Don't Miss It: Poetry Friday is Here!

I'm truly honored to be hosting today's Poetry Friday event.   I always enjoy wandering through the blogs joining the Poetry Friday conversation.  It is a pleasure to be reminded of poems I have loved, to discover new poems, and to read the poems written by participants.

If you're joining us today, and I hope you are, please add your link to the comments section of this post.  Then follow the links in the post, and the comments section, to find more poetry.  I'll be by a few time across the day to update the event.  Enjoy!

A Chance

The quarter

tossed carelessly

to the bottom of my purse,

once coveted,

now overlooked.

Shiny quarter

once held such promise,

a wish for something grand

from the store's gum ball machine:

a new ring,

a bracelet of gold,

a plastic parachute man. 

Something sure to be envied. 

Twenty five cents

placed in a slot,

turn,

turn, 

click.

Opening the door

revealed a clear plastic bubble,

the tiny treasure inside

never what I imagined.

Yet, that quarter,

that shiny quarter 

earned 

or found,

would provide a chance

that maybe,

just this once,

the treasure would be

everything I hoped. 

© Cathy L. Mere

April from Teaching Authors celebrates Poetry Friday and Teen Read Week with a poem from her book, Girl Coming in for a Landing:  Imprinting.  

Have you noticed those orange pumpkins popping up on patios and near front doors?  At Father Goose  Charles Ghigna shares his original poem, Pumpkins on Guard.  You will think differently about those jack-o-lanterns on doorsteps.

Today Violet turns grandma poet to share poems written in senryu about her busy days, Grandma Poet.  If you like haiku, you won't want to miss this. Stop by Violet Nesdoly Poems.

Stop by Blue Window where B.J. shares her roundel, The Things I Saw.  Warning:  don't read it in the dark.

You can't miss this!  A little fun, a guessing game, some information --- all rolled into verse.  Tabatha Yeats shares Joyce Sidman's, Do Ya Know 'Em?.   Stop by The Opposite of Indifference to test what you know about inventors.

Mary Lee wakes up early to share Millay's, The Fig, at A Year of Reading.  She also tackles some big questions and misconceptions we may have about the poem.

It's a good day for Millay.  Julie, at The Drift Record, shares our second Millay poem, Recuerdo.  Join Julie as she takes us on a virtual ferry ride.

At I Think in Poems, Betsy shares an original poem about those writers that are just discovering the power of their words, Tiny Hands.

Michelle shares Carrie Clickard's Danse Macrabe at Today's Little Ditty.  Mortimer stops by too for a little interview and some poetry fun.

Mortimer also joins Janet for her Poetry Friday post at Across the Page.

Stop by Author Amok for original concrete poems "Lucky Hat" and "Blue Ribbon" in the voice of Joe, a character cut from her novel in verse. It's number 3 in her "Kill Your Darlings" series.

Laura Purdie Salas shares her original pandoum, Otter's Winter Song.  Fascinating form and song.

Tamera also joins Poetry Friday and the Children's Poetry Blog Hop.  She shares her reasons for writing children's poetry and playing with form.  She also shares an original poem from long ago, Running.

Mortimer reappears at Mainely Write where Donna tries to impress him with some rabbit poetry.  Hop on over and join the fun.

Ride on over to Carol's Corner where Carol shares a poem from Cowboy Up, a Cybils Nonfiction Nominee, Rodeo Rider.

At Reflections on the Teche Margaret shares student poetry inspired by photography.  This poetry is sure to appeal to your senses.

Steven shares an original poem called "A Clutch of Sea Turtle Eggs" at Crackles of Speech.

One can hardly ignore politics these days.  At Random Noodling Diane shares, "In the Moonlight."  Stop by for an interesting read and some great links.

Everyone has a favorite sweatshirt.  Stop by Kurious Kitty to read "Hand Me Down Sweatshirt" from Button Up!.

Stop by Kurious K's Kwotes for something to ponder.

Dog lovers, stop here!  Robyn Hood Black shares a canine poem today with Mary Oliver's new DOG SONGS.


Looking for tasty fall treats?  Stop by Jama's Alphabet Soup for a little poetry, "A Short History of the Apple" by Laux, and a must-try recipe for Baked Apple Oatmeal Pudding.

Catherine, at Reading to the Core, shares a poem by Derek Walcott, "Love After Love."  She talks a bit about mindfulness and how knowing ourselves can help us to love others.

Amys' poem makes me laugh.  You wont' want to miss it.  So many great poems' on her page.

Sorry, I just couldn't resist.  Amy LV makes me laugh with her poem Apostrophe as she sets things straight at The Poem Farm.  

At There is No Such Thing as a God-Forsaken Town, Ruth shares two powerful lines from Emily Dickinson that will make you stop and think for a bit.  So true!

Matthew Forrest Esenwine, at Radio, Rhythm and Rhyme, answers some questions from Mortimer who appears yet again on one of the Poetry Friday posts.  I must say, I learned a lot about Matthew and the writing of poetry by reading his responses.  Mortimer runs a tough interview.  There is plenty to read when you stop by; including an original apple poem by Matthew:  "The Apple Tree."


Stop by Linda Baie's blog, Teacher Dance, where she shares a story sure to lift your spirits.  Take a moment to read the Mary Oliver poem she shares, Wild Geese.  Make sure you click over to read the poem in it's entirety.  You'll be glad you did.  

Tara at A Teaching Life reminds us of the importance of slowing down a bit as she shares Robert Hedin's poem, "This Morning I Could Do a Thousand Things."  

If you've ever had a kitten you know exactly what Marileta is talking about in her original poem, "Whew."  You'll love the beautiful language used in this delightful poem of a kitten full of energy.  

Time for a little haiku.  Stop by Anastasia's blog, Poet!  Poet!, to read Sleepyhead.  I thought of the sun a little differently after reading this haiku.  



Mortimer is a busy guy.  He's visiting Tricia at Miss Rumphius Effect where she shares a poem she wishes she wrote and another she loves from long ago.  

As you go through the poems from Poetry Friday you begin to see threads.  For example, we have the obvious visits from Mortimer happening across blogs, there is also a little form challenge that appears now and again, there is the recurring thoughts of fall, and also one might notice a movement to slow down from the busy pace of life.  

Today Liz is reminding us to slow down as she shares one of her favorite Ted talks and a poem inspired by it, Cloud Watching.  

Heidi brings the busyness of school together in her original poem, The Dishwasher of My Mind, at My Juicy Little Universe.  

At Tapestry of Words, Becky shares just a taste of a poem from the poetry collection An Eyeball in My Garden.  You'll want to stop by to read her thoughts on this poetry book that had her laughing and wanting to read more.  


Do you remember spinning round and round until you collapsed in laughter nearly sick?  Well, today Joy shares her original rhyme that may have come from just spinning until poetry popped out, Little Rhymes, at Poetry for Kids Joy.  

Dia shares the Demon Snag, by 12 year old Eva, the heroine-poet from her middle grade novel, Eva of the Farm.  

It seems these days everywhere I look I see the web of a spider.  Jone weaves a web in her original poem, Orbweavers, at Check It Out.  Apparently, she has noticed this too.

At All About the Books, Janet shares one of my newer favorites:  A Full Moon Is Rising.  Seems perfect since I noticed a full moon hanging in the night sky on my way home this evening.  Stop by to read more about it.  

Myra, at Gathering Books, shares a creepy poem by Margaret Atwood, Questioning the Dead.  Surely perfect for October --- and slumber parties?  

Jen, at Teach Mentor Texts, shares her original poem Speak Up as she ponders all the would haves and should haves we consider after difficult conversations.  

Wowza!  So many great links...so little time.  That took quite some time, but well worth it.   You'll find many treasures in this virtual poetry parade.