Feel that drumbeat? School is starting.
A new school year fills me with hope– hope for fresh starts, open hearts, new learning. I’m back to work in my job as an elementary school Literacy Coach. How perfect to kick off this school year by celebrating the publication of a new middle-grade poetry anthology from Pomelo Books called WHAT IS HOPE?
I’m delighted to have a poem included in this collection. “Drum” was fun to write, and I’m hoping to collaborate with the music teacher in our school to do something together with the students around percussion and this poem!
I’m grateful to editors Janet Wong and Sylvia Vardell for including my poem in this lively and full-of-heart book. 100% of the profits from the book go to the IBBY Children in Crisis Fund. Where can you order it? Check here.
My wish for you is that this new school year, and this new season, starts with hope.
On Fridays, I love taking part in Poetry Friday when I can, where writers share resources about children’s poetry. Check out the Poetry Friday gathering at Amy Ludwig VanDerwater’s blog today!
Mary, congratulations on your Drum poem! (The image wouldn’t show up for me unfortunately.) I had a drummer-son, so drum poems always catch my ear. Thank you!
In honor of you son, I’m putting my poem here, Irene! (and I have to figure out why my images are not showing.)
DRUM
by Mary E. Cronin
Feel it in our circle–
the cadence,
the thrum.
Feel it in your fingertips,
your palm,
your thumb.
Together we are beat
and echo
and thud.
Feel it in your breath,
feel it in your blood.
Together we are rise
and rhythm
and hum.
Feel it in your chest–
hope is a drum.
I love the rhymes and rhythms of your poem. My nephew is new to the drum line for LSU and we are going to see him play today. I think I’m going to cry. He’s worked hard to get here. Drumming is his passion and it’s wonderful to see a dream come true.
How exciting! That sounds wonderful, Margaret!
I love that you have this poem in the anthology, Mary, one that can help start the new school year with a rhythm of celebration! It’s wonderful!
Thank you so much, Linda!
Mary, this reminds me to listen! Sometimes I can hear the high school marching band drums from my window as they practice in the fall. I couldn’t see the poem, but congratulations on its inclusion in the anthology! Very exciting.
Thank you, Tracey!
I wish there was a way for the images to show in your blog. If you click on the symbol, you can see them, but they aren’t right there. The rhythm in your drum poem is spot on!
Thanks, Mary Lee. There’s some kind of glitch going on in my blog. Some people can see the images, and some can’t. I have to figure that out!
Your poem shares the feeling of being at a pow-wow listening and dancing as the drum circle drums and sings. Glad your poem is in the anthology. Congrats!
That means a lot, Verrena! Thank you!
Mary, I feel the rhythm in your “Drum” poem. I hope you will have fun working with this with the music students this year.
Thank you, Denise!
Ooh, I hope the music teacher will jump in. This will be such a fun poem to perform! Congrats!
I think it’s going to happen, Patricia! Thanks for cheering me on!
I remember reading your poem when I got my copy of What is Hope? and thinking that it had a lovely rhythm to it. I hope you get to use it at school!
Lou, thank you so much! I am meeting with the music teacher next week, so we’ll see!
Thank you! And, best wishes to you this new school year too. Many congrats on the new publication. Well done.
Thanks so much, Linda!
Hi Mary! I love “hope is a drum” at the end of your poem. Congratulations! Hope you have a healthy happy school year.
Thanks, Janice! Off to a good start so far.
I would love to hear your poem set to music, Mary! The rhythm is perfect.
Thank you, Rose!
Mary, I couldn’t see the image either, so thanks for putting the poem in the comments. I love the rhythm and rhyme. I can feel the thrum of the drum and the sound of hope.
The rhythm in this poem is spot-on. I feel like I’m in such great poetry company in this anthology.
Thanks for your lively poem Mary you can feel the rhythm and beating coming through, and good idea to combine it with music–Congrats!
I can feel your poem in my body, Mary. The rhythm is so perfect, so heartbeat, and I love the way you bring us all together with your words. I, too, am reminded of our son who used to play drums. On everything! Happy week ahead… xo, a.
Yay! Congrats! I love your poem.