Our Host
Kim Johnson lives in Georgia and serves as District Literacy Specialist for her school system. She is the author of Father, Forgive Me: Confessions of a Southern Baptist Preacher’s Kid and contributor to 2 poetry anthologies, Rhyme and Rhythm: Poems for Student Athletes and Bridge the Distance: An Oral History of Covid-19 in Poems. Her blog address is www.kimhaynesjohnson.com.
Inspiration
I enjoy unlocking the puzzles of smashed-together-word hashtags and considering their power to make a statement. Like clever license plates and bumper stickers, hashtags can issue a call to action, proclaim characteristics, and identify members of a group. Today, let’s use them to introduce ourselves as we begin our #VerseLove journey together this month.
Process
Write your name vertically down the left side of a page. You can use your first name, nickname, or full name – your choice!
Place a hashtag in front of each letter of your name.
Jot a list of your hobbies, your passions, and any other aspects that you might use to introduce yourself to someone getting to know you. You can scroll through photos, Facebook posts, or past poems to help you think of some ideas.
Finally, use the letters to make a hashtag acrostic to introduce yourself to your #VerseLove family! You can #smashyourwordstogether or #space them apart.
We are your people. We can’t wait to get to know you better as we write and grow together.
#Cheersforthejourney!
Kim’s #HashtagAcrostic Created on Canva
Your Turn
Now, scroll to the comment section below to write your own poem. (This is a public space, so you may use only your first name or initials depending on your privacy preferences.) Not ready? That’s okay. Read the poems already posted for more inspiration. Ponder your own throughout the day. Return later. And, if the prompt does not work for you, that is fine. All writing is welcome. Just write something. Also, please be sure to respond to at least three writers. Oh, and a note about drafting: Since we are writing in short bursts, we all understand (and even welcome) the typos and partial poems that remind us we are human and that writing is always becoming. If you’d like to invite other teachers to write with us, tell them to subscribe.
Just about the time
When I think I’ve got the hang of things
Obscure thoughts come to mind
Leading me down roads unknown
Farther away from the goals
Everyone else set for me
Thanks, Kim, for this fun prompt. April snuck up on me so I just realized the challenge had begun, but still wanted to post an introduction.
#Swimmingatthesprings
#heartfilledandholdinghope
#admiringartandAdam
#ridingroundandround
#optimistic
#noticingnature
#Readingtragedies
#oldersisterdaughterwifeauntcousinfriendteacher
#yogaing
#slightlynarcoleptic and
#aspiringawake while
#repleatwithtasks always
#askingforattention and
#heedingthewarningtominimize
Sarah,
As a list maker whose list never stops,the warnin to minimize is bursting with meaning here. This is my life in a nutshell!
#Justspellithowever you want, it’s pronounced
Jean-a
#Everyone says it wrong and most spell it differently
#And I’ve learned to answer to most anything!
#Now on to who I am
#I love to plant and grow things
#All the flowers and veggies and herbs.
#Winter means puzzles and reading and baking
#Here in my semi retirement
#I lean into growth in new ways
#Taking on challenges that are often not my own
#Even though my finish line may still be miles away.
Jeania,
Perfect first line. Name pronunciation is so important for students. I bet you shared your common problem w/ many. Thanks for sharing many details about the things that bring you joy. I’m glad you’re here. 🤗
#madetomaintainthebit
#addictedtomedia
#readytobereactionary
#enthralledbyyourstories
#neverwithoutanopinion
Very cool. I like the “ready to be reactionary.” That could be dove into a lot.
#Keepingupwithmyfamily
#Alwaysinthemoodforasweettreat
#Yellowfieldsandsunsets
#Designateddriver
#Expectedtosucceed
#Neverontime
#Grateful
#Runninglatefrequently
#Alwayslookingforthegood
#Carefullycuratingmycraft
#Experiencer
#signlanguageadvocate
#healthyaddictiontosleep
#everydayisabattlebutinafunway
#listening2spotifydj
#brutallyhonest
#yapperandyawner
#Readytolistenuntilthesunrise
#Accustomedtolaughter
#Caretakerofhearts
#Happytohelp
#Eagertomeetyou
#Loveroflife
Hi, Rachel! I enjoyed the “Accustomed to Laughter.” It’s very telling.
#callsallafriend
#aperson2counton
#likestochillout
#excited4thefuture
#beingmybestme
#ParentTo3Cats-Elsa, Gus, and Finn.
#EverydayLovingMyBoyfriend-Hudson
#YoungAndAspiringToBeGreat.
#TwoCloseFamilyMembers-Mom, and sister.
#OpenlyLovingEveryone
#NewlyAspiringTeacher
#journeyingthroughlifewithasmile
#usingmylastbraincells
#learning&teaching
#inspiredbybooks
#alwaysthinking&imagining
#Introducemyself#
#Middleofthreesisters
#Amorasthecenterofmylife
#Newchallenges
#Espirtualife
#Laughroutine
#Interactionpeople
#Carefamily
#Cannotstopmakingtea
#Alwaysontheroad
#Latenightsnacker
#Inpiredbylove
#Analyzingmylife
#Notagainsthibernation
#Namerofcows
Fellow late night snacker here! My go to: a half sandwich lol
#FutureFavoriteauthor
#UCMOstudentoflibraryscience
#Loudlaughingwithfamily
#Traveltheworld
#Obsessedreader
#Norwayboundsummertravel
Michelle, what fun! I hope someday Fulton is my favorite author. I love your enthusiasm and drive! My favorite line is “loudlaughingwithfamily. Have fun in Norway! That’s awesome.
Kim, thank you for hosting and for this awesome introduction idea.
#SuperFriendly
#AutismSibling
#BookstoresAreMyHappyPlace
#AccidentalEducator
Saba,
I want to know more about that last line. It’s a slice waiting to be written.
Me too!
Kim, what a great way to introduce ourselves as we begin on this month long challenge. I’m a few hours late, but here!
Your #bootsreadytohike line inspired my intro poem centered on my hike on the Camino last April, which kept me from writing poetry.
#itsme#
#Caminoboundlastyear
#HikingacrossSpain
#Recallingnowwithjoy
#Interestingpeoplemet
#Spirituallyfulfilling
#Timetoconsiderlife
#Introspectivethoughts
#Neverloosinghope
#Experienceofalifetime
Christine,
Your trek across Spain sounds awe-inspiring. Yes, #Experienceofalifetime I’ve thought about taking a walking tour, but I worry I won’t be able to keep up.
Christine, what an amazing experience. I’m so glad you got to have this experience, and now you will have a lifetime of poems rubbing elbows with your Camino trip.
Thanks for the inspiration! I went in a little different direction and picked a word based on an experience from today.
#Sunset Tree
#SLO-ing down
#Umbrellaed by the setting sun
#Night knocking
#Sunshine winking behind the tree
#Embraced by warm light
#Tracing lithe limbs
#Travel weary
#Reaching for rest, my dreaming eyes
#Echo back the day
#Enchanted by the sunset tree
(You can check out a photo of the sunset tree on my blog) https://thinkingthroughmylens.com/2024/04/01/sunset-tree-a-hashtag-poem-npm24-day-1/
Kim,
Thank you for including the link to your blog. Initially, I was going to mention how I was completing my SLO today as well. Now I know your SLO is not the same as my SLO — yours is much more pleasant 😂
Thank you for your poem.
Kim, what a wonderful image! I love that tree umbrellaing the setting sun!
Kim,
That tree photo is lovely, and your poem captures it exquisitely. It’s a real talent to be able to write emphatic poetry so well. Have you thought about creating a canva of the poem onto that photo?
This was an absolute joy to read! I can almost feel the umbrella and see the wink.
Kasey, I love your reference to food…and not just because I love to eat. But your language dances with the imagery you present. Your third stanza describing butter smearing across the bread of hope-something so simple as the pair of bread and butter creates an inspirational image that hope spreads if we put forth the effort. Such a great analogy. Thank you for sharing.
#MolecularBiologist
#AnonymousOnline
#TennisCoach
#Healing
#SleeplessDad
#ChasingDreams
#Introvert
#GuiltyPleasureRealityTV
#UnderPressure
#Youngish
Hi, MathSciGuy! I giggled at “youngish”. As a “youngish” educator, I’m half happy, half sad to leave behind the title of “young”! Loved your poem!!
Love the guilty pleasure line! It says so much about this anonymous introvert!
Wow! We get to know some fun details about you! Sleepless Dad takes a lot during these years. You are busy!
Thank you Kim for hosting today. What an excellent introduction to National Poetry Month! #kayakflipper has me curious, but #yestonewadventures has me celebrating. I mixed my hobbies and feelings and came up with this mashup.
#JammingtoR&B
#Encouragertomany
#Subjecttodiscretion
#Simplysatisfied
#Introvertedsoul
#Consistentlytired
#Artistwithwords
Hi, Jessica! Good to “see” you here! Your first line is so enticing, and I can envision you jamming easily. Kove the final hashtag too!
Jessica, I love this wonder-filled poem. Encourager to many is warming my heart tonight!
Jessica,
Your final line is amazing. It encapsulates what I aspire to be, an #artistwithwords.
Kasey,
I had to look up your title, and learned something about Tarot cards, and this one does not bode well. However, I so love the hope in your poem. “the butter smears across / The bread and that is hope”, “The nurturance of it all” and “The jame of spring”. Such lovely images. Beautiful and hopeful. Like Mo, I really like the powerful description of the sky in “Sometimes bird blue, most times goose-gray”
Hounding children to bed
And clamoring for my own rest
Loosening the knot on
Expectations no one has set but me
Yearning for a stretch of open sky.
Oh Haley, “loosening the knot” echoes my own lines today. “Clamoring for my own rest” brings me viscerally into (much of my!) life as a mother. I’m so glad you showed up as a poet tonight.
Hi Haley, I can express my sentiments with your poem. I am actually away at an educational conference and this is my first night in a while NOT having to worry about putting children to bed. Your lines
“Loosening the knot on
Expectations no one has set but me
Yearning for a stretch of open sky” resonates with me because I feel like I have bound myself with this unwritten rule of how to live my life. I’m ready to yank that knot free! Thank you for sharing.
And Jessica, I’m ready to yank that knot free for you as well. Isn’t it strange how we’re so often to give others grace before giving it to ourselves?
I felt those first two lines – I can relate!
Haley, I can understand those busy parenting times when there is also so much else to do. Even after that busy evening, you came here and wrote this beauty! That last line is priceless.
Kasey, I adore your bird color reference. The metaphors in your last three stanzas are just perfect! Wow!
#Sodaaddict
#Inspiredbutdistracted
#Empatheticlistener
#Readsbutnotenough
#Recoveringpeoplepleaser
#Alwayswriting
Recoveringpeoplepleaser, huh? You may have to give lessons to some of us, I think! I think most of us think we don’t read enough, don’t we?
Sierra, what fun this is! It’s fun to get to know you through these hashtags. My favorite “#Inspiredbutdistracted” Maybe because I can relate!
Sierra, several of the adjectives you’ve used describe an effective educator. The one I think will serve you longest is “Empathaticlistener” and you probably can do this for a long time because you’re “Alwayswriting”. You can get thing “off your chest” and be open to listing and assisting others. Keep up the good work. You may be a people pleaser, but you obviously, also are a blessing!
For ease of read, you might consider capitalizing the first letter of each word – especially important for low-visual readers who need this visual cue
#MakesItEasier
#LoveTheVisualBreakup
#ThanksForMakingItPersonal
<3
La Donna, I like how you’ve taken the prompt and made it your own, with an important reminder, to boot. Thank you!
That does make it easier to read! I’ve seen a couple hashtags that take a few times to find all the little words. 🙂
I love this La Donna. What a great modification to address different learners. #ThanksForYourInput
#Risktaker
#Eagertolearn
#Avidadventurous
#Genuine
#Accommodating ~authoritative
#Nonconforming
Reagan, I sense a lot of contradictions in your poem, especially in your last two lines. I like it.
Reagan, I love all these words that describe you, and show how complicated it is to describe ourselves with just a few words. “Accomodating – authoritative” Both!
Reagan, I’m impressed with the superficially contraditory adjectives that make for a well-rounded person, like you obviously are! accommodating/non-conforming. That’s probably because you’re “Eagertolearn” and “Avidadventuous”, too. Love it! Can’t learn much without being a risktaker!
Reagan, these are amazing hashtags and I feel like they truly help me see who you are. I love your hashtag #eagertolearn because I believe everyone should be a life long learner. I also love your last hashtag because it is such an amazing quality to have.
#OnlyMeWithThree
#NoticingJoy
#Advocating
Ona, I love that your last line is just one word, but it’s so powerful.
Oh, beautiful words–just a few needed to share so much! My favorite #NoticingJoy
Noticing joy! Yes! Who needs more than three? 🙂
#Anxiouscrafter
#soapmaker
#homebodylife
#lovingmomandwife
#engagedlearner
#yougetwhatyousee
This is great, Ashley. Your first four lines speak volumes. I believe your last line- it seems so clear from what you’ve written.
Nice to meet you, Ashley! So many fun things about yourself shared in this tiny poem. I love the last line especially!
#DedicatedEducator
#Obsessedwithwashitape
#NewtoIsagenix
#Nevernotlearning
#Excitedforsummerbreak
#Treefascination
#Tryingtothrive
#Alwayswantingallthebooks
Donnetta,
Your hashtags show the intersections of your personality in such a lovely and playful way. I’m not sure why, but when I read “#obssessedwithwashitape,” I read it as if you had a small smirk on your face musing over how to use it next. The appreciation for art in both crafting and the world shine through your poem!
Donnetta, so many of your lines resonate with me! I love #nevernotlearning and #treefascination. And your last line is perfect!
Donnetta, your line “nevernotlearning”
summarizes our reading today.
Many of us are learning a new poetry style AND so much about one another. So poetic in your inclusiveness.
Thanks for sharing!
Yes, here’s to “Always wanting all the books!” I can relate. Washi tape made me smile too. And I’ve seen some of your tree fascination in photos on your blog. Nice introduction!
#Susceptibletoplottwists
#Alwaysrootingfortheunderdog
#Readerforlife
#Alooffromreality
#HumbledefenderofYALiterature
Your last hashtag highlights a powerful aspect of your personality! Sometimes the most humble warriors are the most powerful!
Hi Sarah. I’m intrigued by your first line. I’d love to hear more about that in your poems this month!
Sarah, I love the theme of reading and literature throughout your poem. It’s one of your values that comes through loud and clear!
Love, love, love! All beautiful truths about beautiful you! I could relate to this one:
#Alooffromreality
…sometimes it’s the only way to keep our sanity! XD
#itsme
By Mo Daley 4/1/24
#motherofthree
#olderbytheday
#outdoorsywhenicanbe
#readseverydamnday
#mamoiswhatthegrandkidscallme
#alwaystravelingsomewhere
#myjourneyisfarfromover
#overworkedandunderpaid
Mo, I can totally related to overworked and underpaid. Mamo is so endearing.
Hi, Mo — A strong woman here, that voice is unmistakable. “Far from over” indeed! And the last line surely resonates with every teacher-poet here. 💪🏼. Hugs, Susie
Mo,
Your use of both your given name at birth and your given name for your grandchildren is heart-warming. I did wonder if the “#alwaystravelingsomewhere” refers to the geographic locations of your grandchildren.
Mo or Mamo, I like how you may sound a little tired in the first stanza, and then as you get to the Mamo section, you get busier and energized, tired, but full of life!
#Kindhearted
#Always-on-the-go
#Trying-my-best
#Imaginative
#Everlasting-Tiredness
Katie, I am a big fan of the hyphen. You use it so cleverly here with the way it shows connections, progress, and even a sense of relentlessness in that last line. Geesh, I feel that so deeply.
Katherine, I too love the use of the hyphen. I too know everlasting tiredness. I too am trying my best. I hope you feel seen. We are in this together, yet apart.
Katherine, Oh, so sweet! You sound like a teacher. So much enthusiasm, but it is tiring! I love all your hashtags, and it makes me want to get to know the person who wrote them.
Love this idea !! I can’t wait to do it with my students this month.
#Sassy and a spectacular speller
#Enthusiastic about teaching
#Analytical a little too often
#Nosey and I stand by that
#Advise-giver about many topics
Seana, I love “#Nosey and I stand by that”! Lol. Unapologetic nosiness! (And I’m with you, this is definitely something I’m going to try in the classroom — Thanks, Kim!)
Deana – I particularly appreciate that “sassy” and “nosey”… made me smile. Susie
Seana, so fun! I love the openness and honesty, and the “sassy” in your poem. So cute!
Seana,
Your poem offers lots of insight into your personality. What’s your secret to being a “spectacular speller”? I often told kids teaching ruined my spelling ability. That 4th line made me chuckle. I think being nosey is an occupational requirement for teachers!
#Keeps at it like a dog with a bone.
#Attends to details, but does not always attend.
#Tries to be sociable. It does not come naturally.
#Reads to make up for lost time.
#Imposter syndrome is a real thing.
#Nature lover but not a natural lover.
#Always hungry.
Hello! Katrina! I agree and resonate with your hashtags that imposter syndrome is a real thing among the always hungry! Those are both real challenges somedays.
YESSSSS – imposter syndrome is real and vicious! I really enjoyed your poem, thank you for writing it!
Katrina, “always hungry” made me laugh. The other lines make me think. I love how some of them you put a twist on. More to get to know about you through those …but… lines.
Katrina,
You’ve opened your life in this poem. That takes a lot of trust. The paradox i. line 2 is fabulous. #Imposter syndrome is a real thing. is a fact. It has hurt so many women, myself included.
What a fun, brilliant way to kick off poetry month – thank you! As my poem will make clear, I wasn’t sure whether to go with my full name or nickname… I chose full in order to say more, LOL.
#Booklover
#Riskaverse
#Irritatedbymyfullname
#Threesonsfourandunder
#Tallicedvanillalatteextrashot&cinnamonpowder
#Addictedtonotebooksandpens
#NietadeAntonioyMarina
#Yearntolearn
Hi Britt, Yearn to learn is a great one! I think I remember about your three sons four and under, And addicted to notebooks and pens is better than being addicted to chocolate (me)!
Hi Britt – I really loved this, especially your coffee order – now I want to go back and add mine!
Ooh!! Yearn to learn…love that one. Sending a huge “ME TOO!!” for addicted to notebooks and pens.
Britt, so many lovely lines here. “Three sons under four” says so much! I love that drink you describe there, too. You know what you like. And “Yearn to learn” Yes!
Thanks Kim for this challenge. Wrote this many times, as I am not used to #hashtags.
#mylife
#Joinacoupleofbookclubs
#Usewritingtorelax
#Liveinwestafrica
#Internationalschoolteacher
#Emptynestersoon
#Timewithfriendsandfamily
#Travelaroundtheworld
#Earlyriser
Juliette, already I see we have much in common – – traveling, rising early, writing and reading. I’m excited to meet an international teacher – and you live in west Africa! Wow, that is a time zone or two away. I can’t wait to get to know you better this month!
Juliette, I love this so much! We both love reading and writing, as well as traveling and spending time with loved ones. 🙂 I used to be an early riser by choice, but now my kids are the early early risers and sometimes I wish to sleep in 😉 ha!
Juliette,
So many of your descriptions are ones I share too. I’d love to know where you’re traveled to? Enjoy this month of writing and greetings to you in Africa !
Juliette, this is great! Your #hashtag work is on point! And I envy you “#Earlyriser[s].” I’m one by profession not choice, lol. Thanks for writing and sharing today!
Juliette — “Live in West Africa”?!! Wow! I love that such a distance might seem gigantic and yet all the other lines make us so similar. We are community! Cool! Susie
Juliette, I learned a lot more about you in this sweet little poem. You were really able to share a lot. I didn’t realize you would soon be an empty nester. It’s great to have you here, friend.
Kim — Your prompt was a fantastic way to kick off this month of poetry. So fun! Definitely, will use this one with my students! My boots are always ready to hike too!
#Trustworthy&tenacious
#Amiable&approachable
#Motherofthree
#Manicmondaysarenotfunbutmusicalsare!
#Inspiredtocreatepoetrywithfellowteacherpoets
Your use of adjectives make this doable. I’m sure students will enjoy writing these too.
Hi, Tammi! Agree with your forth line; it’s so relatable. Happy to meet here again.
Tammi, I’m hearing the Manic Monday song now! So glad we are back here writing together this month – love that last line and can’t wait to dive in more throughout the month!
Also a mother of three! 🙂 love the use of adjectives to structure your poem.
Tammi, what a sweet poem. I learned some more about you. Your Monday / musicals line made me laugh, and I love that last line. Me too!
#RamonaElla
#Readerwholoveslibrariesandbookstores
#Abakerofcookies
#Museumlover
#Overtloverofchocolate
#NothingbetterthanbeingGrandma
#Aseekerofglimmers
#Eternaloptimist
#Liabletoprocrastinate
#Launcherofafamilyhistorywritinggroup
#Areaderwhobelongstofivebookclubs
Ah, Ramona! Slice of Life Ramona? Welcome to #VerseLove! I see you are a seeker of glimmers – – is this a hummingbird group or a shimmery light? You are so, so right – – nothing beats being a grandparent. I’m so glad you are here writing with us!
Yes, I am the SOL Ramona that you persuaded to show up.
“Glimmers are tiny micro moments of joy, fleeting, everyday moments that elicit a rush of happiness, gratitude, calm, peace, safety or goodwill.” I prefer looking for glimmers instead of keeping a gratitude journal. Probably very similar.
I am obsessed that you’re part of five book clubs!! I have so many questions about you – I want to invite you to coffee! ☺️
Family history writing group?
Your poem is such a fun way to get to know someone and prompt conversation. Happy to writing alongside you this month.
Ah, liable to procrastinate – if only I had an L in my name too! Wonderful, thank you for sharing this!
Hi Ramona! You are the namesake of my mother. Glad to read your #poem. We share a lot, especially baker of cookies and overloverofchocolate. Then I am impressed that you are a member of five bookclubs. How can you do that! ?
Oh, Ramona, it is good to see you here! I love your creative and fun words, especially the Grandma line, eternaloptimist, and my favorite “A seeker of glimmers” Wow!
This was a lot of fun!
#Allaboutwords
#Makersgonnamake
#Alwaystakingpictures
#Nightowl #Usedtobeamorningperson
#Dontmesswithme #menospausal
#Askyourfather #Imreading
#Pedagogymakesmehappy
#Opentopossibilities
#Teachingismypassion
#Tidyingisnotmyforte
#Shouldbegradingpapers
Always taking pictures! I should have put that one on mine. Tidying is not my forte. Not mine either! Years ago when I wrote a name acrostic with students, one of my As was allergic to housework.
You used some humor and honesty. I enjoyed reading about you. I like; “#Dontmesswithme #menospausal”.
Amanda,
Im over here 👏 ing and 🤣ing at “#Dontmesswithme #menospausal” Everything about your poem reinforces what I know, observe, and live about you. Knowing you grew up in the south, I’m imaging a southern accent as you say “#Askyourfather #Imreading” Brilliant acrostic.
Amanda, those pictures that we are always taking come in handy for writing, don’t they? I love that last line – – I so understand the “should be grading!” The line I love best? Menopausal. – – -oh, we can talk!
The last one! LOL, ditto! You’re so fun, I love this acrostic!
Amanda, I wish I had thought of some of these. I love “#Askyourfather” and “Shouldbegradingpapers.”
Amanda, I love and can relate you your descriptions!. My favorites were the menopausal, nightowl, and pedagogy makes me happy. We share so many and I love that. thanks
Laughing at Tidying is not my forte as i’ve been avoiding that all day lol. Nice to meet you Amanda! I really like your use of the hastags #Teachingismypassion, and #Alwaystakingpictures!
Amanda, so many funny lines here! You seem like one of those people who are so good at hashtags, you tell stories with your hashtags. Love the menopausal line, ask your father I’m reading AND #Should be grading papers” Such fun! It really helps us get to know you.
Hi Kim, great first prompt for the month. I went back and forth on which name to use. I finally went with Mrs. C as that is what students have called me for 14 years. It was a name I really loved hearing in the halls.
#I’mMrs.C
#Momoffiveplusafewextra
#roughedgesthathavesmoothedovertime
#sarcasticstongwitty
#Caringopenhearted
I didn’t even consider using my teacher name; this is brilliant. I’m Mrs. Decker, but go by Lady Decker (long story…ha!). Now I want to compose another one with my teacher name. So awesome!
DeAnna, such fun here! I love the “Mom of five, plus a few extra” That speaks volumes about you. I really like the second line too. I think that is true about me too. I’m glad! You’ve squeezed in a lot here.
#gratefullymovingintoApril
#learningtowelcomesunandwarmthagain
#eachbudandbloomtriesontheair
#Nor’easterinApril
#nevertrustthesun
Glenn, I hear the relief in the series of hashtags in the welcoming of change of seasons. In that last one, I sense the distrust, maybe the inevitable that you will be wishing for a new season once again. Love this spring reflection.
Sarah
It took me a bit to figure out learning to welcome sun . . . I was trying to make .it learning towel. Sounds like you’re ready for spring. Sorry about the sun betraying you!
Ha! Nevertrustthesun……it tempts and taunts and makes promises it doesn’t keep, doesn’t it?? I’m sorry you are having a Nor’easter……bummer!
Oof. April is the cruelest month! Didn’t Eliot tell us? I love the way you play with the element of light as a gift and a wound.
Who the heck is Haley Morhlis <3
Glenn, yes, I hear a big nor’easter is coming. Stay safe. Here’s to SPRING finally coming. I can see what is on your mind these days. That third line is beautiful poetry.
#Holding books or
#Enjoying a mystery or thriller series
#Arts lover
#Travel enthusiast
#Heartfelt teacher
#Early morning writer
#Reinventing herself one step, one stitch, one word at a time.
Heather,lovely gathering of tags to build toward the complexity and becoming of self. I welcome the “re” , too!
Sarah
Heather, these #hashtags allow us to share and infer our traits in a very meaningful way. I admire the “#Heartfelt teacher” and “#Holding books”.
Hi, Heather! I’m your fellow travel enthusiast and early morning writer! Welcome!
one step, one stitch, one word. Love this so much, Heather. When I write another draft of mine, you’ve made me consider writing one focused around my hobbies and/or interests. Thanks for sharing!
Heather, that last line is magical. I love everything about it, and hope it is true for all of us, really.
#Reader and writer
#Involved with family and friends
#Teacher at heart
#Always enjoy a good laugh
#Retired reading specialist
#Overjoyed with my eleven grandkids
#Still in love with hubby after 52 years
#Energized by people and projects.
It is nice to meet you, Rita! If you love reading and writing, you’ve come to the right place. I love that you enjoy a good laugh. I do, too.
I relate to your first name, and I look forward to your middle name. I look forward to retirement and being “energized by people and projects.” I am too tired for that now.
Rita, eleven grandkids – you are a busy lady! How wonderful to be retired AND still in love with your husband – – I’m sure life is so much better with the spirit of love all around!
Hubby and I are celebrating 10 years in July; praying I will say the same as you in 42 years 😉 congratulations to retirement to grandmothering and to love!
Rita, It’s so good to see you here! Rita Rose is a beautiful name. I learned so much about you through your acrostic. Beautiful!
Kim,
Thank you for this fun prompt. You sound like a great adventurer!
Wonderful poem to show your interests and your current focus, Rita. Love the way you framed your poem with this colorful background. Retiring is a difficult decision. Good luck!
Rita,
38 years is enough, a good stopping point. Love that you married your h.s. sweetheart. Of course, I want to know about those #nextgreatreads
Nice to meet you, Rita. I relish nature too. I recently joined a hiking club, so I can get out in nature more.
Rita,
I feel like you read my mind with many of your lines. This line is so perfect:
Fun to see so many slicer friends here. I share some of your loves-autumn, nature and the next great read. Beautiful presentation, Rita!
Rita, I love your background! Very colorful and the flowers are so springy! I, too, am fueled by Autumn – – I love the season in between cold and hot that is NOT full of pollen! Welcome!
Rita, hooray for all the interesting things you got into your poem. HS sweetheart! Fun. “Everything autumn feeds her soul” says a lot about you too. Beautifully worded!
Good afternoon, Kim. Thanks for hosting today. My poem is based on my nickname from when I was a kid through high school and shows more of my attitude from back then. I’ve had a few different nicknames since then, but this one is probably my favorite. You definitely show your interests through your hashtag acrostic poem. I need to learn about boon docking.
#Movingmyway
#Ornerytothecore
#Notgoingstop
#Kickingassandtakingnames
#Everydayiwake
#Yodelingyippe-kiy-ay
Barbara, it’s great that you used a fun nickname. I love #O!
Barb,
This is a delightful poem, and I suspect your orneriness is only tempered by the limitations of aging. I admire how you find ways for #Movingmyway and your determination to keep going. Keep yodeling, my friend.
Barb,
I love the attitude that exudes from this poem. Sounds like you were a force to be reckoned with.I laughed out loud at kickingassandtakingnames!
Your personality shines bright in this poem. I love “not going to stop” and “kicking ass and taking names.”
Barbra, I want to know the story behind the name Monkey. I love what you’ve done with your poem today. 🙂
Barb, this poem made me grin. First, I love the nickname. Then you channeled all sorts of good motion and noise into a poem that made me want to know that ornery little girl. #Keepkickingass
Oh, Barb . . . I love this. I especially love this line (but I don’t believe it):
It looks like you had fun with this poem, Barb! I love every line here with lines 4 and 6 as favorites. Thank you for being you!
Barb, I love the spunk! Spunky Monkey! Your K is perfect! I love this nickname, and love that you still think of it and all the attitudes of high school. Glad we are journeying through April togther!
Barbara, I love the line, “Kickingassandtakingnames.” I would love to see the reaction of students, parents, etc. if you put it right underneath your signature on emails.
Barb – I enjoyed the happy images here… that “can do” kid! Yes! “Kicking ass” and wearing that “monkey” with such a strong voice. You are a woman we all want to know. Hugs, Susie
I love the way you balance an element of weight and the non-negotiable with
yodeling. 🙂 Beautiful.
I love you. That is all.
Monkey, how fun is that! I want to hear you yodeling in the morning. I think I can imagine you doing that! Congratulations on your Hawkeye women! Final Four!
#Neverhaveenoughtime
# Interestedintravellingtheworld
#Cookiecakesfromjewelarethebest
#Owningmytruth
#Loveagoodcupofcoffee
#Embracingbeinganintrovert
Lovely to meet you, Nicole through your poem. I love your #owningmytruth! Very fun poem!
The Italian flag as a background was a great touch. I could relate to so many things especially, owning your truth and loving a good cup of coffee. NIce to “meet” you.
Nicole,
As many in this space know, I, too, am #Interestedintravellingtheworld. I hope to read about your destinations this month. Let’s go!
Nice to meet you, Nicole. I totally can relate to #neverenoughtime and #loveagoodcupofcoffee.
Oooh, I love #owningmytruth! That is a powerful mindset and a wonderful way to live. I’ll take a cup of coffee, too! #Love it!
Nicole, it is nice to meet you! So much good here. I remember decades of “Neverhavingenoughtime” but that has changed a bit since I retired. I love “Owningmytruth” Good for you, and what an important message we can all strive for. Is that the Italian flag?
Kim! What a fun way to introduce ourselves to each other for the month. I might have to revisit this again on different topics. I had fun with it!
#thisisnotallofme
#adventurerofnearandfar
#makerofyarniethings
#boymom
#educatortrue
#reallyintofitnessandhealthbutialsolikechocolatetoomuch
I LOVE your title. It’s pretty impossible to squish a good picture of ourselves into just a few words. But yet – you’ve done it. I love “yarniethings” and your last long hashtag. Thank you!!
It was becoming entirely impossible! There’s so much!
Amber, lots of great shares through your poem. I also am a boy mom and love chocolate a bit too much!
Being a boy mom is great, great, great! And chocolate is also great!
Amber,
Your title is perfect. It’s certainly impossible to reveal all of ourselves in one poem, right? i’m also a boy mom and an adventurer, sort of. I envy the #makerofyarniethings people. Not learning is one of life’s regrets.
No regrets, Glenda!!! You can pick it up any time. My oldest student is in her 70s. (My youngest: age 4.)
Aren’t boys just the best! I absolutely love being a boy mom and an adventurer.
Amber,
I love your last hastag: reallyintofitnessandhealthbutialsolikechocolatetoomuch! Feel the same way!
It has to be that way. I’m glad I’m not alone!
Amber, your poem is very informative about who you are. #Boymom is such a wonderful thing to be. my three boys are all adults now. Enjoy your time with your boys.
Being a boy mom is so wonderful! Mine are 10 and almost 17. It’s just the three of us, so we kind of do whatever we want. It can be a riot.
My youngest bought birthday balloons from the dollar store the other day – no birthday relation. They’ve been aired up and floating around the house and car and going to school in his backpack for days now. I found one popped and on the stove the other morning next to a dirty frying pan that my oldest left there from cooking sausage at 10:30pm the night before. Fun times! And how I am careful to enjoy these moments now while I am so so eager to having adult sons. I cannot wait for what ruckus will become of us then. Disasters for sure.
Great title! I really felt that as I wrote today. I also enjoyed the last line: we contain multitudes, right? So we can like both!
Yes, I think you are right! Thank you for point out that truth. Yay to both!!!
Amber, that last line has me laughing – – yes, chocolate is the great temptation, isn’t it? I like that you make yarnie things. I have been working on my yarn skills, but I can’t count.
Counting can be a yard part of it. But keep after it. All good things come with time, right?!
Amber, perfect title! My favorite line is “#educatortrue” Wow! And, of course, loving that last line too!
Thank you!
I tried to get away from education. It sucked me back in. It’s me. It’s part of who I am. I accept and choose to then excel since I’m here in it. I do like it!
Thank you, Kim for this topic. I really like this prompt because it allows me to introduce myself in a creative way. I will try my best.
#KeeperofbooksImaynevergetto
#Avidbarginshopper
#Youngfutureeducator
#Lovingsister,daughter,andfriend
#Advocatefordrugabuseawareness
If I had a K in my name, I’d want to copy your K line. I also really like and keep books that I might never end up reading. Books!!! So nice to have.
It is nice to get to know you a little more. Looking forward to writing with you this month!
Kayla, what great hashtags. I really appreciate your closing one and can totally relate to your first one.
Kayla, nice to meet you! I too have many books I may never get to!
Kayla,
Nice to meet you, Kayla. I agree with Amber. I love your first line too. I feel that is a statement we can all relate to.
Kayla, thank you for advocating for drug abuse awareness. I love the K – – I share it as a first letter and I share it as that very aspect of self. I’m so glad you are a young future educator – – the world needs more enthusiastic teachers like you – especially teachers who write!
Welcome, Kayla! Like everyone else here, your first line — “#KeeperofbooksImaynevergetto” speaks truth! Thanks for writing and sharing today!
Kayla, nice poem with so many rice aspects of you. That first line is golden! And an advocate for drug abuse awareness–what worthy work!
Well, what an interesting way to introduce ourselves. Thanks for getting us off to a really cool start!
#Ambitious
#Naughty
#Nice
#Adventurous
#Reflective
#Observant
#Silly
#Empathic
#Boistrous
#Obedient (often)
#Radient
#Outgoing
Oh! I like the graphic! What a great idea…and great photo!
It’s nice to get to know you. You sound like a delightfully fun person to be with in the writing world this month here.
Hi, Anna! I love naughty and nice opposition next to ambitious and adventurous. So many qualities here that are amazing, surprising, contradictory really showing the complexity of your nature and character. Love the image with the poem too! Thank you.
Lots of fun adjectives to describe yourself, Anna. I agree your radiant and outgoing! Love the imagery.
Anna, I really like the picture that goes with your poem. I also appreciate how each of your lines is a single word – except Obedient, when you break the rules!
Anna — I love the adjectives you chose and especially how they counter each other in positive ways.
Anna, gorgeous photo! I love this! You, naughty? I never would have guessed. I love all your words, and I love that your first name is a palindrome too. All of your words are so you, especially the nice and reflective and radiant!
Anna, sweet words to describe you! I think my favorite is #Obedient (often).
Excited to start poetry month off in this wonderful community!
#Healthierbeingbyplayingpickleballandlearningtocook
#Enjoysreading,writing,painting
#Introspectivenature
#Decidinghowtoenjoyretirement
#Intenselyhardonmyself
Heidi, great hashtags. I can so relate to your final line and feel like I am very reflective, too. Sometimes embracing retirement is a challenge. I’m sure you’ll figure out how to enjoy it though.
Heidi – why are we always so much harder on ourselves then those around us? Thank you for sharing today. 🙂
Heidi, great to meet you. I’ve been retired for a few years and love enjoying it. I too enjoy reading and writing, but not painting. I’m in awe of anyone who paints.
Heidi, welcome! I, unfortunately, share that last line with you. I’m a 1 on the Enneagram, and I wish I were another number. I love when fellow writers share interests – I’m right there with you except I need to be getting healthier, I wish I were retiring, and I truly wish I enjoyed cooking more than I do.
Heidi, good for you! Healthier lifestyle with those specifics make it fun to read! That last line is interesting, and has me contemplating.
Heidi, I love your hashtags! I have never played pickle ball but I love to cook. I love your first hashtag because it shows such a huge part of who you are. I can also heavily relate to your last hashtag and I bet so many others can too!
Hi Kim,
Thanks for hosting. I tried to approach this prompt be sharing something folks who have been writing in this space a long time, as I have, do t know about me. My poems this month will double as Stafford Challenge poems, as well as #VerseLove poems.
#Nicknames
#Three nicknames in my past
#When I was a young lass
#Include Dimples, Sissy, and
#Twitter, grandma Phoebe’s bird sass.
#Time’s past/present thoughts holdfast
#Enchanted stories outlast
#Reflections in cheeky mirror backlash
Glenda Funk
4-1-24
Very clever twist on this prompt, sharing a small story in these lines. Twitter is a remarkably omniscient nickname, I think…who would’ve thought that word would be used by so many (though X is more appropriate now). I love “#Reflections in cheeky mirror backlash” so much!
Oh! I really like how you have shared some memories from the past. What a special thing to share with us about you. The use of the word “sass” definitely builds a mood. Loving it!
Marvelous job of using rhyme with your acrostic poem, Glenda. The imagery is fantastic. Love your last line and holding fast to present thoughts. Your nicknames are cuuuuute!
Just like your SOL posts, this poem is original and interesting. I’m glad to see you in this group and I’m going to try to participate as much as possible. The part about Twitter, made me smile.
A rhyming acrostic which tells a story? Amazing. And Twitter as a nickname?! What fun – makes me glad Elon gave it up; now you can reclaim it!
I love your take on a nickname. Twitter is an interesting choice, but so telling. The final three lines make me pause and think about life and things we keep in our thoughts.
Glenda, I like that you gave us some new things about you! I took your inspiration for the Canva, and I love the way they turn out. Dimples, Sissy, and Twitter – – I like that you are reflecting back on these times and then the last letter is Reflections – – that just gives the perfect last line!
Hi, Glenda – This captures such a fun, “cheeky” gal. Someone we can truly appreciate not only as the kid but through all the storied days. And I love the reflective swan image. Hugs, Susie
Hi Susie,
I took the photo in St. James Park near Buckingham Palace last September.
Oh, those cute nicknames. Fun! And with rhyming, which makes this very fun to read. I love “Enchanted stories outlast” I’m sure we could hear so many stories associated with these nicknames and those who called you by them.
Your poem was so fun to read – especially with the rhyme!
I appreciate the idea of an introductory poem to help build community. Thank you for starting off in this way.
#Chocolatemedicator-dailydosetoreducestress
#Avidnaturephotographer
#Trailhiker-treeswelcomemehome
#Hopepractitioner
#Youngatheartplayful
Ahhh, Cathy, you have such wonderful hashtags. Love #Hopepractitioner. Fantastic list to show who you are.
Cathy, chocolate certainly is good medicine! I love your H hashtag. 💜
I love your C and H. Your words are so peaceful.
Hope practitioner is a great line!
i felt your love of nature as well. Thanks for introducing yourself to us.
Cathy, what a wonderful way to live – – as a hope practitioner! That is inspiring! And a trail hiker – – oh, yes!
I love hiking too – thanks for sharing!
Cathy, what wonderful hashtags. “Hope practitioner” is the best! And the chocolate medicator made me laugh! It does reduce stress, though, doesn’t it?
Cathy, you have such amazing hashtags! I love your first one because I am a firm believer in sweet treats. I also love your hashtag #hopepractitioner. This is such a wonderful quality to have.
Fun start for April. Thanks, Kim.
#Sympathetic
#Upbeat
#Sistertotwo
#Artisticwithpaint
#NativeCalifornian
#Sympathetic ears
#Upbeat without fears
#Sister to two -what can I do?
#Artistic with paint – my favorite blue
#NativeCalifornian – over fifty years
Thought I’d add a bit more making some rhyme. – S
Ooooo! I do like that added rhyme factor. How fun!
I think the rhyming # one is also a bit more fun. It shows a lot and has a great rhythm. The question you ask about your sisters is rather humorous.
Susan, I didn’t realize that you painted! I’m learning new things about everyone today!
Susan, fun! I do like the rhyming one too. Clever. “Upbeat without fears” is my favorite~
Thanks Kim for kicking us off this month! I love the prompt and the sense of adventure that your poem exudes.
#DoingTheseRepairsToSellMyHouseCuzI’m…
#ActuallyMoving?!?!
#VeryLittleTimeLeftAsMonthsMeltToMinutes
#EverySecondCounts
#WhatAWeirdWindingUnpredictableRoadWeTravel
Oooooweee, I feel the tension! Good job on making the prompt work for your circumstances, Dave. Best of wishes on your new journey to your new home!
Liked your writing about time -“months melt to minutes”
I feel the urgent need to get things done in your hashtag poem, Dave. Love the separated last line as it is relatable and provocative. Good luck with your move.
You managed to give this such voice, Dave! We are on
#UGH
#YouHadToRemindMe
#TheChickenCameOutGood
#EverySecondCountsINDEED (will get some chicken to you before you move)
I feel the transition wing heavily on you. I also think this poetry comes out a great time for you to reflect on your journey. I look forward to sharing it with you.
Dave, oh goodness! That’s exciting to be moving. And I’m so glad that despite all the busy things happening, you are taking the time to write with us! The road IS unpredictable, isn’t it?
Dave, wow! This poem is revved up, as you must be in this changing chapter. I hope all goes well! I love the W line. Yes, weird and winding road that keeps it interesting.
This was a wonderful icebreaker for our community, Kim, a great way to kick us off this month!
– Let me introduce myself –
#Meanderingthroughmountains
#Atrowelhelpsrtodigdeep
#Ufascinateme
#Rationalizingchocolate
#Engagesinwordplay
#Energizedbyart-paint-draw-collage
#Nanaenchantedbylove
Maureen–Rationalizing chocolate– I do that every day. Some days, more than once!
Maureen,
That last line is so sweet. I want to see you use a trowel. This image is new to me, and I’m fascinated by it. I love what you did w/ #Ufascinateme. Way to work the prompt!
Love your second #, Maureen. Your last line is a fantastic way to end, too. Very fun peak at who you are!
Hi, Maureen. Rationalizing chocolate and Nana enchanted by love resonated with me. I look forward to seeing more of your poems as we journey through April.
Rationalizing chocolate! I’m all in with you on that, Maureen! It is fascinating to see themes running through so many of us “wordplay” types: a love of the outdoors, art (from drawing to Canva), and nature/gardening. Oh, how your last line resonates with me…as I’m Franna enchanted by love. 🙂
Maureen, rationalizing chocolate – – this is so me, too! I love learning new things about the writers I’ve known for a long time as I learn about those new to the group, too. One thing I always enjoy about your writing is the Nana love and granddaughter stories!
Maureen – I sure love the “wordplay” and laughed at the “chocolate”… girl after my own heart. And love the paint & draw! We have lots in common. Susie
I love #atrowelhelpstodigdeep followed by #ufascinate me. Beautiful word play and detail.
“Nana enchanted by love” – How very appropriate! I think you use a trowel in the garden as well as in your poetry. Digging deep, indeed!
#Rationalizingchocolate – Every single day! Love it!
What a wonderful way to wake up on April 1st to this prompt, Kim! Thank you so much for beginning this month-long journey today. Your “kayakflipping” had me right of the bat. “IntrovertedbyDNA” should be my nickname too. Thank you, Kim!
We were on the road early this morning, and I couldn’t respond right away but have a little window now to introduce myself and celebrate with teacher poets.
#HiThereNicetoMeetYouToo
#Lovinglaughslongwalks&life
#Easygoingorsotheysay
#Incrediblylucky&proudmom
#Littlehumansbringmejoy
#Yearningforhomelandinthemidstofworld’schaos
#Amiableatfirstsightatleast
#Patienceisnotmyvirtue
#Immeasurablygratefultomyparents
#Teacheratheartfromearlychildhood
#Resilientbutsensitive
#Embracingnew&unknown
I love all the mix of emotions in this poem – it’s soft & personal, but also hilarious. #easygoingorsotheysay and #patienceisnotmyvirtue made my laugh – I can totally relate!! Also, you have a beautiful name. Thank you for sharing.
Wonderful that you created hashtags for your last name, too – a real introduction to you, Leilya. How I adore “#Littlehumansbringmejoy” – we have this in common.
I really like the asides you have thrown in–or so they say…and the genuine emotion in your words. I have a feeling you really are a pleasant person (so they say 🙂
Leilya,
This is really an insightful poem. I never would have pegged you as impatient. Of course, I want to k ow about your travels. This line breaks my heart: #Yearningforhomelandinthemidstofworld’schaos I pray for Ukraine and think about your burden often. Hugs.
Leilya, your last hashtag says it all about you. Love how much you reveal about your interests and your personality. Love that you’re resilient but sensitive. That’s a powerful combo!
Leilya – aww – little humans bring me joy, too. Every single line of your poem shows so much heart. You have touched mine!
Leilya,
I love how these tell readers so much about you in so few words. And you share diverse traits, which is cool. The most touching line for me is
Leilya, patience is not my virtue, either. I want things yesterday. It’s so hard to wait sometimes. I’m glad you are embracing new things! And unknowns.
Hi Leilya, thanks for sharing! I am a lucky and proud parent too 🙂
Leilya, you managed to tell so much about yourself. I’m thinking of you and Ukraine now that I read this beautiful line “#Yearningforhomelandinthemidstofworld’schaos” Amen, my friend.
Okay. I’ll try this out this month.
#ExploringNewPlacesIsMyJam
#RunningToFindMyLimits
#InsideMyHeadIAmAskingQuestions
#CuriousMindsWantToKnow
#WhatWouldYouLikeToAsk?
I am glad you decided to give it a go, WOW! You’ll see some amazing and kindest people here. I like your inquisitive and curious personality. What would I like to ask? – What’s the place that surprised you the most?
Thanks for the warm welcome. I think I’m most surprised by how much fun we can have exploring anywhere we go. I’m trying to do a marathon in every state, and we have so much fun in tiny towns from Iowa to Alabama.
Welcome, Eric! I remember you from the March blogging. I adore “#InsideMyHeadIAmAskingQuestions” – I believe this is a great attitude for all of us, especially teachers, especially when they expect questions from their students, too.
Very fun closing question. I think you will love the VerseLove challenge. Love the way you set the tone of your poem, and your second line is dynamite!
Oh I’d like to ask a lot of questions. Does running help you experience new places? Are you at a crossroads? I look forward to reading the rest of your poetry this month. Thank you for introducing yourself.
Exploring new places is a fun jam! I like your sense of adventure and your curiosity!
Eric! Welcome, glad you are joining in Verselove! “Inside my head I am asking questions” is a great line. I’d like to ask what is the farthest you’ve ever run?
Yay for April! I’m excited to be back.
My identity as a mom seems to overshadow everything else these days, so I decided to write one version about my mom-life, and another about me in general (to help me remember there’s more to life than this toddler-stage!)
#recorder-of-firsts
#aspiringhairstylist
#cheeriocrusher
#handholder
#elephantandpiggiereader
#lullabywhisperer
#slidecatcher
____________
#rose-smeller
#altosinger
#cuisineaddict
#homebody
#explorer
#libraryfrequenter
#slothfanatic
Rachel, I love both sides of you! Your mom nature is inseparable from the rest of you, so don’t even think about it. Regardless how old our kids are, we will always prioritize them. I so love “lullabywhisperer.” “Slothfanatic” is another captivating line. Thank you!
Brilliant idea, Rachel – yes, there is more to you than cheerio crushing. How cool that you are a sloth fanatic! I believe Glenda Funk is as well. This is such a fun way to learn about everyone!
Both sides are equally true! Loved the elephantandpiggie reader–which connects to libraryfrequenter. Your kids will be readers too–a blessing!
Rachel, you first hashtag poem is so loving! I can see those little hands with the crushed cheerios in your hand as you whisper a lullaby.
Writing two poems about yourself seems to express where you are in life right now- being a toddler mom is life consuming but you are that and more. Since you are a rose-smeller, I bet you are stopping to smell the roses of your child’s toddlerhood.
Clever idea to write about your two identifies. I remember Toddler Days…It’s normal to lose yourself. Like you, I love the scent of roses and I’m a very frequent guest at libraries. Nice to meet you!
A sloth fanatic! Oh, a fellow enthusiast of the two- and three-toed fascinating creatures! I love them, too! Welcome!
Rachel, this is priceless! Both versions! So fun. “Cheerio crusher” made me laugh. I remember those days. I love Elephant and Piggie books. At least they are good literature. 🙂 Your poem about the other you to help you remember, I’m sure did just that. It is beautiful!
Kim,
Thanks for easing us into poetry month with an introduction and low-stakes poem that feels very accessible!
#EndlesslyReading
#RestInNature
#Icandohardthings
#CravingConnections
#AbilitytoLearn
#JoinMeAtTheTable
Hi, Eric! I can relate to so many things here–reading, resting in nature, doing hard things (a.k.a. life), and definitely “#CravingConnections.” Thank you for sharing!
Erica, I am so sorry for the typo 🙂
I love “#Icandohardthings” – bravo!
Your “I Can Do Hard Things” made me smile as I thought of TeachWrite and our close community there.
your hashtags really resonate with me! I love the calming energy you project into the world!
I can relate to it all, and you include my favorite saying, “I can do hard things.” I look forward to joining you at the table during this month of poetry.
Erica, thank you for inviting us in with “JoinMeAtTheTable.” Every line was my favorite.
Erica, I so understand the craving connections and I also understand endlessly reading. I love that you can do hard things, too!
Erica, your poem makes me want to join you at the table and hear you tell about the hard things you do, what you’re reading, and favorite things to do and see in nature. I’ll tell you mine too. Beautiful poem!
#HiThere
#RelentelessWaterLover
#AnxietyQueen
#CollectorOfLegos
#HomeInTheWoods
#EnvelopedByGreen
#LoverOfSoup
Cool to to kick off the month!
Now I wish I had thought of that for my #A! I definitely relate to that one.
It’s fun to see what someone else did with my name! I’ve always felt an affinity to the other Rachel’s out there (once there were 8 of us all living in one apartment complex – we formed a little club!)
I could have put #anxietyqueen and #loverofsoup in mine. Your green home in the woods sounds like a dream!
Rachel, anxiety is so real in this world. I almost wrote about it too, but then decided to stay as positive as I can on the first day. I do love soups as well. Nice to meet you!
I am smiling at “#CollectorOfLegos” – we have become the depository of our boys’ Legos…
I just love your H line- home in the woods. That is true for me too. I wish I had used that as my H line.
Rachel, so many interesting aspects of you that you share here. I love “enveloped by green” Are you a crazy plant lady? Gardener? However you are surrounded by green sounds beautiful. I too am a lover of soup! Many kinds and all year long.
Nice way to start April and get back in the groove. Thanks for the fun invitation. I just realized in typing my poem out in this comment that there’s a theme connected to the first real writing work I did, which was Louisville Writing Project XXI: 21 and legally writing many years ago. Finding a good “I” verb to fit my theme was challenging.
#Self-Care
#CacheTheWorld
#HikeTheTrails
#EscapeInTheKayak
#RelishReading
#InebriateWithMeTime
Cheri,
I like the look of your Canva. I’m fascinated by that last line and your spectacular use of *inebriate,* a word you’ve flipped and empowered through nature.
Cheri, ohhh, I love “#InebriateWithMeTime. That’s how I spent my spring break. Hate that it ends tomorrow.
Enjoy your self-care time!
it’s the photo for me, Cheri! I want to #escapeinthekayak, too. Love seeing you sharing with this beautiful community.
Cheri, your poem and photo are so inviting. Each word tells me more about you. Thank you for writing and sharing!
You certainly rose to the challenge – “#InebriateWithMeTime” for the I is phenomenal.
Your photo beautifully accompanies your poem, which tells me so much about you. (Unfortunately, I can only personally relate to the reading and inebriation…)
Cheri, this is great! I love — with everyone else — your “#InebriateWithMe Time” line, but I’m also drawn to your “#Cach[ing of]TheWorld,” too, as you hike and kayak and take it all in and store it away for a later date (or poem!). So cool!
Cheri, wow. I love the title of your poem, and the photo that goes with it. Are you a geocacher? I can just see you with your book on many outdoor adventures. Lovely!
#Accordiontickler
#Lateisthenewpink
#Learningtohush
#Innerchildiskindabossy
#Shelvesoftsundoku
#Onnonagenarianduty
#Notgoingtoquitafterjustmyfirstname
#Bannedbooksarelit
#Errisdivine
#Runslow
#Runhappy
#Young64
#Holdthebaby
#Iowasky
#Looseningthechains
#Looseningthereins
I think my favorite was #Errisdivine because when it is written like that it looks like it says “Erris divine” and somehow that’s funny to me or like there is something profound in that — like making Erris a goddess? Maybe I’m thinking of Eris, but it’s funny how that still fits.
This is awesome, Allison. I love when I have to slow down to decipher …that word ‘tsundoku’ threw me for a loop, I first thought it was sudoku. And “#Notgoingtoquitafterjustmyfirstname” – love it so much!
My favorite–your bossy inner child! What I relate most to?–the loosening. getting older does lead to a more rational approach, doesn’t it?
Hi Allison,
I love so much of this and I think it’s beautiful how you chose to end with…
My inner child and your inner child would’ve been besties! 🥰
Love each line, Allison! Accordiontickler sounds surprising and enticing! I especially love “#Notgoingtostopafterjustfirstname,” and it makes me smile recognizing I am the same. The double “R”s and “L”s are powerfully revealing too. Thank you 🙂
Allison, love your active language here and the way you parallel several lines such as #Runslow and #Runhappy and your last two are definitely powerful actions. Love that Iowa sky, too!
Allison,
Gosh, you took this next level! You worked in catchy language and flat out fun. I absolutely love the line and idea of
“#Shelvesoftsundoku”! Yes, shelves and shelves! One day, some day, I’ll get to reading them all. 🙂 I also loved your “N” hashtag, so funny! (And I appreciate that you upticked “#Err[ing]” to “divine” ’cause I screw up often, lol.)
<3
Oh, I just looked up tsundoku. I had never heard that word. I have shelves and shelves too. But I started The Things They Carried today! 🙂
It’s an incredible book. So much to contemplate.
Allison — It’s wonderful to think about each of these descriptors. You are , indeed, a dynamic human being. I still love thinking of you with the accordion and that wonderful Iowa sky! The last two lines… “loosening” has me thinking there are deeper stories to discover… maybe this month via VerseLove. Hugs, Susie
Yes. Loosening. <3
Oh, Allison Berryhill! What a lot of wonders in your poem. Some favorites: N, B (Amen!) and your two Run lines! Yes, indeed. I hope your mom is doing as well as can be. Blessings to you and her and your whole family.
Introductory #Acrostic
#Joinforces
#Empathythroughbooks
#Navigatenewadventures
#Nevergiveupondreams
#Investigatenewopportunities
#Foreverfightfortherighttoread
#Engagestudentlearners
#Readerforlife!
Kim—thank you for this fun way to kick off National Poetry Month! I did not take the time to write out my list, instead I just started writing. As I read through my acrostic, I see I was focused on work. I’m going to do another after taking the time to write out my list.
Thank you again, for this fun prompt.
Jennifer,
Im raising fists in solidarity for that line, #foreverfightfortherighttoread. Readers will win!
Your enthusiasm for teaching and learning just emanates from these lines. “#Foreverfightfortherighttoread” is my fav!
Jennifer, I love the positivity of your hashtags especially engaging students line and forever fighting for the right to read one. Powerful poem!
Jennifer, you are a passionate educator. That really comes through. I think it would be great to write another acrostic about another side of you. One acrostic could never capture all of us, could it? Hooray for fighting for the right to read!
Hello,
What a great way to introduce ourselves! I admire your dedication to blog every day! Here’s to writing every day this month!
Shaun,
Will the AI good outlast the AI evil? That’s the struggle, right? Love the Canva image and the “joy in vinyasa.” I wish I’d discovered yoga as a teen.
Shaun,
I also enjoy sampling exotic cuisine — it’s my favorite thing to do when I travel. What cuisine were you thinking of when you landed on this hashtag?
#UsingAIforgoodnotevil – Yes, yes! Spread this possibility (use a good algorithm or two…I’m a little scared).
Yay, Shaun! Love it! Your poem and pic speak volumes in so few lines.
Perfect title too!
May your new found yoga practice bring you continued joy. Flowing through the poses brings me calm and peace. Namaste.
Shaun, so many wonderful self care hobbies here. You go! I’d like to hear more about how you use AI!
I’ve been getting into sampling exotic cuisine. Fun to try new things
Kim, what a fun prompt to start us off for April’s Verselove💜! I am thrilled to be here in community with you and our Ethical ELA family this month. Your poem speaks to me on so many levels. My favorite line is “#yestonewadventures” because it’s the only way to live!
I love hashtags but I especially love the freedom in how we can introduce ourselves today. Here is my creation! Happy Poetry Month, Kim and friends!
Great to see you, Stacey! I love your idea to create an image! I had to borrow it. Great positive energy!
Stacey,
You have the best name for today’s prompt! You definitely bring the joy. You are my Canva muse, too. Someone told me last week I gave the best last name, and I thought, you haven’t met my friend Stacey Joy!
Yay to Funk and Joy!!! What a pair! 🤗
Glenda, you have definitely been bitten by the Canva bug! I see all your beautiful creations and poetry!
Gorgeous Canva, Stacey! Clearly, I need to find out how to use Canva. I love how you have JOY spelled out on the rocks, a beautiful symbol of #JoySeeker and I think #OceanLover. #TeacherPoet rocks!!!!
Love your joyful hashtag poem, Stacey. Your end is super! Yay!
Stacey, you ARE a joy. Always. So is this poem – I am a yearn-to-learn ocean lover/life lover, too. You really are a super duper teacher poet as well – your enthusiasm is contagious!
Stacey, each time I read your poem, I am amazed by your optimism, enthusiasm, and readiness to spread joy around you. I know life simply can’t be a joyful breeze walk every day. I love how you find little things that make you happy. ❤️
On another note, I may need a little lesson to tame Canva. I only do some basic stuff using it.
Sacey, I love the Canva background and that you are an avid Canva creator. I seem to remember you created a Social media frame one year for VerseLove! Yes, that’s all coming back. I love your JOY!
Hi Kim,
Thank you! My joy is good today because it is the last day of Spring Break. Check on me by Friday. LOL, my joy might be down to -5!
Yes! I made a profile frame for Bryan today. I have a template so let me know if you want it or want me to make one for you. Thanks for being a source of sooooo much inspiration!
Stacey – Your positive, strong voice hasn’t diminished one iota! I love it. Each line makes me so glad we’ve been friends over these last several years! Hugs, Susie
Stacey, the joy pours out here, and you are a Canva Creator extraordinaire! This is beautiful. The short positive lines show the joy with with you #LoveLife!
Some of My #Favorite Things
#SteveMartin’sOeuvre
#ChristmasMovie–DieHard
#Oxygen–I’mabigfan
#TimO’Brien’sTheThingsTheyCarried
#TheDarkTowerSeriesbyStephenKing
#Myfavfavthingissharingwonderful/meaningful/challenging/surprising/etcLiteraturewithStudents
______________________________________________
Thank you, Kim, for kicking us off right! I’m also an “#introvertbyDNA”!
Scott, clever acrostic. It reminds me of Susan’s. Clever! I had to look up oeuvre. Oxygen is one of my favorite things too. I have never finished The Things They Carried. I’m going to take it off my shelf right now. Thanks!
Scott, I loved learning that you are #introvertbyDNA. Your poems are so open–extraverted, even. If I had a T in my name, I would #TimO’BriensTheThingsTheyCarried too.
Hello Scott!
I too am a big TTTG fan. I try to use it in my AP class every year. The students write some very poignant essays about the “things” they carry. Cheers!
Your poem inspired me for my poem. I first titled it #Hobbies but changed it after the letter I stumped me. But seeing your favorite things gave me inspo, so thanks. I love the O–I’m also a big fan as well.
I love that you took the “favorite things” route! I was stumped with not focusing in mine and decided oh well.
I can see older students using the “Favorite Books” “Favorite Songs” etc. with this prompt.
Love it, Scott!
Love that last hashtag so much – lucky, lucky students. I laughed out loud at “#Oxygen–I’mabigfan”
Die Hard is definitely a Christmas movie!
What a great idea, Scott…we learn so much about one another through our favorite things, not to mention connecting over them. That fav fav thing at the last is my fav fav thing here in the poem, and also in my work – at the elementary level, it’s seeing kids fall in love with books, reading, and writing. When the curriculum doesn’t impede it. Just saying.
Wonderful, Scott! I just finished another episode of Only Murders in the Building, so you had me from line 1! And loved The Things They Carried. It’s always a lucky day when your here sharing lines. Susie
Kim, thanks for this fun prompt! The line about your sweet schnoodle rescues with the “rockandrule” and #Yestonewadventures. What a great introduction poem to you, sweet Kim.
I had fun looking for words, and though I can see myself in each line, I’m not sure it’s much of an introduction. Haha! Thanks
#Deliberatelydiligentdiscerner
#Eternallyemergingevolution
#Nonsensicallynaiveniceness
#Inherentlyimprobableindependent
#Solidsecondhandskeptic
#Especiallyeagerentrant
Denise!
I very much enjoyed your use of alliteration in each line. Brilliantly done!
Denise,
Heres my favorite things about your poem: You masterfully embraced each letter w/ the assonance and alliteration, and you showed us you know yourself in the most honest way. Hold onto that naive niceness, my friend. It’s far preferable to being a cynic.
Whooaaahhh! You took it even further with your alliterations, Denise! You “diligent discerner” are such an inspiration!
Denise, this is definitely you! “#Nonsensicallynaiveniceness” is so relatable to me, and life doesn’t teach us the lesson even through rough experiences. I love your skillful use of sounds of poetry–assonance and alliteration! Thank you!
You know I love every bit of this alliterative fun, Denise! What wonderful wordplay. My favorite is “#Solidsecondhandskeptic”
Denise, what an inspiring acrostic! I might have my students try this using alliteration.
Denise, I think you’ve really captured yourself in this poem. Interesting perspective about being a secondhand skeptic and nonsensicallynaive… Powerful evolving warrior you are!
Hi Denise,
I love all the sounds in this!
What great alliterative play, Denise! I think this IS a good introduction; so many facets of your bright personality and your heart shine through. Such as “deliberately diligent discerner” and “eternally emergent evolution” – we should all be deliberate and diligent in discerning, and always evolving. I would add in here, somewhere, “ever-encouraging.” Because you definitely are!
Wow, Denise! You sure added a challenging and lyrical element to your hashtags! So phenomenal!
Denise, the discernment and its deliberate diligence reminds me of my mother – – she had that gift, too. I’m so glad you have that heightened sense. Your alliterative phrases are creative and clever!
Denise–love the smashed together tryptics for each letter–love the eternally emerging evolution.
Students will be much better at this than I am. I’m a librarian, btw. Don’t usually throw books at students. 😉
#keephopingformoregoodthanbad
#earlyriser
#loverofbargainsandbulldogs
#learningtohikealone
#yeetsbooksatstudents
Funny, Kelly! I had to look up the new word “yeets” I guess you metaphorically throw books to kids as recommendations. I love that first line too!
Oh, Kelly! Welcome! #learningtohikealone should be the name of your first book of published poetry. Lovely.
Hiking alone is beautiful. I do it more often than hiking with someone. And I love your alliteration with bargains and bulldogs!
Oh I love learning a new word – yeets! Fabulous!
Hi Kelly. I can relate to being an early riser, lover of bargains and learning to hike alone. By the way, do you have a dog to go with you?
Ha – yeets! Thanks for this new word! I especially love your opening line – I, too, strive to look for the good, every day.
Lol! Loved this!
This is awesome, Kim! It’s amazing how so much detail can be conveyed in so few words. Looking forward to trying this with my students!
I just let mine go where it would…let’s just say that it’s been quite a year.
#justgladtobehere
#unapologeticandunashamed
#livingfullyinthehealthy
#inspiredbysurvivors
#exploringnewrealities
Julie, good for you! It’s been quite a year, and it seems that you are thriving in the midst of it. I love “#livingfullyinthehealthy”
Julie, you wrote a poem for ME in the year 2005 (19 years ago). I was 45. I’m #Stilljustgladtobehere. Sending love.
Julie, yes, I am glad to be here too! Perfect opening line for your poem.
Julie, this is brilliant and honest, I think – “#unapologeticandunashamed” Yay, you!
Juile, I am so drawn by your line “inspired by survivors”. I know there must be so much story behind it.
#carriannhashtag
Love this! Feel like we could be great friends. 🙂
🧡🧡
Carriann, you have managed to convey so much about yourself in this sparse form. I enjoyed getting to know you here in your sweet graphic poem. #alreadyapoet
Thank you so much. That’s very sweet.
#requiresalonetime reminds me of a tag one might hang on a plant for sale – put in sun, water frequently, leave alone. Love this!
First of all, what a pretty name, Carriann! I can see you are a connoisseur of the finer things in life. I am most intrigued by “novice gardener” – I think our human hearts long to live closer to the earth than we do.
Great idea, Kim! This is something I have never done before. I bet my students would like to do this too!
This is Me
#Just completed 31 days of poetry!
#On to another 30!
#Always moving,
#Never stopping,
#Not ever, I mean it!
#Exhausted!
#Enthusiastic to be here
#Making more poetry,
#Even when it doesn’t make sense.
#Ready to write!
#Yippee!
Joanne! Your introductory hashtag poem says so much about you. You are coming from a book full of springtime poems, and moving into another bookful this month. I love the last three lines in Joanne. “Never stopping, not ever, I mean it! Exhausted” So hashtag like, and natural with your name. It really made me smile.
Joanne, I’m with you, a bit exhausted but excited and ready all the same for the month ahead. I love #evenwhenitdoesn’tmakesense because I feel that way so much of the time – – and then people see things I never saw. I love the universal appeal of poetry – – that it meets us where we are as readers and writers, and the making of the sense is a wide spectrum of application! Thank you, friend!
Joanne,
thank you for your introduction. I like that you chose to write your lines as a continuation of the last. Like a conversation.
Joanne,
I love the humor in your poem today. Yesterday’s flower poem was so reverent, and this is such a fun contrast. Yes, *exhausted* and yes to “making more poetry.”
Hi Joanne,
I felt the flow and fun of each line. I am in awe that you just finished 31 days of poetry and you’re back here for another 30! Impressive! Keep writing…
💙
#Exhausted!
#Enthusiastic to be here
Isn’t this the truth!! Your poem has tremendous enthusiasm, much more powerful I think than your exhaustion. Fun month ahead!
I love your enthusiasm, Joanne. It is inspiring for me. I hope I can write each day in April and maybe continue on doing it like you say “Never stopping.”
I know that always moving and never stopping, not ever, is the TRUTH about you, Joanne! Your poems always make sense, by the way. And this one is too fun to read – love how you used both of your beautiful, poetic names. 🙂
#sleepwalkinglistmaker
#allegedbunnyslaughterer
#rageagainstbirdwhistles
#afterpartyisolator
#handsweatingpickleballer
Wow, I’m intrigued on numerous levels! But love #sleepwalkinglistmaker the most. And the pickleball rage has hit these parts en masse….I do love a good pickle, though. Happy #VerseLove!
Sarah, did someone eat the ears off the rabbit and you got blamed for it? I keep seeing the image of a sleepwalking list maker writing: buy more chocolate bunnies and that sleepwalker taking a bite of those ears with a replacement plan in writing. I love all of these phrases about you and wonder about the bird whistles – I, too, will isolate after a party……if I even go in the first place. Thank you for this community space so we can all get to know each other better.
Sarah, so many stories of your life here. I love the intrigue, as Bryan mentioned. Maybe we will see expansive poems about each line this month.
Sarah,
Wut? You killed a bunny? 😱 All others make perfect sense given what I know about you.
Maybe, the lawn mower rolled over their underground tunnel. I think it disturbed their home. The next day, I saw a dead little one in the area where I mowed. Terrible.
That second line demands a story – “#allegedbunnyslaughterer Oh my! Sarah, it is so wonderful to be back here! Thank you for this fabulous month!
“Alleged bunny slaughterer,” Sarah?? Whaaaat? I cannot imagine the story behind this! But, I might well be a sleepwalking list maker myself, just saying…
Sarah, I can imagine you as a sleepwalkinglistmaker, but bunnyslaghtere–no way. Maybe, there was a wild cat walking around? Sometimes, they chase bunnies too.
Hi, Sarah — I loved each of your description lines. The “bunny slaughterer”… I felt that… have been there. The “bird whistle “ line brought levity along with each of these truths. Sure is a treat that you’ve organized this incredible forum for all these terrific voices. Thank you! Susie
Kim,
Thanks for the fun prompt to ease us into this wonderful month of Verse Love!
Your poem captures such diverse things about you! I love the #introvertbyDNA!
#onmymindtoday
#salty because school is in session today
#uncertain of my college sports allegiance
#still hate Purdue but impressed by their play and happy for my guys
#anticipating three minutes and eleven seconds of totality next Monday
#need to climb off the teeter-totter about retirement
~Susan Ahlbrand
1 April 2024
Susan,
Oh, I love seeing the range of topics in this acrostic. What a way to close the poem — that cliff or teeter-tottering about retirement. I suspect you will know your answer by the end of Verselove. Or is there a deadline?
Hugs,
Sarah
Susan, I’m so sorry you have school today. I’m salty for you about that. Around Easter, I wish they would give us Good Friday and all the following week. We didn’t get Good Friday, but we are out this week. That last line has me cheering for you – – oooh, so much to think about there. I am anticipating that day of eclipse, but I’m anticipating retirement even more…..several more years, though……love your poem!
Susan, what a great title. It shows how we are developing and different every day. In a week or two, your acrostic would be a totally different one. Enjoy the eclipse! That’s exciting. We’ll hardly notice it here. All the best as you decide about retirement.
Susan,
You and Barb are such college sports devotees. That’s something I’ll never understand, so I just cheer for the teams my friends love. You’re gonna get a lot of the eclipse, aren’t you? Don’t hesitate on the retirement. The downhill is a slide in terms of years passing.
I love how your hashtags really share where you are at right now, what is on your mind…yay to “#anticipating three minutes and eleven seconds of totality next Monday
Susan, I’m salty about school being session today, too! Last night I dreamt that I told a colleague I wasn’t coming back next year because I’m over it (!!). I am laughing about the college post allegiance issue – this is serious business around my house. My oldest is an NC State grad and is over the moon with last night’s win. The eclipse -! Yes! I so loved following these threads of all that’s on your mind today. I can so relate to every one.
#YOLO
#Bagel it up, hash brown head
#read a poem, write through the dread –
#you only live once, so get out of bed. Up &
#at ‘em, and listen to Right Said Fred…
#neanderthal nincompoop, nothing like Ann Burg’s Flooded.
#Ripley, believe it or not, I’m related to Prudence Crandall,
#i am kin to Reuben, too (France Scott Key, total scandal)…
#proud of democracy (the kind bigots can never handle),
#let life light my scrumdiddlyumptious candle,
#evolving as I do (at times I’m a debacle)
#you only live once, so I eat more wiener schnitzel.
#Crazy to be back for yet another year
#rallying these hashtags with Kim (wait a second, hold my beer),
#always a pleasure to scribble (still sitting in my underwear)
#new month, new day, yes, another poem to puppeteer…
#day one of #verselove, this poetic exposphere,
#and here we our again, bringing one another our brilliant cheer…
#living and laughing, tap-dancing across this page…
#loving this community and thrilled (once again) to share another stage.
Whoops. Forgot to say, “THANKS FOR THE DAY ONE PROMPT, KIM!” Yes to new adventures (and rescuing our furry friends)
Bryan,
I could feel the poetic warm-up gathering momentum with each stanza. Loved how the second stanza zoomed out a bit to offer readers a little bio, and I am struck by how this poem is a series of seeds for poems that you/we might explore in the days to come. So grateful to have you and your words with us this month.
Sarah
Good way to start my morning – with laughter! Your poem gives everyone permission to PLAY! Thanks
Bryan, what absolute fun! Whenever there’s a hold my beer, how can this not be the best part ever? Thank you for drawing on the fun of community spirit and all getting to know each other. I love these lines so, so much:
#and here we our again, bringing one another our brilliant cheer…
#living and laughing, tap-dancing across this page…
#loving this community and thrilled (once again) to share another stage.
Cheers for the journey of April as we get on the road and chase the sunshine in poetry!
Before I saw your picture, I saw the “Bryan” and thought, Is that my Bryan? and, indeed, it is. So I glad I saw your post inviting me to this. Help keep me honest, and writing, this month! “living and laughing, tap-dancing across this page” screams Bryan.
This is truly a poem! Impressive to throw yourself wildly into all three of your names…and the result makes me chuckle so. It’s going to be a fun month!
Wow! Bryan! What an introduction. Thank you for sharing this with us. It will be fun to meet you here in writing this month. I like the fun in the line you ask us to hold your beer. Comradery at best, right?!
Bryan, this is TOO.MUCH. FUN. to read – every scrumdiddlyumptious line! Your poem is a marvel. Really and truly.
Jeesh, Bryan . . . you overachiever! This is flat dynamite! Whereas mine sounds like random hashtags forced by the letters of my name, yours is lyrical and wonderful, telling a story and not in the least random or choppy! Kudos!
Bra. VO!
Fave line:
“let life light my scrumdiddlyumptious candle”
and I loved the hip-hop feel of this. ❤️
Kim, this was so fun! I am so going to use this with my classes in the fall!
What a great way to get to know our members and to get to know each other again. 🙂
An interesting consideration: Was I going to count “hashtag” as a syllable? I decided on not. Loved your poem — I also love the outdoors and adventures!
#NewBeginnings
#Writer of verses
(Not shocking, I’m here!)
#English Teacher of students
(Teenagers? No fear.)
#Nascent artist…but, please…
(It’s been years since I’ve drawn)
#Dog and cat mom of many
(But most recent pup…gone)
#Years to retirement:
(Three! Should I go?)
#Everyone’s mom
(Will I miss those kids, though!)
#Vines and their fruit
(Yep, I love a good Reisling)
#Early riser and walker
(Love the sun when it’s eastling)
#Renewed church attendance
(Getting back to my faith)
#A summer’s day summons me
(In warmth, love to bathe)
#Rocker and roller
(Music: Can’t get enough)
#Digging in dirt
(I’m a gardening buff.)
So creative, Wendy. Haven’t had a good Riesling in forever. Need to try again. And I love the way you’ve used “eastling”. Awesome getting to know more about you 🙂
Wendy,
Fun pattern here with the bolded hashtag and then parenthetical elaboration. This is a great form for students to make a claim and then add commentary. I loved learning more about you from faith to music to gardening. Each a seed for another poem.
Sarah
I love the idea of parentheses for the details! And we have a lot in common! This is a wonderful way to get to know people!
Wendy, so many words with personal appeal: retirement, riesling, faith, artist, dog, writer, verses……and the rhyme scheme with the parenthesis gives this poem a little digging for more after each hashtag and a rhyme and rhythm all its own. Spectacular! I’ve been working on rhyme scheme, stepping out of my other verse boxes, but you and others seem to pull this off more flawlessly than I do!
Impressive rhyming throughout…I am sweet on “#Everyone’s mom” – this is so very dear.
Wendy, I looked everywhere for Screamin’ Chainsaw Chick! Just kidding. I loved that so much…but this, this is an absolute delight. The acrostic interlaced with the fabulous rhyming works beautifully to show us more of who you are…I lingered a while on “nascent artist”. That’s just gorgeous. I drew a little possum recently and my older granddaughter was astonished. Yeah – it’s been awhile since I’ve drawn, too. The lines that really got me here were the lost pup (nooo…I’m sorry) and the return to your faith – this brought tears to my eyes. I celebrate it. I’m so glad you’re here:)
❤️❤️❤️
Wendy,
This is such a cool use of parenthesis! I really like the rhyme pattern that you set up and the call and response feel to the poem. I too feel the summoning of summer!
☀️
This is so cool, Wendy! I love your formatting and extension of the hashtags in parenthesis. I have difficulty choosing the favorite line, but can closely relate to #Everyone’s mom. Thank you for sharing your poem.
#susiestill
#surprisedstillbyeachday
#understandingbitbybit
#stilltryinghard
#inandoutoflovewithmyself
#enduringdespiteitallstill.
#missingyou
#owningfoiblesandtruths
#rejoicinginwhatsgood
#innervatingthebubbleofmyday
#collidingyesterdayswithtomorrows
#evolvingstill.
Susie Morice, April 1, 2024
“#inandoutoflovewithmyself” true that. Thanks for sharing more about yourself with your last name too, Susie! love your title also.
Susie,
The #inandoutoflovewithmyself gave me pause as I read your poem. It caused me to start over and reread. I see the progression within and through each line as a commitment or choice to being. All the gerunds (ings) are in motion, evolving, ongoing.
Sarah
I love your title #Susiestill! I am trying to remind myself every day to rejoice in what’s good!
Susie, your repetition of still is just right – not overdone, not underdone. I like the feeling of continuing it brings. And your title – – you are still Susie! I love it all, but especially the line owningfoiblesandtruths. This is a line I can pocket and run around with. I think I need it on a t-shirt. A colleague came to work on Good Friday with a watercolor rabbit t-shirt, and I opened my Facebook and showed her your amazing watercolor bunnies. I love them.
Susie,
I love this poem, and I’ve missed you something fierce. Every line here could be about my life. This growing old is just a f*cking hard struggle, so I’m honing in on a couple of lines that stand out to me on a very personal level: #inandoutoflovewithmyself
#enduringdespiteitallstill.
Susie, the evolution of you is evident in these lines and one we can all relate to. The idea of “colliding yesterdays with tomorrows” especially hits hard as it takes me great effort to not carry too much of the past with me while still recognizing it to improve and grow. What a powerful poem you’ve given us today, encouraging us to endure, evolve, and try.
Absolutely precious line, “#missingyou” Oh my.
Susie, this strikes me as a celebratory poem, full of gratitude and acceptance (“in and out of love with myself”/”owning foibles and truths”) – even when that might be hard (“missing you”). That little line pierces. The poem is beautiful. I so love the being surprised by each day and rejoicing in what is good; this is how I strive to live also. You are such an encouragement!
Susie, your powerful personality and determination shines through in your poem. Love how you open your poem and the celebration of what is good is powerful. I feel your strength and focus on what is good throughout this. Glad to see you:) Hugs, friend!
Susie,
This reveals so much about you as an individual, yet it also feels very universal. I love how you capture the constant teetering we experience with how we feel about ourselves and life. It’s so filled with hope and I just love it.
I love the “still”s (in you and) in your poem, Susie, and the hope they bring! “#stilltryinghard” and “#enduringdespiteitallstill” and “#evolvingstill”! Thank you for this!
Gayle Sands
#Growingolderisjustfinewithme
#Alwayslearningsomethingnew
#Yearnsfororganization,butthatshiphassailed
#Longstobethinagain,butreallylikestoeat
#Everydayisanewopportunityforhumoranderrors
#Seestheworldthroughwishfulglasses
#Accustomedtosarcasm
#Neverdoingjustonething
#Dogsandcatsarepeople,too
#Somewhatmaudlin,wherearethetissues?
Kim–no time to do anything but throw this together–will comment later. What a great start to the month!
Gayle – This is sooooo honest and familiar to me. We could’ve written this together. Ha! When I first read line 3, I laughed at myself cuz I wondered what a “butthat” was! LOL! Neat window to Gayle Sands! Thanks, Susie
Gayle,
I loved this line that made me laugh:
#Yearnsfororganization,butthatshiphassailed
And I related to this line:
#Longstobethinagain,butreallylikestoeat
Loved this optimism of:
#Everydayisanewopportunityforhumoranderrors
And, boy, what is it with menopause that has made THIS true?
#Somewhatmaudlin,wherearethetissues?
#Loved this poem!
“#Neverdoingjustonething” – definitely, these days it’s never reading just one book, more like back and forth between 4 at any given time 🤪 love that you smushed your words together too!
Wait you managed to get butt, hip, and ass in one line? Props.
I am so much more pleased with my poem now that you pointed that out!!!🤣
Gayle, I am cheering all of this, but especially the L. The N, too. And OF COURSE dogs and cats are people too! I love all that went into this and I’m laughing at Angie’s comment with the 3 things in one line – – I hadn’t noticed on first reading, but now it’s like red font that won’t let me stop chuckling. I love what you’ve done here. I’m glad you kept your words smooshed together like a real hashtag because in this case the butthat not but that is a real charmer!
Gayle, you always make me laugh – I, too, love to eat and long for thin to return but alas… those wishful glasses just aren’t helping. Love this!
I am in love with “#Yearnsfororganization,butthatshiphassailed” – I think because it yells ‘butt’ and ‘ass’ lol …it had me chuckling. Organization is a pain in the …
Gayle! I need an N in my name! I’m never doing just one thing either. Glad to meet you here this month in writing.
Gayle! This was a delight to read. By line three, I was laughing. I love all of it, and “never doing just one thing” strikes a familiar chord with me – but the last line is my favorite of all.
#Margaret
#Mother of three strong women
#Ask me to dance
#Romantic hopelessly
#Grandmother of four potential difference-makers
#Artist of poetry
#Reserved until I trust you
#Early riser
#Teacher of gifted children
Margaret, the you I know is right here for all of us to see, shining through in your words. I know you as a dancer, as a mother and grandmother, as an artist, a teacher, and poet. I suspected you were an early riser, and the new knowing of you is that you are reserved until trust, and that is so, so important to guard our spaces with the choice of whether to proceed in revealing more or think through and wait. I love the deeper things I’m learning today.
Margaret, this is so lovely! My favorite line because of its hopefulness:
#Grandmother of four potential difference-makers
Loved this, and happy April 1st!
I love “#Reserved until I trust you”. And the switch in “#Romantic hopelessly” <3
Margaret – I know all of this about it from your blogging, and it’s nice to see it listed here in poetry from. I connect with – “reserved until I trust you.” I have had to cultivate that in myself. I was more of a Golden Retriever type – lunging at anymore who wanted to play!
“#Ask me to dance” – that is absolutely wonderful!
Margaret, you ARE an artist of poetry, and of life! I am also “reserved until I trust you”. I celebrate your family along with you, and all the work of your hands and heart – it makes a difference to us all – trust me. 🙂
Kim, thank you for this #newpromptventure – I’m saying yes too! Such a fun way to begin our time together, delving into names to uncover and discover. While writing today, I randomly fell upon the word nexible, which means anything able to be bound or tied. I love all the learning that happens here.
#NexibleNaming
#Juxta(word)posing
#EchoismSupposing
#NouningComposing
#NamingTransposing
#InspirationPromptposing
#ForeverNowKnowing
#Everyone’sDisclosing
#RejoiceInApril’s(Un)closing
Jennifer, your rhymes add a whole new layer of dimension to the hashtag acrostic. My jaw hit the floor and I thought to myself, “Jennifer’s done it again.” This is just fun and while it’s whimsical, it’s also sensical. I like #everyone’s disclosing – – that line captures the essence of getting to know each other at the beginning of our April journey….as it (un)closes (very AliceinWonderland effect with the unbirthday – – you rocked the prompt!
I love how you made this prompt into something different with your -osing words. Let’s rejoice together for April’s unclosing!
Jennifer – Your wordplay is super engaging. After I read it, I wished I’d written it. Today, I am “rejoicing“ in your words. Thank you, Susie
Love the word-play, Jennifer, and I(uh)oh(so) love your parenthetical brilliance. Here’s to the month!
Jennifer! This was truly amazing. Love your word combos and the meaning they underscored (#EchoismSupposing) and loved the ending:
#ForeverNowKnowing
#Everyone’sDisclosing
#RejoiceInApril’s(Un)closing
Inspired rhyming!
Haha loved lingering on these a while to figure out the meaning. The word wizard strikes again! 😀
Love how these hashtags rhyme – very impressive, you upped the challenge!
“#ForeverNowKnowing
#Everyone’sDisclosing”
Yes, this prompt is great for getting to know each other.
Jennifer, you’re ever the artist, with your ear so fine-tuned to sound and beats. I love this new word, nexible. And every single line here. My favorite: ForeverNowKnowing.
What a great way to use poetry to learn more about our students and talk with them about the power of hashtags on social media! Thanks for this idea. Definitely going to use it in the future.
#KeeperOfBooks
#Eventually(Re)Tired
#InspiredByYouth
#TakingABreathWhenNeeded
#HopingForSunlight
#OneMoreBook
#TwoMoreBooks
#ThatsEnoughBooks
#OhLookAnotherBookstore
Keith, haha! I innately and purposely live that second stanza. There can never be too many books (or bookstores). You had me with the first line, which makes me ponder all that we are “keepers” of.
Keith, you have a palindrome middle name! How cool is that?? And I love the way the letters worked together to bring us humor – the endless fascination of books – I call my book addiction the expensive golfing hobby I never had. And taking a breath…..such a fantastic reminder in the middle of it all to stop and take a breath and then to hang onto the second line….more breath is on the way!
Ha! I enjoyed the book stanza. I am also “eventually retired” but not yet, not yet, not yet….
Welcome, Keith. Thrilled to see you here. Those that know you best know #neverenoughbooks is more like it – so you’re conclusion is perfect…love to see you taking advantage of the #verselove healing!
Keith,
I loved the way that this line read both literally (ugh! northeast clouds) and figuratively to me in on the heels of your comments about being inspired by youth:
#HopingForSunlight
The second stanza made me chuckle, and the lack of punctuation made it read even funnier. Loved this!
Those last four lines, ha! You just can’t say no to a book.
Keith, I love this perfect play on (re)tired! The “Otto” lines could so be EXACTLY me, too – if only my name were Otto. Alas.Still describes me anyway – what’s “enough” books?? I read your comment on my poem, about your cardinal whistle – that’s fascinating!
I love your whole last stanza. That is so me. Can we ever have enough books?
Thank you Kim for a cool prompt- your awesome!
#kindame
#ClaytonandMelinda
#Lyrical
#Abstract
#Youngbutold
#Turkey-Deer-Fish
#Ontobetterrhymes
#Nonconforming
#MyFamily-Beautiful-Seth-G-Nook!
#Ontosucess-fitness-mind-spirit
#Ontoliving
#Noexcuses
Clayton, I’m especially drawn to those last two lines, as reminders that we need to get up and do, go, live. The excuses seem to pile on themselves (even now I’m contemplating lounging on my first spring break day over all that I could choose to live in). Your poem is the perfect nudge to delve in and soar!
Clayton, I like the repeated Onto in your O letters. It brings about the sense of urgency to get on with the living of life, to find the rhyme, soar with the spirit, and live the life. Ontobetter rhymes is one that inspires me to do more of the writer’s thinking throughout the living of the days, to really and truly think with the mind of a writer. Even in the busy times.
I wonder what young but old really means as I am feeling old but old these days. I’ll hold onto living with no excuses.
Clayton,
I loved the hopefulness of this. I also loved the ambivalence of the title and how naming is a thread I’m tracing through here. Beautiful, mysterious vibe to this.
“#Youngbutold” – love it. I tried & failed to write something about this in mine; we are as young as we feel.
Boxer, my favorite hashtags here are lyrical and onto better rhymes…living the poetic life!
Hi Kim! Thanks for kicking off Verselove with an “easy” but meaningful prompt! I took some inspiration from your introvertedbyDNA line. Yay to adventures!
Angie, I love the notebook paper image for sharing your poem – perfect! You have me chuckling over “not necessarily nice but always helpful” – #trueconfessions, lol. I didn’t manage to work in “introverted” like you and Kim did – but, yup, me, too. Like you I am extroverted with the students. Your citizen of the world line fascinates me; so much story there. So good to “see” again here for the daily challenge!
Angie, you begin with an angel! What a gorgeous first name – Angelica. Your notebook paper is a wonderful way to inspire students to want to follow suit and do this with their own names. I like that at the end you worked in all the people you are, all the roles you have in relationships to others. The connectedness helps me see the extended people in your life. And I must know more about this 52 book club, too. That tells me you are a voracious reader.
Oh I thought you did 52 book club but it’s Book Girls’ Guide, huh? Do it! https://www.the52book.club/. I started in 2022!
Angie, there are so many relatables in your verses today – adventure seeker, life-long learner, classroom extrovert/everywhere introvert… I’m reminded again of how much more people the world over have in common than different – something I hope kids discover during our days together.
Angie, loved this! I could relate to a lot of these — adventuring, a love of learning — and thanks for introducing me to the 52 Challenge — Googles it immediately!
I loved the form of this — how your lines got longer as you went on…gave it a nice sense of building.
“not necessarily nice but helpful” – I admire the straightforwardness of this!
Angie,
Just wow! And how I love
Kim, what a great way to kick off this “new adventure” of VerseLove! A fun modern spin on an ancient form. I adore acrostics. Your “you-nique” Kimness shines through your poem – I feel the energy radiating from it. Thanks for welcoming us with this today! I decided to use my favorite variation of my name – what my granddaughters call me.
#HeyY’all – #ThisIsMe
#finchologist
#rise&write
#aweseeker
#naturereveler
#nowletmelookthatup
#anothercupofcoffeeplease
Hi Fran! Love “#nowletmelookthatup” and “#HeyY’all” haha. Franna is an awesome grandma name!
#finchologist–but of course. Wonderful! I might have to borrow “aweseeker. I love that. Well done.
Finchologist?!?! LOVE IT! Like you, I have my favorite bird and bird call. It may have even gotten me my current job when I “impressed” the President of my school with my cardinal call!
I wish I had thought to use my grandma name! I’m with you on #rise&write. Let’s have #anothercupofcoffeeplease together, OK?
Of course you used Franna – – your favorite name of all! Right out of the gate, I love the way you worked your front door wreath of eggs into the poem, the returning finches and their family of littles – – I am still waiting on my bluebirds to take action, but so far nothing. The rise&write is so true of you, and the onelittleword for 2024 is in the A space. What I love about this day is seeing all the things I have come to know about writers, but learning new things, too – and for those who are coming in to VerseLove for the first year, I’m excited for us to share who we all are and excited to see who our new writing friends are too!
Fran — I loved the “finchologist” especially. Each line=someone I’m happy to share words with here on Ethicalela.
Susie
Fran, you had me from the title!
I feel like if we lived closer, we would be friends irl, lol.
Thanks for THIS beautiful word: “finchologist” (had to look that one up), and I’m wondering what you do that makes you one…
Lovely (re)introduction!
Hey Fran! Finchologist! I still have to get my bluebirds and finches sorted out! And I’m trying to adopt your “rise and write” approach!
I love all of this and I’m about to make my #firstcupofcoffee so thanks for the nudge!
#aweseeker means you see all the beauty others miss!
💎
#nowletmelookthatup – love the endless curiosity & love of learning that shines through in that line
Hi, Fran! So good “to meet” you again here! Every line here tells a lot, and I love “aweseeker” so much. This “#anothercupofcoffeeplease” is so relevant to me as well. Thank you!
Fran, oh, wow. So much magic here. I love every line. Rise and write! Yes!
I have my students write acrostic poems each year to begin our poetry unit. I think they will enjoy this type of acrostic.Your poem shows you as a very outdoorsy type of person. Loved it.
##Let Me Introduce Myself##
#sewingenthusiast
#authorof2books
#needtobecreative
#drawtorelax
#readandreviewbooks
#artistatheart
Hi, Sandra! I am captivated by your first line – it’s so interesting to me to find people who still enjoy sewing. My mother was a seamstress when I was growing up. I, too, like to draw but don’t do it as often as I should. All your lines speak to creativity, creating, making…summed up perfectly in your last line, “artist at heart.”
Hi Sandra, love “#artistatheart” aren’t we all in one way or another. I actually love to see all the different types here!
Nice to meet you too! Sewing enthusiast—you’ve got my attention. I’ve always been too afraid to sew. But, once I started crafting with paper have started. What do you sew?
Quilts, Barbie clothes, prefer crocheting Barbie clothes, bookmarks. Decorations. What ever hits my fancy.
Sandra, thank you so much! It’s the acrostic for the social media generation. I see we love so much of the same – sewing, reading, writing, art. Just from the letters in your name and what you did with each, I can tell that if we were starting a year in a classroom, I’d hope to be sitting next to you.
That means so much. I have been teaching 31 years and want to do nothing more than inspire my students to read and write for fun.
Sandra,
Your poem sings directly to my heart. I love that you’ve published two books! Willing to share what they are?
“Steps to Courage” is available on Amazon. The second book I pulled rights back from the publisher as they were not promoting it. “Seventy Times Seven.
Welcome, Sandra! I love how diverse your creativity is! I wish I could say I sew, write, and draw! I am only confident in one of those three. 😆
You’re someone special!
I’ve used sewing in my classroom since a year after 9/11. Love to draw. Not real great but it is soothing. At one point owned a ceramic shop and I paint, also not real great.
#drawtorelax – love this! Do you draw before/alongside writing poetry? That is cool!
I have my students create a poetry book every year and I do the same. We illustrate them. I had a tiff with a teacher who refused to leave my room until she told me why she was mad at me. I went home, sat in my swing, drew a tree with branches and wrote a poem where each branch and crook had an emotion to it both negative and positive. When I finished it I was no longer irritated.
LOL…kayak flipper is such a great way to start. You had me smiling before anything else! Also, this is a fun way to start poetry month…an introduction, a start–fresh start. Bravo, Kimberly!
#Linda
#L ionhearted daughter, big sister, and aunt
#I interests include papers and books
#N ods off in meetings –give her nudge
#D aily writing is her dish
#A lways planning her next trip
A dish of daily writing … nice!
I laughed at “Nods off in meetings-give her nudge”. Nice to meet you Linda.
Linda, love how you separated the initial letter from the rest of the line and spaced your words. The alliteration sparkles. -“Nods off in meetings – give her a nudge”- lol! I feel this one, friend!
I felt seen with the Nods off in meetings!
Linda, the daily writing is where my mind lingers, and that you used it as a dish says so much about how it sustains – even as food does on a plate – even just a few minutes each day on a routine that works is nourishment.
I love that you are planning your next trip. Can I go?
Linda— The “nods off” gave me a giggle.. love the honesty! Susie
Linda, loved this!
#N ods off in meetings –give her nudge
Um…yes. I can relate. XD
Loved the flippiness of this line:
#D aily writing is her dish
(Yep — flippiness. That was just how it felt.)
And my kids and I are always planning our next trip, too! Glad to (re) meet you in this way. 🙂
Linda – You made me smile! Nods off in meetings – give her nudge. I have been known to do that! Meetings should never be 2 hours and never start at 3:30pm! What are they thinking?!
Linda,
You have captivated me! I’m surprised that you are “lionhearted” but also “nods off in meetings” as well as a planner of trips! Somehow the combination surprised me. I love it all and would smile at you nodding off in meetings. My bestie does it every Tuesday and I poke her gently with my finger in her side. LOL.
Nods off in meetings – give her nudge! Ha! Love the self-awareness and total acceptance of this. Sweet!
Linda, so fun! I laughed at the N line! Yes, we need others to give us a nudge when we nod off. So much fun about you here.
#Daring to be
#Original, but still
#Gathering
#Time to
#Rehearse with
#A
sa#Xophone
Nice Kevin. Glad you “dare to be original”
Love how you turned the acrostic into a story-poem, Kevin. We all need to be “gathering time” for the things we love most.
Ooooooh! I like how you have enjambment going on here.
Gathering Time. Good name for a (saxophone) album.
Kevin, I see you used your Dogtrax name (this is your blog, right?). Indeed, you are in the topmost of originals, with your musical style and unique voice. I like the Gathering Time. I t can see gathering as the adjective or as the verb you wrote it as here, and it is beautiful even as I pull it apart and think of it as a time of gathering together – – so fitting for the first poem of VerseLove 2024!
And he’s back! Always the earliest writer, but always the latest best thing! sa#ophone. Debuting verse here, and debuting interview skills over there! Here’s to April!
You know it!
Kevin, this read like a haiku: a portrait in miniature, perfectly captured. Nice.
Aw. Thank you!
Kevin, you are always original, not just in content but in form too! I love this even more for linking it to Dogtrax! I am intrigued! Is it an open writing space??
Creative!
Hi Stacey
I use that space for my morning poems (and have a blog for other stuff). I hadn’t realized that the hashtags would link back so that’s interesting.
🙂
Kevin
Very original! and excellent use of an “X”!
You are original, Kevin! No doubts about that. I am glad you find time to rehearse with a saxophone.