Welcome to
RhyPiBoMo 2015 Day 3
Jackie Wellington
Sketch by Lori Ann Levy Holmes
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I am so excited to introduce today’s Guest Blogger. She is a good friend who I greatly respect and admire. We first met online, as many writers do, but then had the fortune to meet in person last summer at Kristen Fulton’s WOW (Week of Writing) Retreat in Georgia. She is the most dedicated writer I have ever met. She was up at 5:00 a.m. with the Georgia birds and sitting on the deck of the lodge writing every morning when I came to breakfast at the retreat. She was early to bed while many of us chatted and shared writing stories, literally! We did get her to stay up with us night owls a few nights as we toasted her hard work and dedication to this industry. She will be big! That is my prediction and I am not alone in that sentiment. Her writing is thoughtful, elegant, powerful and timely.
I am proud to call her my friend in writing and in life!
Welcome Jackie Wellington!
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MAYA IN VERSE: THE LEGACY LIVES ON
by Jackie Wellington
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Maya,
Caged bird
Poet
Activist
Dreamer
Actress
Teacher
Humanitarian
Legend
Your legacy lives on!
You left us here on Earth
A void in our hearts
You fluttered away,
no longer a caged bird,
confined,
constrained,
imprisoned,
inhibited
You’re free!
Your activism stands
Your humanitarianism stays
Your legendary efforts stills
Your legacy lives on!
I hoped the angels stood
when you strode into Heaven
stepping
stomping
striding
leaving your “Footprints in the Sand.”
I hoped the harpist strummed
as a “Freedom Fighter” graced his presence.
I hoped they knew who stood amongst them
A legend
Your legacy lives on!
You sprung under the shadows of segregation
But still you shone like a diamond birth from coal
You’ve drank “colored” water
used “colored” restrooms
Sat in “colored” sections
You’ve met dignitaries and presidents
Recited before millions
traveled the world
You’ve marched,
picketed,
and lent your voice to causes.
You’ve blessed us with your poetic prose,
your wonderful writings.
Through you, the world live vicariously
No shame
No regrets
You’re a legend
Your legacy lives on!
You’ve inspired me to be –
“A Phenomenal Woman,”
“The Mothering Blackness,”
Many “Faces” to the younger generation
Like you,
I am a
Poet
Dreamer
Activist
Teacher
“Still I Rise”
Your legacy lives on!
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About Jackie:
Jackie Wellington is a writer, poet, activist, and teacher who have had the pleasure of meeting Maya Angelou. She is inspired by Maya’s actions and intrigued by Maya’s work. When she is not writing, you can find her tutoring statistics to college students, or at a nearby library buried under books.
You can learn more about her at http://thebrownbookshelf.com/2015/02/10/day-10-jackie-wellington/
RhyPiBoMo 2015 Optional Writing Prompt: 4
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This is NOT part of the pledge. It is an option for a writing exercise for those interested. You will not publically share this as part of RhyPiBoMo but may keep a journal of your writing this month for your own review.
Today’s writing prompt is to write an Acrostic Poem using Maya Angelou’s name.
An Acrostic is a poem in which the first letters of each line spell out a word or phrase. The word or phrase can be a name, a thing, or whatever you like. There is no need for rhyme or rhythm in this poem. The focus should be on choosing just the right, powerful words to tell a big story with few words.
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For example:
Mother of poetry
Activist
Young at heart
Accepting of all
Angelic words
Never hurtful
Gigantic stories with few words
Empowerment
Liberty for all
One person making a difference
Unique in her style and character
© 2015 Angie Karcher
Thank you Jackie Wellington!
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Don’t Forget…
Saturday, April 4th 7:00 Central Time
Hosted by Jackie Wellington
RhyPiBoMo 2015 Maya Angelou’s Birthday Celebration Webinar
This will be a fun celebration of Maya’s life! The evening is hosted by Jackie Wellington and Angie Karcher. We will read Maya’s poetry plus some of our own poetry written to honor her. We will discuss diversity in children’s books and how through poetry, children may gain a new view of the world around them. Jackie has organized a poetry contest only for those who attend the webinar. The winner will receive a Maya Angelou book donated by Jackie. Details will be given during the webinar.
Don your fanciest hat and put on those pearls and join us for an evening of celebrating this extraordinary person. See you at the party!
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I have now completely lost my voice so Jackie may be doing the talking for both of us.
Can you imagine…me, not talking? lol
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Please register in advance as there are limited number of spots available. Once you register you will be emailed a direct link to the webinar as well as a reminder.
Link to register for the webinar:
https://www.anymeeting.com/AccountManager/RegEv.aspx?PIID=EB57DB87854731
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It’s “WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE RHYMING PICTURE BOOK” Friday!
Today is the day that I ask you to choose one of the rhyming picture books that you read this week as part of the challenge and share it with the world. Post a picture of it on social media (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, etc.) and a link to the authors blog, a link to a book store or a link to anywhere people can find it and buy it. This is the day we celebrate all the wonderful rhyming picture books out in the world already! These authors are our heroes and heroines. We should celebrate the hard work it took them to get to publication! We should buy these books ourselves if we can and share them with friends and family.
Now is the time to promote great rhyme!
There may be a prize for one lucky RhyPiBoMoer
I see post something Friday…just sayin’!
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What if you are not on social media?
That is no problem. Just share titles with friends, family, teachers, librarians, book store owners…anyone who will listen. Word of mouth is very powerful! Go to a book store and ask for a specific title. If they don’t have it ask them to order it. You can certainly do our part without social media!
It would be great if you would also add the link to my blog so folks can see what we are doing here.
Here’s the link:
https://angiekarcher.wordpress.com/2015/04/02/rhypibomo-2015-day-2-nikki-grimes/?preview=true&preview_id=3722&preview_nonce=51465bf1a5&post_format=aside
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PLEASE REMEMBER!!!
Add both your FIRST and LAST names to your daily comment! This is what enables you to be eligible for a prize that day. Many people are forgetting!! I request this because the reply section doesn’t give me your name unless it’s a part of your email address. And even then sometimes it’s very hard for me to figure out the exact name.
How I choose daily winners…Late each Saturday night, I will go back to Monday’s comments and count how many there are. I then type that number into a randomizer program that choose a number for me. I count from the first post down to that number and that is the daily winner. If that post doesn’t have a first and last name listed it will not win. I will then go to the next post that has a first and last name listed. I will do this for each day of the week and announce the winners on the following Monday.
Please DO NOT go back now and add another comment now as I need each person to only comment one time to keep things fair. Thanks!
Good Luck and ADD YOR FIRST and LAST NAME to your comment!!!! = )
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More information coming soon concerning
Rhyming Critique Groups,
the Barnes and Noble BookFair and
the Official Golden Quill Poetry Contest!
Stay tuned!
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Official RhyPiBoMo 2015 Registration ends on April 8th, Midnight Central Time
so register now!
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If you are not officially registered you will not be able to participate in the Golden Quill Poetry Contest, in Rhyming Critique Groups or will not be eligible for daily prizes.
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To see if you are registered go to the Master Registration List on the drop down menu under the RhyPiBoMo Blog tab above.
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Registration Link:
https://angiekarcher.wordpress.com/rhypibomo-2015-registration/
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Angie Karcher 
Awesome poem, Jackie! Can’t wait to enjoy the webinar!
Patricia Toht. Lovely poem, Jackie! I especially like the thought of angels standing when Maya Angelou arrived in heaven. I’m so disappointed that I won’t be able to join you tomorrow for the party, but I’ll be thinking of all you party-goers while I’m working.
Ginger Weddle Lovely tribute to Maya Angelou!
Heather B.Moon
I was fortunate to have Jackie in my critique group last year. I can still remember her poem and did some rough sketches to illustrate it!
Oh my, Gosh, Heather, glad to see you here. I posted in the group to see if you wanted to continue it this year. Glad to see you. Thanks for stopping by. Send me a PM on Facebook. I want to see the rough sketches.
Another great post! . . . off to write an acrostic.
Thanks for the compliment. I appreciate it.
Mary Warth
Thank you for the beautiful poem!
You are welcome, Mary.
Thank you so much, Jackie!
Brenda Huante
You are welcome, Brenda.
Kristi Veitenheimer – The poem is beautiful, Jackie! I hate to miss the webinar; I know it will be great!
Thanks, Kristi. Maybe next time.
Jan Annino is rising to compliment Jackie Wellington on her passionate poem & to appreciate Angie Karcher for inviting Jackie to this prominent Friday spot. The talk Saturday sounds wonderful, my Group Blogger pal Jackie. We will be moving around with the family on this holiday weekend but with you in spirit. So sweet that we have both seen Maya Angelou speak (me 2x) but sadly I can’t say I enjoyed the honor you experienced, of meeting this great person of the World. Brava, Jackie!
ps. you already are gre8t!
You are too kind. Thanks for leaving a comment, Jan 🙂
Here is my rhyming picture book for this Friday.
“Bigfoot is Missing”
by former Children’s Poet Laureate J. Patrick Lewis and the current Children’s Poet Laureate Kenn Nesbitt. Illustrators are MinaLima (Miraphora Mina & Eduardo Lima)
Chronicle Books pub. date: 4/1/2015
978-1-4521-1895-6
40 pages Ages 7+
Here is a link to a review I wrote on Kid Lit Reviews: http://bit.ly/1GSLZdE
Buy it at:
Amazon: http://amzn.to/1BZn42h
B&N: http://bit.ly/1MMMhaD
Book Depository (UK & Canada): http://bit.ly/1asybKv
Publisher, Chronicle Books: http://bit.ly/1BXPZmp
Enjoy!
Loved today’s post. Wonderful tribute poem.
I love Maya Angelou–her books, her spirit, the power of her words and personality. Thanks for a beautiful poem that reminds me of her.
Sarah Harroff
I sure wish I could join Saturday’s webinar. It sounds like it will be wonderful. Angie and Jackie, thank you for offering that for the RhiPiBoMo-ers. Angie, thank you for all that you do for this event!
An acrostic – I wonder how that would work for the poem I wrote last night.
Marla Lesage
Thanks for a great post. My Friday offering of books would be the Joy Cowley Mrs. Wishy-Washy books. Not all of them are rhymes but they all have the rhythm that keeps kids listening. Gail Cartee
Ann Magee–important thoughts here, thank you, Jackie. I often wonder about the poems Maya would write about today in response to recent news . . .
Wow Jackie, what a beautiful poem, just beautiful. Your words are so powerful, they got me all emotional and inspired! I am so excited to meet you this summer at WOW, Dawn Young
Maria Bostian had an opportunity to hear Maya Angelou speak many years ago. What an honor!
Jon Blauvelt — my first day and what a great introduction to RhyPiBoMo. Thank you!
Thanks for the inspirational poem.
Katie Gast
Melanie Ellsworth – Jackie, what a wonderful tribute to Maya Angelou. I wish I could make the webinar tonight and hear more amazing poetry, but my family is visiting, so I’ll miss the event.
Darshana Khiani – yeah Jackie! I didn’t realize you had met Maya Angelou. Very cool. I share Angie’s sentiments your writing is elegant and powerful. Lovely post. Happy to call you my friend. 🙂
Melinda Kinsman – loved Jackie’s poem – just playing catch-up!
I want to belatedly post “Oh the Places You’ll Go” by Dr.Seuss as my favourite rhyming picture book of the week. It’s a favourite read that I re-read regularly, and which I think is an inspirational book for adults as well as kids. Will try to post a picture up when I get home later. 😊❤️
Lisa Willard Jackie, Thank you for sharing your inspiring poem. Her legacy lives on!
Mona Pease – WOW! Jackie, that’s all I can say is wow! So powerful.
Peggy Archer–So much said in so few words. Beautiful.
Great post Jackie. Oh what fun this month Angie. (I’m not participating… rather lurking.) Hope your voice returns.
Maria Oka – Lovely poem!
Lovely woman, lovely post! Thank you! Sandy Perlic
Zainab Khan
The poem hold’s Maya’s essence.
Happy child twirling on her toes
Articulating her musical request in professional hushes and flickering movements
Nary a soul stops the palatable words that
Aspire from the visionary’s lips and into the viewer’s heart.
I agree wholeheartedly. Jackie is extremely talented and dedicated and she WILL be BIG some day.
Acrostics were one of the first poetry forms I learned. It’s been a while since I’ve written one so thanks for the prompt.
I posted my favorite book on the FB site. Dragon Dinner was my choice.
Linda Hofke
Comment from Cynthia Cheng: What a great tribute to Maya Angelou!
Janet Smart. Great post and poem! I posted on my Facebook page about a favorite rhyming book. I am getting more organized and will blog about one this week.
Tanja Bauerle – Wonderful post, Jackie! I can wait to meet you in person this July. 🙂 Thank you for your inspiring words. T
Amy Moore
Another great post. And great acrostic poem!
How wonderful to highlight Maya Angelou. This post brought back memories of her inaugural poem for President Clinton. I remember reading it in the newspaper and being truly moved by it.
Shirley Johnson – Great post!
Sorry to have missed th webinar.
I’m loving all these posts! Thank you! Debbie Smart
Thank you, Jackie, for sharing your love of Maya in verse. Your writing is a beautiful tribute to a beautiful woman from a beautiful woman.
~Suzy Leopold
P. S. I am playig catch up with RhyPiBoMo. Thank you Angie for hosting this event.
Darlene Ivy – thank you, Jackie. I learned a lot about Maya Angelou this year!