Today I join my fellow bloggers in "serving up a slice"
for hosting this meeting place each Tuesday
and for nurturing our writing lives.
I'm also sharing my narrative poem at Poetry Friday.
Robyn Campbell is hosting this week's poetry round-up.
Be sure to stop by for a taste of poetry love.
Remember the trembling feeling in the pit of your stomach over a paper with red X's?
An e-mail signals the time of the big red X's is here once more,
that trembling feeling returns as my search uncovers . . .
two books about world myths for Ms. Moore's and Ms. Gaffney's classes,
The Velveteen Rabbit exquisitely illustrated by Gennady Spirin,
a Patricia MacLachlan Christmas book with black and white illustrations,
Making Books That Fly, Fold, Wrap, Hide, Pop Up, Twist & Turn
(who can resist that title?),
a six word novel by Nancy Pearl
girl discovers reading then discovers life (blank journal),
each with big red X's slashed through the price tag
signifying 75% off and
for good measure, a tear-off Seize the Day calendar
from the 90% off table.
I no longer tremble in fear when I see a big red X,
instead I tremble in anticipation of University Books 75% off sale!
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| Big Red X's Rule! Six books and a calendar - all for $15.84. |
The joy and anticipation of bargain priced books. The chance to discover treasures. All wrapped in a narrative poem. Big Red X's with a different appeal. Great connection Ramona.
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun way to look at the "Big Red X"! It made me laugh because your post took me where I didn't think I was going.
ReplyDeleteRamona,
ReplyDeleteIsn't it a bit sad the way we all remember the red pen. I had two different teachers in high school. One marked everything with red pen and notes about all that was wrong. The words I remember most, "comma splice." I had no idea what I had done or really what this meant. I did learn that shorter sentences could help me avoid it. Shorter sentences weren't really good for my writing development at that time, but it seemed to slow her pen.
The second teacher wrote comments about what had worked in our writing. I learned things I didn't know I was doing that helped make my pieces better. I grew more able to take risks and found a love for writing again.
These two women have shaped the way I work with children --- always like the second teacher.
I'm glad that now the red X has better meaning for you. Who doesn't love a good book sale??? Your words were so concise in this poem. I felt as if I was right there with you as you shopped.
Thanks for sharing,
Cathy
Hahaha, the dreaded red pen. I guess that's why I never used red when grading my kids work (we homeschool). I remember that feeling in the pit of my stomach. Loved the poem. I wish I had found the wonderful sales that you did. Love the ending. It made me smile.
ReplyDeleteGreat shift in this poem! How many times have we learned to love what we used to hate? (Some of mine: cilantro, beer, red wine, salmon...the world is a better place now that I've gotten to the other side of these "red X's"!)
ReplyDelete