Poetry Friday: May 24, 2024
A Week of Artist Dates
Last weekend I had the immense pleasure to meet Aimee Nezhukumatathil at Politics & Prose. She did a book launch in conversation with Jason Reynolds for her new book Bite by Bite.
I loved hearing her read from her book. Afterwards, I got a chance to tell her how much World of Wonders meant to me during the lockdown part of the pandemic. I couldn’t sustain much attention, but I was able to read one essay from that book each day out on my porch in the spring of 2020. What a gift that was. I have given World of Wonders to more people than any other book. She’s also one of my favorite poets, so I was thrilled to be able to go.
I also got to attend the book launch for Hanh Bui, a local writer friend, at Scrawl Books. Her new book Ánh’s New Word has just come out and is dedicated to a teacher that Hanh had at a refugee camp when she first moved from Vietnam. It’s a beautiful book, and one that I know a lot of my students can connect to.
Haiku of the Week
cars rush by
walking bridge bursts with lichen
nature unhurried
Photo Taken: May 4, 2024 Woodglen Lake Park
Haiku Written: May 10, 2024
Poem as Picture Book
Last week, the Nevermores met via Zoom to do one of our quarterly “deep dives.” Because it was my turn to pick the topic, I chose “Poems as Picture Books.” Of course, Katey Howes’ beautiful work came up. We talked about A Poem Grows Inside You and Woven of the World.
This week, the kidlit world lost the immensely talented and kind Katey Howes. I know many of you in our Poetry Friday community were close friends with Katey. I only got to meet her once, last fall when Pennsylvania featured A Poem Grows Inside You as their book represented at the National Book Festival. My heart goes out to all of you that lost a close friend. I’m so terribly sorry for your loss. And my heart goes out to her children and husband and other dear family members and friends.
Woven of the World has been on my “poem as picture book” list since it came out. I hope you’ll seek it out, along with Katey’s other beautiful books.
by Katey Howes
Illustrated by Dinara Mirtalipova
Chronicle, 2023
This is a 350-word rhyming text about the history of weaving.
Poetry Connections
- Onomatopoeia
- Rhyming
- Alliteration
- Word choice (specificity)
Links
Grow
I’m still working on my productive meditation walks. I filled up an entire 48 page field notes notebook (don’t be too impressed–they are only 3×5 inches) after just 2.5 weeks of trying this exercise. I have found it most helpful for brainstorming–especially story problems, poem ideas, and picture books.
22 Comments
Denise Krebs
Marcie,
What a treat to be able to enjoy the new books of these two authors. I have been spending time checking out books on the Libby app from these new authors you have introduced me to. (They are all new to me!) I’m sorry for Katey Howes’ family. She was too young. I’m going now to read some of her books and _World of Wonders_. That lichen is so interesting. I usually have seen it in the desert, and it’s much flatter, stuck on rocks.
Marcie Flinchum Atkins
Yes, lichen can live almost anywhere! Pretty amazing.
Tracey Kiff-Judson
Interesting to see red flowers on lichen! Thank you for the recommendation of World of Wonders. I am getting a copy soon! I didn’t know Katey, but I have read Woven of the World. It is a beautiful book on many levels. My heart goes out to her family.
Marcie Flinchum Atkins
Yes, much love to her family and dear friends.
Rose Cappelli
What a wonderful opportunity to hear Jason and Aimee together! And your haiku and photo are fabulous, as always. That lichen looks like a little forest of cherry trees. And thanks, also, for honoring Katey with her beautiful book. Her passing leaves a hole in my heart.
Marcie Flinchum Atkins
Sending you lots of hugs, Rose! xoxo
Laura Purdie Salas
Fat like in photo is amazing, and I love it paired with your haiku. I wasn’t a close friend of Katey’s–Just met her personal times and crossed paths online regularly. Such a loss, and so young. I haven’t been able to find any news stories about her death, and I admit it still seems unreal and nebulous to me. I’m glad she left a legacy of beautiful picture books…
Marcie Flinchum Atkins
I just sent you Katey’s obituary via email.
Laura Purdie Salas
Mercy, autocorrect. *That lichen photo* and *in person a couple of times*
PATRICIA J FRANZ
Such a heart-wrenching coincidence that we looked at Katey’s books last week! I’ve spent the better part of this week chasing my favorite 22-mo old through the forest – not so meditative – yet filled with poetic images of his fisted bouquets…anything green! Salve for an aching heart.
Marcie Flinchum Atkins
Salve is right! But chasing a toddler inspires stories, I’m sure.
Linda Baie
Thanks for a nurturing post, Marcie, love that you wrote “nature unhurried”. Perhaps that is what makes it so good for everyone! I was sorry to read of Katey Howe’s passing. I never met her but certainly have loved her books. And, thanks for the other books you shared, too! Enjoy the weekend!
Marcie Flinchum Atkins
Thank you for all of your lovely thoughts, Linda.
Michelle Kogan
Nature and those lichens have the right idea, slowing down, gorgeous haiku Marcie, along with the pic! Thanks for this rich collection of poetry and picture poetry books. Very sorry to hear about Katie Howes, sending thoughts out to her family.
Marcie Flinchum Atkins
Thank you so much, Michelle.
Mary Lee
The contrast between the rushing and the unhurried-ness in your haiku says so much. So does that photo — amazing!
I’m thinking I need to carry a notebook and pen when I walk! You inspire, as always.
Marcie Flinchum Atkins
Mary Lee–yes to notebooks. I’ll admit that I bought some capri pants that have pockets.
Linda Mitchell
oooooh….you make lichen look good. That’s not a compliment I give every day 😉 What a great post! I so love learning with and from you.
Marcie Flinchum Atkins
Thank you, Linda! xoxo
Janice scully
My condolences to all those who knew Katie, and a loss to the kid lit community. I haven’t read her books yet but I will soon. That lichen photo was astounding as I didn’t know they flowered. Such a contrast between a lichen and cars rushing past. Great post, Marcie. C
Marcie Flinchum Atkins
Thank you, Janice!
Janice scully
My condolences to all those who knew Katie, and a loss to the kid lit community. I haven’t read her books yet but I will soon. That lichen photo was astounding as I didn’t know they flowered. Such a contrast between a lichen and cars rushing past. Great post, Marcie.