This month, Linda (A Word Edgewise) challenged the Inklings to “Find or write a poem in any form of any length for Folktale Week November 14-20, 2022.” I came up with three that are worth sharing.
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All three poems came as surprises. The first is the most nonsensical poem of truth I’ve ever written. I think it might have its seeds in Kelly Barnhill’s new book for adults When Women Were Dragons, a book I HIGHLY recommend. The second, though the briefest, was the hardest to get just right (not surprising, actually). And the third? Well, after all the struggle I put into my dansa for last week, I surprised myself by writing another!
Here’s how the rest of the crew met Linda’s challenge:
Linda@A Word Edgewise
Heidi @my juicy little universe
Molly@Nix the Comfort Zone
Catherine@Reading to the Core
Margaret@Reflections on the Teche
Heidi has this week’s Poetry Friday roundup at my juicy little universe. Link up and check out ALL the posts there!
A(nother) Year of Reading 
Wow! What a wonderful trio of poems. That first one is hilarious and great to read aloud! I think you should submit it to one of the Highlights magazines. I cried for my grandmother oak. I hope she is not going anywhere any time soon, but in the name of development, I have witnessed too many live oaks being torn down. Your dansa makes me think of my grandson who is dreaming now of a Batman costume. He loves to dress up. And what does that say about his ambitions?
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It says to me that he aspires to save the world! You go, buddy! We need more of you!!
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Great trio of poems, Mary Lee, and all so different. It’s hard to pick a favorite, because each one touched a different part of me. But I must say I did love the first one, maybe because it was so different from anything I’ve read of yours. For some reason I kept thinking of the many political ads we’re being bombarded with, and those “who know less than little said it so to make it so.”
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I was channeling playground bullies, but yes, this could absolutely be read as a commentary on political campaigning!
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Mary Lee, I’m so glad you mentioned the Kelly Barnhill connection b/c I have been listening to her “The Witch’s Boy,” and when I read the first poem it reminded me of that! Your “fool” could be a great character in a verse novel! I really like the way you twisted a familiar phrase and used repetition…delightful! xo
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You’ve filled my cup full, and then some, with your 3 distinct poems! Your first reminded me of a fairy-taled Shel Silverstein,—wonderful! Your tree 🌳 poem is grand, and what fun “Costumes” unfolds, thanks for all Mary Lee!
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I love all three, Mary Lee. 💖 (I think of my otolaryngologist as Dr. Batman, based on the head cover he was wearing when we met. His “not-so-secret” ambition?)
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Wow! I love all three of these so much! My favorite line is “in the time upon the once.”
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Wow! You really knocked this challenge out of the park. I love how each of your poems is so distinct. The first is my favorite and, like Marcie, I love “in the time upon the once.”
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Love sprouted wings and spouted fire! These are wonderfully fun.
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That first poem blew me away, Mary Lee – I didn’t read it as humorous so much as empowering. I think it would be embraced by anyone who’s felt devalued or underestimated – and the language & dragon imagery is ridiculously fun.
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To say I was impressed with your three poems is something of an understatement Mary Lee. I actually found it difficult to decide between them. Each one possessed an appeal that lingered. So I will just enjoy your poetic offerings and say -bravo!
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The nonsensical poem is SPOT ON! It’s my favorite…and I think the most challenging to write. All the ways you play with the folktale words is wonderful. And, I’m glad you captured a memory of the oak tree. Those trees…they become more dear to me with every passing year.
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Look at you! My zero poems balanced neatly by three of yours and in particular a poem I wish I had written, “You Can’t Fool Me.” Oh my, how I love that tangle of truth, and I’m looking forward to the Barnhill book, which is on my list too. Your Grandmother Oak, oh… Well done!
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I love that each one is so different, Mary Lee, something for everyone? It seems this Friday there could be a group coordinated for the love of trees, for looking under the covers for truth, and finding joy and fun in disguise, perhaps ambition. You’ve inspired me to ponder the way of folktales even more.
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Wow, Mary Lee! These are all wonderful in such different ways. I don’t love nonsense poems, but your fool poem is the best kind–not nonsense at all, though circling round and round until it’s almost dizzy. The ending made me cheer! I love that the narrator snatches the happy ever after and flies away!
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Wow, Mary Lee all of your poems are great and different from the other poems, which I like! In your first and clever poem, I love your title. These lines especially spoke to me “the time upon the once” and “I sprouted wings and spouted fire.” I love the ending, too and I love dragons. In your second poem, every line spoke to me. I love trees. It’s sad when a beloved tree is cut down. However, if the stump is left eventually a new tree will grow. In your last poem, I love the refrain and rhyme in your dansa. These lines especially spoke to me “show us all as new editions” and “try on a fresh identity for size.” You make the dansa look easy to write. Thank you for your inspiration.
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