Friday, May 24, 2013

Silent Thunder


Your silence
thunder in my heart
drawing words in my head
thoughts confused by dread
I silence myself
constrict my heart
erase the words
letters scatter apart.


I started a new blog to save all my poetry and poetry lessons. I will still use teachingyoungwriters.blogspot.com for all other things writing when it comes to young children, but it was time to get a space for my own words. Glad you stopped by.


Poetry Friday is hosted by Jama at Jama's Alphabet Soup!


Thursday, May 16, 2013

Contrails and the Light

Bright white beams
stripe the sky 
contrails wisp
and climb up high.

Yellowed light beams
stripe the grass
coming then going
in daylight's pass.

I am excited to be visiting Amy at The Poem Farm today with my students. We celebrated poetry month with our Chalk-A-Bration on April 30th and Amy is featuring it there on her blog today. You too can join the Chalk-A-Bration on May 31st to share your original poem, a favorite or an illustration--or get really ambitious and do all three with chalk! See you there.

What did you say? You want to know the history of Chalk-A-Bration? Here is the link.


Poetry Friday is hosted by Ed at Think Kid, Think! Be sure to drop in and comment on the many wonderful poetic offerings. 

Tuesday, May 7, 2013

Think...Snail



Kind of feeling like everyone might be feeling a little like this...or maybe at some point in your life you have. Such a busy time, busy thoughts, busy...busy. What more is there to say.

Two Writing Teachers Stacey and Ruth host the Slice of Life!



Slowing down my thinking
as words swirl in and pool
I drown in thoughts and feel their drag
as under currents pull

I will them to surrender
I wish them not to stay
I fight against erosion
but words don’t wash away

Their waves roll in like thunder
Though silent unto you
Like beating drums inside me
Vibration can’t undo

No fibers can divide them
No sun to dry them out
No better way to spite them
than better words to sprout

Thursday, May 2, 2013

Winter Memories


Elizabeth Steinglass is our Poetry Friday host on this early day in May. 

I attempted to write a poem using the starter, "wanting memories." It is from a song that my husband sings around the house and constantly has in his head (therefore it is in my head as well).
However, wanting memories soon became winter memories.
Winter memories 
replaced with blooms
puddles pinked
with sunset hues

~Betsy

As you can see my poem has been chalked in celebration of a very fun week with fellow chalkers. If you have a moment you can check out the other chalk poets who contributed to CHALK-A-BRATION 2013. If you have a hankering for dusty palms join in on May 31st!