Ten writers for children. All with something to say.

2/20/09

This is just to say


The kids and I have raked
the leaves
into one big
pile

which I
am sure you hoped
would be dumped
in the woods

Forgive us
we could not resist
the impulse
to jump

By Edie Hemingway

2/19/09

THIS IS JUST TO SAY

This is just to say
that I don't get it.
If the plural of man is men,
why the plural of tan isn't ten?
If house is houses,
why mouse isn't mouses?
If I saw three deer,
why can't I say "I saw three deers"?
If I hear many good news,
why can't I say, "Those are good news!"
This is just to say
that I don't get plurals--
in English, that is.

2/18/09

ThisIsJustToSay

Ihavestolen
thespacebar
fromyour
computerkeyboard

thatyouwere
probablyusing
foryour
GreatAmericanNovel

Forgiveme
Iwasitchy
andneededagood
backscratcher



2/16/09

hold your nose

This Is Just To Say

I’m a cretin
all thumbs
and this din
only mocks

such kitsch
is obviously
raving
and reckless

Forgive me
for an ambitious
conceit
uncontrolled



by Christy Hale

2/15/09

A poem from Stephanie

(With apologies to WCW)

This Is Just To Say

I have ruined
the shirt
that was in
the washer

and which
you were probably
wearing
to
work

Forgive me
it was hideous
and made
you look fat

This is Just to Say...

Here at the potatoes, we've been tossing about ideas about how to incorporate some fun writing into this blog. So periodically, we will stray from writing about topics, and all do a little creative writing. Since yesterday, Valentine's Day, is a day when a poem is considered a gift, we're going to stay in that spirit and do a little poem writing. I am not well-versed when it comes to poetry, although I try, and the first poet I actually "got" was William Carlos Williams. My favorite of his is This is Just To Say. Please read it in its entirety here:

http://www.poets.org/viewmedia.php/prmMID/15535


Our assignment this week is to write our own version of this poem. We hope you enjoy.