Whispers from the Ridge
  • Home
  • About
  • Contact
  • Blog
  • Peek inside my notebook
  • Teaching the Writer

Summer Wind: Variation of a line

6/27/2018

8 Comments

 
Picture
Happy Poetry Friday! It's great to be back in the round-up again after a short break. I have missed my PF friends! For more offerings, Carol is hosting this week at her space HERE. 

A few evenings ago, I was listening to a song and a particular line stuck with me. It went something like this, "Can't you see your world won't end, it's just a summer wind." It seemed like an interesting line to me. I began to think about the connection between the feeling of hopelessness and the ever changing natural element of wind.  

After pondering over this line, I knew I wanted to write about the way I connected it to life.  First, I asked myself, What is a summer wind? How would I describe it? How would a summer wind be different than any other wind? You'll get a sense of my response to these questions in my poem. Next, I pushed myself to think more deeply about how it applied to changes in life and feeling overpowered by the strong forces that often come our way.  I asked more questions like, How might a summer wind relate to the challenges we often face in life? As I searched for the deeper meaning in this line, I settled upon these thoughts.

First, the wind is always changing. So can we. If we just hold on to hope, the winds of change will come. Things might seem very hard at times. We may feel like giving up. Yet even in the darkest despair, there is hope. In life, our challenges are like a summer wind, blowing fierce, overwhelming us with its powerful gusts, and then gone.

Second, the wind is strong, but so are we. So what if we harnessed it instead? What if we channeled that warm pressure and let its energy take us closer to our goal? In life our challenges are like a summer wind, full of potential to move us, propelling us forward, growing us, until we are stronger.

In the end, we choose how to deal with our challenges. What will you do with a summer wind when it blows your way? 
Picture

Invitation to Write:

Poem ideas can sometimes blow in from some of the most unlikely places, and they can take us to a place of wonder and possibility. The idea for my poem came from a lyric of a song. It led me to all sorts of thoughts and questions. I pushed myself to think about the topic from different angles. You can try this too! Take a line from a song, book, poem, quote, conversation-wherever you choose, and push yourself to evaluate the topic from different lenses of thinking. Don't be afraid to be a bit wishy-washy in this process. Use sentence stems to vary your thoughts about the topic such as, "This makes me think... But, on the other hand..." Pretty soon, you'll end up with many different poem variations from that one line! 
8 Comments

Poetry Friday: Summer's Song

6/5/2018

29 Comments

 
Picture
Welcome to the Poetry Friday round-up on the ridge! I am excited to be hosting this week. I can't wait to read all your offerings! Just hook up your link at the bottom of the post. 

Now that summer has been unleashed here on the ridge, I find myself wanting to spend my days outdoors having fun in the sun. I especially enjoy taking in the sights and sounds of summer evenings. I like to flip back in my notebook to all my summer entries. They are filled with memories, observations, and all things summer-esque. As I was reading, a few lines from the pages of my notebook merged and inspired me to write my poem offering this week. I wish you all a lovely summer's song all season long!
Picture

Invitation to Write:

As a writer, one of my favorite things to do is to sift back through the pages of my notebook from time to time. This helps me find balance and inspiration for future projects or poems. Sometimes, lifting a line or two from your notebook can renew your writing life. I invite you to time travel back into your notebook as well. What stands out to you? Jot down some of your thinking and reflect on your writing journey so far. Lift a line or two. Copy those lines on a new page. Do you notice any connections? Try writing from those lines to see what emerges. 
29 Comments

Surf-side: Expressive Writing

7/19/2017

15 Comments

 
Picture
Welcome to Whispers from the Ridge! I'm so glad you are joining me on this Poetry Friday. For all the poetry offerings this week, stop by Katie's space The Logonauts.

Today, I am honoring the memory of a dear friend of mine who passed away earlier this week. She was such an incredible motivator and mentor to so many. Many lives were inspired by her passion for her family and the work she loved. She will be sorely missed.

Yet, her dedication to children and her love of literacy will live on. Her belief in providing an authentic space for real readers and writers to create will continue to positively impact the lives of children in classrooms across our school district. 

When she wasn't putting her heart and soul into her leadership work as our district ELA curriculum coordinator, she was often hanging out at her special beach spot with her family.​ She loved the beach. It was where she would spend hours laying in a simple hammock with a notebook and a good book.

This poem is in loving memory of her and the place she dearly loved.
Picture
Texas Coast-photo by Kiesha Shepard
Picture

Invitation to Write:

Writing can have the power to heal at times. Often times when we are having a rush of emotions, we can feel overwhelmed with all the words and feelings we want to express. Getting them written on paper can help pin them down. Once on the paper, we can begin to sort them out and make sense of them. Whenever you are full of a blur of emotions, try writing them down. Put the pen to the page, and let yourself go. Spilling thoughts and feelings onto the page during any emotional state can be good for the writer's soul.  
15 Comments

Summer Molasses

7/13/2017

16 Comments

 
Picture
Happy Poetry Friday to all! It's a short and sweet haiku this week inspired by the summer scent on the ridge. For more poetry goodies, head to Tabatha's at the Opposite of Indifference.
Picture
photo taken at dusk on the ridge by Kiesha Shepard

Invitation to Write:

Keeping up with our writing lives isn't always easy. The summer months can be especially busy with traveling and spending time with friends and family. Finding time to write can be a challenge, but it can be done! Whenever I find myself on the go and in danger of neglecting my writing, I remind myself of how important my writing is to my daily life. It provides a natural energy boost that keeps me going from one daily event to the next. Like my PF friend Jone MacCulloch says, "It's important to keep a writing practice."
I couldn't agree more. So wherever your day takes you, be sure to schedule in a little writing practice!
16 Comments

The Moon and Me: Writing with friends

7/6/2017

9 Comments

 
Picture
Happy Poetry Friday and July full moon week! On the ridge this week I am sharing a poem in honor of my friend, the moon. For more Poetry Friday friends and offerings, visit Carol at Beyond LiteracyLink.

There's just something about a full moon that really helps ignite my writing ideas. It's fun to watch the moon grow and rise. My writing seems to grow more full and heavy with emotions the more time I spend under the moonlight. Perhaps that's why the moon is one of my favorite magnet topics. I can always find inspiration from its glow. In this way, I consider the moon as one of my "topic friends."

As a writer, I think it's so important to have topic friends to count on as well as people in your life that you consider writing friends. These might be members of a writing group, colleagues, or even members of your family. 

If you would like to see the full moon this week, be sure to look to the sky on Sunday July 9th. My dear friend, moon, will  be there waiting to light the way to many new words and writing ideas for you!  
Picture
full moon on the ridge photo taken by Kiesha Shepard
Picture

Invitation to Write:

Make a list of your "topic friends" and other writing friends. Think about one of your topics and spend a little time collecting ideas around this friend. Sometimes having a conversation with your topic and listening to your topic speak to you is helpful, too! After you have collected around your "topic friend", choose a writing friend from your other list as someone you can talk to about your writing. Writing with friends can be a rewarding and joyful experience!
9 Comments

Insomnia: Poems with a bit of magic

6/26/2017

17 Comments

 
Picture
Welcome Poetry Friday friends! It's great to be back with the Poetry Friday community this week. To join in the fun this last week of June, head over to Diane's space at Random Noodling.

Some nights, I have a really hard time sleeping. I find myself wandering into the darkness of my sleeping house. There's something quite magical that happens late at night when my mind is still awake. It is during those times, that I reach for my notebook and write. I let my imagination run wild, allowing the night time world to whisper its stories and secrets. The poem I am sharing this week has a bit of the magic and whimsy I experienced one night. I wish each of you a night of mystical writing, too1
Picture

Invitation to Write:

If you ever have trouble sleeping, writing in your notebook can often soothe you right to sleep. I like to keep a notebook by my bed in case I can't sleep, or if I want to scribble down a dream I want to remember. So many magical ideas can come late at night in the quiet dark. Before you sleep away, jot your thoughts down so they are sure to not slip away!
17 Comments

Ocean Scene: Playing with word lists

6/14/2017

15 Comments

 
Picture
Welcome to the ridge! Thanks for stopping by this week. For more of the Poetry Friday collection, visit Carol at Carol's Corner.

I am back this week from my relaxing trip to the beach. I took advantage of the ocean's poetic whispers while I was there. As I sat on the shoreline, I started generating a list in my notebook. I used my five senses and the imagery of this coastal scene to get some words onto the page. Then, I started playing with the words and phrases from my list. The result is my "Ocean Scene" poem. Working from a list is a quick strategy I use often to get my ideas flowing.
Picture
word list from my day at the beach
Picture

Invitation to Write:

Try creating a word list in your notebook. Once you have your list, try putting words and phrases together. Play with different combinations until you find one you like. Collecting lists can be great fun!
15 Comments

Underwater Dance: Beach Haiku

6/7/2017

11 Comments

 
Picture
Happy Poetry Friday! I'm away from the ridge this week, so thanks for visiting my home while I am at the beach this week. For more PF posts visit Mary Lee at A Year of Reading.

In honor of my trip to the coast of Texas this week, I decided to try a beach haiku. I am so grateful to our Poetry Friday host this week, Mary Lee, who gave me a helpful tip to consider when writing a haiku. This week, you'll notice that my form is a little more "loose". It definitely works. Thanks again for the advice, Mary Lee!
Picture

Invitation to Write:

You can try Mary Lee's invitation as well! Take any piece you are working on, and see how you might break "loose" from the traditional form or structure. Allow yourself some wiggle room. Have fun loosening the reigns with your poetry writing this week!
11 Comments

Summer's End: Summer Poems/Poetry Friday

8/18/2016

7 Comments

 
Picture
Hooray for Poetry Friday! Celebrate with more of my friends from the round-up today atDori Reads. Thanks for hosting today, Dori!

​Today is the Friday before school starts! I am very excited to begin a new school year. I look forward to all the new faces and new beginnings. Every year I can't get over how quickly the summer flies by. It seems just as we end, we begin again. I think about this beginning and ending throughout the days and across years of my life. It always gives me hope when I think about all the things in my life that have ended or may end so that new things may begin. The seasons and our natural world give us proof of this all the time. 

So while I am sad to see the summer season go, I know that it leaves behind the promise of something new. A new opportunity to grow and change will emerge from every season. I look forward to my new beginnings, but I will always remember this summer's end. 

​Have a wonderful beginning to your new school year! 

Picture
Listen to my poem: Summer's End

Invitation to Write:

I often think about the beginnings and endings throughout my life. It can be great thinking and writing work. Try making a list in your notebook of beginnings and endings throughout your life. It might be the first time or the last time you felt a certain way or it might be an event that you began or ended. This list can help you generate even more ideas for writing in your notebook!  
7 Comments

Carpe Diem: Summer Poems/Poetry Friday

7/22/2016

9 Comments

 
Picture
Happy Poetry Friday! I am new to the Poetry Friday round-up, so I am super excited to join in the fun!

Today I am sharing a poem from my collection of poems about summer. All month long, I have been thinking about how fast the summer flies by. Since I am a teacher, I try to take advantage of my time off during the summer to really seize  the moments with family and friends. For me, summer really inspires me to think about time and how much I want to make the most of it. This poem came to me as I was thinking about this idea of wanting to squeeze every ounce of every moment in my life. Carpe Diem seemed like a perfect title for this poem since in Latin it means "seize the day!" Somehow that phrase just really summed up everything I was wanting to say in this poem. So with that, I leave you with a wish that you might seize the day and that all your possibilities throughout the moments of today turn golden.

For more inspiring thoughts and poetry in today's Poetry Friday round-up, check out our host Chelanne's site below.
Books 4 Learning
Listen to my Poem: Carpe Diem

Invitation to Write:

This poem really comes from my thoughts about two topics. I had already been thinking a lot about summer and all the possibilities and moments that seem to bubble up throughout this season. It got me thinking about another big topic which is time. Summer is generally thought of as a season of fun times and relaxation. It flies by way to fast for me! So I took my thoughts about summer and paired it with the big idea of time. I asked myself questions like, "What do I think about the relationship between time and the season of summer? How do I feel about time as we measure it?

Thinking about big ideas and asking yourself questions about what you feel can be a great way to explore in your writing.
9 Comments

Before the Rain: Poems for Summer

7/1/2016

0 Comments

 
Lately, I have been going back and rereading some of the poems and notebook entries that I have written about summer. Boy do I have a lot to say about summer!

Just the other day, I was thinking about how hot it has been. It made me think about the summer rain that is much needed. I hope the poem I am sharing today might bring a summer shower to the fields around our river ridge. Even just a sprinkle would be welcome and refreshing to the land.


Listen to my Poem: Before the Rain

Invitation to Write:
In this poem, I tried to describe the animals with descriptive language rather than using their common names that we use every day. It was really fun to give some of my favorite animals a new name that describes them perfectly in my eyes. You can try this as well in your own writing. Try describing animals and objects around you through your eyes. What are some of the new names you would give them?

0 Comments

    Author

    Welcome! I'm Kiesha Shepard, and I have a love for writing and the teaching of writing. Whispers From the Ridge is a place where I can share my words and ideas for teaching writing. It's also a place for you to find inspiration for writing the words inside of you. I invite you into my world of writing as I capture the whispers from the ridge.

    Picture
    Picture

    Follow by Email

    Subscribe to Whispers from the Ridge - Blog by Email
    Subscribe to Newsletter

    RSS Feed

    Archives

    February 2023
    November 2021
    September 2020
    April 2020
    January 2020
    September 2019
    August 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014

    Categories

    All
    Animal Poems
    Autumn Poems
    Bird Poems
    Collecting Around A Topic
    Color Poems
    Concrete Poems
    Conversations With Nature
    Craft
    CSISD Writing Project
    Drafts
    Found Poems
    Friendship Poems
    Haiku
    Insect Poems
    Invitations To Write
    Line Breaks
    List Poems
    Magnet Topics
    National Poetry Month
    Observations To Consider
    Poem In Your Pocket Day
    Poems
    Poems About Flowers
    Poems About Hope
    Poems About Objects
    Poems About Places
    Poems About Science
    Poems About Serious Topics
    Poems About Sounds
    Poems About The Moon
    Poems About The Ocean
    Poem Songs
    Poems With Alliteration
    Poems With A Resolution
    Poems With Expressive Emotions
    Poems With Magic
    Poems With Repetition
    Poetry Challenges
    Poetry Friday
    Power Of Three Poem
    Progressive Poem
    Response Poems
    Revision
    Rhyming Poems
    Sensory Poems
    Spring Poems
    Summer Poems
    White Space
    Winter Poems
    Wonder Poems
    Writer's Notebook
    Writer's Tools
    Writing Life
    Writing Process
    Writing Spaces
    Writing Times

    Picture
    Click to learn about Poetry Friday!

    Schedule of Round Up:

    July
    2    Laura at Laura Shovan
    9    Margaret at Reflections on the Teche
    16  Molly at Nix the Comfort Zone
    23  Kat at Kathryn Apel
    30  Becky at Sloth Reads
    August
    6   Mary Lee at A(nother) Year of Reading
    13 Christie at Wondering and Wandering
    20 Carol at The Apples in My Orchard
    27 Elisabeth at Unexpected Intersections
    September
    3   Heidi at my juicy little universe
    10 Tricia at The Miss Rumphius Effect
    17 Denise at Dare to Care
    24 Laura at Laura Purdie Salas
    October
    1   Catherine at Reading to the Core
    8   Irene at Live Your Poem
    15 Bridget at wee words for wee ones
    22 Jama at Jama's Alphabet Soup
    29 Linda at TeacherDance
    November
    5   Tabatha at The Opposite of Indifference
    12 Matt at Radio, Rhythm & Rhyme
    19 Carol at Beyond LiteracyLink
    26 Ruth at there is no such thing as a God-forsaken town
    December
    3   Michelle at Michelle Kogan
    10 Cathy at Merely Day by Day
    17 Jone at Jone Rush MacCulloch
    24 Buffy at Buffy Silverman
    31 Carol at Carol's Corner

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.
Photos used under Creative Commons from Kristine Paulus, Ryan Hodnett, Marie Hale, gurdonark, btrentler, Kelly Colgan Azar, jeffreyw, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service - Midwest Region
  • Home
  • About
  • Contact
  • Blog
  • Peek inside my notebook
  • Teaching the Writer