Several of the poems have stuck in my mind since reading them, which is really saying something, given my meory. Hope Anita’s poem was heartbreaking, and my poem is definitely more light-hearted. I was brainstorming people who had dreamed and changed the world, and one of the people/groups on my list was the founders of YouTube.com. From my list, Jill Corcoran gave me the ok to work on (with a partner) poems about the YouTube guys and also about environmentalist Rachel Carson. The YouTube guys prevailed–Kelly Fineman wrote the biographical poem, and I wrote the related poem. I thought about how amazing it is that you can be so inspired by some of the things shared on YouTube, and I imagined a kid watching a dancer online…
Just Like That
Clickin on this clip—
I wanna kick like that,
Be quick like that.
My footwork’s gonna be
Sick like that.I never saw a kid
Who could move like that,
Groove like that.
I’ll show you what I got
I’m gonna prove like that.All around the world
We watch the screen like that.From Omaha to Seoul
And in between like that.We’re just a link away—
What’s it mean like that?I can see myself tomorrow
In a scene like that.I can dream like that.
I can dream like that!
–Laura Purdie Salas
You can learn more about this book at Kelly Fineman’s blog, including who all the poems are by and about, and how to get the book. (And I was going to link to Kelly’s poem, which I thought she had shared, but I can’t find it. Hmmm…if I do, I’ll add a link.)
Dori at Dori Reads has the Poetry Friday Roundup today! Have fun!
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Love your poem Laura! Speaking of YouTube your poem reminded me of the hook of this song which can found here on er … YouTube. Just wait to the 17 second advertisement and enjoy! P.S. When I was in college this was the SONG!
Sweet! I don’t remember this song at all, but it’s exactly the kind of vibe I was hearing when I wrote this poem. Thanks for sharing this! Maybe I can pick up some performance tips in case I ever rap this song, which I’ll do, uh, never. But I wish I could.
I love the music of this poem and it’s energy. This looks like such an amazing book.
Thanks, Katya–I appreciate it! The book is wonderful. I hope you get a chance to read it at some point…
I love this, Laura. Makes me want to get up and dance, too!
Thanks! Exactly the effect I wanted:>)
Love the rhythm in this, Laura. I can imagine kids tapping and dancing to your beat…congrats on all your anthology poems!
Buffy
Thanks, Buffy. It has been really fun being in anthologies lately. Several awesome ones that I’m proud to be part of!
What a voice! You’ve captured the spirit of YouTube sharing/inspiring so well!
I’ve got my copy of the book, and I can’t wait for a minute (just one minute, please, Universe! can you spare me just ONE???) to really dig into it!
Thanks, Mary Lee–I appreciate that. And…you’re asking for a spare minute at the end of August–ha! I love your bluebird poem in the PFA–can’t recall if I’ve already told you that or not. It’s so dynamic and original!
Great poem, Laura! Thanks for sharing. I’ve been looking forward to having a copy of this book in hand since I first heard about it. Appreciated the link to Kelly Fineman’s post (though my attempt at leaving a comment there resulted in an error/spam message or something).
Congratulations! What a terrific idea for a collection. We will be happy hosting Jill at an upcoming SCBWI Southern Breeze conference.
Thanks, Robyn! Jill did a fabulous job with this anthology. I was so happy to see how wonderfully it came out.
Love your Snack Rules poem in the Poetry Friday Anthology, btw. And did you have a K one, too? I feel like I read one of yours this morning when I read the K section!
I ordered my copy from Usborne today! Glad your post reminded me about it, and I can’t wait to see it.
Re. the Poetry Friday Anthology, thanks! Yep, I have a K one called “Trouble on the Trail” for the theme of exploring. I enjoyed ALL of yours in there – so many forms! Your “How is a Meadow an Ocean?” is a terrific way to explore metaphor. :0)
I hope you like Dare to Dream–I think it’s so inspiring!
I love Trouble on the Trail. Great twist ending. Kids will think they know what it is, then be surprised it’s not, and then be surprised at the ending. Love that! And thanks–I wrote How Is a Meadow for this anthology. It was a fun challenge to write a poem ABOUT metaphor.
Recently got my review copy of Dare to Dream, and your poem got me movin’ and groovin’. LOVE the rhythm, beat, the youthful energy. YouTube has revolutionized the way we discover new talent among many other things. Congrats for having a poem in the anthology. You and Kelly did a great job; tickled pink to see your work there!
Thanks, Jama–and it was so fun to collaborate with Kelly.
Wow!!! Your rhythm is perfection. I, too, love the funky beat! It made me wanna get up & show what I got & prove like that :•)
Do it! Thanks, Penny:>)
It is amazing, isn’t it, for everyone to see all the videos of inspiration. Your poem does ‘rock’ into the dream of a young boy or girl, watching the dancing. I remember watching tv & wondering if I could dance like that! I like that strong statement, “I’m gonna prove like that.” Thanks for reminding about the book.
Thanks, Linda! I sometimes think that if I could have been exposed to various arts when I was a kid, there are lots of things I would have liked to try. It’s great that people today can see SO much cool stuff, even if they can’t afford a ticket to the ballet or don’t live where kids do hip-hop, or whatever.
I agree with Renee, this poem really sings! Great job.
Thanks, Diane!
LOVE THIS!!! Congrats on this really wonderful poem, Laura. I will admit your funky beat took me by surprise – I don’t know why, but I was expecting jazz or contemporary from you! What a treat this one is.
Thanks, Renee. As far as music, I like singer/songwriter stuff and hard rock and indie rock. No jazz from me. Ever. :>) Although you sit down to write a poem and never actually know what will come out!
By jazz and contemporary, I meant dance styles rather than music (a la SYTYCD). In grad school, we did a spontaneous writing exercise to music. The first selection was a Charlie Parker tune (which I wouldn’t normally listen to), and I don’t know what happened, but the spirit moved me and the words flowed down the page, perfect meter, perfect rhyme. It was a bizarre and wonderful five minutes. Next selection – classical (which I listen to often) and…nuthin’. So yeah, those surprises are priceless!
Oooooh…I gotcha! I do love contemporary dance. Yeah, I never listen to classical music, but I’ve had fun writing at times to strong classical pieces, just to see what it inspires. Isn’t that funny how we don’t necessary respond the most creatively to the things we like best? I’m always drawn to “pretty” pictures for 15 Words or Less, but that’s not necessarily what really gets the brain churning!
I agree about the pics for 15 Words – I always check in, but I only leave a poem if the pic slaps me in the face with an idea. Otherwise I fear it would be tortured, un-spontaneous drivel.
I feel obligated to leave a sample poem, so I write something fast even if I’m uninspired. I always figure it’s good practice. But if it weren’t my own blog, I probably would do it your way! (Don’t tell anyone!)