Happy Halloween, readers, poets, and strangers! A family stopped by twice to say hello when I was typing away on Vox Poplar. I explained the word-poem-concept, and the father, Anthony, said that over dinner his family liked to tell stories based on certain words. I asked them for a word, and they all looked at…
Articles from October 2018
The word: Whimsical
Mary Lou stood waiting for me at the Library! entrance. We launched into a neat conversation about children, careers, writing in any political landscape, believing each act makes a small difference, and keeping band-aids on hand. She had co-written two books: Beginning with Babies and Tangling with Toddlers—both of which I wished I had known about a few…
The word: Lab
My conversation with Dave went on a long time and touched down in many places, including the difference between calling one’s workplace a studio, office, shed, or lab. The Stranger: Dave The Word: Lab The poem I wrote: I have one chair and it’s empty and it’s good. All day the day accrues. In morning I haven’t…
The word: Blue
“What is that?” a child asked, looking at the typewriter. I explained what I was doing and offered to write her a poem. She said she would like one. I asked her for a word, and her brother said, “Library’s closing. Get your books.” The child followed him—then turned around and said to me, “Blue—and…
The word: Shine
Huda, who works at the library, shared her tea with me. She told me that her children had looked at the typewriter I am using and said, “That’s the weirdest printer I’ve ever seen.” When a child brought her a broken book, she admired how well-used the book was and said, “It’s good when they…