I'm trying something new, taking a risk this month - participating in#VerseLove with Sarah Donovan,
hoping to write poetry every day this April.
Today's poetry challenge suggested both a topic - Earth Day - and a form: ovillejo. This poetry form was totally new to me. Here's the line-by-line template that Sarah Donovan shared with us:
Line 1: a rhyme in 8 syllables
Line 2: a rhyme in 3-4 syllables
Line 3: b rhyme in 8 syllables
Line 4: b rhyme in 3-4 syllables
Line 5: c rhyme in 8 syllables
Line 6: c rhyme in 3-4 syllables
Line 7: c rhyme in 8 syllables
Line 8: d rhyme in 8 syllables
Line 9: d rhyme in 8 syllables
Line 10: (Line 2) (Line 4) (Line 6)
Dr. Donovan also shared some picture book suggestions for Earth Day, as additional inspiration, and I was swept up by this one, Mama Miti written by Donna Jo Napoli and illustrated by Kadir Nelson:
Here's my poem:
Mama Miti, she planted trees
On her knees
Seedlings to stop the drought
She dared to shout
Peace, courage, and helping hands
Save our homeland
Protect the earth and understand
There's so much wisdom in small things
Provide children with roots and wings
On her knees, she dared to shout: Save our homeland!
glenda funk, from Sarah Donovan's 30 Days of Poetry website:
ReplyDeleteMaureen,
Your poem is perfect. I can hear you reading it to your preschoolers. It’s a feast of rhyme and wisdom: “Save our homeland.” The line “there’s SD o much wisdom in small things” feels perfect for this moment in time. Wonderful poem. Thank you.
—Glenda
Alex Berkley, from Sarah Donovan's 30 Day of Poetry website:
ReplyDeleteNice, Maureen! I especially like how you set up the last line, a perfect summation of a protector of the Earth.
Susie Morice, from Sarah Donovan's 30 Day of Poetry website:
ReplyDeleteMaureen — Wow1 This is really tight! I love Mama Miti! What a strong image of a loud, wonderful message! Super! Thank you! Susie
Emily Yamasaki, from Sarah Donovan's 30 Day of Poetry website:
ReplyDeleteMaureen, wow! As I read each line I was more and more eager to get to the bottom to hear the final line. So beautiful and thoughtful. I’ll be reading this poem again tomorrow in honor of Earth day!