Seriously, this is one of the best anthologies I’ve read in years! (And I say that totally disregarding the fact that I have a poem in it.) There are opening and closing poems about dreaming and changing the world, and in between are 14 pairs of poems about real people who have done just that.
I had a terrible time deciding which poem to share because I have so many favorites. But I’m going to go with this one, which is a heartbreaking poem about an iconic dreamer by a terrific poet in a too-rare form, the phrase acrostic.
Faith of a Mustard Seed
In the attic, everything happens on a piece of paper: happiness, disappointment, fear,
Spite. I can laugh out loud. Shout. Make my voice heard. Tell
Of my love for a complicated boy.
Everything is documented.
I let my pen whisper my secrets into the ear of the page.
Still, I wish my dear Kitty could hear them first hand. I allow myself to
Believe that one day Peter and I will share a life together. That the
People we love will eat Shabbat dinner at our table. That we
Are only here until the world rights itself.
Basically, when someone soothes the beast.
Good always prevails. Doesn’t it?
At least that’s what I believe in my
Heart of hearts.–by Anita Hope Smith (about Anne Frank)
You can find more about this book at Kelly Fineman’s (my poetry partner in this book) blog, including who all the poems are by (almost every current children’s poet I admire) and about, and how to get the book.
Violet at Violet Nesdoly/Poems has the Poetry Friday Roundup today! Head on over and enjoy!
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Congratulations, Laura. I’ll have to check this one out of my library. This is a beautiful poem. I love the longing, the hope.
Laura, congratulations! Looks wonderful! I was also unfamiliar with phrase acrostics, but now I want to try one! I LOVE the one you showed us today. Thanks
Tabatha, they are so fun to do! Tough to do, but extremely rewarding. Here’s one I shared way back: http://laurasalas.wordpress.com/2008/09/25/poetry-friday-written-in-the-stars-original-poem/ Have fun with yours!
Oh Laura, this is a poetry anthology that would be a good read right now when everything seems so unreal with the needless violence and hate crimes. Congratulations as well on having your poem here. We at GatheringBooks will be doing a “Books about Books” for our next bimonthly theme (mid-September to mid-November) to celebrate your “Bookspeak” which we are excited to feature very very soon.
Myra, that is so exciting–thank you! And, yes, this anthology is a terrific antidote to the grim-news-blues. So is OK for Now, by Gary Schmidt, which I just finished and absolutely loved. Talk about finding grace in hard situations…
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This is my first phrase acrostic — and what a beautiful, poignant poem it is. I remember being obsessed with Anne Frank when I was about 10 or 11. Can’t wait to read the rest of the poems in the anthology!
Jama, they’re wonderful. I had a terrible time picking just ONE to share:>)
Congratulations! It sure looks like one gorgeous book. And what a powerful poem you shared. I love poetry that does double-duty like that–educates as it charms, entertains and inspires.
Me too, Violet. So glad you like it–and the book is beautiful, both physically (wonderful illustrations by J. Beth Jepson) and in heart…
Wow, what a beautiful poem. I’ll be looking for this book!
I hope you love it, Janelle!
I, also, learned something new. I didn’t know about phrase acrostics either! The poem is beautiful.
Thanks, Penny! Aren’t phrase acrostics cool? They’d be a great challenge for secondary students who are rather tired of the “write your name down the left-hand side of your page” acrostic:>)
Must. Have. This. Book.
(And my fingers are itching to write a phrase acrostic!)
Buy it! Do it! (And then share that poem:>)
That poem chokes me up. That quote has always been so, so horribly poignant to me. “In spite of EVERYTHING” – things I cannot even fathom, when I whine about my life. “In spite of everything…”
::sigh::
Beautiful.
I agree exactly, Tanita. How can anyone read those words and not feel infused with new faith (and heartbroken at the same time).
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Btw, I learned something new. I had never heard of phrase acrostics. Glad this was my first. I’m encouraged to seek out more to read.
Aren’t they cool. I’ve only written a couple–here’s one I shared: http://laurasalas.wordpress.com/2008/09/25/poetry-friday-written-in-the-stars-original-poem/ Have fun with yours!
I’m inspired to go try some more now!
I absolutely love this poem. its emotion just spills and covers. Hearbreaking to think of the circumstances. Lovely to connect heart to heart. Huge congratulations on your poem being part of this project. We’ve all got to read this! Thank you for sharing this with us.
THank you, Pamela! This is one of the poems that I was tearing up to as I chugged along on the elliptical trainer at the gym. Forget the gym–I was snatched right into Anne Frank’s world instantly.
Beautiful! Must look for this book. Title alone has me and congrats to from me for your poem.
Isn’t it lovely? Thanks–I am really proud to be part of this.
Thanks for sharing this. I look forward to reading it cover to cover.
I hope you love it!
Sounds wonderful, Laura, & congratulations for your poem in it, too! I often remember those words by Anne Frank when I am feeling down, an inspiration always. the poem takes the words and expands for Anne as well-beautiful. Thank you!
Exactly–Hope Anita took a quotation so well-known it is almost a cliche and gave it new life, heartbreaking detail. I’m so glad you liked it!
Ooh, I love a great anthology! Thank you for sharing this poem, which, yes, is lovely and moving. I find acrostic poems too confining, but I do love it when someone else pulls it off. xo
Oh, acrostics are one of my favorite forms to work in. And phrase acrostics! I’ve only done a couple, but it’s such a wonderful form. You feel about acrostics like I feel about sonnets:>)
That’s a really moving poem. Thank you for sharing it.
The anthology looks amazing and beautiful.
Thanks, Katya–I’m so glad you enjoyed it.