Hello, and welcome! This is 15 Words or Less Poems, a low-pressure way to wake up your poetry brain (guidelines here), and I’m very glad you’re here.
Here’s a space module in the National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC.
This image makes me think of several things:
- I Dream of Jeannie (natch)
- Would I travel into space if I had the opportunity?
- Bubbling flask in a science lab
And here’s my first draft. Since I’ve been sharing one of my new books, Snowman-Cold=Puddle, I thought I’d write a few equation poems:>)
It’s your turn! Have fun and stick to 15 WORDS OR LESS! (Title doesn’t count toward word count.)
39 Responses
Wow, Laura! I’ve been admiring the equation poems shared recently. I really love these. I haven’t written any yet. I’m sort of intimidated.…not sure that I can think of any. Which, I know is silly! I would tell my students to just start jotting down words until something came to them.….so.…I’m off to do that.
Linda, I’m sorry to hear you’re finding the idea of equation poems intimidating! Here’s what I told Young writers at the book Festival. Think of your favorite thing, whether that’s a sport or a hobby or a person or whatever. Then think of two essential qualities of that that thing. Then do one plus one equals your favorite thing. Of course, with time you could think about making it a little more specific or metaphorical. But you don’t have to, it could just be literal I, too. I hope you have fun with it!
OK. I’m just wanting to have great poems…lol. I want to be great with the first one. So silly. I just need to play. I’ve been pushing myself pretty hard this month. As soon as I slow down a little I can play and have fun with some words AND equation poems!
Thank you Laura for the additional info re equation poems. Today was a first for me. I love learning new things. Will practice and who knows! Would acrostics and equation work together?
no equation poems worth sharing yet. Here’s my little one for today.
A rocket
a shuttle
a satellite
A pinprick
a running stitch
skyward
by candlelight
Linda, that is stunning. I love how it gets smaller and smaller, and that running stitch, as it shows up and disappears and shows up and disappears… Those last two lines are just scrumptious.
This is beautiful Linda, and so descriptive. Maybe these words will lend themselves to an equation poem.
Poem By Jessica Bigi
Thimble sowing
stars and planets
sky- patterns
for our eyes
space capsules
of time-thimbles
OOOOH, love those thimbles!
I love the comparison of this module to a symbol and how the stars and planets in the sky make patterns for us–constellations! What lovely connections you make.
Beautiful, Jessica!
Jessica, I love thinking of stars and planets as patterns. A patchwork throw comes to mind!
I love your equation poem format–brilliant!– and enjoy how you’ve combined them here. Here’s my take:
Escape
A bubble of solitude…
in a faraway place…
during report cards
I’d travel to space!
amen, sister!
Hehe, I bet you’re not the only one who feels that way, Molly. I love that opening line especially. Great description of how I imagine it would feel to be inside this module.
I would love to travel in space! Maybe in my next life!
In the meantime, I can imagine.…
Grand shuttle of hope
enigmas afloat
slow dance through the stars
around Saturn and Mars
What a beautiful, romantic poem, Suzanne. I love that line 3!
So lovely and dreamy–slow dancing with the stars and planets! Love it!
Beautiful Suzanne.
Fun equations, Laura!
Behind the Scene
I seem to be impervious
to stress,
but peek into my innards-
I’m a mess!
LOL — Love this one!
Ha! This poem totally captures how I feel today and lately, Cindy. I’m smiling, saying hi to people, going about my normal stuff, while inside I am a mess of stress and things undone!
Ditto Cindy!
I love your equation poem, Laura, especially that last line
early space capsules
how small
for such big achievements
So true!
Yes Lauren. It’s still difficult for me to envision all of it and even more difficult to see myself traveling that way.
Good morning all. Laura, adhering to the “first thought” theme, I immediately saw a rusty church bell due to what looks like a keyboard inside the module. That prompted thoughts of today’s Sunday morning call to worship with modern technology. For decades, my grandfather pulled the ropes that rang the three huge bells in our church steeple. If I stare at the base I can easily see the clapper.
Church Bells of Yore
Iron may rust
time rushes by
Sunday morning memories
bring tears to my eyes.
This is beautiful, Martha. The church I grew up in had a bell, also.
I love to hear church bells — such a reassuring sound. Must have been tremendously loud and exciting from close enough to pull the rope.
I like the brevity of your equation poem and sad mystery it leaves us with.
Seeing your image Laura, I couldn’t think of anything but the lame excuse the women astronauts were given this week…
Wake up NASA!
Stock up
Small space suit sizes
for an
All Women’s Space Walk
I am completely out of the news loop. Seriously, this is pathetic!
I couldn’t agree with your more. I would’t mind being out of the news loop. All the best with your book related events for your 3 New Books!
Thanks, Michelle:)
GROUNDED
by Dianne Moritz
I’d never fly
to outer space.
Solid earth
is my safe place.
I like the way the last two lines FEEL heavier, more solid, Dianne…
Well said Michelle. Even though I would not care to take that ride, I am in awe of the women who would and should.
Agree totally!
I thought I posted this, but my internet connection has been acting up, so I guess not. Just a small one today.
Lost message
from the stars, saying,
“Here we are.”
—Kate Coombs
Oh so haunting, Kate. Lovely. The brevity so suits the mood here…