Where the Sidewalk Ends

There is a place where the sidewalk ends

And before the street begins,

And there the grass grows soft and white,

And there the sun burns crimson bright,

And there the moon-bird rests from his flight

To cool in the peppermint wind.

Let us leave this place where the smoke blows black

And the dark street winds and bends.

Past the pits where the asphalt flowers grow

We shall walk with a walk that is measured and slow,

And watch where the chalk-white arrows go

To the place where the sidewalk ends.

Yes we’ll walk with a walk that is measured and slow,

And we’ll go where the chalk-white arrows go,

For the children, they mark, and the children, they know

The place where the sidewalk ends.

Shel Silverstein

Looking for poems to put in your pocket?  Visit poets.org.

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In the spirit of Rainer Maria Rilke‘s Letters to a Young Poet, in which Rilke replies to letters from a young military cadet and aspiring poet asking for his advice, the Academy of American Poets is inviting students to engage with poetry by handwriting letters to some of the poets who serve on the Academy’s Board of Chancellors.  Please share the information below with the students in your community!

Any young person is encouraged to participate! Here’s how:

1) Read some of the poems written by the Academy’s Chancellors. Here are some suggested poems to read and respond to:

Latin & Soul by Victor Hernández Cruz

Cherry Blossoms by Toi Derricotte

Broadway by Mark Doty

[Where do words come from?]    by Vénus Khoury-Ghata,    translated by Marilyn Hacker

You and I Belong in This Kitchen    by Juan Felipe Herrera

Fall by Edward Hirsch

A Hand by Jane Hirshfield

Famous by Naomi Shihab Nye

Nothing in That Drawer by Ron Padgett

This Bridge, Like Poetry, is Vertigo    by Marie Ponsot

Comet Hyakutake by Arthur Sze

Fast-Speaking Woman by Anne Waldman

2) Compose a one to two page handwritten letter sharing your questions and thoughts about the poem with its author. (Be sure to include your age and grade, along with a return address if you hope to receive a response).

3) Send your letter to:

Select letters may receive a reply from the poet and be featured on the Academy’s website, Poets.org!

Source:  http://www.poets.org/page.php/prmID/619

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Reblogged from Bomani D. Armah:

“It didn't work out with me an your mom
But yo push come to shove
You was conceived in love”

-   Will Smith (Just the Two of Us)

If you had told me my night would go like this, being out bowled by not one, but two six year olds, I would have never believed you.  But here I was, Bomani Armah, in the middle of a suburban MD bowling alley. 

Read more… 1,078 more words

I Speak With Conviction

The rhythm of verse

Filled with passion and purpose

Expanding your mind

 

by Michelle Lynn Thompson 08/10/2012

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Sunshine Hugs

Like the touch of love

Wrapping its warmth around me

I love sunshine hugs!

by Michelle Lynn Thompson

August 18, 2012

Exquisite Haiku: Sunshine Hugs

Reblogged from Sunday Post:

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

Close-ups are used in many ways, for many reasons. In filmmaking, television production, still photography and the comic strip medium a close-up tightly frames a person or an object. Close-ups are one of the standard shots used regularly with medium shots and long shots (cinematic techniques). Close-ups display the most detail, but they do not include the broader scene. Moving in to a close-up or away from a close-up is a common type of zooming.

Read more… 200 more words

Dancing and Twirling

Exquisite Haiku – Dancing and Twirling

Thank you to Cathie from The Cathie Barash Blog for nominating Life is an Exquisite journey for The Very Inspiring Blogger Award!  I am so appreciative of the recognition and am excited to extend the nomination to a few other bloggers who have inspired me on this blogging journey.

Here are the rules for this award:

1. Thank the person who nominated me.

      Thank you so much, Cathie!

2. Share 7 things about myself.

1. I am the mother of five children ages 20, 18, 17, 15 and 9.
2. I have my own live, call-in television program.
3. I grew up in Sicklerville, NJ.  Yes, the hometown of Olympic Gold medalist Jordan Burroughs! 
4. I enjoy visiting new cities and towns.
5. I am a Girl Scout.
6. I lived in Austin, TX for a year.
7. I was born in France.

3. Nominate 7 other bloggers for this award.

At this time, I have selected the following nominees for the Very Inspiring Blogger Award:

1. http://bestmotivationalguides.wordpress.com/
2. http://upgraderealite.wordpress.com
3. http://selfimprovementdeals.wordpress.com
4. http://creativityorcrazy.wordpress.com
   
5. http://focsimama.wordpress.com/
6. http://soitgoes1.wordpress.com/
7. http://caraholman.wordpress.com/

4. Put the logo of the award on my blog site.

Thank you for visiting my blog and sharing your comments.  It has been a blast getting to know you all and I look forward to strengthening our connection.

Peace and Love,

Life is an Exquisite Journey ~ Michelle

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