Welcome Poetry Friday friends. Happy National Poetry Month! Today, our dear friend Amy is rounding up a wave of poetry offerings at her space, The Poem Farm. 

​This week, I couldn't help but write about the blue Passover moon after it put on quite a show for me last weekend. The moon did not disappoint and neither did the poets who had a hand in kicking off the 2018 Kidlitosphere Progressive Poem Challenge! I was so inspired by each line, that I decided I would write a draft of a found poem about the moon using at least one of the words from each of the lines of this year's Progressive Poem (in progress). Here are the words I selected from the first five lines to write my first found poem: nestled, dreams, blooming, stars, sweet, game. To see today's addition to the progressive poem click on Irene's space HERE. She's the sweet lady that welcomed me to join in the project this year, and I'm ever so grateful! I'll be adding my line to the poem on April 25th. Who knows...maybe my line will inspire other writers in a new way, too!

Writers often involve themselves in all sorts of projects. Participating in a poetry challenge with a group or creating your own poetry project can help keep your writing skills sharp. What are some of the projects you have participated in or maybe have considered starting? It's never too late to join in the excitement and joy that a poetry project can bring. It's a great way to explore new writing territories! So be brave, writers. Step up to the challenge and write!

Welcome, welcome! It's a glorious day for Poetry Friday! If you are looking for more poetry after your visit, head over to Tabatha's space The Opposite of Indifference for more poetry tidbits. 

This week, I have really been thinking about the things that I am most grateful for in life. I call these things my blessings. Sometimes, I like to list those blessings and turn my lens of attention to them. I always find nuggets of joy that inspire poetry!

Think about some of the things that you are most grateful for. Make a list of your "thankfuls" or blessings in your life. Consider each one, paying careful attention to the significance of each. Try jotting some thoughts and ideas in your notebook. Which ones are drawing your lens of attention today?  

Happy Poetry Friday y'all! Penny is hosting the round-up this week, so mozy on over to her site A Penny and her Jots to join in the fun!

I have been wanting to write an invitation poem, like the one I am sharing today for a very long time. I have collected many entries and lists in my notebook of the things I would want to invite others to experience if they were walking here on the ridge with me. There are so many things I want to share with all of you! I never thought that when I took my pen in hand, that I would struggle as much as I did. With the flood of ideas rushing through my brain, I started feeling stuck. How could I get all my thoughts down on paper when there was so much I wanted to say? Then, I remembered that all writers face this situation at times. That's when I realized it was time for me to take a step back and return to the notebook. My son, who is in fourth grade, calls it "brain dumping." So whenever you're stuck, you just take your thinking and "dump it" onto the page. I gave it a try and my "dump" became a very specific list. I used this list to help me stay focused on what I really wanted to say in my poem. I am so grateful to him for sharing such a wonderful strategy. Today, I invite you to join me on the ridge where there are signs everywhere!

Here are a few pictures of the things I listed in my poem.

Invitation to Write:
Sometimes when I am writing a poem, I have so many ideas bouncing around in my head that it's hard for me to stay focused on what I really want to say. Having a list or two in my notebook about my topic really helps me. I don't feel so overwhelmed when I have a list to keep me on track with my thoughts. I have lists for all kind of things in my notebook. You can try making lists in your notebook, too! Lists can be wide and contain many ideas around a topic or they might be really specific. So whether you are generating ideas or circling around a topic, lists are a great tool to help you find your way.