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Me From A to Z: Amateur Parodist, Blogger, Christian, David Davidovich, Evangelical Sans Trump Kool-Aid, Father of 3 Adult Children, Giraffe lover, Husband of One Amazing Wife, Iguchi Appreciator, Jester, Kindegarten Clear, Library Lover Muppet Man Narnian Optimist Poet Quintessential Worker RITA (Republican In Theory, Anyways.) Stonehill Fan Teacher U of I Parent - ILL, Voracious reader, White Sox Fan, Xenophile Yankovic Enthusiast Zoo Afficionado

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A Quote to Start Things Off

We have two lives; the life we learn with and the life we live after that.” ― Bernard Malamud, The Natural

Friday, January 12, 2024

Poetry Friday: A Winter Poem For Reluctant Poets


 Poetry Friday is being hosted this week by Tracey at Tangles & Tails


Today there was no school as there was a snow day.  All the snow reminded me of an incident from 14 years ago when I was teaching a unit on  poetry to my children when I was homeschooling them.  The original post is found here.

Each of my children wrote a poem, but my 8 year old at the time son was originally a little reluctant to write his. Before producing the picture poem below, he recited something like Winter, winter I hate winter.


Later when I had some time to myself.  I reflected on the incident and wrote a poem as if it was written by an 8 year old who did not want to write a poem.

It reminds me of something that P.D. Eastman of Go Dog Go, or The Best Nest might write.

Winter. Winter. Winter. Winter.

Winter is no fun.
Winter. Winter. Winter Winter.
Now my poem's done.

I say it's done
but Dad say no.
Who wants to write
when you can play in the snow?

Sledding, Skiing, snow ball fighting.
Winter's really quite inviting.
It's fun outside and in the home
but do I have to write a poem?!!!

Winter. Winter. Winter. Winter.
Now, my poem's done!

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I write this poem almost 14 years ago.  The youngest of the three children I was home schooling at the time is a senior now in high school.  I am working as a building substitute (a substitute teacher who works at the same building all year) at a middle school  I think of this poem from time to time when I encounter reluctant writers or winter activities.

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For more Poetry Friday click here.

Saturday, January 6, 2024

National Take a Poet to Lunch Day

 January 6, 2024 is Take A Poet to Lunch Day.  It was started in 1995 making today the 20th annual celebration of this event created by Professor Arnold Adoff. This link gives some good ideas of how to celebrate poetry on this day.  A few years back I found out about this day and wrote a poem to commemorate the occasion,


I Took A Poet to Lunch Today

I took a poet to lunch today

And there amid the verse

Our flow of thought

Was free and light

Not stifled, bland or terse


I took a poet to lunch today

And traded quip for quip

She scrawled a sonnet on her check

 And left it with her tip


If you can't take a poet to lunch today

Please don't wear a frown

We all write poems in our own way

And some just write them down.


A few years later I included the poem in a holiday poetry reading on my vlog.

Snow Kidding!

Snow Kidding!
These "kids" now range from 19 to 25

These Blogs are so 2025