Welcome to Poetry Friday and National Poetry Month!
April is such a wonderful time to enjoy nature, spring, and always poetry. For the past few years I’ve embarked on a poetry project for April and shared some of it here. This year’s project is a little different. In 2022 one of my writing goals was to write a picture book in verse—a series of poems that would tell the story. Think Dear Treefrog by Joyce Sidman and Diana Sudyka. I had an old picture book manuscript that needed a makeover and tried several times to rewrite it as a series of poems. It never quite worked, but I decided to try again. But this time, instead of focusing on the plot and story, I’m exploring more with the characters and just letting things unfold. The pressure is off and although I feel more productive, I’m not ready to share any of it yet.
So, today I’m sharing a poem I wrote this week in response to a photo from Margaret Simon on This Photo Wants To Be a Poem. When I was little I was one of those kids who always found ways to hop-skip-jump through things like lines on the sidewalk or patches of violets in the grass. So that’s where Margaret’s photo took me.
It’s fitting that Margaret has the roundup today at Reflections on the Teche. There you can find lots of poetry goodness as well as the next line in this year’s Progressive Poem. And for those who celebrate, may you have a joyous Easter filled with family fun.
Imagine the Possibilities 
Rose, HURRAY for trying again! So much of writing is exactly that. Thanks for your Shadows, too.
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I can’t wait to hear more about the picture book and I love re-invisioning things!
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Your shadow poem is pure light, Rose. Yay for your picture book journey. 🙂
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I’m happy to hear you are working on a manuscript. Someday we will sit down together and share stories. Thanks for sharing your This Photo poem here with a little more formatting. I love how you made the words hop-scotch as well.
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Two different hopscotchings in the same PF roundup! Whoda thunk?!? Your poem takes me directly back to childhood and walking to school. I was all about the puddles that froze overnight leaving stompable ice!
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Best wishes on your new ‘book’ journey, Rose! I love the ‘hopscotching’ poem, takes us all back to our childhood!
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I hope you’re bringing your PB/poetry work to Highlights! –And I still love hop-scotch skip!
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There’s nothing more joyous than kids dancing and skipping, oblivious to expectations and caught up in the wonder of being alive. Glad you’re trying your book from another angle. As your characters skip around, maybe things will fall into place! Happy Easter!
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