Poetry Stretch Results - List Poems

The challenge this week was to write a list poem. Here are the results.

Jane Yolen left this one in the comments.

How to Write A List Poem

1. Gather your thoughts.
Try using the hand basket
you were using for your trip to hell.
Or the tote bag from the garden shop
since green is the color for now.
Or maybe the backpack
which you threw into the corner
after your last abortive
climb of Kilimanjaro.
(Perhaps learning to spell it should come first.)

2. Make an Actual List
Try a grocery list,
with numbers to the left.
Don’t forget the eggs, the hummus.
Or a To Do list,
because it is fun to cross things off.
Or a recipe, using good verbs.
I particularly like: Stir. Whisk. Sear.
Or in a pinch, Pinch.

3. Gather sources.
I prefer books,
old hard covers discovered,
in musty, fusty bookstores
where a woman named Barbara
or perhaps Mabel Jane
adds everything up with a pencil.
Children prefer the Internet
which is democratic and erratic.
My husband used his brain.
He never forgot anything he ever read,
could see the information
nestled on its page.

4. Write.
Butt in chair.
Write your poem.
Down.
The.
Page

Sherry Dale Rogers of Splatt a way of life also left a poem in the comments.

List Poem
First the alarm clock scream, I wake up.
Second put on gym shorts, don’t forget shirt.
Third off to the bathroom, I know what to do.
Fourth sneakers are by the door, put them on.
Five stand at the edge of my driveway, I want to go back to bed.
Sixth start to run, run 2 miles.
Seven sit in driveway, I am tired from run.
Eight finally I am done, go to kitchen.
Nine find my dish, do a little dance.
The best is last, ten; eat a big delicious bowl of ice cream topped with chocolate syrup and sprinkles.
Tomorrow I will do it again.

Marianne Neilsen of Doing the Write Thing! shared this poem in the comments.

A List of Lists!

Today I made,
A list of calls to make,
A list of emails to mail,
A list of groceries to buy,
And rooms to clean,
A list of meals to cook,
A list of lists for my sons,
A list of people to visit,
And finally,a list of all the lists.

Now it's time to do the lists!

Elaine of Wild Rose Reader is sharing two poems. The first, entitled And Who Will Lead the GOP?, can be found on her new blog, Political Verses. The second poem is below and was created at the Magnetic Poetry site.

POET

I
observe
compose
experiment
sculpt water
paint colors
create metaphors
fashion fiery impressions
chisel rhythm & symbol
capture imagination
passion
ink beauty

Pratibha at Of something 'n' Everything left this poem in the comments.

With a smile i will greet
You,the first time we meet.
I guess i might be bit late,
but the traffic is to be blamed.
We will meet at my fave coffee place
A lot can happen over coffee they say.
I will try my best to memorize
how you appear in real life,
We will reflect on the way we grew
and how the first time each other we knew.
We will laugh to heart's content again
on some crazy things and some so plain!!

Laura Purdie Salas also left a poem in the comments.

What If the First Day of Ninth Grade Is a Disaster?

What if…

…I miss a spot when I straighten my hair?
…My mom hollers, “I love you! Have a great day!” as I walk down the driveway.
…She doesn’t?
…I leave my violin on the bus?
…My locker is upstairs?
…I get The Joy of Public Speaking instead of Funky Clothing Design for my elective?
… I do not know a single, solitary person in any of my classes?
…Chad Behr is in my Public Speaking class, and I pass out?
…Seniors trip me in the hall?
…We have stew for lunch (how could there be leftovers already!)?
…It rains, and my hair totally frizzes out?
…Nobody else has clothes like mine?
…Everybody else has clothes like mine?
…The speech therapist recognizes me and says hi in the hallway?
…I just pretend to be sick?
…I really get sick?
…I’m still the shortest person in my grade?
…My pants rip (they’re the tiniest bit tight)?
…I miss the bus because I’m safety pinning my pants in the bathroom?
…My dad tells me again how exciting the first day of school should be?

Winnie the poohi at Song of my life shares a poem entitled Memorable moments.

Dianne White shares a poem entitled A Patch of Dirt, A Packet of Seeds.

Andi from a wrung sponge left this one in the comments.

The story:
I was complaining
to my mother
on the phone
about my to-do list
and she said:
write everything down
on little slips of paper
and throw them in the air.
Do what comes down first.

The list:
get a hair cut
write a poem
do the laundry
read a poem
plant the pansies
watch the grass green
do my homework
do grocery shopping
sit on the porch
pick up the boys
take a nap
stare out the window
count the cherry blossoms.

The Query:
When throwing slips of paper
in the air,
each holding a chore
written in different inks,
which slip falls fastest?

MotherReader gives us a poem called Packing.

Tess at Natural Worlds shares a poem entitled Someday I Must Sing a Song of Praise.

One of my poems this week was written while attending a conference. It's called How to Survive a Meeting.

It's not too late if you still want to play. Leave me a note about your poem and I'll add it to the list.