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Poetry Friday: Lots of Dots and a Roundup, Too

2010 November 11

Welcome poetry lovers and Poetry Friday aficianados. We are very happy to be hosting this week’s Poetry Friday roundup, so please stop back by to see how bloggers around the ‘sphere are waxing poetic. If you’re new to Poetry Friday, you can read Susan Thomsen’s description at Chicken Spaghetti or check out the schedule at A Year of Reading (scroll down; it’s on the right side).

A couple weeks ago, we received Craig Frazier’s new book Lots of Dots (Chronicle Books, 2010). The cover, with its array of circles and bright colors instantly draw you in … which is exactly what happened when Catherine spotted it. If you want to see our Poetry Friday contribution, then use this jump link to go to the bottom. Otherwise, keep reading to see to what other folks around the sphere are sharing …

Poetry & The Creative Process

Let’s kick it off with Sarah Lewis Holmes and her search for the right book to read. ”Finding a book to read while I’m revising is tricky. If I pick a compulsive page-turner, I’m tempted to not write but read in great gulps. If I pick a novel too close to my own attempt, I worry about confusion and undue influence.” Head over to Read Write Believe to see how she is extolling the virtues of reading great poetry while revising—by highlighting Jeannine Atkins’ wonderful book, Borrowed Names.

At Karen Edmisten, Karen shares an excerpt from Wendell Berry’s poem How to Be a Poet. From Karen: “I feel a wee bit bad posting this poem on a screen (you’ll see why when you read it.) But I’m going to do it anyway because sometimes the first place you meet a poet is on a screen like this one.”

Sylvia Vardell has a question for Jame Richards, author of Three Rivers Rising, a novel in verse. It is: if the book were made into a movie, who would she want in the lead roles. Gotta go to Poetry for Children to see Jame’s answer. Better yet, add a comment or question of your own and enter a chance to win an autographed copy.

Poets & Poems

Elaine Magliaro has a Q & A with poet/anthologist Lee Bennett Hopkins at Wild Rose Reader. She will also tell you who won a poetry book written or compiled by Lee Bennett Hopkins.

If your looking for more Hopkins, Mandy shares the poem “My People,” by Langston Hughes. The poem is part of a a picture book called Amazing Faces, with poems collected byLee Bennett Hopkins and illustrated by Chris Soentpiet. Read the poem and Mandy’s review at Enjoy and Embrace Learning.

Mary Ann Scheurer has a review of Amazing Faces at Great Kids Books. To give you a hint … Mary Ann liked the book so much she nominated it for a Cybils this year.

At Through the Wardrobe, Melissa shares Santorin from From ‘Gymnopaedia’ by Giorgos Seferis.

Feast your eyes on those artist’s pictures at Jama Rattigan’s Alphabet Soup. They have this Edward-Albee look to them. Then you read her description: “A distinctive voice — by turns rousing, plaintive, comical, soulful, rebellious, satirical, irreverent.” Isn’t that what gets stirred into a poem? Wait ’til you see who she is talking about.

Debbie Diller shares “Zinnias” by Valerie Worth. “I think my favorite poem of all times is this one by Valerie Worth. I love to garden, and zinnias are one of my most-loved flowers though they are difficult to grow in Houston.”

At Write Time, Linda Kulp shares two poems by Todd Davis. “Veil” and “Some Heaven.” She discovered Davis through American Life in Poetry.

Hibernation Station written by Michelle Meadows and illustrated by Kurt Cyrus (Simon & Schuster Children’s Books, 2010) is a rhyming picture book that Anastasia Suen describes as “just right for fall.” Check out her snippet and book talk recommendation at Picture Book of the Day.

Laura Salas knows fall is just about to turn to winter (they’re calling for snow this weekend where she is!). She shares David Elliot’s poem “Wolf,” from his children’s with Holly Mead (Candlewick, 2010). As Laura notes “there are some fabulous 15 Words or Less poems this week (come add your own) at https://laurasalas.livejournal.com/246913.html.” Even I tried my hand!

Fall is definitely on everyone’s mind! At Check it Out, Ms. Mac (aka Jone MacCullough) is sharing a few haiku poems from Haiku Harvest, translated by Peter Beilenson and Harry Behn. Jone describes them as a “cornucopia of haiku in the harvest season.”

At Carol’s Corner, Carol shares her review of Sonia Sotomayor: Supreme Court Justice by Carmen T. Bernier-Grand. This is a picture book biography told in verse. It also happens to be a nonfiction picture book nominee for the 2010 Cybils. “This is a book I would love to have in any intermediate grade/YA collection … There is nothing better than a little poetry and nonfiction mixed!”

From Haiti, Ruth shares an excerpt from the end of “From Blossoms,” by Li-Young Lee. “So while it’s a day of suffering in Port-au-Prince, it’s also, in a strange way, a good day for a poem about peaches.”

Haiti is on Tabatha Yeatts mind, as well. She shares Suze Baron’s poem “Yo Di” at Tabatha Yeatts: The Opposite of Indifference.

Diane Mayr recently discovered that George Swede has written poetry of various forms. ” I’ve corresponded (as in sending submissions) with him in his capacity as editor of theHaiku Society of America‘s journal, frogpond. Somehow I missed the fact that he was also accomplished in other forms of poetry!” She shares Swede’s poem “In the Morning” at Random Noodling …which is hosting Poetry Friday next week!

At Diane’s blog Kurious Kitty you can read “To-Night” by Sara Teasdale. “Kurious K’s Kwotes has a quote by Teasdale.”

At Saints in Progress, Nicole shares an excerpt from John Keats’ “A Thing of Beauty is a Joy Forever.” Nicole says “I sought this poem out because I have been moved to create more beauty in my home, and I wanted to inspire my intellect to help shore up my will. I have learned that cultivating an appreciation for beauty is an important part of a person’s spiritual formation.” A fine selection for her first Poetry Friday! Be sure to stop by and welcome Nicole!

Tomorrow is Robert Louis Stevenson’s birthday, and to celebrate, Hannah has posted Stevenson’s poem “The Swing.” She also shares a new book of poetry that she’s found (and loves) and is sharing with her kids.  Head to A Quiet Spot to read more.

Julie Larios shares some thoughts and Laurie Lee’s poem “Apples,” at The Drift Record. She introduces it with this bit of poetry: “The last of our apples have fallen to the ground now – it’s November, how did November happen? – and I’ve been putting the rotten ones into the compost. Windfall apples are on my mind. So is my mom. So are boys eating apples, growing into young men who go to war.  November thoughts.”

My apologies to Sally Thomas and Tara Smith … I’m late in getting these posted.

Original Poetry

At Blue Rose Girls, Elaine shares an original poem titled “Letter from the Queen of Beasts.”

The Stenhouse blog shares “Frustrated,” written by Kevin, a fourth-grade student. His poem is published in Charles Fuhrken’s recent book, What Every Elementary Teacher Needs to Know About Reading Tests.

Christine Marciniak shares a poem her eighth-grade daughter wrote. “I am the Wind” will take your breath away!

“I am the Wind” is a great complement to Carlie’s poem “Late Autumn Theatrical” at Twinkling Along. Here is the introduction to her leaf verse: “We are to that time of year that is hard for me to enjoy. We’re past the glowing throes of autumn when the world is a blazing whirl of color and crisp days … I want to be so cozy about it, I’m trying to will myself into that space by trying to enjoy even the annual destruction of the foliage.”

At A Year of Reading, Mary Lee Hahn presents “Sustenance,” a poem where she “tried to capture some of the moments yesterday that reminded me how glad I am to be a fourth grade teacher.”

Andromeda Jazmon pairs some of her incredible photography with a series of original haiku, which she calls “quiet waters.” Check it out at A Wrung Sponge.

Over at The Poem Farm, Amy LV has poem #24 in her series of poems about poems – The Dictionary Forest. She also has a grammar book recommendation. Have you met IVAN CAPP?

Loreen Leedy’s new book My Teacher is a Dinosaur features rhyming text for limerick riddles (14), Cinquains (6), and verses (20). Check out her Preshistoric Poems for Poetry Friday.

David Elzey goes in a different direction and shares his inspiration for “Psychic Zombie,” at Fomagrams. “A pending trip to New Orleans is on my mind these days, and with it thoughts of the psychic and zombie occupants that haunt the shadows of the only American city that feels most like Europe.  Mash it all together, add rhymes, voila.”

At A Gypsy Caravan, Rebecca presents “slumberlove,” an original poem. No intro required … trust me.

Melissa Wiley presents “In the Dugout,” a sestina she wrote during grad school! Enjoy her poem at Here in the Bonny Glen.

Charles Ghigna shares two poems. At the Bald Ego blog, he posts “River of Words” and at the Father Goose blog, he presents “Baby Animals.”

While we’re thinking about animals … Blythe Woolston celebrates Hoot the Dog’s first birthday with “Border Collie Personality Disorder.

Joyce Ray jumps into HER first Poetry Friday with “Lotus Field in June.” From Joyce: “I write mostly free verse, but sometimes fall into a form of sorts, with no regular end rhyme, but listening for internal rhyme. I wrote this poem yesterday, spurred on by Poetry Friday.” Head over to Musings to read her poem and more about her inspiration.


Lots of Dots is the kind of book readers will see in lots of ways. It is a rhyming book, with just one line on each page. I saw it more as a preschool book or even an easy reader. Catherine saw it as a poem.

There are dots on shirts,
dots for the sun
dots that smell sweet,
and dots that are fun.

I left Catherine in the kitchen reading it, and the next thing I knew she was sitting at the table carefully writing. When I asked her what she was doing, she explained that she was copying down all the words because she wanted to take “the poem” to school and share with her class. Ultimately she did, and when she got off the bus the next day her first words were “everyone loved this book, Mom!”

So, now that we’ve come full circle, let the roundup begin! Leave your link in the comments below and periodically throughout the day I will pull them in to the main post.

Final notes …

Lots of Dots
Lots of Dots; Craig Frazier (Chronicle Books 2010)
WorldCatGoodReadsLibraryThingShelfariGoogle BooksBookFinderIndieBoundAmazon
xxx
  • Here is our review. You’ll find other reviews at this link (Google Book Blog search engine)
  • You can read more about how Craig came up with the concept, as well a some of his early sketches at 36pages.com

Image credits:
Poetry Friday logo – Creative Commons image
Collage from Lots of Dots – 36pages.com (image links to the original source)

The Reading Tub has an affiliate relationship with several booksellers. Clicking on and making purchase through the “amazon” and “IndieBound” links above can earn income for our nonprofit. You are not obligated to purchase through those links. They are provided merely for reader convenience.

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49 Responses leave one →
  1. Tara
    November 14, 2010

    Glad to make it to the poetry round up at last!
    https://tmsteach.blogspot.com/
    Tara recently posted..Poetry Friday

  2. Mary Lee
    November 14, 2010

    Great roundup! I loved your thoughtful commentary and the way you grouped the posts!!
    Mary Lee recently posted..Poetry Friday

  3. Rasco from RIF
    November 13, 2010

    What a great, great Poetry Friday, Terry. I really like the way you put it together. I had so hoped to participate but got busy on the mountain with some family business Friday. I was delighted to see a poem about ZINNIAS as they are my favorite flower of all time next to pink roses…and THE SWING by RLS is a favorite from childhood. The first poem I memorized because I simply wanted to do so!
    Rasco from RIF recently posted..Socks- pancakes- signs on doors and windows…

  4. Sally Thomas
    November 12, 2010

    Great roundup! I’m in, under the wire (more or less), with a poem of Mary Oliver’s, at Castle in the Sea.

    Thanks for hosting!
    Sally Thomas recently posted..Poetry Friday- Mary Oliver

  5. Julie Larios
    November 12, 2010

    Thanks for hosting! I have a poem by the English poet Laurie Lee to share – the title is Apples, but it’s about more than apples! You can read it at The Drift Record
    Julie Larios recently posted..Poetry Friday- Apples and Indirection

  6. Hannah @ A Quiet Spot
  7. Blythe
    November 12, 2010

    I posted an original sonnet (?) “Border Collie Personality Disorder” to celebrate Hoot the Dog’s birthday and the joys of formal poetry.

    https://blythewoolston.blogspot.com/2010/11/poetry-friday-form-and-failure.html

    (I’m sick today, everyone, so I may be slow making the poetry rounds. Please excuse me.)
    Blythe recently posted..Poetry Friday- Form and Failure

  8. Nicole
    November 12, 2010

    My first attempt at Poetry Friday. I’m looking forward to reading through the ones here.
    Nicole recently posted..Poetry Friday

  9. Joyce Ray
    November 12, 2010

    This is my first time at Poetry Friday. I posted an original poem today. I can’t wait to take a leisurely stroll through some great poetry posted by others.

  10. Charles Ghigna
    November 12, 2010

    Thank you! We posted a new poem “River of Words” at The BALD EGO Blog and one for the little ones “Baby Animals” at The FATHER GOOSE Blog

  11. jone
    November 12, 2010

    I have some fall haiku from tbook, Harvest Haiku: https://maclibrary.wordpress.com/2010/11/12/poetry-friday-haiku-gift/
    Thank you for hosting us today.
    jone recently posted..Poetry Friday- Haiku Gift

  12. Sylvia Vardell
    November 12, 2010

    Thanks for hosting! I’m featuring a new poet, Jame Richards, and how one might turn her book into a movie. Plus a free poetry book giveaway…
    Sylvia Vardell recently posted..Jame- Rivers- and Movies

  13. Carlie
    November 12, 2010

    Working on letting go of autumn today. You can read my original seasonal Poetry Friday poem on the subject here:

    https://twinklingalong.blogspot.com/2010/11/poetry-friday-leaf-verse.html

  14. Loreen Leedy
    November 12, 2010

    Hi all, my post is a sneak peek inside My Teacher is a Dinosaur:
    https://loreenleedybooks.blogspot.com/2010/11/poetry-friday-prehistoric-poems.html
    Thanks!
    Loreen Leedy recently posted..Poetry Friday- Prehistoric Poems

  15. Sara Lewis Holmes
  16. Toby Speed
    November 12, 2010

    Just stopping by today to wave hello to you all on Poetry Friday! No post today, back next week. Thanks for hosting, Terri.

    • ReadingTub
      November 12, 2010

      Hi Toby, glad you stopped by. Hope you’re enjoying a nice cup of tea today!!

  17. Karen Edmisten
    November 12, 2010

    I’m in this week with Wendell Berry. The link is here.

    Thanks for hosting!
    Karen Edmisten recently posted..Poetry Friday- How to Be a Poet

  18. Elaine Magliaro
    November 12, 2010

    At Wild Rose Reader, I have Q & A with poet/anthologist Lee Bennett Hopkins. I also have the name of the person who won a poetry book written or compiled by Lee Bennett Hopkins from Wild Rose Reader.

    https://wildrosereader.blogspot.com/2010/11/q-with-lee-bennett-hopkins.html

    **********

    At Blue Rose Girls, I have an original poem titled “Letter from the Queen of Beasts.”

    https://bluerosegirls.blogspot.com/2010/11/dear-lion-original-letter-poem.html
    Elaine Magliaro recently posted..Q &amp A with Lee Bennett Hopkins

  19. The Stenhouse Blog
    November 12, 2010

    We have another great student poem on the Stenhouse Blog this week. Hope your Friday is not frustrating!
    The Stenhouse Blog recently posted..Poetry Friday- Frustrated

Trackbacks and Pingbacks

  1. A Quiet Spot: Poetry Friday: Robert Louis Stevenson UNITED STATES
  2. Jeannine Atkins: Views from a Window Seat UNITED STATES
  3. #poetryfriday: psychic zombie « fomagrams UNITED STATES
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  5. jama rattigan's alphabet soup - friday feast: the demos that made bob dylan famous UNITED STATES
  6. Blue Rose Girls: DEAR LION: An Original Letter Poem UNITED STATES
  7. laurasalas - Poetry Friday: The Wolf (by David Elliott) UNITED STATES
  8. A Year of Reading: Poetry Friday UNITED STATES
  9. Poetry Friday: Wind. Fields. Night. Left. Again. Need. — Here in the Bonny Glen UNITED STATES

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