Have you seen Joyce Sidman’s new book? Her clever poems (and Melissa Sweet’s always-fantastic illustrations) just beg for you to write your own Letter Poems To Friends.
So I did!
This is also Inklings Challenge week, and we were given a generously soft challenge from Margaret:
Image Poetry: exchange an image with your partner and write an image poem using a small poem form (15 words, elfchen, haiku, shadorma, etc.).
I traded images with Linda Mitchell. She sent me three from which to choose. Each had so much possibility, but I couldn’t NOT write from this one. I also couldn’t NOT write Letter Poems To Friends, so the “small poem form” part of the challenge got lost, but…THIS PICTURE!! and Joyce Sidman’s mentor texts!!! I know all will be forgiven.
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Here’s how the rest of the Inklings met this month’s challenge:
Heidi @my juicy little universe
Margaret @Reflections on the Teche
Linda @A Word Edgewise
Catherine @Reading to the Core
Molly @Nix the Comfort Zone
Matt has this week’s Poetry Friday roundup at Radio, Rhythm & Rhyme.
A(nother) Year of Reading 
Tee hee! I love your poems for the cat photo. My son took that after we introduced our cat-brothers to a new cat tunnel to play hide and seek in. You’ve captured that vibe perfectly. I’ve ordered ‘Dear Acorn’ for and from my public library and am anxiously awaiting notice to pick it up!
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All is forgiven for sure. What fun this cat pairing is!! Thank you. xo
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Oh, what fun you had with Linda’s photo. I love that you took on both views, human and cat, in your letter poems. I am drawn in by your form as well with the use of the colon. I’m glad you felt the prompt was an easy one.
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Joyce’s book does look fun, and unique! And what a great way to channel that into your own response!
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“Easily conquered by tuna” made me laugh, Mary Lee! Love these two together. I hope my library has this new book by Joyce Sidman!
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I must be a cat too (also easily conquered by tuna). 😀 Thanks for sharing these fun poems (love that mysterious cat . . . what a tease).
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Hooray for charming, conversational double duty poems! I can see why you would find that photo irresistible.
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Hee hee – my cat was was easily conquered by tuna, too, though she never lost her hunter’s edge – no toes were safe! 😉
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Mary Lee, you chose a great photo for your poems. I liked that you created letter poems with two different voices.
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A choice of images sets up a tantalizing dilemma, Mary Lee. You have triumphed with the cat image and created a conversational poem for your readers. The two perspectives fuse neatly. I like the concept of Joyce Sidman’s book – a unique take on the old art of letter writing.
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A great response to a great photo! I love that you used Dear Acorn as inspiration for your form. Those active verbs are the best!
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So fun! And I love Joyce Sidman’s work! I got a sneak peek on Edelweiss and have been on hold for it at the library for ages. Can’t wait.
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That pic is great captures the illusive quality of a cat purr-fectly! As do your poems— And the curving shape of one poem running down into the other captures a cat slinking by… thanks!
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You have made me rue the fact that although I own the book, I have yet to open it. (Argh! School is a tough taskmaster!! ) I love Linda’s photo and want to know more about it. I also love how you responded to two inspirations to create your fabulous epistolary duo! Like Margaret, I was also intrigued by your use of colons in the first stanza. Wonderful response to the prompt!
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Mary Lee! You inspire me! I confess: I am a maniac dog-lover…cats? Not so much…but this image drew me in and then your poems sealed the deal. Do I perceive a “hisss….” weaving through this kitty- missive? And the oh-so snarky dismissal by daring a can of tuna! Sooo good!
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Oh, well-spotted, Patricia!! Delicioussss….
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Mary Lee, I like the cat photo and how you incorporated Joyce’s technique of letter poems. I love your cat’s voice, “Of my true essence I grant only a glimpse.” Your human voice is the perfect response, “Easily conquered by tuna.” I have two sly sleeping cats behind me that also love tuna. I am looking forward to getting my hands on Dear Acorn Love, Oak. Joyce Sidman is my favorite children’s poet. Thank you for your fun post.
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I was just in a 5th grade classroom and the teacher had shared this book and they were playing around with giving it a try–they were so great!
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I was just in a 5th grade classroom and the teacher had shared this book and they were playing around with giving it a try–they were so great!
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I know I’m over the jet lag, but something must be out of whack–I could NOT make out that photo for the longest minutes! Luckily I could make out the poem very clearly and with pleasure–the voices, so familiar and affectionately adversarial. Nice one. You can bet I’m all over that book, too…
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