Rebecca Kai Dotlich

"Imitation is not just the sincerest form of flattery - it's the sincerest 

form of learning."— George Bernard Shaw

Welcome to Day 18 of FEET IN THE CREEK.

Week 3 Poets:

April 15: Myra Cohn Livingston

April 16: Mary Ann Doberman

April 17: Christina Rosetti

For each day I have chosen a favorite poem, a favorite poet, or a favorite friend. I will look at the work, decide what draws me to it, what makes it resonate for me, and then write my own poem about the creek with those techniques in mind. These are first drafts, so nothing will be especially polished, but they will be starting points for revision after the month is done. Feel free to follow along or join in.

Today's poet is Rebecca Kai Doltish. Rebecca and Georgia Heard will be leading the Highlights Foundation Workshop,  The Craft and Heart of Writing Poetry for Children September 11 – September. Yes, I'm drooling and wishing I could get there! I've been in one workshop with Rebecca and know what a wonderful presenter and encourager she is. Enjoy this interview at Embracing the Child.

Illustrations by Jan Spivey Gilchrist, © 2001.

from Lemonade Sun

Firefly
by Rebecca Kai Dotlitch

Sliver of moon.
Slice of star.
Rhinestone in
a jelly jar.
Twinkling treasure
snatched
from sky;
neon
sparkle--
firefly!

© Rebecca Kai Dotlich, 2001. All rights reserved. Used with permission of the author. 

My Intention: Write a riddle poem that describes an animal at the creek.

Creek Engineer

Master builder,
maestro of mud,
lumberjack genius,
despite the flash flood.

Evening architect,
wizard stick weaver,
whiz-bang framer--
North American beaver.

© Doraine Bennett, 2016. All rights reserved.

Week 1 poets:
April 1: Ralph Fletcher
April 2: Douglas Florian
April 3: Progressive poem. Catch up here.
April 4: Michelle Heidenrich Barnes
April 5: Walt Whitman
April 6: Irene Latham
April 7: Carmen Bernos de Gasztold

Week 2 Poets:
April 8: Janet Wong
April 9: George Ella Lyon
April 10: Bobbi Katz
April 11: Nikki Giovanni
April 12: Margarita Engle
April 13: Mother Goose

April 14: William Carlos Williams