Promises, promises


Writing a poem for a contest because I said I would...

I convinced several of my students to enter a poetry contest with my local writing project. We did a few types of poems in class, and they want me to enter one also. I'm only allowed to enter one poem, though, and neither of the ones I've started/drafted are as good as the one I entered last year..

Well, I've heard that "done is better than never finished"... right?

The first poem we did was in response to "This is Just to Say" and several poems in the Forgive Me, I Meant to Do It book. Here is my attempt (with some revisions from my first draft)



This is Just To Say


I pulled you closer
for a little snuggle
while my nose tickled
with an impending sneeze

and I know you
had no desire to be
covered in millions of germs.

Forgive me,
I didn’t want to
be all alone
home sick from school.

Then we did some brainstorming to help us write poems about writer's block. Several of my students are entering their poems from this activity in the contest. Here's my humble attempt.. I ended up rearranging the stanzas multiple times. I'm not convinced it's "done", but I'm not sure what else to add. I decided to submit the other poem, since this one clearly needs to continue.


Blank Page Blues

There’s a story deep within me
clamoring to be set free.

Nights filled with toss-n-turning;
Why won’t it let me be?

I’m staring at the barrel
Of my trusty purple pen

But I’m stuck on the beginning -
Do I start with “what?”
Or “when”?


I'm writing each day in March as part of the Slice of Life challenge hosted by Two Writing Teachers. Join us today - or as many days as you can.


Also - if you stop by and comment, and you are also slicing - PLEASE feel free to include your URL in the comments. With over 200 people slicing, it is often hard to go find your specific link on the Two Writing Teachers page, and I'd love to come read YOUR slice too!

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