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Poetry Friday: The Mortimer Minute Children's Poetry Blog Hop

10/3/2013

37 Comments

 
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Hello Hoppers!
It's time for another episode of The Mortimer Minute!

Mortimer's been trying to jump through that Blue Window with little success, since he is such a big bunny and that's such a little blue window. He has befriended the cat, however, and they are getting along famously.

A big thank you to Renee La Tulippe at No Water River for tagging me last week! 

I've posted the bios of the poets I've tagged at the end of this post, along with the dates they plan to hop.

Here’s how to hop “Mortimer Minute” style!

  • Answer 3 questions. Pick one question from the previous Hopper. Add two of your own. Keep it short, please! This is a Blog Hop, not a Blog Long Jump. This is the Mortimer Minute – not the Mortimer Millennium!
  • Invite friends. Invite 1-3 bloggers who love children’s poetry to follow you. They can be writers, teachers, librarians, or just plain old poetry lovers.
  • Say thank you. In your own post, link to The Previous Hopper, then keep the Mortimer Minute going – let us know who your Hoppers are and when they plan to post their own Mortimer Minute. 

Ready? Let’s hop!

Mortimer: Is there a children’s poem you wish you had written?

BJL: Yes, “Walk Softly” by Alice Schertle. This poem is from Keepers. It also happens to be an appropriately ‘spooky’ poem for this time of year!

Walk Softly

Walk softly
in this wood,
where little wispy things
in gown and hood
slide down the dark
and fold their wings.

Shy and hidden
shadow things
of pipe and ring
and strange remember power.
Shadow voices
high and thin
quiver in the wind
this witching hour.

Little fragile fading things
turn watchful eyes
upon me as I pass--
a sudden rustle in the grass
as something flees
before my awful
bone and blood.
Walk softly
in this wood.


~ Alice Schertle, Keepers

Every time I read this poem, I just can’t get over Alice Schertle’s mastery: her voice, her phrasing, her line breaks, her rhyme, and her alliteration and assonance. To me, this is one of her very best poems, although I am in awe of all of her poetry.

Mortimer: Do you have a silent mentor?

BJL: Yes, that would be Alice Schertle. I have other silent mentors, but I have to say, I’ve learned more about poetry from reading and studying Alice Schertle’s poetry collections than from any other poet.

Mortimer: What got you started writing children’s poetry?

BJL: One word – injury. Don’t get me wrong, I had been dabbling in poetry for a long time but I was more into writing fiction and had, in fact, almost completed a novel when I was stopped in my tracks by shoulder surgery. My recovery was marked by a long period of bicep tendinitis – we’re talking two years. I couldn't type; I could barely write longhand. So there went my dreams of becoming a novelist. I turned to poetry because of its brevity, reading all the children’s poetry I could, and then I started writing children’s poetry. And I have to say, I love it even more than writing fiction. So, although I couldn't see this at the time, some good did come out of that painful episode in my life – a reawakening of my poetic skills and a new-found love of children’s literature, especially poetry!

That’s the end of my Mortimer Minute! Here are the poets who will hop in coming weeks.



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Buffy Silverman‘s curiosity about the natural world inspires much of her writing. She is the author of more than 60 nonfiction books for children and has written poems for Ladybug, Spider, Cricket, Highlights for Children, and Know magazine.  Buffy is lucky to live near a lake and woods in Michigan where inspiration abounds. Buffy will be posting on October 11, 2013. www.buffysilverman.com
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LIANA MAHONEY is a nationally certified teacher from upstate New York who writes children’s poetry, educational materials, and non-fiction. Her first picture book, FOREST GREEN, a rhyming non-fiction circle story, is forthcoming from North Country Books. She has numerous poetry credits, including the SCBWI Bulletin, various children’s magazines, online publications, and a poem in the award-winning sports-themed anthology AND THE CROWD GOES WILD. Liana’s poems also appear in various curricular materials with School Specialty, superteacherworksheets.com, and the Core Knowledge Foundation. She believes that a walk in the woods is  one of the best cures for writer’s block, second only to teaching kindergarteners. Liana will be posting October 25, 2013. www.lianamahoney.com
37 Comments
Margaret Simon link
10/3/2013 08:53:11 pm

It amazes me how Mortimer gets around. He's a magical hopper. I have my Mortimer Minute up today too. Love the Alice Schertle poem, new to me. There is sometimes divine wisdom in having an injury. We just need to be open to the spirit. You obviously have found a nice window that you could fly through.

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B.J. Lee
10/4/2013 02:54:24 am

Thanks Margaret! You're right about the divine wisdom/blue window! You can't fight a tidal wave!

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jama link
10/3/2013 10:27:51 pm

What a beautiful Alice poem. I can see why you like it so much and find her work so inspiring. Sorry to hear about the shoulder injury, but glad that something good came out of it. I've always believed things happen for a reason . . . :)

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B.J. Lee
10/4/2013 02:56:20 am

Thanks Jama! Alice Schertle is the best! And it's good to believe things happen for a reason - no sense pounding on a door that won't open - better to fly through a window!

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Andromeda Jazmon link
10/4/2013 04:24:55 am

I haven't read much of Alice Schertle's work before but I am falling in love. Thanks so much for sharing!

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B.J. Lee
10/4/2013 05:55:39 am

Hi Andromeda! I'm soooo glad! Alice Schertle is fabulous! Check out How Now Brown Cow, Keepers, and Advice for a Frog, three of my favorite collections!

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Keri Collins Lewis
10/4/2013 06:58:30 am

Alice Schertle's poetry is not familiar to me -- I'll have to do some digging and find her books at the library. I think I've read the bear book, but not the blue truck books or poetry collections. Thanks! I'm glad you found your way to poetry and blogging, B.J. -- just wish it had been less painful!

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B.J. Lee
10/4/2013 07:30:32 am

Keri - thanks for stopping by! Yes, check out her poetry. I'm not as familiar with her pbs! I think she wrote pbs first, then wrote her collections. I'm glad I found my way too!

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Linda Baie link
10/4/2013 09:02:27 am

You're right, the poem is marvelous. I think I must keep it in my Halloween collection, BJ. Sorry about the injury, but it does sound as if it was meant to be, and a gift to us readers of your wonderful poems.

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B.J. Lee
10/4/2013 03:16:20 pm

Thank you so much, Linda! I take that as a high compliment! And yes, it's a great scary yet sophisticated Halloween poem.

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Myra from GatheringBooks link
10/4/2013 07:29:22 pm

Hi there B.J. This is the first I'm reading of Alice Schertle's poetry. Thanks for featuring her voice this week. I agree that it's beautiful. Makes for a wonderful read-aloud too, I feel.

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B.J. Lee
10/5/2013 02:33:01 am

Hi Myra! I'm glad you enjoyed Alice's poetry!

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Renee LaTulippe link
10/4/2013 07:34:00 pm

Oooh....that is a marvelous, marvelous poem. And just when I'm looking for a poem to perform for a Halloween video, too! I wonder if Alice would let me do it. Sigh.

And I'm so glad to see the term "silent mentor" making an appearance. :)

Thank you for sharing your story, BJ. I love that something so good came out of something bad. Happy endings!

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B.J. Lee
10/5/2013 02:35:11 am

Hi Renee! I agree it would be great if you could perform this poem on NWR! Yes! Silent mentor! I guess I know where I got that from!

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Liz link
10/4/2013 10:04:22 pm

Well I'm sorry that's why you started writing children's poetry, but I'm glad you do. I love the poem you shared. I love "strange remember power." I also love the term "silent mentor." I think I will look for this book.

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B.J. Lee
10/5/2013 02:36:46 am

Liz - Definitely check it out. All of her collections are fabulous!

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janet wong
10/4/2013 11:59:50 pm

I am a huge fan of Alice, too, B.J.--thanks for the reminder to read KEEPERS! I'm so happy that Mortimer hopped over here this week!

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B.J. Lee
10/5/2013 02:38:19 am

Janet - So happy you stopped by and that Mortimer hopped by! Yes, definitely find KEEPERS; finders keepers!

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Buffy Silverman link
10/5/2013 12:07:07 am

This poem is definitely a keeper! Thanks for posting it. I was just rereading "The Cow's Complaint" by Alice Schertle while trying to master a triolet. Glad to read another of her masterpieces.
And thanks for the tag!

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B.J. Lee
10/5/2013 02:39:42 am

Thank you, Buffy! I'll be looking forward to reading your Mortimer Minute next week! I love The Cow's Complaint as well. That was the first triolet I ever read.

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Doraine Bennett link
10/5/2013 04:09:39 am

I love Alice Schertle. You are absolutely right about her mastery. I read you last post, too, with the poem about the sea, and I can see her influence. Just lovely.

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B.J. Lee
10/5/2013 11:22:22 am

Yay Doraine! Another Alice Schertle lover! thanks for your kind comments!

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Tabatha
10/5/2013 09:40:54 pm

Thank you for sharing "Walk Softly" with us, and for telling us about how you became a children's poet. My older daughter has struggled with tendinitis -- so frustrating! She uses speech recognition software, which has been a real boon.

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B.J. Lee
10/6/2013 05:09:35 am

I'm glad you liked the poem, Tabatha. Yeah, tendinitis can be a real bear. I finally heard about Dragon Voice Activated Software and I got it towards the end of my bad bout. Now I use it if I need it. Thanks for mentioning it! I'm glad to hear your daughter does well with it!

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Julie Larios link
10/6/2013 06:22:49 pm

I'll join the chorus of voices saying YES to Alice Shertle - wonderful poet. Thanks for posting her poem, BJ. And I'm so glad you turned to poetry, no matter what the reason.

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B.J. Lee
10/7/2013 01:42:09 am

I love a chorus of voices saying YES to Alice Schertle. Yes, Yes, Yes!

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laurapurdiesalas link
10/6/2013 11:37:16 pm

Fun to learn a bit more about you, BJ! I love KEEPERS, and you have inspired me to go grab it off my shelf and read it again--it's been a while. This is an amazing poem. The concrete details that paradoxically give it its mystery. Thank you!

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B.J. Lee
10/7/2013 01:43:50 am

Hi Laura - Thank you! Enjoy KEEPERS! I never seem to stop enjoying it!

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Michelle Heidenrich Barnes link
10/7/2013 03:09:50 am

The good that came of your pain was a blessing for us as well! Thanks for sharing your minute with Mortimer.

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B.J. Lee
10/7/2013 09:38:20 am

Michelle! Thank you! So kind of you to say!

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Penny Klostermann link
10/8/2013 08:21:33 am

Nice to hear how you got started writing poetry...not nice that you had surgery, etc., but look where it led you!

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B.J. Lee
10/8/2013 10:10:58 am

Hi Penny! Yup, it's all good now - a phoenix rising from the ashes!

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Laura Shovan link
10/10/2013 12:08:00 pm

BJ, I agree with everyone's comments. What a haunting poem -- moving with care through the spooky, elemental forest. It puts me in the mood for Halloween.

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B.J. Lee
10/10/2013 01:06:32 pm

Hi Laura! Thanks for stopping by. Yes, it was a serendipitous choice - my favorite poem that just happened to be appropriate for Halloween!

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Becky Shillington link
10/12/2013 10:27:50 am

I love the poem, B.J.! I have gotten back in touch with my "inner poet" over the past year, too. I am sorry about the injury, but so glad you have made lemonade out of lemons! = )

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B.J. Lee
10/13/2013 07:00:48 am

Thank you, Becky! I'm glad you've gotten in touch with your inner poet! Yes, lemonade out of lemons!

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    Author

    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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