What are YOU wearing to Poetry Friday?
Hats on! National Poetry Month is this merry merry month of April, a time when folks canvas closets for lighter, flightier,
spring fling frocks (my heavy Big Bird costume socks are a mash up with spring sandals.) I tip my hat to the one and only poet who provides NPM with a month-long bead on how connected some of us feel to the vests, shoes, shirts, skirts, scarves, boots, belts & the sundry other mottled frippery & finery we array ourselves in.
And that poet is the talented Laura Shovan at AUTHOR AMOK. (If you are seeking today’s Poetry Friday host, please visit
NO WATER RIVER & the talented Renee LaTulippe
SKIRTING
But back to our What Are You Wearing? topic, for a roundly wild wrap up on skirts – please unbutton the April 22, 2015 AUTHOR AMOK page. There, Laura, as we have mentioned, hosts
Donna JT Smith’s silky poems. On skirts.
Donna’s contribution enfolds a deft tutu drawing & zippy skirt images, including fun skirts her daughter created, such as one skirt her gal whipped up from recycling classic menswear ties. It’s a sweet whirl. And I can imagine it flapping at the beach over a swimsuit or in a summer parade of style.
If you haven’t gotten too wrapped up in those wraps that run from waist to various lengths (someone please share your synonym for skirt? I can’t conjure up one today) I’ve provided a skirt poem for Author Amok, April 24, 2015 – that’s today.
Laura, appreciations to you, for including me in this ensemble.
BETTY MAE TIGER JUMPER
My contribution is about a woman who is remembering a beloved homemade skirt she missed as a child, one that was far away from her as she studied in boarding school. The poem stems from a person so memorable & important in history, that I went on to write about her in newspapers & magazines & later, when I wrote books, I was able to present her story to young readers in picture book biography format. I met this woman as she sat at a table outdoors, selling skirts and jackets & I was among the purchasers. Each clothing item she offered was sewn by her family or friends; some were made by her. The poem is a tribute to this high-achiever I knew a long time before I wrote about her – Betty Mae Tiger Jumper, elected leader of the Seminole Tribe of Florida (elected, 1967.)
APRIL’S APPAREL at AUTHOR AMOK
To enjoy the full ensemble – to date – of Laura Shovan’s signature month-long outfit of poetry, please poke into these pockets –
Introductory Post/Laura Shovan
http://authoramok.blogspot.com/2015/03/what-are-you-wearing-for-national.html
http://authoramok.blogspot.com/2015/03/what-are-you-wearing-for-national.html
Jane Elkin looks in her childhood closet. Poems by Mark Irwin and Ron Koertge.
http://authoramok.blogspot.com/2015/04/npm-2015-what-are-you-wearing-jane-elkin.html
Tabatha Yeatts shares an ensemble of clothing poems by Greg Pincus.
http://authoramok.blogspot.com/2015/04/npm-2015-what-are-you-wearing-tabatha.html
Margaret Gibson Simon tries on orange high heels. Poem by Ellen Bass.
http://authoramok.blogspot.com/2015/04/npm-2015-what-are-you-wearing-margaret.html
Robyn Hood Black borrows Alice Schertle’s “Hand-me-down Sweatshirt.”
http://authoramok.blogspot.com/2015/04/npm-2015-what-are-you-wearing-robyn.html
Jone MacCulloch wears her Grandma Mac’s aprons.
http://authoramok.blogspot.com/2015/04/npm-2015-what-are-you-wearing-jone.html
Heidi Mordhorst pulls on some big, black boots.
http://authoramok.blogspot.com/2015/04/npm-2015-what-are-you-wearing-heidi.html
Linda Baie’s outfit would not be complete without a poem in her pocket.
http://authoramok.blogspot.com/2015/04/npm-2015-what-are-you-wearing-linda-baie.html
Catherine Johnson getting dressed with Alexander Resnikoff.
http://authoramok.blogspot.com/2015/04/npm-2015-what-are-you-wearing-catherine.html
Robyn Campbell is showing off her favorite vintage clothes with a poetic picture book from Mary Ann Hoberman.
http://authoramok.blogspot.com/2015/04/npm-2015-what-are-you-wearing-robyn_20.html
Donna JT Smith savors skirts
http://authoramok.blogspot.com/2015/04/npm-2015-what-are-you-wearing- donna.html
Bookseedstudio/Jan Annino shares about a skirt-maker
http://authoramok.blogspot.com/2015/04/npm-2015-what-are-you-wearing-jan.html
As the layers continue, return for more What Are You Wearing? National Poetry Month links through April.
PROGRESSIVE POEM 2015 in National Poetry Month
Since April 1, new lines of a progressively arriving poem surface at various
Poetry Friday contributor sites/blogs. Each person in communion by keyboard one
following another, adds after pondering the newest words. So far & likely to the end, there is one perfect exclamation point – it is a splash tale.
I’m progressively scared & then giddy that a line is soon to be mine. I haven’t written it and won’t until just before my deadline to post it here – Monday, April 27, 2015. I can’t write until I read the day’s previous line – popping up this very Sunday. Dactyl danger? Couplet craziness? I calm myself by saying stanza symphony.
The charmed 2015 NPM Progressive Poem is a seaworthy meander awash with mica, pearls, turquoise and a fisherman & a mermaid. You don’t have to wait for my line to read this creation that has me in awe of the previous line leaders. There is a depth to it that I hope I don’t take into the shallows.
Here it is, to date.
(Arrayed artistically & looking to credit the arrangement, which varies from how I first saw it…)
TO BE TITLED, 2015 Poetry Friday Progressive Poem by an assembly collected by Irene Latham
Now titled & completed!
………………………..
“Ocean Dreams”
(The 2015 Poetry Friday Progressive Poem)
She lives without a net,
walking along the alluvium of the delta.
Shoes swing over her shoulder,
on her bare feet stick
jeweled flecks of dark mica.
Hands faster than fish swing
at the ends of bare brown arms.
Her hair flows,
snows
in wild wind
as she digs
in the indigo varnished handbag,
pulls out her grandmother’s oval
cuffed bracelet,
strokes the turquoise stones, and steps
through the curved doorway.
Tripping
on
her
tail
she
slips
hair first
down
the
slide…
splash!
She glides past glossy water
hyacinth to shimmer with a school of shad,
listens to the ibises
roosting in the trees
of the cypress swamp
an echo
of Grandmother’s words, still fresh
in her windswept memory;
“Born from the oyster,
expect the pearl.
Reach for the rainbow
reflection on the smallest dewdrop.”
The surface glistens, a shadow
slips
above her head, a paddle
dips
she reaches, seizes. She’s electric energy
and turquoise eyes.
Lifted high, she gulps strange air – stares
clearly into
Green pirogue, crawfish trap, startled
fisherman with turquoise eyes, twins
of her own, riveted on her wrist–
She’s swifter than a dolphin,
slipping away,
leaving him only
a handful
of memories
of his own
grandmother’s counsel:
“Watch for her.
You’ll have but one chance
to
determine—
to decide. Garner wisdom from the water
and from the pearl
of the past.”
In a quicksilver flash,
an arc of resolution, he
leaps
into the shimmering water
where hidden sentries restrain
any pursuit and the bitter taste
of impulse rushes
into his lungs.
Her flipper flutters his weathered toes
– Pearl’s signal –
Stop struggling.
The Sentinels will escort you
He stills, closes his eyes,
takes an uncharacteristic breath of …
water!
Released, he swims
chasing the
glimmer
of the bracelet
Gran gave the daughter
who reveled in waves,
Straining for fading incandescence, flecks of silver, his eyes and hands clasp cold silt,
flakes of sharp shale seething through fingers – crimson palms stinging.
A sea change ripples his shuddering back.
With a force summoned from the depths, her charged turquoise eyes unsuffer his heart
And holding out her hand to him, she knows. He knows. She speaks,
as his hand curls ’round her bracelet-clad wrist,
“Papa, just a little longer in the pool! One more time down the slide! Please!”
He nods; she won’t be his little mermaid much longer.
…………………………………………………..
I expect to add the daily lines above as they emerge from the water… And I must not forget to weigh in on Monday. (As if!)
C. Jan Godown Annino, all rights reserved
PROGRESSIVE POEM ORIGINS
Please visit the creative site conducted by talented poet & novelist, Irene Lantham,
LIVE YOUR POEM to learn more about the Progressive Poem origins.
To see the flow tide by tide, follow each days links/site I’ve tucked, here.
2015 Kidlitosphere Progressive Poem
1 Jone at Check it Out
https://maclibrary.wordpress.com/2015/04/01/national-poetry-month-2015-kidlitosphere-progressive-poem/
2
Joy at Poetry for Kids Joy
http://poetryforkidsjoy.blogspot.com/search?q=progressive+poem+2015
3
Heidi at My Juicy Little Universe
http://myjuicylittleuniverse.blogspot.com/2015/04/progressive-poem-2015-line-3.html
4
Laura at Writing the World for Kids
http://www.laurasalas.com/blog/for-teachers/2015-prog-poem/
5 Charles at Poetry Time Blog
http://www.charleswaterspoetry.com/#!POETRY-TIME-BLOG-24/c23vc/5519ad2d0cf21933cd241eb1
6 Ramona at Pleasures from the Page
http://pleasuresfromthepage.blogspot.com/2015/04/2015-kidlitosphere-progressive-poem.html
7 Catherine at Catherine Johnson
http://www.catherinemjohnson.com/?p=8875
8 Irene at Live Your Poem
http://irenelatham.blogspot.com/2015/04/artspeak-poem-8-our-progressive-poem.html
9 Mary Lee at Poetrepository
http://www.maryleehahn.com/2015/04/2015-progressive-poem-my-line.html
10 Michelle at Today’s Little Ditty
http://michellehbarnes.blogspot.com/2015/04/day-10-of-progressive-poem-plus.html
11 Kim at Flukeprints
https://flukeprints.wordpress.com/
12 Margaret at Reflections on the Teche
https://reflectionsontheteche.wordpress.com/2015/04/12/2015-progressive-poem/
13 Doraine at DoriReads
http://dorireads.blogspot.com/2015/04/2015-progressive-poem.html
14 Renee at No Water River
http://www.nowaterriver.com/the-progressive-poem-2015-is-here/
15 Robyn at Life on the Deckle Edge
http://www.robynhoodblack.com/blog.htm?post=992838
16 Ruth at There is No Such Thing as a Godforsaken Town
http://thereisnosuchthingasagodforsakentown.blogspot.co.uk/
17 Buffy at Buffy’s Blog
http://buffysilverman.com/blog/?p=725
18 Sheila at Sheila Renfro
http://www.sheilarenfro.blogspot.com/2015/04/progressive-poem-2015-and-poetry-book.html
19 Linda at Teacher Dance
http://www.sheilarenfro.blogspot.com/2015/04/progressive-poem-2015-and-poetry-book.html
20 Penny at A Penny and her Jots
http://pennyklostermann.com/blog-a-penny-and-her-jots/
21 Tara at A Teaching life
https://ateachinglifedotcom.wordpress.com/ara at A Teaching Life
22 Pat at Writer on a Horse
http://writeronahorse.blogspot.com/
23 Tamera at The Writer’s Whimsy
http://www.tamerawillwissinger.com/the-writers-whimsy/2015/4/23/2015-progressive-poem-day-23-is-here.html
24 Tricia at The Miss Rumphius Effect
http://missrumphiuseffect.blogspot.com/2015/04/poetry-friday-2015-progressive-poem.html
25 Tabatha at The Opposite of indifference
http://www.tabathayeatts.blogspot.com/
26 Brian at Walk the Walk
27 Jan at Bookseedstudio
28 Amy at The Poem Farm
29 Donna at Mainely Write
30 Matt at Radio, Rhythm & Rhyme
If those are your eyes I see here, you have reached the part of this post with the couplet iteration –
TO BE TITLED, 2015 Poetry Friday Progressive Poem by an assembly collected by Irene Latham
Now titled & completed!
……………………………….
“Ocean Dreams”
(The 2015 Poetry Friday Progressive Poem)
She lives without a net, walking along the alluvium of the delta.
Shoes swing over her shoulder, on her bare feet stick jeweled flecks of dark mica.
Hands faster than fish swing at the ends of bare brown arms. Her hair flows,
snows in wild wind as she digs in the indigo varnished handbag,
pulls out her grandmother’s oval cuffed bracelet,
strokes the turquoise stones, and steps through the curved doorway.
Tripping on her tail she slips hair first down the slide… splash!
She glides past glossy water hyacinth to shimmer with a school of shad,
listens to the ibises roosting in the trees of the cypress swamp
an echo of Grandmother’s words, still fresh in her windswept memory.
Born from the oyster, expect the pearl.
Reach for the rainbow reflection on the smallest dewdrop.
The surface glistens, a shadow slips above her head, a paddle dips
she reaches, seizes. She’s electric energy and turquoise eyes.
Lifted high, she gulps strange air – stares clearly into
Green pirogue, crawfish trap, startled fisherman
with turquoise eyes, twins of her own, riveted on her wrist–
She’s swifter than a dolphin, slipping away, leaving him only a handful of
memories of his own grandmother’s counsel: Watch for her. You’ll have but one chance to
determine—to decide. Garner wisdom from the water and from the pearl of the past.
In a quicksilver flash, an arc of resolution, he leaps into the shimmering water
Where hidden sentries restrain any pursuit and the bitter taste of impulse rushes into his lungs
Her flipper flutters his weathered toes –Pearl’s signal–Stop struggling. The Sentinels will escort you
He stills, closes his eyes, takes an uncharacteristic breath of … water! Released, he swims
Chasing the glimmer of the bracelet Gran gave the daughter who reveled in waves,
Straining for fading incandescence, flecks of silver, his eyes and hands clasp cold silt,
flakes of sharp shale seething through fingers – crimson palms stinging.
A sea change ripples his shuddering back.
With a force summoned from the depths, her charged turquoise eyes unsuffer his heart
And holding out her hand to him, she knows. He knows. She speaks,
as his hand curls ’round her bracelet-clad wrist,
“Papa, just a little longer in the pool! One more time down the slide! Please!”
He nods; she won’t be his little mermaid much longer.
…..
To be continued here Monday, April 27, 2015
