Can You Find Which Way is Up?
Hey, yoo-hoo– Can you find which way is up?
Works here, there, everywhere and won’t letup.
Eh, I need an escape.
Hmmm . . . A trip to the cape,
a winter rendezvous–me and you, yup!
© 2017 Michelle Kogan
As the month of March is Women’s History Month, I’m shining some light on a few outstanding women. I’m beginning today, with the poet, Georgia Heard. While writing my poem Georgia Heard’s Poetry Anthology, Falling Down the Page: A Book of List Poems came to mind. It has always been a favorite of mine. The poems seem to tumble down the page effortlessly. Here is the beginning of her poem Oak Tree, that is included in the anthology.
Oak Tree
(Read from bottom to top)
Reaching
Up
Up
Up
Climbs
Acorn
Small
One
I found out from Heidi, who is hosting Poetry Friday this week, that poet Billy Collins is turning 76 on March 22nd. In honor of his birthday I found this poem of his to share. I love the casual nature of this poem and how it meanders from beginning to end!
Invention
Tonight the moon is a cracker,
with a bite out of it
floating in the night,
and in a week or so
according to the calendar
it will probably look
like a silver football,
and nine, maybe ten days ago
it reminded me of a thin bright claw.
But eventually —
by the end of the month,
I reckon —
Read the rest of this poem here: Poetry Soup- Billy Collins
Thanks Heidi for hosting the Poetry Roundup, and filling us in on Bill Collins’ Birthday! For more Poetry Friday Poems visit Heidi at: My Juicy Little Universe
Michelle Kogan Illustration, Painting, & Writing 
Oh how I love that owl! I’ve always loved owls, and that tilted head is just delightful!!
Thanks Jane, I thought he was befitting for the poem!
You are talented in so many ways.
I love your watercolor owl – that angle of the head, Michelle, I feel it’s peering into my soul.
We share an affection for Georgia Heard’s FALLING DOWN THE PAGE. I hope to
study with her some day.
The meditation on the moon by Billy Collins is perfect for me now as my hubby & I were
trying to describe its shape last night on our evening walk. I expect to share this with him tonight.
Thanks Jan, “Falling Down The Page” holds a special place in my heart ❤️! It’s filled with poems that read as if they we’re part of the horizon, and have always been there.
That is the cutest owl I’ve ever seen! Love the casual ease of your poem, yup! Georgia Heard is a wonderful collector of poems. Do you have The Woman in this Poem? Amazing collection that I highly recommend. https://www.amazon.com/Woman-this-Poem-Womens-Voices/dp/B0147HVIBG
Hi Margaret, Thanks! And thanks for passing on “The Woman in this Poem!” I just took a look at it and there are many poets in there I admire, now I’ll have to decide it I get it for myself or my daughter, who would also appreciate it.
I love your owl, too, Michelle. And I have Falling Down The Page, among others by Georgia. I had the pleasure of working with her last fall at Highlights. What a marvelous week it was. I love Billy’s poem and that ending, too. I wonder how many of his poems hold some reference to writing and/or words? Happy weekend!
Thanks Linda! I don’t know how many of his poems refer to writing/words, but I sure would like to have
“and I will have a few nights
to myself,
a little time to rest my jittery pen.”
Enjoyed this whole post, Michelle — top to bottom, with a little upside-down in the middle!
Hi Tabatha, Thanks, and for the middle too!
What a great idea to showcase women poets this month, Michelle. Georgia Heard is wonderful! Such a treat, also, to read “Invention”—where has that poem been all my life? (Thank you for finally introducing us.) Lastly, I want to hug your owl!!!! Ever consider designing a stuffed toy? 🙂
Hi Michelle,Thanks glad you like the Women focus for March, I’ll see if I can keep on it . . .
I love “Invention” too! Thanks for your rousing support for the owl, I’ll store that idea for later.
Lovely owl!
Thanks Barbara!
I love your perky owl with the cocked head and shining eyes! And I love your Billy Collins pick — wonder if your owl was looking at the same moon?
Hi Marylee,
Thanks! It could have been the same moon, the owl sure is cocky enough.
Michelle, Thank you for highlighting Georgia Heard. I need to learn more about her and her work. I am in love with the heart map idea…..but I have not created one myself. I feel completely overwhelmed when I sit and try to create one….which is silly! But, sometimes silly needs to be overcome. And, I aim to someday. Love your owl and the energy of the rhyme. This week I may try a Falling Down the Page poem. It is fun to read. Have a great week!
Hi Linda, Thanks! I haven’t tried the heart map idea either, you’ll have to let me know how yours goes.
I
have
written
a handful
of list
poems. . .
I adore Georgia, and have always loved her “Oak Tree” poem.
What a great expression your owl is greeting us with! Thanks for sharing it & your fun poem.
I went to a literary event today led by a wildlife ecologist professor/writer & poet who started us off with a lovely birding walk. You would have loved it. I’ll share more next week. :0)
Thanks Robyn! Sounds like a great event, I look forward to hearing more about it, I’ve been partial to birds for as long as I can remember!
Your owl is so curious, Michelle–exploring women’s history, list poems, and Billy Collins! I had hoped this celebration would lead me to new poems of his, and you have obliged nicely with a poem I can share with my 2nd graders about viewing the moon. I wonder what they’ll say about the jittery ending?
Thanks Heidi. Your 2nd graders may surprise you as Billy Collins
Collins smoothly flies from one thought into another, as an uninhibited child will naturally do; their curiosity and imaginations always amaze me!
Lovely owl painting, Michelle. I imagine the owl nibbles at the Cracker Moon. 🙂