A poem, A blog and My Mama

 Eleventary  is blog that I enjoy.  The blogger gives lists of 11 things- anything from food to books to favorite cities.  In the above post he writes about poetry.  He listed poems and authors he believes are a good place to start.

I copied his list.  Some of his poems I knew but many I didn't. I went to find my poetry books.  I paid a friend of mine (Thanks, Hannah) to put all my books in order, what a luxury, so I knew just where to find them.

Aside- When my sweet mama died, my brothers let me have most of her books.  They bring me great comfort.  I love reading words that I know she read.

I found Louis Untermeyer's book.  I don't recall ever looking at this before but I knew it was my mama's.  I opened to find this cartoon.

 And several articles about poets and even a cross made from a Palm Sunday palm that she saved.  I went back to the blog and found many of the poems he mentioned in this book.  What a sweet time I had reading them.  I wonder if my mother read those same poems?  I am choosing to believe she did.

What a wonderful legacy my mama left me.  I plan to read from this book on Mother's Day and savory and enjoy the gifts that she gave me.  I thank God for the wonderful mama he gave me.  When I get sad that I didn't have her longer, I am thankful for all the fun we crammed into the 38 years I had her, some folks don't even have half the fun we did in twice the years.  I am blest.

A poem for Holy Week

I got this from Desiring God. Enjoy!

How Awesome Is That Day to MeApri

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Ponder these words as Holy Week begins. You might consider using this

poem in your personal or family devotions this week:

How awesome is that day to me-
O day of hallowed history!
Set time in God’s determined plan
To sacrifice the Son of Man.
What famous work that day was done
By Jesus Christ, His Perfect Son!
The Second Adam, sent to save,
Humbly obeying to the grave!

How savage is that day to me-
O day of pure brutality!
When Christ, the Son of God Most High,
Was fiercely whipped and hung to die.
And O the horror of my sin,
Seen there in His appalling skin!
For God struck down- as meant for me-
The sinless One, at Calvary.

How precious is that day to me-
O day of purchased liberty!
In Him, a freeman now I live;
My sins, through death, did God forgive.
No wrath at length looms o’er my head,
But lovingkindness there instead.
His righteousness, my guilt replaced,
And Love, this ransomed soul embraced!

O awesome, savage, precious day-
‘Tis God the Savior on display!
What peerless, holy, gracious Mind
Would fashion such a Grand Design?

Kevin Hartnett works for NASA at the Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, overseeing the science operations activities of the mission. He was selected in 2003 from a thousand candidates as the “Poet of the Year” by the Fellowship of Christian Poets.

Poetry Month!

Thirty Ways to Celebrate National Poetry Month

How do you plan to celebrate?

Interesting poem

Science begins in brain;
Philosophy begins in mind;
Poetry begins in ear and mouth;
Religion begins in breath.

For science to say anything about life, it must experiment;
for philosophy to say anything about life, it must exhaust words;
for poetry to say anything about life, it must listen;
for religion to say anything about life, it must fall on its face.

Where science ends, philosophy begins;
where philosophy ends, poetry begins;
where poetry ends, death begins;
where death ends, religion begins.


By Allan Roy Andrews

I found this and I am still pondering it.

A different kind of poem

Could you do this? I plan to try. I'll share my efforts.

Get your poems ready for the 30th

A poem from a former post. I hope you enjoy it.

Your April 3 poem

My mama also loved Ogden Nash. Here is a poem of his.

The panther

The panther is like a leopard,

Except it hasn't been peppered,

Should you behold a panther crouch,

Prepare to say Ouch.

Better yet, if called by a panther,

Don't anther

Did you read some poetry today?

Our internet is out. I had to wait until Money got home with the mifi to get on.

Here is a poem for my mama! She loved Emily Dickinson.

Death leaves Us homesick, who behind,

Except that it is gone

Are ignorant of its Concern

As if it were not born.

Through all their former Places, we

Like Individuals go

Who something lost, the seeking for

Is all that's left them, now-

Get your poems ready!

I LOVE April. I really do.

I think April and October have the most beautiful weather here.

April starts with a really fun day.

I just love the word April.

It is my birth month- I don't just do birthDays.

And it is National Poetry Month. Here is the poster for this year's celebration.
Now remember that Poetry in my Pocket Day is on the 30th so get ready!

Here is more fun!

It's a holiday!

In these earlier posts You found out that I love poetry.Poem in your pocket day and Poems from my friends.

I saw from Twitter this morning that Today is National Poetry Day!

Here is another of my favorites

The Worm by Ralph Bergengren

When the earth is turned in spring

The worms are fat as anything,

And birds come flying all around

To eat the worms right off the ground.

They like worms just as much as I

Like bread and milk and apple pie.

And once, when I was very young

I put a worm right on my tongue,

I didn't like the taste a bit,

And so I didn't swallow it.

But oh, it makes my mother squirm

Because she thinks I ate the worm!

And here is one that Kaitlin has always loved

Singing-Time by Rose Fyleman

I wake in the morning early

And always, the very first thing,

I poke out my head and I sit up in bed

And I sing and I sing and I sing.

Do you have a favorite poem?

Guess what tune I am humming

With my tiny dabble into fun poetry this past year, my awareness has been raised about meter, rhyming etc. I found a blog about hymnic-meter and really enjoyed it.

I always did enjoy singing Amazing Grace to the tune of Gilligan's Island but never knew why the words fit.

Poems that were in my pocket yesterday

Thanks to all who sent poems and texts and emails for Poem in my Pocket Day.  Here are the ones I got back text:

Short. The most expressive poem today- money

The day is almost over. so I better hurry to get my poem in, I had a great day, I hope the swine flu stays away. I will sleep well tonight!  Purple Flowers by Kaitlin

Roses are red, violets blue, every one loves you and I do too  - ElizabethT

We are watching obama it makes me wanna scream- o mama! My shoes are pink and I hope they don't stink but it makes you think about how you can't make them shrink.  JeanieR

Ellen is the queen at making sweet, sweet tea, she keeps us all happy at CPC! She is such a special & Great friend, she'll pray for U, cry with U or encourage U to the bitter end.  CherylO  - Thanks Cheryl

We love the doctors at St Jude. The nurses there are never rude. We had some great news today. Still praying her cancer stays away.  MaxineD

Roses are red, violets are blue/ I hate finals. I've already had two/ only one to go then I'll be done /I'll be a lawyer, won't that be fun? / until then Lots of caffeine to get me through!!! KatyB

' Let us go there u and I where the evening is spread against he sky. Like a patient etherized upon  a table' J alfred prufrock by t.s. eliot  - Zach R

Roses are red

 violets are blue 

I don't know any poems so this one will have to do :)  lol

  ThomasM

Today to skool i drove the ford, it was so fun i was never bored. I hope the rain doesn't come to stay, it needs to go far far away. I can't wait till my brain isn't so busy and doesn't feel like its on a frenzy, Bee by MTD ( that rhymed as well!)

His glory is near me so softn'ing my heart that my vision is changing His love to impart  SusanP

Praise the Lord. spring is here! Lovely flowers soon appear.  The sun is high, no clouds in the sky I could really use a beer.   - KatieB  - she also said JK! thought I'd throw in a little surprise

My old boss and I used to do lots of haiku and this one's for you!  ElenaG

Sitting in arab, scared of the flu. Should I fly back to houma, don't know what to do  JennB

Poems are not my forte, but I had to reply right away, To remind you you're loved by your Father above and I hope you have a great day!  LisaC

5  foot 2 eyes of blue, my friend ellen is yur friend too!  Z

Rain Rain, go away... We have a practice game to play.  Lots to go over, running out of time. If we don't get better, I'll need a drink with lime. Shortstops a plenty with no one in right, will pitching hold up? We'll  find out tonight  Coaching Baseball- by ChrisR

Roses are red

 Poop is brown

Today is thursday and I am trying not to frown  by KimR  

and by email I received

We had a bird in our house last night
It gave us all a good fright
We worked together as a team
to get that thing out the door
It was harder than it may seem
to complete that unfortunate chore!

And it pooped in the house twice.
NOT nice!

Have a great day,
Love, Monica

 

Dear Ellen, there’s no tellin’ how happy you’ll be

When you read the poem in my pocket

No doubt you will shout with glee when you see

There’s a surprise of a locket in that pocket just for you, you see.  ReneeR

Thanks for all of those!  I sure had a fun Poem in my Pocket Day

What's in your pocket????

Today is National Poem in your Pocket Day l  How fun is that

I sent out a text today that said-  Today is National Poem in your Pocket Day, I know that you are thinking' no way', you should send a text to Ellen, to keep her day a jellin' or just to day Hey!  I'll post some of the fantastic results soon.  If you and I don't text and you want to send me a poem- email me- I'd love that!

Here are two of my favorites.  Enjoy

My Sister Ate an Orange by Jack Prelutsky My sister ate an orange, I'm astonished that she did, she swallowed it completely, she's a disconcerting kid. My sister ate an orange, first she chewed it for awhile, then digested it entirely with a silly sort of smile. My sister ate an orange, it's a novel thing to do, then she also ate a yellow and a purple and a blue.

The Little Orphan Annie

by

James Whitcomb Riley

Little Orphan Annie's come to my house to stay. 
To wash the cups and saucers up and brush the crumbs away. 
To shoo the chickens from the porch and dust the hearth and sweep, 
and make the fire and bake the bread to earn her board and keep. 
While all us other children, when the supper things is done, 
we sit around the kitchen fire and has the mostest fun, 
a listening to the witch tales that Annie tells about 
and the goblins will get ya if ya don't watch out!

Once there was a little boy who wouldn't say his prayers, 
and when he went to bed at night away up stairs, 
his mammy heard him holler and his daddy heard him bawl, 
and when they turned the covers down, 
he wasn't there at all! 
They searched him in the attic room 
and cubby hole and press 
and even up the chimney flu and every wheres, I guess,
but all they ever found of him was just his pants and round-abouts
and the goblins will get ya if ya don't watch out!!

 

Once there was a little girl who always laughed and grinned 
and made fun of everyone, of all her blood and kin, 
and once when there was company and old folks was there, 
she mocked them and she shocked them and said, she didn't care. 
And just as she turned on her heels and to go and run and hide, 
there was two great big black things a standing by her side. 
They snatched her through the ceiling fore she knew what shes about, 
and the goblins will get ya if ya don't watch out!!

 

When the night is dark and scary, 
and the moon is full and creatures are a flying and the wind goes Whoooooooooo, 
you better mind your parents and your teachers fond and dear, 
and cherish them that loves ya, and dry the orphans tears 
and help the poor and needy ones that cluster all about, 
or the goblins will get ya if ya don't watch out!!!

Do you text?

We are a texting family and I love it. One can send thoughts and questions and *other* things in a short sweet messages. Some folks say ' Why can't you just call?' Because if I am in Bible study and I know your husband is feeling bad, I can ask you without bothering the whole study if we can pray for him or if you made an "A" or got top performer of the month in your job and everyone else did not, you can send me a text and I can congratulate you without rubbing it in to those around you.

So speaking of *other*... Kaitlin and Marisa send me a text when they get to class every morning. Usually it is 'I'm at class, love you' Well that WAS what was usually sent but now we are on a bit of a different twist...poetry.

I have said here before that Kaitlin is very app to say " What is your poem for the day?" and she pursues you til you give her one.

Now several days a week I get poems. It cracks me up. Here are the 'unwritten' rules, usually 5 lines, must be what is happening now or today in your life or around you, and it must have a title. Sometimes I send a poem back to them. Sometimes I send them out to tell other folks what is going on with me that day.

Here are a few:

lollipops are really great. I am ready for summer break. We are learning about stars, I really like the movie cars. Don't you love my poem trait? trees in bloom by Kaitlin

There is no one at skool cuz they are they are all way too cool, But I will pass and they will be cutting grass. They will be sad that i will be the grad, but they had to be cool and go skip skool- Don't skip by MTD

Kaitlin's friend Jennifer has gotten into the loop and I got this one day from her: Raindrops falling on my cold head, but this is the weather the meteorologist said. so I am going home to get under the covers and hope there's a show on about star crossed lovers- smokers by J

A few weeks ago I sent this out I'm done with pt, I'm waiting on Marisa to meet me. Kaitlin will be done at noon, she will join us soon, then we can eat lunch at mt fugi.
I sent this to several folks including my brother, Charles. He sent me a text back saying that I had sent him a text I must have meant for Marisa. I told him " No, that was my poem for the day" I guess some folks are used to getting a poem :) "Oh, yeah" was his response. I asked him where his poem was? He said that he was reworking the poem he wrote last week before submitting it to the New Yorker. Yea right, Charles. I told him that I thought he couldn't handle how wonderful my poem was and he was scared to let me read his. Then I got a message that made me laugh out loud. "What is this poetry trash talk? Bring it on Emily Dickinson"

I got this from Charles the next day Ellen's Lament There once was a lady named Ellen, who at her brother was always yelling "How can you be so smart at the poetry art and I can't even count syllables?

I told Charles that that was good. He said that it was best he could do typing with one finger and parallel parking the car in heavy traffic. I laughed and laughed!

We always send our poems to Carl. I wonder what he thinks if he is in a big meeting and he gets a text and it is one of our poems. Does he smile? Does he show our poems around the room? ;)

Last Friday we all got a shock. Carl sent us a poem! I quit my job, will go hoboin, don't think I will seek places snowin, sorry I'm bzy don't want to make you dizzy, wild oats are for sowin. JK by Carl. I was stunned. Carl sent a poem. Also the way texts appear on my phone, all I saw was text from Carl and I quit my job. My heart and stomach lurched. I quickly read it and laughed.

A few minutes later I got this from Andrew -My jaw dropped, my heart stopped, I thought papa flopped until I saw the JK. Heart Attack .

So What is your poem for the day?

Valley of Vision

I am not sure who introduced me to The Valley of Vision but I am so thankful. Enjoy

The Valley of Vision

Lord, high and holy, meek and lowly,
Thou has brought me to the valley of vision,
where I live in the depths but see thee in the heights;
hemmed in by mountains of sin I behold
thy glory.
Let me learn by paradox
that the way down is the way up,
that to be low is to be high,
that the broken heart is the healed heart,
that the contrite spirit is the rejoicing spirit,
that the repenting soul is the victorious soul,
that to have nothing is to possess all,
that to bear the cross is to wear the crown,
that to give is to receive,
that the valley is the place of vision.

Lord, in the daytime stars can be seen from deepest wells,
deepest wells,
and the deeper the wells the brighter
thy stars shine;
Let me find thy light in my darkness,
Thy life in my death,
that every good work or thought found in me
thy joy in my sorrow,
thy grace in my sin,
thy riches in my poverty
thy glory in my valley.

Here is the link for a daily dose http://www.banneroftruth.org/pages/dailydevotion_detail.php?898