Friday, February 19, 2016

Poetry Friday: Reflections on a Gift of Watermelon Pickle . . . And Other Modern Verse

Head over to Mainly Write 
 for this week's roundup of poetry love.
Thanks for hosting, Donna!

I shared a favorite poetry book when I was here two weeks ago, and decided to share another one today.  I discovered this book in the 70s (first printed in 1966), and it's still in print and available at Amazon.  I have three copies, a paperback and two hardbacks.  It's important to have multiple copies of a favorite book (just in case one disappears).  One of my hard back copies is falling apart and the binding is held together by just one thread.    

Reflections on a Gift of Watermelon Pickle . . .  And Other Modern Verse was introduced to me during college.  I used it as a resource for the poetry unit I designed to use during student teaching with my 9th graders.  I know I'm dating myself here, but this was in the days of purple dye mimeographs that had to be typed on a typewriter! 
The book opens with a favorite poem, "How to Eat a Poem," by Eve Merriam and closes with "Reflections on a Gift of Watermelon Pickle Received from a Friend Called Felicity" by John Tobias.  Sandwiched between those pages are many other delightful poems.  Two of my favorites are "Summons" by Robert Francis and "Crossing" by Philip Booth.  

If you've somehow missed this book, check it out.  It's an anthology I often recommended to my sixth graders.  I loved it when they returned, book in hand, ready to share a favorite poem with me!  

7 comments:

  1. Even the title of this book is intriguing. (Though I remember hearing it years ago). It sure must be fun to see the love of poetry developing in students. You're leaving them a fine legacy!

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  2. It is indeed a favorite, Ramona. I've used poems from it so many times.

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  3. I read and loved that book years ago. You make me want to go check it out again!

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  4. I love Eve Merriam and How to Eat a Poem is delightful. The book sounds like a good one. Thanks, Ramona.

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  5. I know Merriam's poem, but not this book. It sounds like a real gem. Thanks for sharing it with us, Ramona!

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  6. You make me want to own my own copy. :)

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  7. I know Merriam also, but not this collection. Would like to have a peek at one now!

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