm is spot on, yet not sing songy. Hooray for Saturday!
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Thanks, Margaret.
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“You took the bus. There’s no more us.” really popped out for me as well. I love how you described your motivation, your mentor (Laura’s books are wonderful!) and process. Your poem would be a great one to share with kids!
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Oh, the lonely bicycle. There is a bunch of kids in our neighborhood who do ride and ride all over. You’ve made me think of all those bikes, waiting. Yes, I agree about Laura’s poems being such inspirations.
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Aww… “You took the bus. There’s no more us” holds such bike-emotion! Love it! The mask poem was a fun prompt, Rose. I love Laura’s book, too.
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Thanks! I think that’s my favorite line,too.
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Yes, Laura is a font of inspiration. I love how you chose to right your poem from a bike’s POV. The title sets it up beautifully, too! The last line is especially fun!
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Love this! Thanks for the great prompt this week. I’m off to write mine!
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I’m with everyone else — the whole poem is fabulous, but that middle stanza! SWOON! Well done! You captured bike’s voice perfectly! (You had an excellent mentor…)
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Love that you take a look at back-to-school days through the eyes of a bike, Rose. I wonder if little children think about their home and what they left behind. I know that my grandaughter’s first week at Kindergarten was an overwhelming experience for her and many of her friends. I have to read your poem to my granddaughter, Rose.
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Awww! Thanks, Carol. I hope she likes it!
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Loved looking through the eyes of a bike!
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Thanks for reading!
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