Welcome to Poetry Friday, everyone! I am excited and honored to host the roundup this week and to be offering up the next line for the Progressive Poem. As usual, I’m sweating it out and crossing my fingers, eyes, and toes that everything goes according to plan. For those of you new to Poetry Friday, welcome, and here’s a link to our weekly hosting schedule.
First…
Each day during April, I will write a poem-ish piece inspired by a word or phrase mined from the pages of Henry David Thoreau’s jewel-laden journals. I have left my challenge open so that the poems may take any form — haiku, free verse, borrowed line, blackout –and who knows which direction they will go in.
Day #24: Bird mnemonics
A peek at my process —
On April 24, 1852, Thoreau wrote in his journal, “Heard again (in the village) that vetter-vetter-vetter-vetter-vet’, or tchi-tchi-tchi-tchi-tchi-tchi-tchi’ very rapidly repeated, which I heard April 23d,’ and perhaps the same that I saw April 17th (described April 18th)? I am pretty sure it is the pine warbler, yellow beneath, with faint olivaceous marks on the sides, olivaceous above, tail forked, about the size of a yellow-bird. I have not seen the fox-colored sparrow for some weeks. Thought I saw a loon on Walden yesterday.” (The Journal of Henry David Thoreau, Journal III: September 16, 1851 – April 30, 1852, Chapter VII. 1852, p. 464)
As a certified Bird Nerd, I am fascinated by bird mnemonics, as Thoreau appears to have been as well. There are many entries in his journal that include his attempts at recording the birdsong that became familiar to him. I am learning to recognize birds both by sight and sound — birding by ear. I wish Henry were around to teach me a thing or two! Some of the phonetic interpretations I have been studying worked their way into an almost-list-like poem. To learn more, check out Wonderopolis.org’s “What Are Bird Song Mnemonics?“
And now for…
Our Poetry Friday family has launched the 8th annual Kidlitosphere Progressive Poem originally organized by author/poet, Irene Latham. Margaret Simon at Reflections on the Teche is taking over this year as the organizer. Many members of the #PoetryFriday family have signed up to provide a line for the 2020 poem, and now it is my turn! Dun-dun-duuuuuun!
Here’s where things stand with our sweet poem’s adventure thus far.
Sweet violets shimmy, daffodils sway
along the wiregrass path to the lake
I carry a rucksack of tasty cakes
and a banjo passed down from my gram.
I follow the tracks of deer and raccoon
and echo the call of a wandering loon.
A whispering breeze joins in our song
and night melts into a rose gold dawn
Deep into nature’s embrace, I fold.
Promise of spring helps shake the cold
hints of sun lightly dapple the trees
calling out the sleepy bees
Leaf-litter crackles…I pause. Twig snaps.
I gasp! Shudder! Breathe out. Relax…
as a whitetail doe comes into view.
She shifts and spotted fawns debut.
We freeze. My green eyes and her brown
Meet and lock. Time slows down.
I scatter the cakes, backing away
Safely exiting this strange ballet.
I continue the path that winds down to the lake.
Missing my breakfast for beauty’s sake
On Thursday, Ruth rather astutely noticed a lack of smell in the sense category. I’m going with…
But wait, what’s that delicious smell? (I chose this option because it leaves it open-ended which direction the smell is coming from. Ruth’s other option — But what’s that smell up there ahead? — was equally wonderful, but I believe lead to the shore of the lake. I wanted the mystery to linger longer!)
So I’m offering up to Amy Ludwig VanDerwater, the poem’s next host…
- Something familiar, I know so well. (Could be food or a spring flower. Our explorer is getting quite hungry at this point, but the “whispering breeze” and “promise of spring” make me think more floral. What say you, Amy? Fresh biscuits, pancakes, muffins, or an early spring flower?)
- Lily of the valley pealing her bells. (Going with personification and a near rhyme. The spring flower route is in honor of May Day, the day after our poem ends. It also plays around with scent vs. sound. We wouldn’t have the gorgeous scent if the “whispering breeze” didn’t make the bells “peal.”)
Now I turn things over to Amy at The Poem Farm. I can’t wait to see what she does while writing in Betsy the Camper. That’s where the magic happens! Scroll on down to the bottom, so you can see where the poem heads next week.
Thanks for joining me for this week’s roundup. Click the link and bring on the poetry, friends!
And here’s the itinerary for the final days of the Progressive Poem.
1 Donna Smith at Mainly Write
2 Irene Latham at Live Your Poem
3 Jone MacCulloch, deowriter
4 Liz Steinglass
5 Buffy Silverman
6 Kay McGriff at https://kaymcgriff.edublogs.org/
7 Catherine Flynn at Reading to the Core
8 Tara Smith at Going to Walden
9 Carol Varsalona at Beyond Literacy Link
10 Matt Forrest Esenwine at Radio, Rhythm, and Rhyme
11 Janet Fagel hosted at Reflections on the Teche
12 Linda Mitchell at A Word Edgewise
13 Kat Apel at Kat Whiskers
14 Margaret at Reflections on the Teche
15 Leigh Anne Eck at A Day in the Life
16 Linda Baie at Teacher Dance
17 Heidi Mordhorst at My Juicy Little Universe
18 Mary Lee Hahn at A Year of Reading
19 Tabatha at Opposite of Indifference
20 Rose Cappelli at Imagine the Possibilities
21 Janice Scully at Salt City Verse
22 Julieanne Harmatz at To Read, To Write, To Be
23 Ruth, thereisnosuchthingasagodforsakentown.blogspot.com
24 Christie Wyman at Wondering and Wandering
25 Amy at The Poem Farm
26 Dani Burtsfield at Doing the Work That Matters
27 Robyn Hood Black at Life on the Deckle Edge
28 Jessica Bigi at TBD
29 Fran Haley at lit bits and pieces
30 Michelle Kogan
And lastly, I am also excited to share that I have joined the Teach Write blogging team and will be writing a Poetry Ponderings blog post for them every month. My first offering, Finding Your Poetry Secret Decoder Ring, is now live and May’s post, about inviting poetry into your classroom, will be up soon. And my blogging teammate, Paula Bourque, offers up Quick Write Sparks to Kindle the Poet In All of Us for her first Think & Ink post in honor of National Poetry Month. I hope you will take a peek at all of the posts by the Teach Write team!
oooh, I feel like I’m sneaking in before it’s actually Friday. You have given us more to wonder about. Will Amy define the smell or keep the mystery open? I didn’t realize your ProgPo Day was the same as your PF Day. You must’ve planned it that way. I’ll be back sometime tomorrow to link up. By the way, love all the bird sounds in your poem.
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I’m so glad you got a sneak peek, Margaret! I did plan on them being the same day without thinking that through. I was pretty busy yesterday, needless to say, along with ZOOMing, etc…
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Oh, your poem is delightful! Thank you! It is an absolute conversation, and the last line made me giggle. I have been looking for some resources for bird mnemonics for next week’s nature videos – thank you for sharing these. And gosh, my wheels are spinning. I have not been visiting the poem and it was superfun to read the whole thing for the first time today before my turn. Thank you, baton passer, bird whisperer, and host for today! xx
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At the bottom of the Wonderopolis wonder is a link to a bird mnemonics page. I trust you saw that. I can’t wait to see what you do tomorrow, Amy! xx
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I love your choice of the next line for the poem as well of the choices you left for Amy. There’s much to look forward to. What is that scent? The quote from Thoreau’s journal is fascinating with his take on bird song. I know your poem inspired by that couldn’t have been easy to write. What an amazing collection of sounds. Thanks for hosting, Christie!
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You are so welcome, Janice. I wonder what all those spring birds are saying to us? 🙂
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And congratulations! I loved your first post! xx
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So much poetry goodness in your post even before we open up the Roundup! I lvoe your bird poem – very clever, and #ThoreaulyInspired
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Thanks, Sally. So glad you are here today! Cheers!
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Christie! Thank you for hosting Poetry Friday this week. I’m in awe of your April Poetry Project. It’s always pure fun to observe someone doing what they are born to do — and being a bird nerd really seems to be one of your things! And, to combine Thoreau’s journals with your interest is just super cool. I’m really enjoying it. The use of potato chip in your poem above makes me smile. I totally agree that birds talk to us with words like that.
And, thanks for the Progressive Poem — I’m a bit behind and am catching up.
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It’s been a labor of love, Linda. Potato chip IS fun, isn’t it? If only we could speak bird to know what they are actually saying! Cheers!
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Ah, I am waiting, waiting for my lilies of the valley, but then I like your first choice too. We’re very close to the end, & where is that banjo going to be played? And ‘conk-a-ree’ is one of my favorite bird songs. When I hear that as I walk at a nearby wetlands/lake, I know they’re back & spring must be here! Love that poem, Chrisite. My brother can identify so many birds, but he lives in the country! And, congrats on joining the Teach-Write team. That should be very fun! Thanks so much for a wonderful post & for hosting!
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I hadn’t even though about the fact that the banjo had not been played yet. Perhaps one of the final hosts will make that happen, Linda. Thanks for all! Cheers!
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Thanks for hosting this week, Christie. The progressive poem is really taking shape! I like the direction you’re taking it. And your Bird Mnemonics poem seems like it was a group effort, as well. How nice of your fine feathered friends to offer up some appropriate lines. 😉
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It was good of them, wasn’t it? 🙂 Thanks for visiting today!
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Bird mnemonics, sounds fascinating, perhaps I’m a bird nerd too… What a colorful sounding poem you created! I like the line you chose from Ruth, for the Progressive Poem, and both that you are offering up. I wonder which way Amy will guide the poem… Thanks for hosting the roundup Christie!
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We shall see, Michelle, we shall see. After enjoying your artwork over the years, I KNOW you are a bird nerd! Cheers!
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I’m happy to be part of the bird nerd community, thanks Christie!
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I love your bird mnemonics – thanks for sharing these! (And thanks for hosting, too) Glad to see you picked the line I would’ve picked…and you’ve left a couple of good choices for Amy!
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I always do a little poetic happy dance when someone chooses the line I, too, would have chosen. Isn’t that funny? Let’s see which way Amy leads us!
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Oh yes! I am a fellow Bird Nerd, so naturally I love your chirpy poem, Christie! I also think your progressive poem line creates a wonderful mystery. I will have to stay tuned for its reveal!
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Thanks, Keisha. Bird Nerds UNITE! 🙂
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Thank you for hosting and for your contributions to the progressive poem – so much goodness. I love your bird mnemonic poem, another sensory experience. 🙂
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Thanks so much, Bridget. Take care!
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Christie, this is the first time I heard you call yourself a bird nerd. Your poem tackles an interesting aspect of birdsong. I listen to the birds on my walks and often try to mimic their song. I would love to know more and certainly see that you are a great student with the sounds you know. I enjoyed your poem and your musings on the next line of the poem. It is fun to explore different paths, right? I look forward to seeing what Amy does with your choices. Thanks for hosting.
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Thank you, Carol. I envy the shore birds you must see in your next of the Long Island woods! Take care!
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Every year, we follow the birth of the osprey babies at the marshland preserve. The nest this year was the largest one we ever saw. We visited before the virus closed everything down.
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We are carried on the wings of those literary giants who came before us and you have shown clearly your willingness to be informed by Thoreau’s writing. You have taken his lead and taken it to a new place with your original poem. It was Annie Dillard who said ‘Be careful what you read for that is what you’ll write.’ Well Christie, you are making some mighty fine choices with whom to associate as a reader. Thanks for sharing this insightful post and for being our host this week.
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Well thank you so much for that! They are mighty big footsteps to follow, but I am enjoying the journey and the view along the way. Take care!
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What a bounty, Christie! I love your bird poem/chant and your Thoreau excerpt–especially the mention of a loon! My loon picture book comes out on Tuesday, and my ears perk up at any loon mention ;>) And, boy, did I struggle with how to write out the sounds of a loon wail in my text. Fun to see the progressive poem, too. I like that you went with smell. Thanks for hosting!
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I adore the call of the loon, Laura. It’s often recorded as cooo-leeee, but I don’t think that does it justice. I can’t wait to see what you came up with!
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I’m a fellow nature lover and bird nerd who tragically has a very limited ear for bird song. I love your mnemonics, but try as I might, I typically hear tweet-tweet-tweet! It’s been such fun to watch the progressive poem progress, and I love your choice for today and the two options you sent along. You’re an inspiration, Christie! Can’t wait to read your next Poetry Ponderings post. Thanks for hosting this week!
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Cardinals are playing video games outside my window this morning — PEW PEW PEW PEW! LOL! Thanks for stopping by, Molly, and I hope you are well.
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Love your bird poem! I’ve been enjoying my backyard birds especially this spring. It’s no wonder that my poem this week is about my bluebirds. And the progressive poem just keeps getting better and better. Two great choices for Amy!
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Thank you, Rose. I adore bluebirds but have not seen one yet. I can’t wait to “visit” yours!
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Only a poet would devote so much time in a post to both sound and smell… thank you! My distance vision isn’t that great, so birding by sound is a useful strategy for me. I appreciate your options for the Progressive Poem, too. Great job! Thanks for hosting. xo
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Your comment means the world to me, Irene. Thank you so very much. Birding by sound is a challenge, but oh does it fill the soul. xx
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Thanks for hosting! I love your bird mnemonics poem (your whole project, really…it’s so rich, the way you are mining Thoreau!), and I think this Progressive Poem is turning out to be our best so far! You chose a great line and moved the poem on with fabulous picks for Amy!
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Thank you, Mary Lee. I can’t wait to see which way Amy goes! I love this year’s, too. It’s such a lovely story. Isn’t it?
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You are so busy, this is such a rich post. I love what you have done with your bird poems, and now you are hosting Poetry Friday which I have been late to visit in the past year with grandchildren duty which is 24/7 when there….so I am just marinating in all this poetry goodness. And loving the chance to catch up. I love the lily of the valley offering and your choice, but your other line also can take us to a great spot. Oh to hand off to Amy and I know you two are friends. It is a great spot to be. Just here, with you, with this group, with these poets and friends and teachers and birds. Well color me joyful!!!! Wonderful, Christie. So glad we met in B-more. How lucky for me!!
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Yes, so glad we did get to meet in Charm City, as it makes our virtual connections even more meaningful. I confess that while I don’t love staring at a computer screen as much as I am, I am feeling very connected to this great, big, wonderful family of ours, and so grateful for it. Be well! xx
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What a charming poem — I wish I were observant enough to recognize birds by their sounds. I only know a few obvious ones, like the chickadee and Carolina wren. Thanks for reminding us that it’s actually spring, and we shouldn’t miss all its wonders worrying about everything else. This year’s Progressive Poem could be my favorite so far. Nice options, and thanks for hosting this week.
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Thank you so much, Jama. I am hugely grateful to spring and all that is happening outdoors for helping me to forget about everything else. The Instagram feed out of Kensington Palace helps, too. LOL! Cheers!
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Fun options for the progressive poem, Christie! I wonder which way Amy will take it. Thanks for hosting!
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Thanks, Tabatha! We shall see. Take care!
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Oh yeah! I didn’t even think about where the smell was (forward or behind), I was thinking about whether it was a good smell or a bad one. Good call! (Thanks for hosting!)
Ruth, thereisnosuchthingasagodforsakentown.blogspot.com
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Your lines were both BRILLIANT, Ruth! It was such a coin toss. Thank you for setting me up, just like a good tennis partner. Cheers!
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So much going on in a time when not much seems to be going on! I’m impressed. Thanks for hosting today, and thanks for linking us to all these great poetry happenings. LOVE the bird mnemonics… I used to teach the preschoolers to make a dawn chorus, and we learned some of these songs. Lovely!
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I’d give anything to hear a preschool dawn chorus right now, Karen. Wouldn’t you? Keeping busy is keeping me sane. Cheers!
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Thanks for hosting. I posted earlier, but waited to read your post until I caught up with the Progressive Poem. And there is so much to love in your post. Bird sounds intrigue me, especially the attempt to write them. And your two line offerings are wonderful. I really want to hear our banjo, so I’m leaning toward the line about the pealing of the bells. Amy and her camper will decide for us. And now I’m off to check out your posts on Teach Write. There’s so much to follow, I can’t keep up.
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Why thank you, Ramona. You are the second person to mention they had their fingers crossed for that banjo getting strummed! I hope it does. Cheers!
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Adding a sense of smell was a terrific direction, and I anxiously await how it is revealed. I have so enjoyed your journey with Thoreau. I find myself missing a few days and then playing catch-up. I am outside right now listening to the coo of a turtledove. Perfect timing! Thanks for hosting this week.
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That was Ruth’s brilliance! We shall see what happens tomorrow!
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Thanks for hosting today! I absolutely love your bird mnemonics poem. That’s what it sounds like outside, especially first thing in the morning. You served up two delicious lines for Amy to choose from.
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Thanks, Kay! I can’t wait to see which way Amy goes!
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Love all the sounds in your bird mnemonics poem–and so perfect for this time of year. And two great lines for Amy’s choice. Thanks for hosting and for all the poetry goodness!
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Thanks so much, Buffy!
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Wow! A poetic feast for senses over here today Christie – Thanks for putting in such thought and creativity all around, and for hosting, hosting, hosting! Also, I enjoyed the Poetry Friday mnenomics, “Dun-dun-duuuuuun” – the poetry bird!
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Thank for coming to the banqueting table, Robyn. I love a little mystery — dun dun duuuuuun! 🙂 Cheers!
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Your bird mnemonics poem is awesome. I love your theme for Poetry month! And I love listening to bird songs. I’m getting to recognize a few of them, but haven’t tried to translate them onto the page. And I’m enjoying following the path of the progressive poem, as well–a feast for the senses, indeed!
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Thank you so much, Susan. I hope you left the PF table satiated. 🙂
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This post is a feast for the senses, Christie! As I read, the morning birds are singing the world awake and I feel like I’m listening to “Bird Mnemonics” come alive. And your line choice and options for Amy are making my mouth water, imagining all possibilities for “that delicious smell.” Thank you for hosting today!
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You are so very welcome. We have a terribly vocal cardinal that is waking the neighborhood up these days. I think I might be the only one who welcomes his call in the wee hours!
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