Tip #7: Walk and Stop [and 15 Words or Less Poems]

Tip #7: Walk and Stop

Walk around the room as you read, and then STOP moving at the most important, powerful part of the poem. Kids will naturally be following your progress, and when you suddenly stop, they will pay attention to what’s happening.

When reading the poem draft below that is today’s 15 Words or Less poem, for example, I would probably stop moving just before “forever?” There’s no one right word to choose, though. Just quickly read through your poem and think, which word do I want to make sure kids notice? That’s the one you stop moving for.

Now, for my 15 Words or Less writers–and anybody else who would like to join in–it’s another 15 Words or Less flashback to 2007!

Wake up your poetry brains with 15 Words or Less (guidelines here)!

SORRY, PHOTO NO LONGER AVAILABLE

Here’s a picture I took in Chicago’s Field Museum (I love that place) and my poem draft, circa 2007!? This image makes me think of:
1) the gritty texture of stone
2) how I would tell my day in hieroglyphics
3)? living statues that you see in areas of street performers, stuck there for what seems like forever!
And here’s my?first draft.
In Pyramids

Now it’s your turn! Have fun and stick to 15 WORDS OR LESS!??(Title doesn’t count toward word count:>)?

80 Responses

  1. Laura,
    I doubt the artists ever imagined their work would be valued by all the world and forever. Awesome, isn’t it?

  2. Laura,
    I doubt the artists ever imagined their work would be valued by all the world and forever. Awesome, isn’t it?

  3. Waking, walking
    Wearing, working
    Washing, writing
    Winking, whispering
    Wishing.
    Dreaming.
    Waking, walking.

    I liked the idea of how we would tell our days in hieroglyphs. Kind of a tongue twister 🙂

  4. Waking, walking
    Wearing, working
    Washing, writing
    Winking, whispering
    Wishing.
    Dreaming.
    Waking, walking.

    I liked the idea of how we would tell our days in hieroglyphs. Kind of a tongue twister 🙂

  5. I too tried to capture the thought of “men dancing across centuries”, Laura. It’s always a special moment to consider those who created these stories so long, long ago.

    Remember Me

    My story of
    fraternity,
    stone etched
    for all
    eternity.
    Linda Baie ?All Rights Reserved

  6. I too tried to capture the thought of “men dancing across centuries”, Laura. It’s always a special moment to consider those who created these stories so long, long ago.

    Remember Me

    My story of
    fraternity,
    stone etched
    for all
    eternity.
    Linda Baie ?All Rights Reserved

  7. Obituary

    Her world grows smaller
    her lifeline shrinks
    her work
    etched
    in
    stone.
    FOREVER!

    Good morning Laura. I was blown away by your photo for today. I have just learned that a dear friend/author passed away at age 59. Her health decline began circa 2007. Her books live on. You can’t make up coincidences like this. I envision that her world seemed as small to her as the picture conveys. Thank you.

      1. Thank you Linda. My 20/20 hindsight tells me the title should have been Memorial instead of Obituary. My late friend would have told me to “own it and get on with it.”

    1. I wonder what will actually be left for archeologists to uncover of today’s world, or are we finding ways of keeping it for posterity now?
      Sorry for the loss of your friend. I’m glad she was a writer, so her words will remain.

    2. I’m sorry to hear this, Martha. But this is such a heartfelt tribute to her. And I love the victory shout at the end. We write and create to defy death, right?

  8. Obituary

    Her world grows smaller
    her lifeline shrinks
    her work
    etched
    in
    stone.
    FOREVER!

    Good morning Laura. I was blown away by your photo for today. I have just learned that a dear friend/author passed away at age 59. Her health decline began circa 2007. Her books live on. You can’t make up coincidences like this. I envision that her world seemed as small to her as the picture conveys. Thank you.

      1. Thank you Linda. My 20/20 hindsight tells me the title should have been Memorial instead of Obituary. My late friend would have told me to “own it and get on with it.”

    1. I wonder what will actually be left for archeologists to uncover of today’s world, or are we finding ways of keeping it for posterity now?
      Sorry for the loss of your friend. I’m glad she was a writer, so her words will remain.

    2. I’m sorry to hear this, Martha. But this is such a heartfelt tribute to her. And I love the victory shout at the end. We write and create to defy death, right?

  9. Aren’t blank walls for crayon squiggles?

    But Mom’s not joining in my giggles.

  10. Aren’t blank walls for crayon squiggles?

    But Mom’s not joining in my giggles.

    1. I’ve been fascinated lately by the stories of rocks, but I love the idea of each drop of water being a story, too. The world, at least a bigger part than we give credit for, is inside each small part. Lovely…

    1. I’ve been fascinated lately by the stories of rocks, but I love the idea of each drop of water being a story, too. The world, at least a bigger part than we give credit for, is inside each small part. Lovely…

  11. Rime puzzling Question

    Rapunzel’s only hope
    A map she drew
    on castle walls
    prince how
    did you get
    in Egypt?

    I love the first line of your poem and the pic reminds me of one of mine that I just took when I went to my museum a few weeks ago

    Reply

  12. Rime puzzling Question

    Rapunzel’s only hope
    A map she drew
    on castle walls
    prince how
    did you get
    in Egypt?

    I love the first line of your poem and the pic reminds me of one of mine that I just took when I went to my museum a few weeks ago

    Reply

  13. Love that sunlight in…

    Shattered sunbeams
    fall,
    People squint at
    wall,
    Stone-carved ghosts
    enthrall,
    Rebus runes tell
    all.

    ?Donna JT Smith, all rights reserved

  14. Love that sunlight in…

    Shattered sunbeams
    fall,
    People squint at
    wall,
    Stone-carved ghosts
    enthrall,
    Rebus runes tell
    all.

    ?Donna JT Smith, all rights reserved

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