Last year, I’shared a poem from Amy Ludwig Vanderwater’s stunning Forest Has a Song (Clarion, 2013)?here before, and today, I’m sharing another in celebration of its Cybils win! Yay! Um, and not bragging or anything, but guess who nominated Forest for the Cybils? Yup, me:>)
It’s hard for me to choose which to share, but I’m going with the lovely dusk, because there’s so much about its form and rhyme that enchants me.
Dusk
Sleep tight
baby animals
so small
so full of zest.
Burrow in a burrow.
Nestle in a nest.
Snuggle in a tree trunk.
Crawl beneath a stone.
Cuddle with a mama.
Huddle all alone.
Peek out at the sunset
winking way out west.
You’ll meet the sun
with running fun,
It’s night now.
Hush now.
Rest.
–Amy Ludwig Vanderwater, all rights reserved
And here’s Amy reading “Dusk.” I love hearing a poet read her own work. It’s so fun to compare how I read it aloud or hear it in my head with how Amy reads it–her readings are always so’soothing and heartfelt!
Karen at Karen Edmisten?has the Poetry Friday Roundup today–enjoy!
I am so happy for Amy and her award. Well deserved. This is a beautiful collection.
:>)
I am so happy for Amy and her award. Well deserved. This is a beautiful collection.
:>)
Just lovely. This is a favorite book of mine and Amy is such a gifted poet. Her words just fit, like the winking sun….Thanks, Laura. Happy to know you were the nominator!
She is. And I agree–her words fit and feel so natural and yet unexpected.
Just lovely. This is a favorite book of mine and Amy is such a gifted poet. Her words just fit, like the winking sun….Thanks, Laura. Happy to know you were the nominator!
She is. And I agree–her words fit and feel so natural and yet unexpected.
That’s one of my favourites, as well, Laura – in fact, it was one of two that I shared with the other judges when we were discussing which poems were most noteworthy. (The other was “Spider.”)
Thanks for sharing this tiny glimpse into the Cybils. I really missed being on the Poetry panel this year!
That’s one of my favourites, as well, Laura – in fact, it was one of two that I shared with the other judges when we were discussing which poems were most noteworthy. (The other was “Spider.”)
Thanks for sharing this tiny glimpse into the Cybils. I really missed being on the Poetry panel this year!
I love this poem. I love every poem in this wonderful book. Thanks for nominating it. Hopefully it will be more widely read. Congratulations to Amy. Well deserved.
I completely agree. This is one of them most charming poetry books I’ve read in several years. Amy is a wonder.
I love this poem. I love every poem in this wonderful book. Thanks for nominating it. Hopefully it will be more widely read. Congratulations to Amy. Well deserved.
I completely agree. This is one of them most charming poetry books I’ve read in several years. Amy is a wonder.
This poem speaks volumes to me. I am still a “nester,” a carry-over from when my children were young and hubby had a traveling job. When dusk arrived, I wanted my little ones in the house, under my wing. Never mind that it was still daylight and their friends were still playing. If their father was at home, they were allowed to remain outside longer. Even now I am lovingly teased. At sundown, and when there are no evening activities planned, my nesting urges kick in. I burrow in! Thanks for sharing.
I love how you connected to this poem, Martha! Thanks for sharing your story:>)
This poem speaks volumes to me. I am still a “nester,” a carry-over from when my children were young and hubby had a traveling job. When dusk arrived, I wanted my little ones in the house, under my wing. Never mind that it was still daylight and their friends were still playing. If their father was at home, they were allowed to remain outside longer. Even now I am lovingly teased. At sundown, and when there are no evening activities planned, my nesting urges kick in. I burrow in! Thanks for sharing.
I love how you connected to this poem, Martha! Thanks for sharing your story:>)
I too am happy you nominated Amy’s book, Laura. It’s a treasure to savor and to share! Thanks for the poem of warmth this time!
Yeah, it was fun to share something the opposite of our weather! Not that the poem specifies summer, but it definitely has that feel:>)
I too am happy you nominated Amy’s book, Laura. It’s a treasure to savor and to share! Thanks for the poem of warmth this time!
Yeah, it was fun to share something the opposite of our weather! Not that the poem specifies summer, but it definitely has that feel:>)
I just wanted to thank you again, Laura, for believing in and nominating my book. Thank you to everyone for your kind words here…I honestly can’t believe it sometimes and am very grateful. xo
Thank you, Amy, for your treasure of a book!
I just wanted to thank you again, Laura, for believing in and nominating my book. Thank you to everyone for your kind words here…I honestly can’t believe it sometimes and am very grateful. xo
Thank you, Amy, for your treasure of a book!
Precious poem.
Glad you enjoyed it, Donna!
Precious poem.
Glad you enjoyed it, Donna!
Visiting Laura and getting a dose of Amy, all in one post! Glorious!
It’s a two-fer!
Visiting Laura and getting a dose of Amy, all in one post! Glorious!
It’s a two-fer!