Happy Poetry Friday!
I’m so honored to be a part of another anthology put together by the talented team of Janet Wong and Sylvia Vardell. This time it’s THINGS WE WEAR. When I was invited to submit a poem to go with RAINCOAT, I immediately fell in love with the photo. There is such joy in the face of the little girl, and I wanted to be sure my poem matched her emotion. I originally wrote the first line as “My raincoat’s full of polka dots.” I wasn’t satisfied with the word “full” but I couldn’t come up with a good alternative… until I went for a walk. I was listening to a podcast in which Matt Forrest Esenwine used the word “pop” in an interview he was giving. I remember being so excited to find that word—not only do the polka dots pop with color and alliteration, but so does the child’s joy. It’s always amazing to me how just one word can make all the difference. (Thanks, Matt.)
All of the proceeds from the “Things We” anthologies go to the IBBY Children in Crisis Fund, and they make great gifts. You can find out how to order here at Pomelo Books.
Michelle has the round-up today at Michelle Kogan Art so be sure to head over there for lots of poetry goodness.
Imagine the Possibilities 
Oh, I love hearing about your process to this polka-dot popping poem. Congratulations for being included in multiple Pomelo Books!
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Ha! What a fun and joyous poem–congratulations, Rose! And…yes, the right word finds us if we’re paying attention, I think!
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I love the poem, Rose, just wonderful to read aloud (& maybe to memorize?). What a fun happenstance to find the word from Matt!
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Such a fun poem! Congratulations, and thanks for sharing your process.
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A sweet to say, fun to play with poem. Love it! Congrats.
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Just wanted to “pop” in and say congratulations, Rose! Love your poem – and yes, that word is perfectly lively for this!
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Rose, your poem is a wonderful accompaniment to the photo. Congratulations on being in the new anthology and finding the just right word!
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Congratulations! I just ordered my copy! 🙂
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It’s such a fun poem, Rose! Pops and drip-drops are my favorites!
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What a great revision story!
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Rose, I love hearing about your process and the result. A perfect popping polka dot raincoat poem and pic! I love it! Congratulations, on having another poem published in the series! Children and adults are going to enjoy reading your poem aloud with all those p sounds popping. So much fun! Thank you for sharing and your inspiration. 🙂
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Your poem is popping with delight Rose, congrats, and fun to hear about your process too, thanks!
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Wonderful. I love the internal rhyme in the first line: pops is perfect for polka dots !
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Congrats on inclusion in the anthology! Your poem pops with rain-splashed joy!
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