Speaking of Literature

Day 6: Write a poem of any length incorporating every word from your latest Facebook status update in any order (original). OR Write a poem of any length incorporating 5 highlights from your day (student friendly version). Going the student-friendly route with a nod towards my FB last status about my husband's job. With a thankful heart and bright eyes I lift the vacuum and watch it glide pondering items I can control taxes, mail, fasting, prayer, changing the toilet roll... complex and simple controllable items some make my blood boil others make me take a stroll with my boys through the last steps of Jesus. Note: Not very happy with this one yet. This will probably be revised as it rhymes too much for my taste.

Day 5: Write a three-line poem about lemons without using the following words: lemon, yellow, round, fruit, citrus, tart, juicy, peel, and sour. First draft: Lemonade, without the Lemon Succulent, oblong globes sweeten life when mixed with sugar. Second draft: Succulent, oblong globes sear exposed cuts when left unaided, yet sweeten life when mixed with sugar

Day 4: Write a haiku (a three line poem where the first line has 5 syllables, the second line has 7 syllables, and the third line has 5 syllables). Haikus are often about nature, but yours can be about anything. I love Allan Wolf's Haiku Stickies: 100 Haiku to Write & Leave Behind ! Reminds me of my homeroom Haiku Ninjas last year...spreading the joy of haiku around the school! Lightning bolts sizzle. Yank slumbering babes from dreams of cloud-filled blue skies. ---inspired by lightning storm that woke me at 4:30 this morning Cupcakes and ice cream candy, soda, frosted flakes all cause cavities. ---prompt from Haiku Stickies Cold snowflakes shimmer Faces press on windowpane Silent white wonder ---prompt from Haiku Stickies

Day 3: Find the nearest book (of any kind). Turn to page 8. Use the first ten full words on the page in a poem. You may use them in any order, anywhere in the poem. From Damned by Nancy Holder & Debbie Viguie "humanity, if indeed it was still there. He was beginning..." Humanity, if indeed it was still there... He was beginning to doubt, looking about at his fellow man. Divided, scattered, prejudiced, hate-filled, war-mongers. negative news, natural disasters, lives asunder. Humanity, it is still here... Hope flares-- baby's first breath, smile, laugh, stare wooden crosses, purple cloths wine in casks oft shared with those who have hope in the rising sun, in humanity, in love.

Day 2: Who was the last person you texted? Write a five-line poem to that person. For Greg, my husband It seems our lives are full of words unspoken, brief, incorrectly spell-checked by Siri, green and blue blurbs of emotions, needs, wants. Did u remember the milk?

I am accepting the 30 Day Poetry Challenge and in turn, challenging my students and co-educators to do the same. I consider myself a beginning student of poetry and see this challenge as a way to flex and work out my writing muscles. Like any good workout, I expect that there will be days I am sore, lacking motivation, and just downright stubborn about desiring or not desiring to do this activity. There will also be days where I will be amazed at what I have attempted and accomplished. Here we go...Day 1: Write a poem where each line starts with a letter from your first name (an Acrostic). It can be about anything, but it should not be about you or your name. simple, school-based theme: Total Amazement Nullifies Yodeling Adolescents more complete, spiritual theme: The paschal lamb celebrates love and selflessly sacrifices All He has, without question or hesitation, for our precious souls, Nurturing our hearts, leading us to the Father, who Yearns for our return Always and forever.

This poetry challenge is in honor of National Poetry Month. There are 30 poetry prompts provided here, one for each day of April. Original on Facebook, but for credit it must be accessible at school by me (FB is not accessible at school). Post entries below, create a shared GoogleDoc, or email me your poetry. Happy Poetry Month! Day 1: Write a poem where each line starts with a letter from your first name (an Acrostic). It can be about anything, but it should not be about you or your name. Day 2: Who was the last person you texted? Write a five-line poem to that person. Day 3: Find the nearest book (of any kind). Turn to page 8. Use the first ten full words on the page in a poem. You may use them in any order, anywhere in the poem. Day 4: Write a haiku (a three line poem where the first line has 5 syllables, the second line has 7 syllables, and the third line has 5 syllables). Haikus are often about nature, but yours can be about anything. Day 5: Write a three-line poem about l...