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

Poetry Retreat with Rebecca Kai Dotlich

It was a lovely, jam-packed, exhausting weekend. I felt like I was trying to soak up a lifetime of poetry from the very generous, Rebecca Kai Dotlich.

My very excited friend, Kathy (left) who's new to children's writing, rode up with me to the retreat and kept me from getting lost. Well, almost. We did fine until the very last turn. But what's a road trip without a little adventure? And I was thrilled to have some long conversations with poet and friend, Irene Latham.

My roommade extraordinaire, Gail Karwoski (in blue)! We won't talk about the mice we shared our space with. Mice are some of my favorite characters in children's literature. Ralph on his motorcycle. Reepicheep. Bella and Bean. All delightful until they inhabit the real world of your bathroom.

The intimate setting, about twenty writers ensconced on the side of a mountain in north Georgia, gave us plenty of opportunities to rub elbows with Rebecca. I'm just hoping some of that lyrical magic rubbed off on me.

And of course, blowing bubbles is necessary for writing poetry!