Expressing Myself A Reading A–Z Poetry Book Word Count: 850 POETRY Expressing Myself Poems About Writing Written by Dina Anastasio • Illustrated by Len Epstein Visit www.readinga-z.com for thousands of books and materials www.readinga-z.com Expressing Myself Written by Dina Anastasio Illustrated by Len Epstein Expressing Myself A ReadingA–Z Poetry Book © 2007 ProQuest Information and Learning Company Written by Dina Anastasio Illustrated by Len Epstein All rights reserved www.readinga-z.com www.readinga-z.com What Should I Write About? What should I write about? What should I say? A story, a letter, a poem, an essay? Should I tell how it feels when I’m taking a bow, Or make up a fantasy about a rhino’s meow? Should I conjure up fiction or describe something real, Like comets or teaching my dog, Pete, to heel? Table of Contents What Should I Write About? What’s the Title? Midnight Thought How Should I Say It? (Writing Dialogue) 12 The End 14 Dear Grandma (Writing a Letter) 16 What’s the Title? What should I call it? What’s it about? The main point is elusive I can’t make it out I described last night’s sunset and my best friend Maria Are they just details or the central idea? Perhaps I should write about that night in the storm, And how cozy it felt to be wrapped up and warm Or maybe I’ll choose to describe that spry man Who asked for a nickel and held out his hand What should I write about? What should I say? A story, a letter, a poem, an essay? I created a mystery and planted some clues Some were red herrings, like those muddy brown shoes Maria uncovered a valuable stone Is that important? Does it set the whole tone? So what is my title? Should I call it The Shoes? Should I name it The Sunset or Ten Clever Clues? No, those are just details I must figure out The main point of this mystery What’s this story about? Maria’s my character She unravels the clues The mystery absorbs her I know what I’ll choose! I’ll combine all the details into one big idea, And call my creation A Mystery for Maria Midnight Thought I finally slept, then awoke with a start I’d never have guessed snoozing brains were that smart! I searched for a paper and pencil, and then I wrote down my thought again and again I awoke at five thirty and turned on the light, And there by my bed was the thought from last night The thought came to me in the middle of the night Just before bed I was trying to write Attempting to think of something to say, I considered and brooded, then gave up in dismay I squished my eyes tight, but I couldn’t sleep I counted and counted fifty slow, dawdling sheep The words I had written were Shell! Shell! and Shell! But what the words meant did not ring a bell 10 So I wrote a short story about a treasure I found, A large crimson shell hidden deep in the ground I called it A Home I wrote about creatures That stopped in the shell and explored all its features How Should I Say It? (Writing Dialogue) I’m writing a story about a boy I’ll call Dwight, Who talks to himself from morning till night He loves to explain and discuss and recite He’s a strange little boy, but he’s always polite Each word he presents is said with delight But how does he say it? I must get it right Visitors came, and visitors went They passed on the word The message was sent “Stop by the shell when it’s rainy or cold.” “Rest for a while if you’re weary or old.” “This pleasant pink shell is a nice place to stay.” My teacher agreed, and she gave me an A! 11 12 The End I’m finished! I’m done! I wrote my essay But it needs a few things before I put it away I need to refresh it, revamp, rearrange I’ll read it and knead it There are things I must change First I’ll add a few details, like a dent in the car, A nick on the bowl, or a jagged pink scar I’ll expand my description by adding cold toes And a swift freezing skier with soft flakes on her nose Does Dwight shout out words, like Kalamazoo! Or say things to himself like “How you do?” Or “Where have you been?” Or “Why are you blue?” Does he whisper strange things that are hard to construe? Are the words that he mutters fiction or true? How does he say it? I wish that I knew 13 14 Dear Grandma (Writing a Letter) Is it boring or dull? I’m not very worried I’ll take lots of time There’s no need to be hurried I’ll tweak it, critique it, read it once, read it twice Then I’ll add some pizzazz and a dollop of spice Perhaps I’ll change pail to bucket or trough, And insert some words like repellent or tough Then I’ll read it again and revise till it’s right I’ll examine each thought till it’s tidy and tight 15 Grandma, I’m sorry I haven’t sent this before It’s been sitting for weeks in my bottom left drawer Each day I attempt to write a few words, But the words that I write just seem weird and absurd I think and erase and cross out, and just when I decide it’s all right I start over again I keep searching for words to describe how I feel, But each word that I choose seems less than ideal So back in the drawer this letter keeps going, And the cross-outs and Xs keep growing and growing What’s the best thing to write? I don’t have a clue So I guess I’ll just say, “I really miss you.” 16 .. .Expressing Myself Written by Dina Anastasio Illustrated by Len Epstein Expressing Myself A ReadingA–Z Poetry Book © 2007 ProQuest Information and Learning