Michelle Heidenrich Barnes asked Charlesbridge editor, Karen Boss, to issue this month's Ditty Challenge. Karen challenged us to write a poem in 2nd person offering advice to a child. Today, I'm sharing my two cents.
Be Grateful
by Kimberly M. Hutmacher
For each new sunrise
that comes your way.
For the opportunities
of each new day.
For family that loves you
more than you could know.
For loyal friendships
you sew and grow.
For a home that shelters,
keeps you safe and sound.
For your treasures lost
that have been found.
For food and drink
and special sweet treats.
For air conditioning
and furnace for heat.
For the chance to learn
and go to school.
For summers spent splashing
in a swimming pool.
For medicine for when
you're feeling queasy.
For amazing days
when life is easy.
Even on bad days
that are hard and rough,
remember this poem
and all the good stuff.
Copyright 2019
In other poetry news, my S.T.E.A.M. Powered Poetry partner, Heidi Bee Roemer, and I have been busily adding new videos, acitivites, and book lists to the site. Be sure to click over to check it out. We are also hosting a video contest for next year's poems. Here are the details:
EDU Contest CALL: Pre-Service Teachers, Librarians, & Media Specialists
With an offer of cash prizes, Heidi Bee Roemer, children's author/poet and creator of the vlog, "S.T.E.A.M. Powered Poetry Videos for Pk-8," is hosting the Second Annual Poetry-Video Contest for College Students. Heidi seeks to enlist a Professor of English or Education or Information to oversee a classroom contest among their pre-service teachers or school media specialists. Ms. Roemer will provide guidelines and a packet of S.T.E.A.M. children’s poems. Contestants can choose a poem and create a short, core-curriculum based video which will be of use in their future classrooms or libraries. First prize is $100, Second, $50, and Third, $25. All entries of good quality will be posted on Heidi's vlog: http://steampoweredpoetry.com/ For details and guidelines, email Heidi at steampoweredpoetry@gmail.com
We truly appreciate all of the likes, shares, and love you've given us on social media. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
Great advice--nice listing of all that there is to be grateful for, both the good and difficult days.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Buffy!
DeleteSweet and true...I imagine you giving this tender advice to a grandchild. I love the stanza about air conditioning and heat best! We do take those for granted until we've lost them. I will happily boost information about the contest with the library colleges I know. The professors there love things like this.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Linda! I actually did think about the advice I would give to my granddaughter when I was writing it :)
DeleteSo much to be grateful for - and a good reminder for big kids, too. :)
ReplyDeleteYes, it's a reminder I need as well, Kat :)
DeleteThis is brilliant advice for all of us, not just for children!
ReplyDeleteYes, Cheriee, it's a reminder I need sometimes, too :)
DeleteNice job - and great advice!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Ruth.
DeleteHeidi's project sounds wonderful, Kimberly.
ReplyDeleteI was thinking that your advice was specifically for a grandchild, Kimberly. There is wisdom in your thoughts, especially in the last stanza.
Thank you, Carol.
DeletePerfect reminder to children (and their adults) to approach life with an attitude of gratitude through thick and thin.
ReplyDeleteThanks, mary Lee. It's a reminder I often need, too.
DeleteSuch a sweet reminder to be grateful.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Kay.
DeleteI like your closing stanza Kimberly,
ReplyDelete"Even on bad days
that are hard and rough,
remember this poem
and all the good stuff."
Poetry to the rescue, it's a good way to get unstuck, thanks!
Thank you, Michelle. I'm gladd you enjoyed it :)
DeleteSuch a great poem for kids to help them cultivate a habit of gratitude. There's so much to be thankful in our worlds, and often we don't notice. Thanks for the reminder!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Molly. It's a reminder I need once in a while, too :)
DeleteYou wrap up the essence of this challenge so beautifully, Kimberly. I thought it was the perfect poem to place last in my wrap-up presentation so that all that "good stuff" can continue to linger for as long as possible.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Michelle. There is so much good stuff in all of the contributions to this challenge. I feel honoured to have my little ditty included.
Delete