Poetry Friday: Sealey Challenge Week #2
Janice at Salt City Verse is hosting Poetry Friday this week. Hop on over to her blog for the roundup.
Sealey Challenge Week #2
I started back to work on Monday, and back-to-school always takes up a lot of headspace. There’s a lot to do, a lot to think about, and it’s physically and mentally exhausting. I always worry I won’t be able to do the Sealey Challenge because of huge change in routine. But I survived the week, and I read a book or magazine a day.
Haiku of the Week
sweltering day
Central Park picnickers miss
unexpected guest
Photo Taken: June 19, 2024 at Central Park, NYC
Haiku Written: June 24, 2024
Poem as Picture Book
By Evan Turk
Atheneum/Simon & Schuster, 2019
A 315-word ode to the national parks.
Poetry Connections
- Ode
- Apostrophe
- Refrain
- Assonance
- Consonance
- Alliteration
- Vivid Verbs
- Imagery
Links
Grow
This week has been all about routine and focus. I have had a busy week, and I just decided I would read every day and work on only one project this week. I’ve only had a bit of time each morning. You’d think starting my 27th school year that I’d remember to be gentle with myself, but I still have pretty big expectations (perhaps very unrealistic expectations) of myself each year. But this year I forced myself to simplify my writing this week.
19 Comments
Linda Baie
I’m happy that you feel like you had a good week. The first week, whew, always exhausting, lists grow, and then, you made it! Enjoy the weekend! We have ‘sweltering’ coming!
Marcie Flinchum Atkins
So exhausting. But then the kids come and it’s even more exhausting.
Rose Cappelli
Love that Central Park visitor! Best wishes for a wonderful school year and lots of productive writing.
Marcie Flinchum Atkins
Thank you, Rose!
janice scully
Your blog is such a resource for teachers and on top of that, photography and art! I loved seeing you picture of this Central Park visitor on a sweltering day. I hope your school year begins smoothly and you take good care of yourself!
Marcie Flinchum Atkins
Thank you! I do look forward to putting my head on the pillow every night.
Karen Edmisten
Good luck with the new school year, Marcie! After 27 years, it’s wonderful that you still make big plans. Lucky students to have you!
Marcie Flinchum Atkins
Thank you, Karen.
Elisabeth
What a wonderful photo and haiku – the picknickers missed a real treat!
I am in awe of how much you read during a back-to-school week! Wishing you a smooth start to a wonderful school year.
Marcie Flinchum Atkins
Thank you, Elisabeth!
Margaret Simon
“Unexpected guest” reminds me that we found a tiny baby red ear slider in our driveway recently. I was tempted to raise it, but my husband said, “Then the turtle doesn’t get to turtle.” So we let him go. Good luck for the start of school. I’m exhausted.
Marcie Flinchum Atkins
I love that “turtle doesn’t get to turtle.” 🙂
Carol Varsalona
Marcie, since I have spent the last two days with all 3 of my grandgirls, I am very late on posting my blog. So as I ride home from leaving the little girls with their parents, I decided to read a few blog posts. Congratulations on making the Sealy challenge a priority again but in a slowdown pattern. Your haiku fits well for an August poem. The turtle is one I’ve never seen before. Enjoy the start of school.
Marcie Flinchum Atkins
Thank you! It’s always hard to adjust to a new schedule, but I’m looking forward to it.
Mary Lee
Here’s to year 27!
I wonder how much I miss every time I ramble through bits of Central Park?
Marcie Flinchum Atkins
Isn’t Central Park a wonder?
PATRICIA J FRANZ
Yes, simplify! I’m emerging from a curve-ball week and share your intention. What a delight to catch a glimpse of that turtle!
Ramona
Love this noticing of a Central Park visitor! Congrats on year 27. Remember to slow down and breathe. It’s easy to forget in the scurry of back-to-school preparation.
Marcie Flinchum Atkins
I needed this reminder today! Thank you!