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!
