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The 2017 Progressive Poem is here!

4/19/2017

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What a joy to be part of Irene Latham's Progressive Poem! It's been a blast watching this poem grow from blog to blog and I'm thankful to Irene for coordinating this effort each year! I wanted to be somewhere in the middle – not responsible for a beginning or ending. S4’s exhortation to "find the book," was just up my street! S5 included a brief departure from the mission as our protagonist couldn't resist the temptation to spout a few words while on stage - so true to her nature! (Yes, I think the protagonist is a she although I know some of you feel she is a he!) Pat, on S5L3, took up the quest once again but added another twist - apparently the book quest is part of a prophecy! Just wow! With this whole "find the book" couched in a prophecy plot twist, I feel like this poem could easily go another month! But I'll play along. I'll take the plunge. In fact, I'll dive in headfirst:

I’m fidget, friction, ragged edges--
I sprout stories that frazzle-dazzle,
stories of castles, of fires that crackle
with dragonwords that smoke and sizzle.
 
But edges sometimes need sandpaper,
like swords need stone and clouds need vapour.
So I shimmy out of my spurs and armour
facing the day as my fickle, freckled self.
 
I thread the crowd, wear freedom in my smile,
and warm to the coals of conversation.
Enticed to the stage by strands of story,
I skip up the stairs in anticipation.
 
Flip around, face the crowd, and freeze!
Shiver me. Look who’s here. Must I disappear?
By hook or by crook, I deserve a second look!
I cheer. Please, have no fear. Find the book.
 
But wait! I’ll share the lines I know by heart.
Mythicalhowls, fierytones slip from my lip
Blue scales flash, claws rip, the prophecy begins
Dragonworld weaves webs that grip. I take a trip…

Next up, Donna at Mainely Write. Take it away, Donna!

38 Comments

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    B. J. Lee is a children’s author and poet. Her picture book, There Was an Old Gator Who Swallowed a Moth, is launching with Pelican Publishing on February 15, 2019. She has poems in 25 poetry anthologies published by  Little, Brown, Wordsong, BloomsburyUK, National Geographic, Otter-Barry Books, Pomelo Books, and Chicken Soup for the Soul. She has worked with anthologists Lee Bennett Hopkins, J. Patrick Lewis and Kenn Nesbitt. She has written poems for such children’s magazines as Spider, Highlights and The School Magazine. Follow her on Twitter @bjlee_writer.

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