Poetry Friday

Poetry Friday: NCTE Bound

November 7, 2024 /
 

Good News & Tough News

 
Let’s start with the good news. I think this was announced a week or so ago: Carole Boston Weatherford is the new Young People’s Poet Laureate for the Poetry Foundation!
 
Congratulations to Carole! I’ve been very lucky to learn from her multiple times. I can’t wait to hear more!
 
And now for the tough news. There’s a lot going on in the world. There’s a lot going on in our country. And there’s a lot going on with me personally.
 
I’m still struggling with how to put it all into words. I keep going back to the fact that I can only control how I respond on a day-to-day basis in my own community.
 
I really appreciated Hank Green’s words. They helped me take a deep breath. 
 
Every day, I get the privilege to work with children. I get to raise my own children. I get to write my own stories. Those words have been a struggle lately. I’ve been dealing with some serious health-related issues that won’t be resolved easily. It just seems like a lot is blocking me from the doing the work I feel like I’m meant to do. I’m sure I’m not alone, and I stand with you.
 
 
 

NCTE

 
I’m grateful that I will be able to attend NCTE. That I can connect with other poets. Maybe, just maybe, by being around others who also love words and want the world to become a better place, I will be able to calm my anxious heart.
 
If you’re going to be at NCTE, I hope I get to see you! Here’s where I’ll be.
 
 
 
 
 

Haiku of the Week

 
don’t come too close—
we’re feeling prickly
post-election
 
 
Photo Taken: October 5, 2024 at the United States Botanic Garden 
Haiku Written: November 6, 2024
 
 

Poem as Picture Book

 
By Maisha Oso
Illustrated by Candice Bradley
Orchard Books, 2024

This is a 312-word poetic Black history celebration. 

Poetry Connections

  • Alliteration
  • Simile
  • Internal Rhyme
  • Assonance
  • Point of View
  • Metaphor

Links

 
 

Grow

I’m giving myself grace. I don’t need to grow this week. I need to survive—mentally and physically.

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24 Comments

  • Linda Baie

    November 7, 2024 at 11:28 PM

    First, I’m sorry for the challenging health issues & wish you better in the very near future, Marcie. I’ve loved NCTE in my past & both your presenting with those wonderful people (I know a few.) and being with so many other special ones will bring lots of joy and inspiration! Thanks for sharing your personal thoughts, and for that “prickly” smile in your haiku!

  • Rose Cappelli

    November 8, 2024 at 6:04 AM

    Special thoughts and hugs, Marcie. I absolutely love your haiku today. And have a wonderful time at NCTE. I have lots of special memories of presentations and gatherings at NCTE. In fact, that’s where we first met! Every November I get a little wistful. Perhaps one day I will return.

  • PATRICIA FRANZ

    November 8, 2024 at 8:11 AM

    You are right where you need to be, Marcie. Sometimes we have to wait. The work will be there when you’re ready. I so wish I could sit in your three panel discussions at NCTE! Hope you’ll share all of the wisdom and insight post-conference, especially HOPE IN HARSH TIMES! Guessing that one may be SRO! xoxo

  • jama

    November 8, 2024 at 12:21 PM

    Sorry to hear about the health challenges — sending strength and positive healing vibes your way. Hope you have a great time at NCTE! Thanks for the prickly haiku — nailed precisely how I feel.

  • Laura Purdie Salas

    November 8, 2024 at 2:50 PM

    I was happy to see your Grow comment, Marcie. Ugh. I’m sorry for the personal stuff on top of the election news. It’s overwhelming, as we’re grappling with tough family things as well. I hope to see you at NCTE! Are you going to the poetry meet up Friday night? xo

  • Denise Krebs

    November 9, 2024 at 4:44 PM

    Marcie, I’m looking forward to being at NCTE this year too. I will find you at at least one of your sessions. I will present Session A.27 at 11:30 on Thursday, called “Words that Mend.”

    That closeup image of the prickly cactus is amazing. “we’re feeling prickly” is a great and true line these days.

  • Carol Varsalona

    November 9, 2024 at 9:52 PM

    Marcia, I hope you enjoy the NCTE Convention. Your sessions sound fascinating. I enjoyed your haiku. Your words ring true at this time in our country. Before I retired and moved to Virginia, I enjoyed attending and presenting at NCTE. It is a wonderful place to meet friends and make new acquaintances. Giving yourself some grace time sounds like a good plan.

    • Marcie Flinchum Atkins

      November 14, 2024 at 7:50 PM

      It is a wonderful place! I have met so many different poetry friends at NCTE. I think I met Laura Purdie Salas, Irene Latham, Matt Forrest Esenwine, Mary Lee Hahn, Rose Cappelli (and probably MORE) poet friends in person at NCTE in Baltimore in 2019.

  • Heidi Mordhorst

    November 10, 2024 at 3:55 PM

    Well, I wasn’t feeling too too bad about missing NCTE this year until I saw your Friday session. Sorry to miss THAT one! And sorry to hear that you’re coping with more than the usual tough news. Go on and be prickly when you need to. We know you’re storing up juice for a later burst of powerful growth!

  • Ramona

    November 10, 2024 at 4:38 PM

    Love your haiku! More than a few of us feel the same way in our community. So sorry you have health related issues. Wishing you progress on that front.
    I so wish I could attend your sessions at NCTE. Maybe you can do a mini-share for those of us who won’t be there, especially your Finding Hope in Hard Times session..