Welcome to
RhyPiBoMo 2015 Day4
Marilyn Singer
Photo by Laurie Gaboardi/The Litchfield County Times.
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As I was creating my wish list of bloggers for this year one name sat right at the top. She is an author and an outstanding poet who has written over 100 books and has even created her own form of poetry. This writing community is always so supportive of new writers and I am thankful for all the wonderful authors and poets who agree to participate in RhyPiBoMo!
It is my honor to introduce,
Marilyn Singer
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* Photo by Laurie Gaboardi/The Litchfield County Times.
TO RHYME OR NOT TO RHYME
by Marilyn Singer
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One evening at dinner, a group of friends and I were trying to define poetry. We were not attempting to define GOOD poetry—just what is a poem at all. We all agreed on one thing: if it rhymes, then it’s a poem. It may be a totally lousy one, but it’s a poem.
We also agreed that a poem doesn’t HAVE to rhyme. But then we got onto shaky ground re: free verse. I don’t think we reached any consensus. I recounted a story that took place when I was in first grade or so and I’d recently started writing poetry, all of which rhymed. My teacher suggested that I try my hand at free verse. So I did—and I ended up writing a prose paragraph about roller skating. It was not a poem by any stretch of the imagination, and I’m certain that, had they read it, my dinner companions would have agreed.
So we know when something is a paragraph, right, and not a poem, right? But what if you take the same words and break them up into short lines? What if you remove the punctuation? And if you throw in a metaphor or two, what then? Come to think of it, what if you throw in a metaphor or two into what is clearly a paragraph? Is it still prose? These are the questions that keep me up at night. Well, not really. But they do enliven dinner parties (depending on your guests).
Here’s the thing: when it comes to children’s poetry, most people don’t think about paragraphs or free verse at all. They think about rhyme. So, I thought it might be fun to put together a list of “Myths about Rhyme” and tackle these thornier questions about what is a poem some other time (preferably way in the future).
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MYTHS ABOUT RHYME
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1. Rhyme is easy to write.
2. All kids’ poetry must rhyme.
3. Rhyme is only for children. (See “Spring and Fall to a Young Child” by Gerard Manley Hopkins)
4. Publishers like rhyme. (They don’t unless it’s good)
5. Publishers hate rhyme. (They don’t unless it’s bad)
6. Nonsense words make for successful rhyming poems or picture books. Unless you’re Lewis Carroll or Dr. Seuss, not likely.
7. Rhyme will make an old idea fresh. No way, José.
8. The only good rhyme is an end rhyme.
9. Rhyme is only for light verse. (See another Hopkins–Lee Bennett)
10. Only certain subjects are fit for poetry, period. And rhyme is only fit for certain subjects.
11. Great poets always write great poems. (See the Emily Dickinson piece below)
12. Rhyme is passé.
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So when should you choose to use rhyme? That’s a hard question to answer, but I’d say when you hear it in your head, when the poem insists upon it, when it makes sense in music and meaning. When is rhyme something you shouldn’t choose? Well, the myths above should give you some clues and tell you when rhyme is something to lose.
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SPRING AND FALL TO A YOUNG CHILD
Gerard Manley Hopkins
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Márgarét, are you gríeving
Over Goldengrove unleaving?
Leáves, líke the things of man, you
With your fresh thoughts care for, can you?
Ah! ás the heart grows older
It will come to such sights colder
By and by, nor spare a sigh
Though worlds of wanwood leafmeal lie;
And yet you wíll weep and know why.
Now no matter, child, the name:
Sórrow’s spríngs áre the same.
Nor mouth had, no nor mind, expressed
What heart heard of, ghost guessed:
It ís the blight man was born for,
It is Margaret you mourn for.
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From Been to Yesterdays (Wordsong/Boyds Mills)©1995 by Lee Bennett Hopkins:
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“WE
have to
move again
tonight.
Mama’s money’s spent.
I don’t have
enough to make
our monthly rent.
The check
that Daddy said
he’d send
was never sent.”
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Again
I look
at empty boxes
and I know
what they
are for.
They’re
made
to store
some things
you live
your whole life
for–
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a teddy bear,
books,
old door keys,
silent
lasting
memories.
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Stowed in cardboard
corners,
memories rest
quietly
in paper chests
there–
when you need them most
to move you on–
there–
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when we must take
flight
in the middle
of a wrinkled,
corrugated night.
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In the “Oy, Vey” category: IF I CAN STOP ONE HEART FROM BREAKING
Emily Dickinson
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If I can stop one heart from breaking,
I shall not live in vain
If I can ease one life the aching,
Or cool one pain,
Or help one fainting robin
Unto his nest again,
I shall not live in vain.
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About Marilyn:
Winner of the 2015 NCTE Award for Excellence in Poetry, Marilyn Singer is the author of over one hundred books, many of which are poetry collections, including Mirror Mirror (Dutton), for which she created the “reverso” form. Her latest poetry books are: Rutherford B., Who Was He?: Poems about Our Presidents (Disney-Hyperion); Follow Follow: A Book of Reversos (Dial); A Strange Place to Call Home (Chronicle); and The Superheroes Employment Agency (Clarion). Her third book of reversos, Echo Echo, will be published next year by Dial.
http://www.amazon.com/Superheroes-Employment-Agency-Marilyn-Singer/dp/0547435592/ref=sr_1_sc_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1427527662&sr=8-1-spell&keywords=The+Super+Heros+Employment+Agency
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Thank you so much Marilyn!
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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 a rhyming poem about a somber subject. Use rhyme as the ending lines as well as internally.
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For example:
Wearing a smile while feeling so sad,
Refusing, not choosing to cry.
Leaving while grieving a moment in time,
Beguiling, still smiling, but why?
Feelings are hidden, forbidden to show.
Strength, divine armor to shine. (shine rhymes with divine and sign)
And just when you feel the real heart of the beast,
Weary teardrops fall down as a sign.
© 2015 Angie Karcher
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Congratulations to
Week 1 Prize Winners
Mon Kirsti Call Won a copy of BEAR’S LOOSE TOOTH Donated by Dawn Young
Tues Maria Bostian Won a copy of SUPERWORM Donated by Dawn Young
Wed Melanie Ellsworth Won a copy of TEENY TINY TRUCKS Donated by Tim McCanna
Thurs Lori Laniewski Won a copy of an Autographed Book Donated by Nikki Grimes
Fri Darshana Khiani Won a copy of WORD BUILDER Donated by Ann Whitford Paul
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“Friday Favorites” Winner – Elaine Hillson Won a Rhyming Manuscript Critique Donated by Angie Karcher (after April – 500 words or less) Elaine, please contact me in May. Congrats!
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Congratulations to the week 1 winners!
Thank you to our generous prize donors!
Winners, PLEASE message me your address on Facebook
or email it to Angiekarcherrpbm@gmail.com
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Golden Quill Poetry Contest
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The Golden Quill Poetry Contest will accept entries STARTING April 13th and the deadline is April 25th midnight Central Time.
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Contest Rules:
First and Last name included in the body of the email at the top left
Email address included in the body of the email at the top left
Phone number – top left
Space down 5 spaces
The Theme is: Freedom
Title of poem – centered with no by line or name here
8 line limit
Must be a rhyming poem
You will be judged on clever title, rhyme scheme, rhythm, scansion, perfect rhyming words, internal rhyme, alliteration, consonance, assonance, onomatopoeia, and clever ending.
Poems due to Angiekarcherrpbm@gmail by April 25th midnight central time
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Format example:
First and Last Name
Phone Number
Poem Title
Line 1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
*Any poem that strays from this format will be disqualified.
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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 and
the Barnes and Noble BookFair
Stay tuned!
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Official RhyPiBoMo 2015 Registration ends this Wednesday, 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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Just when I think I know what poetry is, I read Marilyn’s article and tumble in and out of rhyme. Thank you for the information, Marilyn. – Judy Rubin
Thank you for your post Marilyn! Now you’ve got me thinking. What DOES define poetry? Hmmm.
Doh! Forgot to write my name again! — Annie Bailey
Sadee Schilling
What a great post–lots to think about. Gerard Manley Hopkins was a favorite when I studied poetry in college. Can’t wait to check out some of Marilyn’s poetry!
I love rhyme. I just do. Need no reason! So thank you, Marilyn, for all you said and for the poems you chose.
I’m learning so much from these posts! I feel like I’m back in school. Thank you Marilyn! I love that Lee Bennett Hopkins poem, especially the very end bit.
– Ellen Izenson
Sydney O’Neill: Thank you, Marilyn. Now I’m hoping you’ll also share your conclusions about free verse. 🙂
I loved the poems you shared (as I wasn’t familiar with any of them) and the myths you drew up. Thanks for a great post!
Lori Mozdzierz:
Thank you, Marilyn, for dispelling that rhyme is only for light verse. Appreciate the examples.
Some time ago I was told rhyme was only for whimsical topics. Never was able to wrap my head around that advise.
-Kenda Henthorn –
No, rhyme is not passe (especially in picture books!) 🙂 Beautiful, thought provoking examples!! Thank you, Marilyn!!
Linda Schueler: I love those reverso poems! Thanks for all your tips. And congratulations to all the winners.
Thank you Marilyn. Very thought provoking post.
Clark Haaland
what a great list
So many of the great poems we celebrate are rhyming ones, yet many literary magazines for adults and teens specifically discourage rhyme stating they seem childish to mature readers. I think the key for all ages & types is that the poetry comes first, the rhyme last.
Marla Lesage
Elaine Hillson – Thank you for a wonderful post Marilyn. The list of myths was particularly interesting as I have come across most of them in my very short writing career. I’d never though of rhyme for serious subjects and now I’m itching to try it. Thank you.
Nancy Mindo — Great advice, and really good food for thought! It does make me think more about style and rhyming flow… Thank You !!!!
Manju Howard – Thank you, Marilyn. I really connected to the poem “Been to Yesterdays,” both in subject and structure.
Marilyn, thank your for sharing that example of what NOT to do in poetry! in one of my Lyrical Language Lab lessons, I talk about how to avoid writing sentimental drivel. I LOVE that Emily Dickinson wrote that awful poem — and I’m adding it to the lesson today! Ha!
And as for writing rhyme on serious subjects, one need only look to Shakespeare to begin — and then to the countless classic and contemporary poets who have done and are doing the same.
“Been to Yesterdays” was so poignant, from both the child’s view and the parent’s! I enjoy poetry that tugs at the heart strings (Jenny Buchet)
Thanks for the motivation and inspiration!
Rebecca Trembula – How fun! I’ve was reading Mirror Mirror last week as my daily children’s poem.
Pat Haapaniemi – Much food for thought here! And I really enjoyed reading these poems!
Rosemary Basham
Wow! I’m going to find your book about presidents. !
Ann Kelley – Thank you, Marilyn! I love reading your poems. One of my personal challenges is to attempt your reverso. I’m so excited to read Echo, Echo.
Great post, and I loved the examples, they really drove the points home.
Daryl Gottier
Love the dinner topic and the myths are great reminders. Thanks also for the poetry sharing, Marilyn. Val McCammon
Maria Marshall
Marilyn, what an excellent and thought provoking post. The examples really helped too.
Natasha Garnett
I love Gerard Manley Hopkins! May I recommend The Windhover?
Janet Smart. Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us.
Karen Affholter – I am so excited for the contest and am very inspired by these lovely poetic examples!
Pat Likins
This is such an educational and enjoyable experience, can’t wait to open it each day!
Rene` Aube thanks you for questions about poetry to chew one, myths about rhymes, and when to use it. 🙂 Happy Monday
Thank you so much Marilyn for your insightful thoughts on poetry.
Vicki Wilke
Thank you Marilyn – I’m anxious to find your reverso technique!
Peggy Archer–Thanks for a great post, Marilyn. I do love rhyme. And Angie, I love your poem 🙂
Melanie Ellsworth
Marilyn, Thank you for these great pointers. I especially needed the reminders of #7 and #9. Somehow, when I write anything somber, it always ends up in free verse, but I need to remember that rhyme doesn’t have to equal humor. I own and am awestruck by your Mirror Mirror book!
Angie, thanks to you and Tim for the prize book – how exciting!
Vivian Kirkfield
Thank you so much, Marilyn…just love Mirror Mirror…and all of your tips are well worth remembering as we try to write poetry.
Congrats to the winners of the 1st week’s prizes…and hip hip hooray for the generous prize donors. 😉 Angie, your poem is awesome! I’ll have to get crackin’ on an entry for the contest. 🙂
Rachel Hamby – Thank you for the poetry myths and the three sample poems you included in your post, Marilyn. Very informative.
Rita Allmon– I enjoyed your post today. A lot to think about…
Mandy Yates-
Love the list of myths.
And I love internal rhyme. It’s so sneaky. Great poem Angie.
Sandy Powell — I do not know a whole lot about poetry, I guess because I don’t write it, but your post was very helpful. I will refer back to this post if and when I try my hand at writing a poem. Thank you!
Charlotte Dixon
Thank you, Marilyn, for the Myths About Rhyme and the selected poems. I am working on my understanding of rhyme and I am happy you are a guest sharing your insight.
Kathy Mazurowski
Love the myths about rhyme. Your poetry selection today, had me stop and take pause. That could be a definition of poetry also. Thanks!
Thanks for the post and for sharing those inspiring poems. Katie Gast
Kirsti Call: Loved this post and the examples of poetry…thanks you Marilyn.
CARRIE CHARLEY BROWN has lots of new things to think about now! Thanks, Marilyn!
Tanja Bauerle – Ooooh! Thank you for such an enlightening post. T.
Sara Green Thanks for a great post Marilyn. I loved the list of myths.
Iza Trapani
Lots to think about. Thank you to Marilyn. Lee’s poem is wonderful- as is yours. Angie!
Thanks, Marilyn! Love your work, especially Mirror Mirror & Follow Follow 🙂
Maria Oka- This was a wonderful post! I loved reading the poems included as well. I don’t know the answer to “what is poetry?”, but when you read GOOD poetry, it is something you just feel.