Jul
31
Haikuage
Filed Under Writing | 2 Comments
A ripple sounds
Ears alert, nose to the air
Stark stillness returns
Jul
14
Just a few acrostics that I wrote for the Central Connecticut Student Writing Project, where I’m instructing this summer.
Bunches of water
Under the spout
Catching the rainfall
Kick it for fun
Empty it onto the flowers
Try to spit into it from a distance
Gorgeous
Egomaniac
Over the top
Relaxed
Greedy
Enormous
Window to my soul
Route to the unknown
Imagination at play
Trip
Into dreams
No limits
Go for it!
Mar
11
Poetry is fun project
Filed Under Teaching, Writing | 2 Comments
Here’s an independent assignment I gave my American Literature students to do during our final week of state testing. I wanted to give them something that was content-light but still academic. Most of them really enjoyed it.
I should point out that all of this (except for the samples, which I wrote) was stolen from the web. Read more
Feb
14
Billet-doux assignment
Filed Under Teaching | Leave a Comment
This assignment was inspired by the book, 100 Words for Lovers, that I picked up at Barnes & Noble a few weeks ago. I gave the assignment to my Delta Writing class (struggling writers) on the last day before February vacation. Most had fun with it, although a few turned their noses up at the idea of writing a “love letter.”
You may question Rule #1. Alas, it’s necessary for this class (not every student, but enough of them).
I gave every student who did the project a 100 under Class Participation for the day.
Jan
1
Kitty sits in the window
birds swoop by — ack! ack!
Frustration emerges now.
I want to eat birds!
I want to eat birds!
Hackles rise as space contracts
ears back, bellies shown.
first swipe, then the fur flies fast.
wounds nursed, glass broken
Mommy’s left to sweep.
Jan
1
Thanksgiving
Filed Under Writing | Leave a Comment
It’s been so long since I posted — I’ve got a bunch of stuff, including this Thanksgiving acrostic I composed for friends and family.
Turkey day
Have more mashed potatoes and
Apple pie.
No boiled onions please. You
Know I hate them.
Smashed turnips and carrots –
Good stuff.
I‘m going to waddle out of here.
Viewing family photo albums,
I remember
November with
Grammy.
Jan
1
On the beach
Filed Under Writing | Leave a Comment
Here’s a series of poems — mostly haiku and tanka — I composed while watching my sister-in-law play beach volleyball in Southern California 2 days after Christmas. Read more
Nov
14
When I’m sick …
Filed Under Teaching | Leave a Comment
I’m not sure if this should be filed under Teaching or Writing, but needless to say, it wasn’t a good day.
When I’m sick, I get cranky
I want to reach for a hanky,
Or maybe a whip
Instead of a quip
To deal with unruly students.
My tolerance it’s waning.
I know I’m complaining.
But please tell me why –
Or I’ll start to cry –
Why I’m still dealing with unruly students?
Tell me quick ‘fore I snap.
Why I can’t whap
The side of the heads
(God, I want to go back to bed)
Of my bothersome unruly students?
Nov
14
A fall day
Filed Under Writing | Leave a Comment
Leaves wafting
from blushing branches
Skitterings in the leaf piles
Delighted peals
Frustrated groans
Rakes once again at the ready
Honks headed south
Burrowing deep
Crunchy white at dawn
Smoky scent
Bus stop drones
Bemoaning
Silent nights
Flakes forthcoming
Aug
10
Clank, whirr! Clank, whirr! Read more
Christmas in SoCal
