Friday, March 6, 2020

SOL 6/31 & Poetry Friday: What I Want Is

Returning for year nine of writing daily in March with my Slice of Life writer friends! Check out Two Writing Teachers for more slices of life occurring every day in March.

Head over to Sloth Reads for this
week's roundup of poetic goodness.
Thanks, Rebecca for hosting this week.

I recently participated in  Ethical ELA's 5-Day Writing Challenge. After reading the mentor poem, "What I Want Is" by C. G. Hanzlicek, it was time to create my own. And of course, it would have something to do with books, just like the apology poem that I wrote to fellow library patrons.  

What I Want Is 

 What I want is
enough time

 to read the books
I want to read

 A porch swing squeaks as
my feet push to and fro, keeping

 Summer time. A mountain of books
surrounds the swing, stacks

 lean precariously close, my toes
push to and fro, keeping

 Summer time. On the forward swing I
pluck the chosen, clasping one 

 in each hand,
book 19, book 20.

 - Ramona Behnke 

 I have an idea to make a quartet of "What I Want Is" poems, featuring a different season in each poem. I wonder what I'll want in fall, winter, and spring.
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10 comments:

  1. AnonymousMarch 6, 2020 at 7:31 AM

    I love your poem and the imagery it provides. I'd like to spend some time on that swing reading in a warm summer breeze.

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  2. HeidiMarch 6, 2020 at 8:48 AM

    I like how you did the phrasing - effective!

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  3. Deb DayMarch 6, 2020 at 9:53 AM

    Love. Love. Love. I relished this feeling of summer and swings and books! I can't wait to read the rest!

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  4. Linda BMarch 6, 2020 at 10:22 AM

    That ending made me smile, Ramona. Love the repetition of "keeping Summer time", too.

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  5. Karen EastlundMarch 6, 2020 at 4:12 PM

    The porch swing brings such memories! I could crawl into this summer dream. Sounds lovely. Thanks!

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  6. TaraMarch 6, 2020 at 4:54 PM

    You've made me long for summer, Ramona! And a stack of wonderful books...

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  7. Leigh Anne EckMarch 6, 2020 at 10:19 PM

    I did not see you in this challegne! I did that one, too. I have such a affection for porch swings. And when you add books to it...well it doesn't get much better!!

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  8. Carol VarsalonaMarch 6, 2020 at 11:51 PM

    Summertime fun, rocking and reading - I look forward to reading your seasonal poems, Ramona.

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  9. TabathaMarch 7, 2020 at 6:29 PM

    What a great idea to make a quartet! "Summer time" is a perfect descriptor...love those squeaky swings!

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  10. Margaret SimonMarch 8, 2020 at 5:14 PM

    I liked this prompt as well. And your idea of one for each season. What I want is more time to write poems, but then when I find it, my muse disappears. Thanks for reminding me of this prompt.

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