NaPoWriMo Day 28

Last week I spent a couple of days visiting my sister, Lisa's family. My nieces and nephew are quite active. We went to each one of their soccer games. I captured some moments on film and am posting a list poem that needs something to bring it to life, but for now this is it.


Soccer
Play your position
Defender
Sweeper
Winger – left and right
Spread out
Focus
Get the ball
Nice try
Great block
Striker steals the show
Shot on goal
Goalie leaps, but misses
Score!
~Mrs. Annello

To or Not to Plan ~ NaPoWriMo Day 27

Today we wondered-
Do writers always need to plan?
We pondered…hmm…
Some say sometimes-
Like essays on THE TEST.
It’s good to plan out what you want to write,
But sometimes I get carried away
And overdo it with the planning,
I should be writing.
Some say no, never
I just like to start writing
I don’t need a plan
If I have an idea,
When I start
One thing leads to another.
My story comes to life.
Turn to your notebook if you get stuck
A treasure chest
Collections ~
Favorite lines,
Favorite words,
Favorite memories.
So, can't we just write?


We had the greatest conversation today about the planning part of the writing process. Children are so insightful...why don't we ask for their feedback and reflections more often?

Spring Sampler

Yesterday I spent some time in one of my favorite outdoor spots. Since is always a good spot to hunker down with a book, I thought I might be inspired to write. I had every intention of sticking with the Poetry Month challenge...one thing led to another and I fell behind. The sights and sounds of this scrumptious spring afternoon got the creative juices flowing. Here is a sampler platter of poems to make up for some of my absences - most definitely works in progress...


Tap, tap, tap
A gentle hammering
A child’s toy
A creaky door
Branches in a breeze
Hmmm
Tracking the tap
That sounds like cereal crackling in milk,
There it is
That red headed suet snacker.

********************

Bully bird
in your bright blue uniform
please go away.
For if you stay,
others won’t.
Your noisy caw and flapping jaw
dominate and
shout out a blockade
to smaller troops
that flock to safer stations.

*****************************

Fire engine show-off,
Crimson chatterer,
Crisp chirps call out
Look at me
In my new ruby red dress.

*****************************

Fuzzy buzzy,
Ball of fur,
Stopping at azaleas for a sip or two.
Bumble bee
Happy hour.

******************************

Daffodils
Lovely ladies
In yellow bonnets.
Some side by side like a receiving line at a wedding.
Others mingle in crowds,
Spring’s welcoming committee
So happy to see you are back.

******************************

Chickadee-dee-dee
You chatter, bounce, and flitter
Snatch a seed and go.

Spring Evening

Lace up your sneaks,
Before the sun sinks down
And the temperature dips.
Let’s go this way.

Switch it up,
No more mundane Monday.
Kids gather and play.
Shout out a friendly greeting.

On this fine evening
You and me
Keeping pace,
It’s not a race.

Robins twitter and chirp,
Reminding us that
Spring is here.
Give a cheer!


I should be inspired to compose something tropical tonight. Writing to the music of a Kenny Chesney concert. Beautiful music! I often wonder what musical artists like him were like as students. Were they good writers? Did they like to write poems?

NaPoWriMo Poem 10

Early this evening, I perused the outdoors to capture some of spring's beauty on film and with words.

Sky painted clear blue
Birds chortle songs of delight
Trees dressed in green lace

NaPoWriMo Poem 9

What a fabulously beautiful spring day! Actually the whole weekend was a winner. Blue sky days that you want to do over and over again. I love the laid back feeling of Sunday mornings. Lingering over a bottomless mug of coffee.
Perusing the newspaper. Working on report cards. Anything is more bearable in your pajamas when have your hands wrapped around a steaming mug of coffee.

I have a few days to catch up on, but here goes a Sunday selection.
Sunny day
Peeking through the curtain gap
Everything is fine
Fresh brewed java
Seeping up the staircase
Luring me
From the cozy covers
Wake up
Sleepy head
No worries
No rush
Grab a mug
And the news
Time to greet the morning
Sunday

NaPoWriMo Poem 8

This week we have been practicing for the N.Y.S. E.L.A assessments. One of my students whispered to me "Hey there is a poem in here!" He later shared that it was reassuring to see a poem was one of the five passages. This poem is dedicated to that special student.

Hey look,
There’s a poem in here,
He let out with a cheer
I feel comfort
In something familiar
Something shorter than prose
Something playful
Something funny
Something wondrous
Something new
Something lyrical
Something musical
Something wonderful
Something calming
Something cool
A sight for sore eyes!
Something for me
Hey look!

NaPoWriMo Poem 7

Fever
Starts as a slow simmer,
Momentum builds,
A speed skater,
A racecar,
A homerun hitter,
A breakaway,
A freight train.
Rumbling, bubbling,
like a pot of spaghetti sauce.
Reeling, wheeling, a rolling boil.
Surely something, someone
has a suggestion.
A sip of sunshine,
A dose of fresh air and movement.
Try soccer, baseball, tennis, or perhaps
A stroll in the park
A bike ride..
Deep breaths.
Spring

Pansies
Dazzling and delightful
Dressed for the dance
Singing out
We’re here
We’re back
Let’s celebrate
A brand new spring!

I truly have been obsessing about all things spring. In Rochester, we have recently had some bonus days in terms of the weather. It reminds me of a quote from a movie that I can't ever seem to remember the title for, but the family called the really good days "do over days."

However, I do plan on writing about other topics this month, but for now a little snippet on flowers that shout out spring to all!

Poem #4

"Spring is Here"

Open the windows,
Dust off your sandals,
Polish your toes.
The sun is shining,
Let's sing and dance.
Let's celebrate and cheer.
For the sky is blue,
The grass is green.
Daffodils announce
Spring is here.
We hope she will stay!

Poem # 3

It was a Haiku kind of day~

Early morning chatter
Songs of welcome and wonder
Chickadee-dee-dee.

Poem # 2

Spring Fever
Spring Fever
Call the doctor
The nurse
On second thought
Why bother
There’s no cure
I know this for sure
Just wait for it to pass.
Perhaps some sun,
Or maybe some fun.
A walk, a stroll,
A hike in the park
Or even a picnic
Window washing
Gathering garden trash
Leftovers cluttering
Must make way for
New residents to bloom
The symptoms will wane
So too the pain
As spring fever subsides.

Poem #1 NaPoWrMo

“Side by Side”
Writing side by side,
Like flowers unfurling on a sunny day.
Like seeds in a spring garden
Nurtured and coaxed
Soon to brighten our path,
Blooming beauties standing proudly,
Side by side.

Words that bind us
Like the patchwork of a quilt,
Stitched together
Strong and sturdy
Wrapping us
in a warm blanket of wisdom.
Standing side by side.

Reading side by side,
Awestruck authors.
Stories of life.
Unwrapping surprises
Like gifts under the tree!
Celebrating side by side.

~ Theresa Annello

Hoping to sustain the momentum for writing after March's Slice of Life Story Challenge at http://twowritingteachers.wordpress.com/. I am signed up to participate in the April Poetry Project at http://www.napowrimo.net/.