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September 15, 2016

Poetry Friday--"Back to School"

I know that in some regions, the kids have been back in school for a month and a half, but in others, kids went back after Labor Day. By now, though, I believe everyone has started the new school year. I hope it's a good one, but please be aware that for some children, it is not always an easy transition.

For today, I have a haiku/senryu sequence with the theme "back to school." Don't you love the photo? It's from a book titled, American Birds, Studied and Photographed from Life by William L. Finley (C. Scribner's Sons, 1907).


Click on the image to enlarge for easier reading. © Diane Mayr, all rights reserved.

Rounding up the poetry links for today is Michelle at Today's Little Ditty.

29 comments:

  1. Gorgeous - both photo and sequence. I love that you explore the diversity of first day experiences.

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    1. There's so much we miss when we just look at the first day as exciting.

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  2. Learning to wait
    Teacher calls us
    Her chickadees

    As always, Diane, your haiku are breath-taking.
    Joint custody hit me in the gut--amazing how haiku can do that.
    Well done, the picture was a great find and works so well.

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    1. Sweet haiku, Joy! Thanks for adding it to the mix.

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  3. What a tweet— I mean, TREAT, Diane! The photograph is delightful. As is your entire composition. I especially love the contrast of "first day of school" and "last in line" set next to each other.

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    1. I came upon the photo at exactly the right time of year! I don't know if it was the chicken or the egg.

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  4. Oh, the last in line haiku makes me so sad for that child. Amazing, how you've created a rich character in those few lines.

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    1. Thanks, Laura. Haiku depend upon the reader to bring the back story.

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  5. You always find the best photos! Wonderful sequence, Diane. I also feel sad for the one who's last in line, and the mention of joint custody turns my thoughts to yet another narrative.

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  6. Each one poignant and moving, Diane. Had to smile about the new underwear - that is a tradition with my girls to get new back to school underwear every August(along with shoes, backpacks, etc). =)

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    1. New underwear makes you proud and happy, and no one can figure out why!

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  7. the pic is wonderful and your poem is so true I love it

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    1. Thanks, Jessica! Chickadees and sparrows always remind me of little children.

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  8. You're right, it's one of the biggest days of the year. For a different reason for every kid.

    leaving mom
    who makes me feel safe
    to take a bus

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  9. That is a wonderful photo! I love all the thoughts going on. Beautiful job getting into the heads of those youngsters.

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    1. Thanks, Donna. I like sequences and juxtaposing points of view.

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  10. Very true - every child experiences the world in different ways, and goes through different emotions and experiences, and it's important to remember that, especially those of us who work with little ones.

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  11. I always love your graphic/poem creations, Diane! This is wonderful. (I ache for little "last in line".)

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  12. LOVE! And, thank you for knowing the transition isn't easy for every kid. It's tough for some.

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    1. Yes, it is--so many unknowns to face, so many new anxieties to experience.

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  13. Gorgeous and accurate, and somehow I love the Star Wars lunchbox best--that reliving of experience that the first day of school brings to so many adults.

    I received this note from a divorced, Irish dad of one of my 2nd graders:

    This is K's father , JB .
    I was thinking about the way I learned to read.
    Does the class all read the same book at school ? If so can I get a copy . I had a hard time reading out loud if I did not practice.

    Is that not heartrending?

    Thanks for the haikuechoes...

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    1. Thanks for sharing that note. He certainly is to be applauded for making an effort. Don't forget to suggest/encourage the use of the public library. Question, is having children read out loud still a big part of teaching reading? I, too, was never a fan.

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  14. You're such a creative little birdie!

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