Good day, friends,
I know many of us have been holding our breaths the past few days not knowing what is in store for our country. Darnella Frazier’s cell phone video evidence and a courageous jury changed the course history. The guilty verdict is accountability but justice is far off. Still, I am giving myself a moment with Danez Smith’s “little prayer” to “let this be the healing.”
Indeed, there is much work to be done. There is harm that can only be healed with systemic changes that cannot be made with one verdict. I turn to literature, to the poets, for guidance and begin by remembering. I invite you to read poet Terrance Hayes’s “George Floyd” and poet Lauren K. Alleyne’s “Post-Verdict for Trayvon” and poet Camonghne Felix’s “For Breonna.” And I invite you to listen to Audre Lorde read “A Song for Many Movements.” And I invite you to scroll slowly through these illustrations to “Know their names.”
If you are with students today, offer poetry to your students —it need not be about trials and verdicts. Let them choose from several poems, let them read and write in silence. No need for analysis or annotations or voice. Trust the margins and line breaks to let their hearts rest if they need and welcome writing if they are ready to process, to ask questions, to imagine what’s next. Let the poem do the work.
So now for today’s #VerseLove, our hosts have some ideas for you, but as is the Ethical ELA way, use this space as you need, write what is in your heart or on your mind, but do so with care. Thank you for being here.
Peace,
Sarah J. Donovan, Ethical ELA founder
Our Hosts
Brittany, Madison, and Sarah are from and went to school in Edmond. They all attend Oklahoma State University and are Secondary Education English majors. Madison spends most of her time reading manga and spending her money at Barnes & Noble. She’s a retail supervisor at Frontier City and sadly spends most of her free time there. A fun fact about Brittany is her heart is on the right side of her chest. She spends her free time reading, watching Netflix, hanging out with friends, doing sonic runs, and she likes to paint.One fun fact about Sarah is that she worked at Walt Disney World for a semester. In her free time, she enjoys reading and driving around listening to music. Another fun fact is that Madison and Sarah have been best friends since 7th grade, and both met Brittany their freshman year of college.
Inspiration
As we were discussing what to choose for today’s topic and poetry form, we thought about the idea of remembrance and remembering as it pertains to National/ International Holidays that humans have created. For example, other groups noticed April has a month, poetry, and an important day: Earth Day. This day of #VerseLove falls on National Chocolate Covered Cashew Day. The range of celebrations that we, as humans, participate in is vast and covers a multitude of different topics.
On day 9, we wrote haiku with David Duer, and on day 11, we wrote odes to a day with Scott McCloskey, so now that we are in the final third of the 30 days of poetry, we thought of combining these. A simple way (yet complex in its economy) of celebrating or summarizing a topic such as honoring something with a day would be a haiku-ode, so we chose that form for our project. Today’s poem is going to serve as a celebration or a tribute to different chosen days of celebration.
What days in your life will you celebrate?
Process
Today, we are going to celebrate or remember a chosen day through poetry form! In life, there are days that hold significance in our lives. There are holidays meant for celebration and joy, but there are also days of quiet remembrance and mourning. There are different birthdays, anniversaries, and holidays, but there are also days of mourning, remembrance, and awareness. There are days devoted to people, days devoted to events, and days devoted to objects or a specific type of food.
We are going to use a haiku to reflect on the different ways that we celebrate or remember our lives, as well as how we use holidays to celebrate: haiku-ode!
- Pick a day from this website: https://nationaltoday.com/ . You can pick any random day that sticks out to you, you can use today’s holiday (Happy National Chocolate Covered Cashews Day, by the way), or you can choose a holiday or anniversary from the calendar that you already know about and celebrate/ remember.
- Write a haiku (or a different form, if you have a preference) that celebrates and/ or remembers a certain holiday or anniversary from the calendar! Feel free to write multiple haiku if there are multiple holidays you want to remember or celebrate!
- Haiku follow the 5-7-5 pattern, with 17 syllables in total. The first line has 5 syllables, the second line has 7 syllables, and the last line has 5 syllables again!
- If you would prefer to get more creative with the haiku, feel free to use this list of ideas and different thought-provoking questions!
- First, compare and contrast different holidays! How do we reconcile the existence of both silly and serious specified days in our calendar? Does a multitude of different days lessen their impact?
- Similarly, you may also discuss a holiday that you yourself have made up, an anniversary your family remembers, or a celebration that is traditional amongst your peers but is not on any official calendars. Ask yourself: are there any holidays or anniversaries that we have made in our own minds for ourselves? Does your family recognize and anniversaries of grieving or holidays of celebration that are not nationally recognized?
- Finally, is there any day or event that does not have a national or international holiday, but that you believe deserves one? Present your case as to why this day deserves remembrance to your audiences. This can be an example from your own experience, or something that is widely known.
- If none of these options stands out to you, pick your own celebration or remembrance for your haiku to focus on! Or reject this prompt all together and write whatever is in your heart or on your mind.
Our Poems
Sarah’s Poem
Celebration:
Happy Buffet Day!
I will get a second plate,
to observe this day.
Remembrance:
The Day of Silence.
Quiet for those who are harmed,
for those that they love.
My Own Anniversary:
March 14th, 2020.
Just got fired by the mouse!
What a way to go.
Madison’s Poem
National Animal Crackers Day:
Animal Crackers.
A zoo you can munch on.
Plain and sweet, yet fun.
National Freedom to Marry Day:
Love is all around.
For those who are different,
and who are the same.
My Own Anniversary:
January 5th
A day that should be held dear.
My birthday, of course.
Brittany’s Poem
National Kindergarten Day:
A colorful room
Kids excited to
Start something brand new
National Look Alike Day:
Time to look the same
Grab your twin and have some fun
Fun for everyone
My Own Anniversary:
November 9th
A day that shattered my soul
When I lost myself
Earth day focuses on new life, growth, and nurturing Mother Earth. 6 years ago on April 22nd, my grandma passed away. I thought I could turn this *duality* of life and death into something poetic ❤️
Earth Day & Remembering Grandma
the decaying, dead
matter fuels seed to form stem
which punches through dirt
stem forms pink lilies
appearing weak and fragile
but how can it be?
It’s energized by
life of all who came before —
a symbol of strength
Rachelle,
I love how you combined these two things. Grandmas are the best. Beautiful poem.
Rachelle,
This is a poignant tribute to the circle of life. You have some strong word choices in this, ” to form stem
which punches through dirt” and “It’s energized by / life of all who came before.” Your grandma would be proud.
Rachelle, these dual events are linked throughout time, and now we get to experience them together in your lovely poem. The weak and fragile pink lilies in the middle stanza tie the haiku altogether.
indeed
Wow, Rachelle, I love what you did here. Isn’t it funny how we come to this space without a poem…and then MAKE one. Lovely.
Childhood Memory
I saw Katy’s dad
crying. It was April 4
1968.
A significant event that you wont ever forget. I think my psychology teacher called this a “flashbulb memory”Definitely a tragic day in American history
Allison, with just a few words you share a heartbreak that rocked the nation. Your poem is like a vivid photo from Life magazine. I think choosing a significant historical date and having students write about it like this would be very engaging.
Allison, there is so much child-like truth here. The assassination through the eyes of a child is centered on what was familiar and close at hand. I wonder more about Katy’s dad. Beautifully written and remembered.
Denise, Katy’s dad was a pastor. In the “flashbulbs memory” (thanks, Rachelle!), both her parents were crying. The TV was on. I didn’t know what was happening, but if a DAD was crying, it had to be pretty sad.
OMG. No words.
Allison — You brought back the tears and disbelief. That you chose the title “childhood memory” is so poignant… those eyes, those young eyes that could not unsee tragedy the to this day and all the days forward still hurts. You have such a gift, Allison, to bring us to our knees in so few words…in 17 syllables. I sure am glad you write and share here. Susie
This gave me chills. Wow.
Thank you for the inspiration Brittany, Madison, and Sarah. It was hard to pick the right day for what I am feeling today – trying to embrace my daughter going to school in Wisconsin.
International Sloth Day
Slowly accepting
the inevitable move
to a leafy branch
Heather — I LOVE this… even reading it aloud I found myself moving veeerrrrry sloooooowly. LOL! Susie
Wow. I like what you did here. The imagery works really well with the feeling you’re trying to convey. Thanks for sharing this piece today!
Heather, in celebration of Sloth Day is fun and ultra descriptive! Peace to you as you move slowly in this direction that seems difficult and hard to want to go in. However, I love your choice of words, that you and she are moving to a leafy branch–where there will be so many new areas of growth and goodness for her, and yes–even for you.
I’m so glad I came back and found this poem this morning! My grin is stretched across my face!
This is wonderful! I love the rhythm & the image & everything, really.
Hi Madison, Sarah, and Brittany,
I am a big fan of Haiku and since I didn’t write about Veteran’s Day last time, it seemed to be exactly what I needed today. Brittany, I would love to know more about November 9th. You should continue the story in Haiku.
Remember
November birthday
Veterans Day ‘63
Service and courage
Clock catches my eye
At eleven eleven
Almost everyday
©Stacey L. Joy, April 21. 2021
Stacey — How interesting to think about the 11/11. I’m 11/10. “Remember”… perfect. Susie
Growing up we always said Make a wish! if we caught the clock at 11:11. From now on, when I see 11:11 I’ll throw light your direction, friend!
Thank you, Allison! Everyone who knows me does the same. I even see it on my photo count in text messages… photo 11 of 11, on my receipts, on CNN eastern time, all over the place!
I love this! I must start hunting for 12:29 ;-).
I like your poem, Stacey! My birthday is August 2, and I always notice myself peering at the clock at 8:02 (which is exactly the time I’m writing this post!!). Numbers are cool that way—how certain ones stand out
Stacey, what a perfect poem about your birthday and remembering the service and courage of our veterans. I too always notice 11:11 on the clock and hope for peace.
The Work of Healing
Emmett, Breonna,
Michael, George… names cut in stone
‘cross this broken land;
each voice will echo
for all of time, never gone,
rising in a swell,
a blister lanced, gouged
open to drain the poison,
cleanse our nation’s wound;
shamed, naked, and scarred,
each hand must hold another’s hand —
the work of healing.
by Susie Morice, April 21, 2021©
I love the last stanza – “shamed, naked, and scarred,/each hand must hold another’s hand – / the work of healing” I hope it has begun.
Wow, Susie. This is wrenching. Your words don’t hold back. The poem demands that we don’t try to look away.
And then your end offers us the healing image of holding one another’s hand.
Beautiful work.
Thank you.
Susie, your poem carries so much power through the tactile sensory appeal and sound. Carved in stone and broken country immediately set the stage of the problems that are overwhelming our nation. The pain and injustice rising in an echo that will never end is riveting. Your image of a wound lanced is especially strong. The need to heal resonates. Thank you for this timely, powerful poem!
Susie, you have captured the hard work of needed healing here in your poem. That third haiku shows in graphic detail how painful it can be:
I love how each name is now “cut in stone” and each voice “rising in a swell”
It is a difficult path to healing, and I do want to stay in the fight, which I have been blind to for too long. As Anna said in a comment to me today:
God bless your heart and your soul! I needed this tonight. Today was rough. Tomorrow, my 7 in-person scholars come, and I have yet to get adjusted to being in my classroom this week. I just want to lie down in the corner. Your poem’s message is what has consumed me. If only I could hold their hands tomorrow.
?
National Student-Athlete day (April 6)
Let’s celebrate you
for you are entertainment
Bringing joy to all
Sports are our lives foundation
without you where would I be
showing off these good skills
I’m a proud athlete
it defines my character
full of ambition
this is who I am
athletic and strong and bold
possessing no shame
Tarshana, I love the positive power of your poem. I especially enjoyed your final stanza. “Possessing no shame” jumps off the page. It’s like seeing an Olympian on the block receiving their medal. Awesome poem!
Tarshana, what joy and commitment you bring to sports in these four haikus. The celebration of those who get to enjoy the sports is there, but more importantly your pride, skill, and your very identity in being an athlete is on display. I hope you have been able to keep competing/playing during the past year.
This is amazing! Sarah Donovan, I think Tarshana’s poem would’ve been perfect for the Rhyme and Rhythm anthology, don’t you?
The end is pure joy!
Indeed, Stacey! For the next volume! Tarshana, I started a project last year, on Student Athlete Day actually, to create an anthology of sports poems for high school students. It will be published in September! Your poem is a wonderful ode to the rhythm of an athlete.
Madison, Sarah, and Brittney, thanks for sharing such a fun prompt.
Second Saturday in July (aka Skinny Dip Day)
giggling delight
golden moonlight—sinfully
splashing in sea waves
Barb Edler
21 April 2021
Barb,
your poem makes me think I am in that very moment! I really enjoyed your very first sentence the most because it sets a good vibe
Oooo, Barb, that sounds so good! I need a skinny dip day! Whoohoo! Susie
I love this poem. I hear and feel every word.
Barb,
Living la vida loca! I love the alliteration in your poem.
Wow! I had to look up and see that indeed this is a real day! You have described it perfectly with so few syllables–each one chosen to express the joy and self-consciousness of skinny dipping.
A Series of Senryus for June 11, 2021
Every year I say
goodbye to all my seniors
at graduation.
Last year, I couldn’t
attend eight ceremonies,
only my own son’s.
This year I hope will
be better, but it isn’t
likely to be so.
On this Making Life
Beautiful Day in twenty
twenty one, they’ll go.
Into the future
with a graduation wish
to improve the world
will fly the sixty-
seventh graduating class
of South Salem High.
May they be hopeful,
with knowledge, experience
determination
and not just survive
but thrive in this raw era
of new beginnings.
Cara,
Your senryu poems are a wonderful ode to graduation day. Saying goodbye to our seniors each year is hard on us, but like the “mothers” we are, we make room in our hearts for the next incoming class.
Cara, oooh, I love your final stanza
I love how this is such a powerful message to follow the graduation details, a truly special day!
I feel this poem to its core ❤️ last year I wasn’t able to attend any graduations, so I felt like I didn’t get closure with the class; nevertheless I wish them well. I loved watching people setting up graduation outside my window.
Oh Cara, beautiful images here about the love and hope you have for your seniors. I love so much those last lines:
“This raw era of new beginnings” is a perfect way to describe where we are. May it be so, that your seniors and all the senior class of 2021 would thrive.
Thank you Sarah for your words today. I absolutely agree with you (and with what others have said through their poems today). This was an important moment, an important victory, but it is just a step in the right direction; many more steps need to come. And, on a lighter note, thank you Madison, Sarah, and Brittany for having us revisit two of our previous prompts! I decided to go “light” with them today by just being silly and then by complaining about the fact that it snowed in Michigan last night. It snowed. On April 20th.
_____________________________
Tomorrow’s Earth Day
surely should be every day
like Cheddar Fries Day
April, the cruellest
month according to T.S.
and the snow last night
I agree with both of your assertions–though April has been pretty lovely here in Oregon, we’re heading into an extended period of rain, but welcome to the Northwest. I like how you preserved the traditional turn of haikus, too.
Scott, I agree that the weather is crazy and April is more like an extended winter until it’s summer out of nowhere. Your pice allows me to understand your true meaning and I enjoyed every word.
Yeah, Scott — dang snow! Nuked the azalea blossoms. Boo hoo! Mmm… cheddar fries… that sounds good! Susie
I love writing Haikus, so you’ll have to forgive me for writing three. The first honors Shakespeare’s insults, then Chicago, then my dog.
Celebration Haikus
By Mo Daley 4-21-21
thou lily livered
bull’s pizzle, thrice-double ass
scurvy companion
an April snow fall
jolts us into Chicago’s
realm- no spring just yet
a dog In the lap
soothes a sad soul, comforts
more than a man can
Mo,
I love Shakespeare’s insults! You chose wisely with your words in that one. 🙂 I can relate to the pup in the lap haiku, too, as perhaps that will soothe the annoyance of the snow. Fun senryus!
Ha! Oh, my gosh this looks like fun to write…I want to go play with insults. Love “bull’s pizzle.” LOL.
Mo, I believe your first haiku is celebrating pirates. Love the language in it! My favorite is the last one “a dog in the lap” oh yes, such a wonderful comfort!
Mo — This just made me laugh out loud. The first haiku… LOL! Snow nailed me here in STL too. Doggy is the ultimate soother. Fun! Susie
Mi,
Ain’t this the truth!
Don’t tell my husband. ?
April 22, 2003 ~ April 22, 2021: Tomorrow my husband and I will celebrate 18 years of marriage. We never get one another anything for our anniversary. But, this year, thanks to Ethical ELA and Madison Burnett, Sarah Sanders, and Brittany Rubin, he will recieve this Haiku from me.
April 22, 2021
Eighteen years ago,
We had no idea of now.
But, here we are ~ LOVE!
Aaww happy anniversary, friend!!! I love that you’re gifting him your words hehe 🙂
This is a lovely gift of celebration! Congratulations to you both!
Donnetta — You romantic devil you! LOL! Sweet. Susie
This is a perfect gift! Happy anniversary!
First snow of winter
First flurries then full-fledged flakes
Wish mom were here now
Katrina, there are so many days that I would love for us to be able to have our mothers with us! Snowflakes bring a cold chill, and it shows me that you find warmth in your mother.
Thank you so much for this topic! I have been studying about the Sabbath, which is a weekly celebratory day, so here is a collection of a few haikus about the Sabbath.
Sabbath Haikus
He has called it blessed
A commanded gift to man
He said it’s holy
.
I finally stop
6 days, no hurry, comes to
Blessed rest in Him
.
Speak rest and worship
.
Ode to the Sabbath
Slowly resting in His peace
Ordinary Life
.
No more performance
Just rest here my dear daughter
I’ll watch over you.
These are lovely, Bailey. I’m nt sure if it’s my current mood or your writing, but you make the idea of rest so appealing. I think the haiku form also helps to boil the Sabbath down to the importance of rest.
“GOAT Day”
‘But who?’
The man from Detroit,
The undisputed Rap God,
The real Slim Shady
‘But why?’
Voice for those without,
Living proof dreams can come true,
Unite black and white
‘But when?’
Make it his birthday,
On October Seventeen,
The Slim Shady Day
Jairus,
Great tribute to Eminem. This brings back some memories of listening to him w/ my son. The questions separating haiku are a perfect transition to each.
I must admit I didn’t understand the content until reading Glenda’s comment…but I really like how tight these haiku are. This is a fantastic ode.
April 21- Earth Day
We take what’s not ours
And force you to handle it
You can take it back.
Noah, the line “And force you to handle it” is so true. Wouldn’t it be nice if the Earth could take it back?
I like the duality of the last line…the way those words are said make all the difference.
A cool holiday:
National Cat Day
Is the best day fore Phoebe
We praise her all day
A birthday we will always remember:
It makes me sad
When I realize you aren’t here
It is your birthday
A special day:
The day I met you
I will never forget it
The best day ever
Celebrating the man of my life (My dad’s birthday Jun. 25)
He takes great care,
His great love to give to
Others around him
Ladies, wonderful job on the prompt! I had so much fun going through the National Today website!
National Telephone Day:
I look at my phone
so many years have gone by
no one ever calls
My favorite holiday:
Eating lots of treats,
Scary movies on all day,
I Love Halloween
My own poem:
On March 5th, you left the world.
No one ever knew
That you would live on through me.
These are about holiday birthdays and how they kind of aren’t so great.
This is my birthday
Christmas is my greatest curse
These dates are lonely.
Friends are with the fam
I am with the holiday
Together at last
My thoughts are with me
My only lonely boredom
Hope this day ends quick
It’s not supposed to be sad, but it sort of came out that way
Xyouaxee,
I enjoyed your poem. It did have a sad vibe to it. I don’t have a Christmas birthday, I can sympathize with the loneliness one might feel, not being able to spend time with their friends on their special day.
I love this prompt you guys!
April 10th – National Hug Your Dog Day
The best day has come
it’s time to hug my best friend
and give him some love!
Michelle, I love your haiku! My favorite thing to do when I come home from Stillwater, is to immediately hug my dog. So, I love that there is a day for that. Thank you for your haiku!
National No Shame in Showerless Writing Day
silence in cursors
sits a body still unseen
waiting to be cleaned
Now that’s a haiku! Syllable count is dead on and the image is great. The repeat of the S sound is a great thread for those first two lines. Best part: I’m guessing you made up the day and it’s perfect!
Sarah,
Hey, we’ve all been there. Love the rhyme in clean/unseen. Just don’t get downwind from us!
Yes, Sarah, I am with you – three days of three hour webinars after work hours with shared documents in which I have been an anonymous platypus, an anonymous ferret, and an anonymous moose, silent in the cursors. I love this feel of being able to be present in silent ways that allow us to be a bit more …..comfortable and relaxed…:)
Hey hey if this is a place for honesty, these days occur way too often for me. Love it.
Ahhh, Sarah, this is funny. I was right there with you… “sits a body still unseen” … a shower less writing day. Fun! Susie
National Telephone Day:
The sound of the phone
Notifying me clearly
I have to answer
National Picnic Day:
Wind brushing my face,
Birds are flying and chirping
While I eat my snacks
Garin, I just adore your picnic poem. I must say your phone poem makes me want to write a National NO Phone poem though!
National No Dirty Dishes Day
It is time to clean!
Grab your scrubbers and Clorox
Clean for love of “them”
Sarah,
Cute poem about dirty dishes. I guess I have to do my dishes the day before so I can wake up to No Dirty Dishes on that day! 🙂
I wrote about three random days that are significant to me / my family!
Metaversary (March 21)
I tried the wrong door
but it turned out to be right
thank heavens for pho
July 20, 1969 (Dad’s Birthday)
History was made.
With one giant leap from space,
Dad made his debut.
Halfmas (June 25)
Sporting Santa hats
we deliver halved cookies
and sing skewed carols
These are great, Rachel! I can tell you had a great writing these and I’m happy you chose my friends and I prompt! I love your halfmas one! 🙂
These are amazing Rachel! I love your one about your dad. It is so wholesome and sweet! Thank you for participating in our prompt.
Rachel, I love all three of these! Your family seems to be a lot of fun. I am drawn especially to the one about your dad . . . to share his birthday with that event is cool. My favorite line of all is
Rachel,
I truly enjoyed you three different “ode” haiku poems. However Metaversary really hit home the most. You never know when a “wrong” door will turn into something “right.”
Ode to my Cup O’ Joe
Coffee rich and bold
Coffee hot, strong, waking up
Coffee keeps me sane
Coffee brings such joy
Coffee dates shooting the breeze
Coffee keeps me sane
Coffee feeds my soul
Coffee keeps orange off me
Coffee keeps me sane
Coffee my dear friend
Coffee is my happy juice
Coffee keeps me sane
Coffee my coffee
How I love and adore you
Coffee keeps me sane
This is definitely the haiku for me! I love the repetition of it “keeps me sane” and of course I couldn’t agree more!
Oh, I know so many people that would love and exclaim “Me, too!” to this haiku. So fun and so true. I love coffee but had to switch to tea by doctor’s orders. But, I must confess that I do give into my happy juice about every ten days.
I love this DeAnna! Coffee is definitely something I cherish as well, so I very much relate to the poem you wrote. I’m so happy my friends and I could have a little impact on your life today <3
DeAnna, I love your poem! It is so relatable! Thank you for participating in our prompt!
What an outstanding ode to coffee!! All of the different situations that coffee is a part off . . . you nailed it. I especially love
Though, as you well know, I am not a coffee drinker, I am grateful for it for you since it keeps you sane. <3 Fun senryus!
Love the repetition of the line “coffee keeps me sane” it’s clearly the constant in your day that you rely on ☕️ I love the vibe and the rhythm of this poem. I feel more energized ?
I so love this prompt! I wanted to keep scrolling through the days and keep writing; I’ve settled for three 😉 Saving this to do with students one day. Thank you for this invitation!
Sister’s birthday – National Picnic Day/April 23
Let’s grab a blanket
sandwiches and fruit and drinks
let’s enjoy the sun!
Valentine’s Day
Celebrating me
on the day reserved for love
I feel like magic
Becoming a mother
Bright pregnancy glow
thirty plus hours of labor
rushed into C-section
I love that the last line is “I feel like magic.” What a wonderful part to end on and definitely makes me remember that the holiday can be nice.
I love the days you’ve chosen – this feels like a celebration of life! (Also I’ll have to remember to celebrate National Picnic Day this Friday!! Enjoy yours!)
Hi Britt! Thank you for appreciating and taking note of the prompt for your future students, that is such an honor! I really enjoy your different poems that you have written, particularly the Valentine’s Day one. From reading this, I can see that this holiday has become your own. The day of love, usually reserved for romantic love, is changing into a day of love for all. I love that this is both an established holiday and a holiday of your own. And WOW that last line “I feel like magic.” I love that, and I think that it sums up the Haiku so perfectly. Sometimes, less is more. Thank you for your thoughtful response!
These are all great, Britt! I especially love your Valentines Day one as you made it entirely your own. I’m so glad that you liked my friends and I prompt. Thank you so much for writing these great poems for us today <3
Ode to….
To Galentines(February 13, every year)
Chocolate and movies
That is the best thing to have
Chilling with my mom
To Paczki(February 16, 2022)
A sweet treat to eat
Desert is before diner?
But desert is last
To Milkshake day(July 26, every year)
I don’t drink milkshake
But this is my birthday day
I’ll try it today
Love Galentine’s Day one – I need to make it a celebration with my mom since we celebrate her giving me life the very next day 😉
These are great Chloe! I love your Galentines Day poem. It’s very thoughtful and I know it means a lot to you! Thank you for writing these poems for us today! 🙂
Wow, Chloe! You are a haiku master. Galentine’s Day is my favorite. I’d love to hang with my Mom.
Great job today, Brittany, Madison, and Sarah. It’s refreshing to know such wordsmiths are going into English education.
I had my lifelong friends on my mind so I wrote my haiku-ode about our friendship as a whole with a stanza for each person.
A Haiku-Ode to the BFF BQs
In honor of National Best Friends Day
June 8, 2021
friendship is our bond
years pass at times with no contact
we pick up where we left off
each of us unique
some bonded closer than others
living our own lives
when we get together
it’s like no time has passed at all
things are always easy
multiple marriages
both kids and grandkids born
support during loss
different towns and states
some living where it started
road trips to see others
group texts and Snapchats
keep us updated and close
filters crack us up
we all are so different
all body types and personalities
yet we along
TT empty nester
up for going anywhere
Instagram is her vibe
Goo the nurse works hard
both married boys live nearby
she loves watching Lexi
Amber newly married
true love sure looks good on her
hot looking grandma
HolRo’s young love lasted
she had kids in three decades
her family is her life
Steck circled back to Kevin
she left New York and came back our way
fashion and singing queen
CinCar lives the life
her homes warm and inviting
so many things she’s done
SueHutch overthinks
memories don’t escape her brain
she’s busy with her kids
we all have our lives
things to do and places to go
times we are apart
as we grow grey hair
and life presents its many detours
we remain lifelong BFFs
there for each other
supporting through thick and thin
friend forevermore
~Susan Ahlbrand
21 April 2021
Omgosh I love this so much – I want to write one about my friends too now! What a special treasure to have such a tight-knit group of friends bonded over years and miles. Beautiful ode!
Susan,
I hope you share this marvelous tribute w/ each of your friends, but they’ll probably cry!
This is so sweet! I’ve had the same best friends since elementary school, and I hope I can write a poem like this about us in a few more decades. 🙂 So fun to see where life takes everyone, and so sweet that you have stayed connected all through the way. I think this one was my favorite: “group texts and Snapchats / keep us updated and close / filters crack us up”
Susan, your haiku is so creative and sweet. I love the tribute you have given to your friends here. It is truly touching and I can see how close you are to them through this. Thank you for enjoying our prompt and participating in it.
Susan, what a beautiful tribute to your friendship! This reads like snapshots, readers’ eyes moving from picture to picture. What a blessing friends are – I love this best:
years pass at times with no contact
we pick up where we left off
Thank you, Brittney, Madison, and Sarah! I needed to write about yesterday’s historical verdict – I guess this is a ‘haiku-ode’ to Darnella Frazier!
Darnella Frazier
celebrate her ev’ryday
by living courage
power within filled
her soul, blessed with bravery
despite four police
such integrity
what she saw, “It wasn’t right”
quick thinking with phone
public safety must
mean inherent dignity
of all humankind
to create this change
be alert like Darnella
heart first, justice first
this is the power
we all must invite and heed
for transformation
Darnella Frazier
celebrate her ev’ryday
by living courage
This is great, Maureen! I’m so glad that you liked my friends and I haiku-ode poem style. I love the way you took it and it’s a great way to spread awareness!
Beautiful ode to an incredible and brave person!
Maureen,
This is so very important. W/out Darnella there’d surely be no conviction. Is this what it will take to get real change? Someone must always record the interaction w/ police to get justice? I think those body cams must have audio, too. I love the idea of “living courage.” That’s what all must do, like Darnella.
Yes, Maureen — I so love this poem…these haiku-ode lines… What a strength and a horror this girl has. No one should see what she watched…”wrong” indeed. OMG… just thinking about this rattles me to the bone. “living courage” — YES! Thank you for this strong poem tonight. We need a lot of poems like this. Susie
In India today they celebrate Ram Navani. I researched it a bit and wrote these haiku. Sounds like a beautiful and meaningful holiday.
Three Haiku for Ram Navani
By Nancy White
It’s Ram Navani
Ancient beloved ruler
Food for the hungry
Birth or Ram means peace
Light a lamp for the cradle
Make kheer for your god
New moon of April
Ganga jal, roli and aipun
Sprinkled as we sing
These are beautiful haiku, Nancy! I am not familiar with this holiday, and your poetry enlightens me. I must find out more! What a treasure of a holiday, with its food for hungry and emphasis on peace.
Nancy this is amazing! I love how you took our haiku-ode and made it your own. Great work!
I have never heard of Ram Navani. Now I have to research it as well. I really like the idea of “Sprinkled as we sing.” Joyful.
Nancy,
This is gorgeous. I I’ve how we can learn and transfer that learning to poetry. My favorite image is
Your poem is light, too.
Sarah – your buffet haiku made me laugh.
Madison – I adore your haiku about animal crackers, they’re my favorite to munch
Brittany – the anniversary haiku’s second line is so powerful
Thank you all for sharing and inviting us to write today. I have three haikudes. The first is my birthday combined with one of the holidays that occur on that day, the second is celebrate one of my favorite birds — just found out hummingbird day is the first Saturday of September, and the last is to celebrate my favorite flower — doesn’t seem to have its own day.
November 30
In a mason jar
gathering celestial
birth stars to wish on
Hummingbird Day
Zipper winged jewels
busy buzzing Saturday
short life celebrate
To the bushes in Pawpaw’s yard
Honeysuckle days
the height of summer sweetness
nectar dropped kisses
Amazing job, Erica! I’m so glad that you enjoyed my friends and I poems! Your poems are great! I especially love your hummingbird poem 🙂
Oh how I love the line, “zipper winged jewels” – I so love hummingbirds; they are a very rare sight in my yard. You have written three precious haikus about nature! Love this!
Erica!! Beautiful poems!
This one for your birthday captures you so well – MAGICAL!
How neat that you’ve woven these special days together this way. Lovely rememberances. I hope you make these words a gift for a loved one(s).
I run around my yard trying to get pictures of hummingbirds. I love “zipper winged Jewels.” I enjoyed the alliteration and onomatopoeia in “busy buzzing.”
I must thank all who have contributed to these prompts every day. It has been wonderful and a challenge to my mind that usually works with thoughts of the visual arts. Today’s prompt made me think of a tradition that has been getting lost between my friends and I.
Promises Forgotten
For thirty-five years
four friends gathered together
for birthday parties.
Called Las Rubias
a name for the blond women
sharing divers lives.
Now growing older
celebrations can be missed.
Dates are forgotten.
Just four times a year.
Are promises forgotten?
I miss my dear friends.
COVID first caused it
with the forced separation.
We weren’t together.
My birthday’s coming.
Is anybody listening?
Does anyone care?
We have missed enough
of our birthdays to be shared
and our fun, planned parties.
Who will reach out now?
Bring us back together for
a May fiesta.
Thank you for asking me, us to listen today, to witness this forgotten promise instigated by the menacing pandemic. I love the images of Las Rubias and hope a May fiesta in person or online can bring you together. Happy Birthday!
Sarah
Aww, Susan! We are listening! We care! I hope you are able to spend your birthday with your friends! Happy early birthday! 🙂 I love yalls name for yourselves “Las Rubias”!
Thirty-five years! Wow. That is quite a feat. No wonder you are missing these gatherings so much. Your long history together seems like it will be an anchor, and you’ll be together again. Happy birthday to you! I hope the blondes do get to have that May fiesta!
Susan, I’m feeling the same way about traditions and friendships. For me, it’s partially the virus, but maybe also a internal change is happening that is embracing the new and letting go of some of the old. I feel a bit confused by the world and myself! Great poem that causes me to think.
This is beautiful, Susan. This haiku-ode shows so much emotion and love. Amazing work 🙂
I hope you are surrounded by your loving friends for a May fiesta! You have had an extraordinary tradition – four dear friends getting together for thirty-five years?! Wow! That’s incredible. What meaning your next celebration together will carry! We have all missed out on so much, I fear celebrations will lead to tears – the joy of being together again.
It’s so gratifying to have a web host, like Sarah J. Donovan, who invites her students to join this collegial group and to lead us in writing in so many ways. We welcome you Brittany, Madison, and Sarah, and look forward to your continued participation here and in other spaces we professional educators gather to share and learn together.
Well, another challenge! What’s special about a particular day? Here’s mine.
What’s Good about Goodbye?
Euthanasia? Is that good?
Well, I never understood
Until sitting at her bedside
The day my mother died.
She’d been ill for years
Now, after gallons of tears
That day were nearly loud cheers.
Yes, we sang together that day,
To cheer her on her way.
“We’re prayin’ for you, Sis!”
Her brothers would say on the phone.
“Please stop, dear Bro. I’m ready to go.
I just want to go home!”
“No, not with you or even my kids.
I want to be with Mom and Dad
“Please stop praying. Just let me go.
Staying is making me sad.”
So, we stopped praying for her to stay.
The doctors pulled all the plugs.
We stood at her side that day as she slipped away,
Wiping our eyes between wondering hugs.
Euthanasia can be good when we do what we should.
Let go and let God transition those
That our love would hold if we could.
Instead, let’s plant a remembrance rose.
In a poem this time, not in prose.
Thank you for sharing this beautiful remembrance poem about your mother with us, Anna.
I really love the way these lines are written, the personification of love <3
Anna,
My condolences, my deepest condolences to you and your family. I was triggered by the word “Euthanasia” – so clinical and charged with history and legality, but you, as you do with your signature dialogue, humanized this word, brought us alongside your loved one. And that last line, “In a poem this time, not in prose.” Beautiful.
Sarah
Anna, I love your remembrance rose in this poem. Beautiful. And like Sarah said your explanation of why it was time to agree with your mother. This was heartbreaking, but you made it understandable and important:
Beautiful poem about your mom and her last wishes—a good lesson about letting go. Euthanasia has such a stigma and harshness to it, but letting nature take its course is often the most loving act of kindness. My heart goes out to you and your family for what you shared in saying bye to your mom. She definitely knew it was her time. I love: “ Let go and let God transition those/That our love would hold if we could.”
Anna, this is great! I’m so happy that you enjoyed my friends and I poems and you are writing one for us today! Thank you 🙂
Anna,
This is a bittersweet memory. Watching someone we love pass is so difficult and complicated by the decision your family had to make, but people know when they’re ready. A celebration amid sadness is a paradox. It is joyous when a loved one has a chance to say those final farewells.
Such a heartbreaking time and decision…I love your last line that chooses beauty this time over practical. Peace to you.
A World Called Justice
cop could be sent to prison for decades for killing George Floyd
turned cop in prison for decades for killing George Floyd
turned cop on trial for killing George Floyd
turned cop has killed George Floyd
turned cop has arrested George Floyd
turned George Floyd is still alive
turned cops are never called over a counterfeit bill
turned appropriate parties help George Floyd
turned George Floyd continues to raise Gianna
turned George Floyd continues to breathe
The world will be just
when cops are not able to
take black life away.
Breathe, Ma’Khia
breathe, Daunte
breathe, George
breathe, all.
Angie,
Thank you for your strong words and the imagery brought forth in the anaphora of “turned.” I wonder what it felt like for you to write this. I wonder the feeling in your body and the way the words moved onto the white space. I imagine this was cathartic to write.
Sarah
Angie, I’ve read this so many times now. I keep thinking of turning back time and restarting this whole country in a different way. Turned, turned, turned.
Your poem a moment in time when the police wouldn’t have been called and George could have gotten the help he needed. He could still be with Gianna and breathing. Yes, indeed:
The way you wrote this life story going backward really got my attention. So painful, again. I heard another was shot yesterday as the Floyd verdict was coming in. Yes, we all need to breathe before we take an action.
Great use taking us back through the word “turned”. Would love if it turned out it was all a bad dream! That no black lives were lost. That there was never a time of racial brutality. But for now, we breathe. We hope. That the hearts that hold on to generations of injustice and inequality be turned to good.
Those last four lines are breathtakingly beautiful, yes, yes, yes. Thank you for this powerful poem.
Hi Angie! Thank you for your insanely thoughtful and beautifully written tribute to George Floyd and your outpouring of emotion for Black lives lost. I really appreciate that you were able to take our prompt and write it about a day in history that we weren’t even aware of when we wrote the prompt! If we had known that such a remarkable moment in history would occur before, we definitely would’ve included it. Thank you for giving this aspect of history a wonderful tribute. I got chills reading the “Breathe” lines. Thank you for your response!
The names at the end…those names and so many more. Thank you for spelling them out with George Floyd.
Thank you for this prompt. Your creations are fun. This is an ode to a special day for me which comes on Oct. 15th.
White dress, butterflies
We dance with love and eat cake
Moment life began
Eric,
I adore this snapshot of your day and the lovely imagery I see in the first line blending the white dress and butterflies. Love the “s” consonance here.
Sarah
Wow, what a beautiful picture of your wedding day.
I love every bit of it, but this line made me smile the most today:
This haiku is so light and sweet — I love the second line especially
I love this Eric! I am so happy that you chose to write a haiku-ode about such a wonderful day. Amazing work <3
Eric,
Wonderful poem!! I can only guess this celebrates a wedding! Beautifully done. 🙂
In keeping w/ the haiku spirit and to process the verdict I wrote this.
Some Justice
The jury box sits
Empty after the verdict
Granting some justice
This time. How can we
Find peace in carceral
Systems discarding
Black lives, their futures
Behind vertical steel bars,
In horizontal
Racks where no waking
Morning son arises to
The new day promise?
—Glenda Funk
Profound question. This time…I am hopeful change is coming, a long time coming…
chilling language here. powerful.
“some” justice, yes.
You have told the truth here:
That is really wrenching, and as I’ve heard some say today–many are still nervous to encounter police, and encounter black and blue nightmares when they are home (as Stacey wrote about last week). It’s just some justice this time–but Floyd has lost his life, so has Ma’Khia Bryant, and so many more.
Thank you for the powerful questions you ask here, Glenda!
Glenda,
Thank you for what I think may be the most important stroke in your verse. The question mark. Indeed.
Sarah
This is absolutely amazing, Glenda. Remarkable things have happened and I’m glad you have chose to write about them with our poem style <3
Those words – ‘no waking/morning sun arises’ – oh, such sad truth. May this verdict be a line of ‘before’ and ‘now/forever’ – we see a police officer as a murderer, we must transform public safety. Thank you, Glenda!
Glenda, had to look up “carcereal”, so thanks for helping to extend my vocabulary. The lines that strike me are the way you use lines in your lines.
Black lives, their futures
Behind vertical steel bars,
In horizontal
Racks where no waking
Morning son arises to
The new day promise?
As a Black woman, this has been a constant question, some days more pressing than others.
Can you imagine how difficult it has been for people of color to “say” the Pledge of Allegiance every day in school, while wondering whether or not their fathers, brothers, sons, and male relatives, especially, would come home from work or school, sleep and arise to a new day…without the same worries? Everything we look in the mirror, we see someone who is hated and or feared.
If it were not for groups like this, few of us would have made it through this past year with COVID and Chauvins loose.
Glenda, this question of finding peace is one that I keep thinking about – I think particularly of a book entitled Between the World and Me by Coates, and this has me reflecting on the lack of peace he describes in the book – the need for 360
Degree awareness 24/7. I think peace and safety in the every day would be such a blanket of comfort in our world – and I am thankful for your words today as we think about the unrest that we seek to rid. This is what I keep coming back to that I find so deep and sobering:
How can we
Find peace in carceral
Systems discarding
Black lives, their futures
Oh, I hope so. I really hope this is verdict is a true turning point. Wonderful haiku to process.
Glenda — I so appreciate the question “how can we find peach in carceral/systems” … no fooling… it is such a broken system. “Some” justice … so much more must happen. I hope beyond all hopes that this verdict will bring major changes… law enforcement is one piece of the pie, but there are so many pieces to change…step by step, hand in hand. Thank you for this poem today. I really appreciate it. Susie
Sarah, thank you so much for your thoughtful message today and the links you’ve provided. Your thoughtful leadership is much appreciated!
Thank you Madison, Sarah and Brittany,
I enjoyed reading your fun facts and bios. Your sweet friendship is evident in the writings and photo you shared. Your haiku are sweet about so many tender and special days.
Brittany, my heart aches for you about November 9.
Madison, my favorite was your ode to your birthday, of course.
Sarah – I too celebrate Buffet Day with two plates. Funny!
I didn’t have any other celebration days surface today, except the one that is on so many of our minds.
Chauvin Trial Verdict Day
To our future, on
Accountability day
One small step forward
And may it lead to
Giant leaps ahead for a
More perfect union
We fly to the moon
But so far we can’t keep our
Creed to all people
Created equal
with rights–Life, Liberty and
Happiness-pursuing.
Keep laboring for
Liberty and Justice for
ALL–Self-evident?
Not yet, but coming.
George Floyd will be remembered
New wave of justice
Denise, I just read Sarah’s note and your poem is a wonderful reflection of the rights we all need. I sure hope there is a “New wave of justice”. Love the way you structured your poem with the haiku format. “Keep laboring”…yes! Thank you!
Denise,
So many share this desire for a “new wave of justice.” I’m holding my breath for the verdict. I still remember Brock Turner. And I think we’re on the same wavelength w/ our approach to poetry today.
Yes, it on our minds today. My first thought when I saw your comment was wait, did Glenda miss something. But you mean sentencing, true? And oh, my goodness, I hadn’t even thought of that and Brock Turner’s measly sentence. OK, now I will hold my breath for the sentencing too.
I love how you weave in the Constitution “Creed” into this profound statement for today. Here’s hoping there is a new wave of justice coming.
I’m so happy that you enjoyed my friends and I fun facts and poems! Remarkable things have happened and your poems displays that wonderfully. Thank you for taking to write this poem <3
Denise, this haiku jumped out at me –
This is the painful truth. I hope that we are making a real crack in today’s system of justice, through this verdict, and will unite to create a better way for all.
Denise,
I simply wanted to say thank you for your wonderful poem.
Thanks for the optimism of this poem, Denise. I must stop reflecting on history, start enjoying the present, and have faith that those who joined the protests that brought about accountability yesterday will stay in the fight to to have laws AND practices that effect justice for more and more men and women of color each month until, God willing, we eventually have justice for ALL.
Denise, I am so glad you enjoyed our poems and your comment about our friendship is so sweet! Thank you for your comment about my poem in particular. Your poem is so powerful and relevant. Thank you for sharing it with us tonight.
Denise, I love the way you take familiar lines and phrases and shape them into your verse today. This is creative twisting that is spun into a whole new work of creative art!
Wonderful haiku…a hard topic but the question at the end is so thought-provoking. I’m also hoping for a new wave of justice.
Thank you, Denise. Your poem echoes my own thinking and concerns… so much work to do. The “more perfect union…”creed to all people”… so many promises and so many broken. I, too, hope for a “new wave of justice. Susie
I wrote found haiku from the news this morning:
A rare conviction
exception of exceptions
It’s about time.
Blue wall of silence
crumbled with the weight of death
Attention lingers.
True justice requires
necessary thankless work
We believe in US.
Margaret,
This was one of the best parts of the trial for me, seeing so many police officers speak up to this not being right:
How could it not have crumbled, but still thankful it did.
I also love the last line with US as us and U.S. Simple, clever, meaningful.
Margaret, Your last stanza resonates as well as “Attention lingers” . Your opening haiku, sets the stage well, and the final “We believe in US.” leaves a tone of hope, I believe, but there is so much pain in your poem and in this world. Thanks for your poem!
Yes! Margaret, it is a day of hope and relief. A rare conviction indeed and I pray that this is not an exception. My daughter works for LAPD and told me how everyone was on edge yesterday preparing for riots. The police department has been so demoralized by finger-pointing and the brutal death of Floyd. This conviction has brought me hope for changes in policing and the justice system in our USA.
I really love the idea of a found haiku. When I read yours, I started looking at headlines too. Lot’s of good ones. The one that struck me most was the wording in the verdict could send him to prison for decades, not will, could. Sigh.
Beautiful haiku, Margaret. These two lines are so poignant –
Thank you for this poetry today!
Hi Margaret! I appreciate your thoughtful response to our prompt today! I love the lines “Blue wall of silence” and “We believe in US.” What a good reminder of the hope we are able to have after the verdict. I hope that we get to continue to keep it. Thank you!
Margaret, what a poignant ode to a monumental day in our nation’s history. This is so rich with imagery:
Blue wall of silence
crumbled with the weight of death
There is satisfaction but you remind us we are yet far from peace.
This is beautiful…and what is so moving is that we all know the subject of the article without seeing it because your haiku brings the issues right up front. A wow, for sure. I hope you share this with a broader audience as well.
Margaret — I love the borrowed lines from the news today. This is a good way to voice the heartaches and the hopes from the conviction…it won’t bring back George Floyd, but it was absolutely necessary. Your poem falls right in line with where I was today. Susie
Brittany, Madison, and Sarah,
Thank you for hosting us today. Buffets, Kindergarten, and animal crackers – you have my heart here in each of your poems.
Bullied
Ugliest Dog Day
Meaner than a Junkyard Dog
on a Three Dog Night
Fun combo of songs!
Oh, my, I saw that it was Bull Dog Day. What a lovely ode to the Bullied Bulldog! Clever haiku, Kim!
Kim, your title is perfect for this haiku. I can hear all these tunes. Love it!
Kim,
LOL! Now I have “Bad, Bad Leroy Brown” playing in my head. Next it’ll be “Joy to the World.” ?
Kim, what a fun haiku. Perfect title.
Kim,
So not where I thought this poem was going when I read Bullied as the title. I enjoyed your use of song titles to create this fun Haiku.
Thank you for your comments, Kim! Your haiku is so creative! Thank you so much for writing it!
That’s cool! Three song night!
Kim — I read this first thing this morning, and I loved it then and love it now. “Bullied” — whoof. Perfect haiku… and Love the music in this! and the strong attitude! Susie
Good Morning writers, thank you Sarah, Madison & Brittney. What a fun prompt. I love haiku…that perfect word and syllable count. Your poems are a little peek into your lives and friendship. Thank you for bringing us readers in.
My mom passed away in July, years ago. Every July, I say the full moon is hers.
just beyond the trees
ever the watchful huntress
summer’s moon is yours
“Summer’s moon is yours” Love this small tribute to your mom.
Ah, Linda, what a lovely poem and reminder of your mom each summer. Watching for the moon, just beyond the trees. Lovely.
Linda, I love the image here…I’m sorry for you loss. I can feel the yearning. Such a beautiful and poignant poem! Hugs!
Linda,
This is a lovely, haunting haiku. Peace to you.
A true haiku, Linda! Love the description of your mother as “watchful huntress” <3
That’s beautiful. I love the allusion to Artemis as well and gifting your mom the moon in her honor seems so appropriate.
Thank you, Linda. Thank you for your comments about our poems. I relate to your poem, it is beautiful. My last poem was actually about my grandfather’s passing, every November I think of him more frequently and miss him so. Your poem about your mom is so beautiful and I thank you for letting us see it.
Hi Linda! Thank you for responding to our prompt with your own personal touch, what an honor it is for you to share something so meaningful with us through our suggestions! I love the introductory line “the full moon is hers.” What a profound introduction to your poem, and a continuation of the line “summer’s moon is yours.” Thank you for your words!
Linda — This is so touching. I love the image of the skies and the summer moon. A loving Mama poem… makes me feel the presence of my own Mama. Thank you for that. Susie