Poetry Friday: Persona Poems
Today’s host for Poetry Friday is Tabatha at The Opposite of Indifference. Hop on over there for the roundup.
Persona Poems
Last week I had the opportunity to attend The Poet’s Studio class on Mask/Persona poetry with Georgia Heard, Rebecca Kai Dotlich, and special guest Kristine O’Connell. As a classroom teacher, I used their books over and over again.
We talked about different ways to write persona poems, looked at some great examples, and they give us tips for how to revise. It was great to be back in a class with them after I took a class last year with them on poetry collections.
Because learner is my #1 strength (Clifton Strengths Finders), I find that taking classes fills the well. This class helped me think about some possible persona poetry poems I could write.
Haiku of the Week
brittle bud
drained of its pastels—
summer artifact
Photo & Haiku © 2023 Marcie Flinchum Atkins
Photo Taken: January 3, 2023 at my sit spot near the creek
Haiku Written: January 22, 2023
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What I’m Reading
edited by Paul B. Janeczko
Illustrated by Melissa Sweet
The persona poetry class reminded me of this collection on my shelf. And it’s an oldie (published in 2001). I used it every year in my fourth grade classroom, and I found it on my shelf! I just couldn’t part with the poetry books when I moved to the library. It’s been fun to revisit the persona poems from the points of view of everyday objects like gloves, washing machines, kites, a mosquito, and more! It’s a treasure.
I’d love to know your favorite persona poem or collection.
What I’m Noticing
My windowsill art this week is two-fold. I did a trio of tiny bouquets of snowdrops from the woods.
Then I clipped some dried basil plants into a thrift store vase the same week as I started basil from seed for this year’s garden.
26 Comments
Molly Hogan
Oh, lucky you to participate in that class! I’m going to check out the other offerings–thanks for the link! Your haiku is wonderful — “drained of pastels” is so evocative. I love garden artifacts and leave my gardens full of them through the winter so I can enjoy them draped with snow, coated with ice, etc. The birds love them, too!
Marcie Flinchum Atkins
Yes, I just cut a snippet of dried basil. And I left the dried black-eyed susans out for the birds.
JoAnn Early Macken
The persona poems class sounds wonderful! I found snowdrops last week, but I expect they are deep under snow now. I love the wistful tone of your “summer artifact.”
Marcie Flinchum Atkins
Man, oh man, I want some snow. We’ve had NOTHING.
Janice scully
I think Rebecca and Georgia are wonderful teachers. I like to write from the POV of things and see the world from its pov. I wrote a poem on a tape dispenser called “First Responder” that was published in THANKU: POEMS OF GRATITUDE. I think that would qualify as a persona poem.
Marcie Flinchum Atkins
They are wonderful! And I have THANKU at school. I will look at your poem again.
Tabatha
You’re a learner! I never heard of it before now, but I am probably a learner too.
Your windowsill art is lovely.
Marcie Flinchum Atkins
I highly recommend following Becca Syme for all things Clifton Strengths Finders as it pertains to writers. So helpful!
Linda Baie
I love that ‘brittle bud’, Marcie and I’ve had times at Highlights with Georgia and Rebecca – wonderful times with them & the others. Yes, used their books in teaching, too.
Marcie Flinchum Atkins
I would love to attend their Highlights workshop at some point. I don’t think I can make it work this year, but it sounds wonderful!
Carol Varsalona
Marcie, I read this earlier today and decided to add your Haiku Moments to my presentation to teachers to prep their students for Poetry Month. I am trying to give the teachers as many resources that I could provide during my keynote address (March 2nd). I am sure they will enjoy your haikus as much as I do. Your word choice for the above haiku takes the image of a brittle bud from the winter season to summer. Artifact is a great ending word.
Marcie Flinchum Atkins
Thank you, Carol! I appreciate it! Feel free to let them know about my newsletter and my haiku postcards. They are welcome to sign up for both.
Linda Mitchell
Beautiful haiku. Just love it….along with the noticing.
Marcie Flinchum Atkins
Thank you, Linda!
Denise Krebs
Marcie, that is exciting you were able to participate in the course. Thank you for sharing the link to Georgia Heard’s webpage and workshops. I would be interested in the form class, but I’ll have to save up. Haha. Your haiku, as always, is spot on. I love your use of the words–brittle, pastel and artifact.
Marcie Flinchum Atkins
Thank you so much, Denise!
Susan T.
Thanks for mentioning those classes, Marcie. They sound great!
I’m looking forward to regaining my pastels when spring starts. Love that line in the poem.
Marcie Flinchum Atkins
I’m soooo looking forward to the pastels!
Linda
I have taken several classes with Georgia and Rebecca. They are so supportive and encouraging! I agree with you, learning fills the well. : )
Marcie Flinchum Atkins
I so agree! They are lovely and encouraging!
Kay McGriff
Lucky you! I took a couple of classes with Georgia Heard years ago. They were awesome. I am enjoying your haiku and photos.
Marcie Flinchum Atkins
Thank you, Kay!
Laura Purdie Salas
I love the word “artifact” here. That does look like some fossilized treasure!
Marcie Flinchum Atkins
It’s so fascinating to me to find these little dried up buds so many months later.
Patricia J. Franz
I’m sitting with Desert Voices by Byrd Baylor and Peter Parnall. Baylor is my go-to when I want to hear the desert speak. I’ll take it with me this weekend to Tucson. I’m planning to write from within Saguaro National Park, listening in on the quiet conversations as spring arrives.
Marcie Flinchum Atkins
So lovely! Yes! Enjoy your trip. That sounds fabulous!