Poetry Heroes

Today is Halloween, and my students are filled with excited anticipating all the delicious treats they'll receive tonight. I'm filled with anticipation too, but I'll have to wait a few more weeks for my special treat because I'm going to NCTE for the first time ever! 

I'm especially looking forward to attending many of the poetry sessions.  Some of my favorite poetry heroes will be there, and I can't wait to see them.  After years of reading their books and blogs, getting to know some of them online, and following their careers, it will be a thrill to meet them in person. Here are just a few of the poets I'm hoping to meet.

Ralph Fletcher
I have heard Ralph speak twice.  The first time was over twenty years ago, after his first book of poetry Water Planet was published, and again about three years ago at a conference in Virginia. I love the conversational voice in his poetry.

Joseph Bruchac
I had the pleasure of interviewing him fifteen years ago for a magazine article. I love his stories and poems reflecting Native American traditions.

Jacqueline Woodson
I've been a fan of her books since I read Locomotion. I just finished brown girl dreaming and loved every word!

Naomi Shihab Nye
Love, love, love her work!

Most of all, I'm looking forward to meeting our own Poetry Friday folks.

Sylvia Vardell
Author of many wonderful resources for teachers including: The Poetry Teacher's Book of Lists and co-compiler of the popular Poetry Friday Anthology series.  I never miss one of her Poetry for Children posts because they are always filled with ideas and resources for poets, children, and teachers.

Janet Wong
She is an expert in finding just the right voice for each of her poems.  I have most of her books, but  my favorite is her first collection Good Luck Gold.   Many of my students love Behind the Wheel , and it's a great mentor text for encouraging boys to write their own poems.  Janet is also the co-complier of the popular Poetry Friday Anthology series.

Laura Purdie Salas
I "met" Laura online about ten years ago. I've followed her poetry career since then.  I'm so proud of her success, and it couldn't happen to a nicer, more generous person! She is an amazing poet who blends nonfiction and poetry in the most brilliant ways. If you haven't read a  A Leaf Can Be and Water Can Be , you must add them to your wish list.  I'm pre-ordering her next book in the series, A Rock Can Be which is due to be published March 2015.

Amy Ludwig VanDerwater
I'm drawn to the gentleness and sense of wonder in Amy's poems.  Her blog The Poem Farm is a fantastic resource for teachers and students. Her first collection of poetry Forest Has a Song is one of my student's favorites.

Irene Latham
Irene is a versatile writer of two novels, collections of  poetry for adults and a wonderful new collection for children, Dear Wandering Wildebeest. Her poems are filled surprising imagery sure to delight readers young and old!
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If you know of other poets attending NCTE, I would appreciate it if you would leave a comment. I don't want to miss the chance to attend their sessions.  I'm also looking forward to meeting many of my online teacher friends too, so if you'll be there I'd love to know. I'll be on the lookout for you!

The lovely Linda is hosting Poetry Friday over at Teacher Dance.

Happy Halloween!

Poetry Friday: Fly South!

Several years ago, I lived across the street from a community pond.  It was a popular rest stop for geese.  I would often wake up to the sound of them honking their way to warmer climates. I loved watching them fly over my house as I imagined the teamwork involved in such a long flight. The memory of them inspired this tanka.

 

 

 

 

               Fly South

Fly south geese go— soon

        the earth will be covered in
               ice and snow—it’s time
                      to leave for warmer winds so
                               go—before winter begins.
                                                                           
                                                                              -Linda Kulp Trout , all rights reserved.
             

 

Last Sunday, my husband and I went in search of autumn. The air was crisp, the sky was bright blue, and the trees were at their peak.  We didn’t see any geese, but we did see a gorgeous lake.  This picture isn't very good, but it helps me remember our early morning walk and this beautiful autumn scene.

Be sure to stop by Merely Day by Day where Cathy is hosting this week's Poetry Friday!