Tuesday, March 31, 2020

Progressive Poem Starts Here





I can't believe it is April 1 already!  And that means it is the first day of the Progressive Poem.  Irene Latham who began this poem project back in 2012, has handed it over to Margaret Simon to organize.  I am so grateful to both Irene and Margaret for this wonderful April collaboration to kick of National Poetry Month.
Each day in April a different poet will add a line to this poem begun here today.  No one knows where it will go or how it will get there, but it always gets there beautifully!

I wanted senses or movement in my line to begin this journey.  So I scribbled down a number of potential lines to start us off.

And then I came up with an idea for getting the ball rolling…

I selected TWO of my lines.  We will only USE ONE of them, but let’s let the SECOND PERSON DECIDE which of my two lines they will use.  That second person just happens to be Irene Latham!  
So Irene will have the opportunity to decide which line speaks to her more, and then write the next line of the poem.

YOU don’t have to do that for your turn, but I suppose you could.  No one will ever know beforehand if you are giving a choice of two lines or not.  I just thought it would be fun to change it up on the first line!

Here’s LINE CHOICE A:   “I feel the taste of green upon my toes, my toes”

and  LINE CHOICE B:   “Sweet violets shimmy, daffodils sway”

I’m always fascinated with the direction these group endeavors take.  Where will the poem go this year?  What will you do when it comes around to you?

Ready, set... let’s have some poetic fun!  Now I’m excited to see which line Irene's pen is inclining toward...which one will be first!

“I feel the taste of green upon my toes, my toes”
OR
“Sweet violets shimmy, daffodils sway”

1 Donna Smith at Mainely 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 Big at Mainely Write     
29 Fran Haley at lit bits and pieces
30 Michelle Kogan

26 comments:

  1. I'm so excited! There's already a feeling of spring hope in your line choices. Which one will Irene choose? I may steal the one she doesn't choose.

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    1. Lol! Now THAT would be interesting! Any unused lines are available for stealing...hmmmm...another twist?

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  2. Oh my, Donna, this is great fun. I love both lines, know you've made Irene's choice not an easy one! Wonderful beginning! And, I love the new look of your blog-fabulous!

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    1. Thanks, Linda! I'm so looking forward to a bit of fun in this virtual sun!

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  3. Oooo. I love the "choose your own adventure" stance, Donna. Great way to kick it off. Can't wait to see what Irene chooses!

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    1. Thanks! I was hoping it would feel like fun, and it gives me a "double wonder" where this will go feeling!

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  4. Both lovely choices, AND for my never-afraid-to-have-an-opinion the choice is clear...but I won't say which one I prefer until we see what Irene chooses! Whence the artwork at the top, Donna? Love it, and your fresh pinks, too.

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    Replies
    1. The field flowers are a sample I made a few years ago, to demonstrate the technique to students. It's tissue applied to canvas or art board with a watered down Elmer's glue. Simple, easy and lots of fun. And it makes me smile!

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  5. I love your illustration, and oh my goodness Donna, you wrote TWO lines? First of all, volunteering to go first is so brave, and then doubling up your work! I am so looking forward to the poem this year. We need a bright spot in our days. You've provided a great start!

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  6. I think I'm glad I don't have to decide which line to start with. Good luck, Irene, choosing between two fabulous first lines. I can't wait to see where the poem grows. It's off to a bright start.

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    1. I'm hoping with two lines, one will speak to her! Tried to make them short and cheery with potential for directions...we shall see. I'm excited to watch it blossom!

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  7. Fun and springy--excited to see where the poem goes.

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  8. Replies
    1. It's up there...actually two. Irene gets to pick. It's a choose your own adventure poem! LOL!

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  9. What a great idea to offer up two fabulous choices! Can't wait to see where the poem goes this year!

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    1. I'm almost giggling, I'm so excited to see what Irene chooses to do!

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  10. Already starting off with a surprise twist! Ha! Clever you, Donna - and we all appreciate the breath of Spring over here. :0)

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  11. What a clever way to get us started, Donna! Looking forward to seeing where Irene takes us.

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    1. I was hoping others would be as excited as I was about the start. And we're off! Go, Irene!

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  12. Donna, what a clever idea to add two lines for this year's Progressive Poem. You even have a lovely digital add. I chose my favorite but can't wait to see what Irene choose. Thanks for your creativity.

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