Merely Day By Day

National Poetry Month:  30 of 30! Pardon me while I shout, "WOOO HOOOO!" Well I started writing each day on March 1st with the Slice of Life Challenge and then followed it for the month of April with a poem each day.  Thanks to those of you have stopped by to cheer me on and my apologies for some of the posts that --- well --- shouldn't have been posted.  However, I did manage to post every day for 61 days.   For the finale I am joining the  #chalkabration hosted by Betsy at Teaching Young Writers .  My class also wrote chalk poems today that I will post this week on our class blog.  Thanks, Betsy, for energizing poetry for us!   chalk captures moments that wash away poetry captures words that always stay © Cathy L. Mere

National Poetry Month:  29 of 30 When I saw Mary Lee's choice from WikiMedia today I decided this was the perfect opportunity to play with a little nonfiction poetry.  I did some quick research and used some of the information to write about these meerkats who appear to be standing guard.  It turns out meerkats are quite cooperative working together for the greater good.   Photo by Sara & Joachim via WikiMedia Commons Sentries together we listen for hawks, jackals, eagles. we watch tirelessly. together we stand while others hunt for lizards, insects, birds. foraging for food. we are ready at a moment's notice to bark our call, warning all to take cover, to hide deep in our tunnels. together we stand strong, we protect, we are the lookouts, guarding our mob. together we are one. © Cathy L. Mere Meerkats often seen in groups work together in numbers a few stand as lookouts while others forage for food sharp shrill

National Poetry Month:  Poem 28 of 30 21st Century Problems This morning I found a post, I knew that I must share. Though I knew it was important I couldn't decide just where. Should I tweet it out on Twitter For colleagues all to see. Or maybe I should pin it On a board that's made for me. I could just diig the post, So the link I'd later find. Oh, all the possibilities, I'm going to lose my mind. Perhaps I should post it on Facebook So my friends and family know. I think they'll want to see it too; To the link they'll want to go. I could put it in Evernote, So I'd always have it near. I could write about it on my blog So others too could hear. The possibilities to organize and share Are endless it is true. Should I pin it, tweet it, diig it, Oh, what am I to do? © Cathy L. Mere

National Poetry Month:  27 of 30 When I saw these little goslings peeking out from some shrubbery I knew what my post for the day would be. Paradise? Parents  often have the best  of intentions. But what were these young geese thinking when they made this busy parking lot a home? Was it the puddles that attracted them? The distance from predators that made them feel  safe? Or were they tired of life on the lake, setting out to make a paradise  in city pavement? © Cathy L. Mere Facts About Canadian Geese before 1950 Canadian geese just passed through Ohio or visited in winter introduced in Ohio in 1950 (silly naturalists) typically live near large lakes or marshy areas "clutches" are laid before April 15 2-7 eggs (less than ducks which often lay 12) both parents care for young new borns are self-feeding babies can fly after 8-9 weeks families stay together into autumn eat plant matter, insects, aquatic invertebrates live

National Poetry Month:  26 of 30 I've been working on poems all week with my first graders.  When I saw Mary Lee's WikiMedia picture today , I knew I had to join with a poem for my students.   Reflection by Brocken Alinglory WikiMedia Commons Bubbles Bubble, Bubble, blow, blow. Bubble, bubble, grow, grow. Bubble, bubble, soar, soar. Bubble, bubble, more, more. Bubble, bubble, fly, fly, Bubble, bubble, high, high, Bubble, bubble, drop, drop, Bubble, bubble, Pop!     Pop!

National Poetry Month:  25 of 30 (almost there!) cascading beauty long thin arms reach for the ground pink cherry fountain

National Poetry Month:  24 of 30 (almost there!) Today our class worked together to write a poem about soccer.  I should have brought it home to share it with you.  It turned out to be a poem about a muddy soccer game.  I decided to try another soccer poem this evening to share with my students tomorrow.  A Soccer Ball by Pumbaa80 via WikiMedia Commons The Player dribbling the ball from toe to toe left to right back and forth she weaves down the field around the players toward the goal defenders race to fight for the ball she is focused they cannot stop her she takes aim kicks the ball toward the goal it rises the goalie dives reaches but she cannot stop it GOAL!

National Poetry Month:  Poem 23 of 30 My students have been collecting ideas for poetry in their writer's notebooks.  This week we were talking about some of our favorite things.  I was reminded of this quilt ( and my grandma who made it ).  We will soon take some of these ideas and turn them into poems.  I thought I'd get started here.   Double Wedding Ring Quilt  Material collected from outgrown dresses worn out pants fabric pieces salvaged. Carefully stitched together by caring hands piece by piece stitch by stitch day by day. Sewn patterns circles entwined no beginning no end interlocked accepting. Pieces joined useful once again as the quilter brings them together one quilt one new story. © Cathy L. Mere A Little Quilt History Quilt Patterns Through Time History of the Double Wedding Ring A Most Romantic Quilt

Today I am again joining Mary Lee as she writes a poem about irises using an image from WikiMedia Commons.   Irises in my yard. Irises I wait patiently for the irises:  indigo, canary yellow, coral, to bloom  in the flowerbeds surrounding my house, a sign of warmer days, and a reminder of my great-grandmother whose hands first  cared for them. © Cathy L. Mere Irises:  Vincent Van Gogh 1889 via WikiMedia Commons 

Today I decided to have a little fun with Mary Lee at A Year in Reading (stop by for other creations from this animation).  She chose this WikiMedia image similar to a Rubik's Cube.  The image inspired this poem. Animation via WikiMedia Commons Author Silver Spoon Rubik's Cube I game my cube a twist, and then a turn or two, the colors started mixing, what was I to do? I twisted more and more, I tried to match a row, but the harder that I tried, the less I seemed to know. Now I look upon my cube, a tear drop I have cried, because for the life of me, I can't even match a side! © Cathy L. Mere

Today I am following Mary Lee's lead and using a photograph from WikiMedia Commons .  This photo was the photo of the day when I arrived at WikiMedia.  It immediately took me back to the trip I made to Paris with my high school French class.  Years have passed since then and I often find myself wanting to go back and see it all again with more experienced eyes.   Reflection of the Eiffel Tower photo from WikiMedia Commons by lviator Picture of the Year 2012 finalist Reflections of Paris I once walked the streets of Paris, wandered along the Champs-Ellysees, sampled pastries from a local bakery where I attempted to order in French. The metro was a challenge for a small town girl, but still I managed to navigate the underground train to my destination. I gazed upon the Mona Lisa as I stood inside the Louvre too young to appreciate the magnificence surrounding me, and was mesmerized by the Eiffel Tower, as it towered above me, it's massive nighttime be

Love poetry as much as I do?  Stop by Live Your Poem where Irene Latham hosts Poetry Friday .  Irene also host the Progressive Poem today.  It's really starting to shape as it travels blog by blog and is created line by line. National Poetry Month :  Poem 19 of 30 dandelion roars its goldenrod mane stands strong as it stalks green grass © Cathy L. Mere Other National Poetry Month Events Stop by  A Year of Reading  to see  Mary Lee Hahn 's   Common Inspirations:  Uncommon Creations .   At  The Poem Farm   Amy LV  is sharing her poetry inspiration each day in April as she shares a sketch for her "daily drawing/seeing/writing study."

National Poetry Month:  Poem 18 of 30 How does one find poetry when the sound of the television blares from the room next door, when the list of to-dos is longer than the time to get things done, when the tragedies of the world weigh heavy on our hearts? How does one find poetry when there isn't the time to notice the cherry blossoms cascading to the ground, the dandelions bringing sunshine to the young green grass of spring, or the clouds dancing in the evening sky? How does one find poetry when there isn't time to capture the phrase on the page, when the notebook is no longer a playground for words, when the sounds of syllables can't find the rhythm for the song? Other National Poetry Month Events Stop by  A Year of Reading  to see  Mary Lee Hahn 's   Common Inspirations:  Uncommon Creations .   At  The Poem Farm   Amy LV  is sharing her poetry inspiration each day in April as she shares a sketch for her "daily dra

National Poetry Month:  Poem 17 of 30 Maybe it's because today is my friend Connie's birthday.  Maybe it's because the sun is shining.  Maybe it's because I wish I were sitting by the beach.  Whatever the reason, I decided today was the day for an ocean poem.   Night Walk Sand wraps around my feet, wet, smooth,  as my toes dig deeper, water pulls the sandy earth away from me. I look out  across the ocean, the line of brown turns to midnight blue, darkness erases the setting sun turning the purples, oranges, reds, a deep ebony. Mighty waves  crash upon the shore, white foam spraying, as the water deserts the beach to greet the moon. As far as I can see endless sky, black. Flashlights dance  along the water's edge, children run along the waves. Stars shine, gazing at the world below.  Water returns to the ocean uncovering miles of beach exposing once buried treasures. The water roars  a

National Poetry Month:  30 Day Challenge (Day 9 of 30) A slice of poetry for today's Tuesday Challenge.   Thanks  Stacey  and  Ruth :   Two Writing Teachers Slides He walks to my van large container of his stories in hand. Photos --- the slides and anecdotes he told us over and over. His face shows the years. He is tired yet determined. He places the box behind the seat giving me a knowing smile. Wanting to know that I will care for them, that I will share them, that they will live on. There are no words for this moment. I do not want to take them, not because I don't want them, but because I want to always be able to sit beside him as he flashes through the stories. Sharing a smile, a laugh, a memory. I know this is his way to tell me it is time to say good-bye. I look at the box of slides pretending not to notice. The stories, etched in my memory, fill my heart. Life through his eyes. Other National Poetry Month Events St

slowly the coaster rounds the first bend then climbs. up up up  it rises. we hold our breath reach for the sky. we race down down  down  the giant hill. screams fill the air. the cars twist turn twist on the track. We hold on  As the roller coaster speeds  up down  around, tossing us. until finally brakes screech the coaster  comes to a stop. clank  clank  clank we jump off running to get back in line.

National Poetry Month:  30 Day Challenge (Day 14 of 30) New Moon New moon, crescent moon, Hangs in the blue evening sky Waiting on the night. Other National Poetry Month Events Stop by  A Year of Reading  to see  Mary Lee Hahn 's   Common Inspirations:  Uncommon Creations .   At  The Poem Farm   Amy LV  is sharing her poetry inspiration each day in April as she shares a sketch for her "daily drawing/seeing/writing study."

National Poetry Month:  30 Day Challenge (Day 13 of 30) Moon the bright white sliver hangs high in the dark night sky, outshining the stars. Other National Poetry Month Events Stop by  A Year of Reading  to see  Mary Lee Hahn 's   Common Inspirations:  Uncommon Creations .   At  The Poem Farm   Amy LV  is sharing her poetry inspiration each day in April as she shares a sketch for her "daily drawing/seeing/writing study."

National Poetry Month:  30 Day Challenge (Day 12 of 30) It's Poetry Friday.  Today's event is hosted at Random Noodling .  Be sure to stop by for more poetry. Seesaw  by aarchiba via WikiMedia Commons As a child I remember balancing on the teeter-totter with friends on the playground, up and down we'd go, if your friend jumped off while your feet dangled in the air you came crashing to the ground. Life is the perpetual quest for balance, elusive, fleeting, perhaps impossible to find. We try to eat a balanced diet, find a balance in our exercise routine. We hope to balance our work and our family, our reading, our worlds. We search for ways to be everywhere, do everything. But I wonder, is balance really what we need? Weren't the best accomplishments when you were out of balance a bit, when you put everything into something, landed on the ground, laughed, got back up to ride again? © Cathy L. Mere Other National Poe

National Poetry Month:  30 Day Challenge (Day 11 of 30) Photo by Ian Brittonvia FreeFoto.com Rain pitter patters on the pavement. It drip drops near the door. It splish splashes on the sidewalk. I lazily watch the sheets pouring. I yawn stretch happy to be inside. Dog wiggle waggles his tail excitedly. Dog wishes whines to go outside. Rain never ever is for cats. © Cathy L. Mere Other National Poetry Month Events Stop by  A Year of Reading  to see  Mary Lee Hahn 's   Common Inspirations:  Uncommon Creations .   At  The Poem Farm   Amy LV  is sharing her poetry inspiration each day in April as she shares a sketch for her "daily drawing/seeing/writing study."

Yesterday was pancake day in the cafeteria. The kids love pancakes almost as much as they love chicken nuggets.   They line up for pancakes. sweet sticky Spread butter. golden melting Pour syrup. thick warm Sticky lunch worth eating.

National Poetry Month:  30 Day Challenge (Day 9 of 30) A slice of poetry for today's Tuesday Challenge.   Thanks  Stacey  and  Ruth :   Two Writing Teachers GARDEN INTRUDER You snake across the bare ground, grabbing the soil with great strength, I pull, pull,  pull. You hold  onto the cool damp earth, your square stem reaches toward  the sky, you reach, extend, clasp. I spy your pointy leaf, deep veins obvious. My strength is no match for your perseverance: purple dead nettle. My adversary. © Cathy L. Mere Weed or Wildflower? We have this purple weed that grows in our flower beds and throughout patches of our yard.  According to family rumor the weed was transferred in some perennial transplants that came from my Great Grandmother's house near Logan County many years ago.  I'm not sure about that, but I do know this weed makes me crazy every year.  It gets wrapped around my plants, inside some of our

So it's day 8 for my daily poem challenge.  Some days it's easier than others to find time to create.  Today's been a bit busy.  Let's just say today's poem is a result of watching March Madness all month and a tweet from Maria Caplin reminding us about Wonderopolis and Poetry ---- and the Limerick .  Here are my March Madness Limericks.  (My apologies to my readers --- and the Limerick.)  Our family bracket challenge before the final game tonight. There once was a girl named Cat. Her family thought sports were phat. All day and all night, Twas truly her plight, She watched baskteball in March that was that. There once was a boy named John. He watched basketball all month on and on. He cheered for his team, Until they lost their steam, Their chances of winning were gone. There once was a man named Jeff Mere. He loved basketball all through the year. But in March it was true, There was only one thing to do, Watch March Madness and for his t

Stop by for a poem each day through April.  Today's poem is 7 of 30.   YOU'RE HERE The birds said you were coming, But I'm really not sure what they know. Every time I looked out the window, All I saw was fluffy white snow. They sang songs of your beauty, But I just saw darkness and gray. The temperatures were still close to freezing, We couldn't go outside to play. They built nests in tree branches, While I searched for signs on the ground. The grass was still brown and quite brittle, There wasn't a bloom to be found. Today as I watched the birds, Flittering from treetop to tree. I noticed the air was much warmer, The sun in the sky I could see. The birds chirped and they tweeted, Finally I know spring's in the air. Yes, this time I think I believe them, As I look I see you are there. Not only are the birds singing, But the signs are all around me. I see the forsythia's blooming, The daffodil's leaves of dark green. Spri

via A Year of Reading see Wikimedia Copyright Info THE DESTINATION Tiny stones reach across the water, spaced close enough to see the possibility of the unexplored, yet distanced, to make the crossing difficult. I poise myself upon the first, trying desperately to balance, extend, step, hoping to cross, safely. For a time I steady myself between the two rocks, finally pushing to the next, it wiggles back and forth, I am unsure I will stand strong. Water rushes, reminding me to be cautious, vigilant, stone after stone I slowly cross the water, until I reach my destination. © Cathy L. Mere If you haven't been following  Mary Lee 's poetry journey this month at  A Year of Reading , you'll want to stop by.  Each day she is using an image from  Wikimedia Commons  to inspire poetry.  Other poets are stopping by to share the poem the photograph inspired in them. I'm also  learning a lot about copyright .  Like Mary Lee,

It's National Poetry Month AND ----- Poetry Friday.   Robyn Hood Black is hosting today so be sure to stop by for a few original poems and lots of great links.  I'm writing a poem each day through the month of April.  My poem today was inspired by a sighting.  Spring has been very slow here.  Today I finally saw the heron had returned to a nearby pond.  It made my day! HERON Heron stands alone wading in shallow waters majestic hunter. Here are a few older posts about herons: Great Blue Heron  (poem) Our Pond  (poem) Ohio's Great Blue Heron  (informal research) Other National Poetry Month Events Stop by  A Year of Reading  to see  Mary Lee Hahn 's   Common Inspirations:  Uncommon Creations .   At  The Poem Farm   Amy LV  is sharing her poetry inspiration each day in April as she shares a sketch for her "daily drawing/seeing/writing study." Check out my sidebar for even more great poetry stops.

THE ORDINARY It's the ordinary, The cup of coffee in the morning, A sweet piece of chocolate, Your favorite shirt, Music. It's the ordinary, The gentle sound of rain, The full moon hanging in the dark night, The song of the robin, Sunrise. It's the ordinary, The conversation around the table at night, Time to read a good book, A call from a friend, Laughter. It's the ordinary, The small moments in life We collect in our hearts. It's the ordinary  that is extraordinary. Other National Poetry Month Events Stop by  A Year of Reading  to see  Mary Lee Hahn 's   Common Inspirations:  Uncommon Creations .   At  The Poem Farm   Amy LV  is sharing her poetry inspiration each day in April as she shares a sketch for her "daily drawing/seeing/writing study."

SUNRISE how many poets have tried to find  words to describe the beauty of a sunrise as the orange ball of fire rests along the Earth's horizon? how many photographers have grabbed their camera to capture the hues which radiate from the sun as it finds its way into the blue sky? how many painters have mixed colors on their palettes of orange, yellow, and red to replicate the shades of the sun's ascent toward the heavens?   @Cathy L. Mere So I couldn't decide between draft I or II.  I decided to not decide and post them both.   SUNRISE Poets fail to describe the orange ball of fire  along Earth's horizon. Photographers cannot capture hues visible  in the sun's ascent. Painters are unable to mix colors on palettes of orange, yellow, red to replicate its beauty. Only our eyes truly see it in its full magnificence  as the sun rises in the morning sky. © Cathy L. Mere Other National P

Today is my second day of writing poetry for National Poetry Month.  My inspiration today came from our science lesson.  Our class is studying matter.  We made root beer floats to observe a solid, liquid, and a gas.  We used our ingredients to change matter.  The class enjoyed learning with food.  ;o)  I decided to write a poem about our fun experiment. Science? Scoop icy velvety vanilla ice-cream. Pour fizzy bubbly root beer. Drink tasty frosty root beer float. There are lots of great National Poetry Month events taking place on the web.  Check my sidebar for links.  

This month is National Poetry Month .  I thought I'd join Mary Lee and try to write a poem each day for the month of April in celebration again this year.  We'll see how it goes.  There are a lot of other events taking place this month.  Stop by Jama's Alphabet Soup  for more National Poetry Month events.   April Fool Our first day back from break. The students rush right in, to play a funny joke before the day begins. "Look over there," one student shouts; a voice so full of fear. Another group walks through the door "Your shoes untied," I hear. Across the room a friend cries out, "There's a spider in your hair." I'm not too sure I'll make it, these jokes could use some flair. "There's a hole in your pants," someone giggles to a friend. The jokes continue across the day When will this mayhem end? "It's April Fools'," they shriek as they try to be a tricker. The things first