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Arizona Inspiration

2/4/2014

10 Comments

 
Picture
Last week I was on vacation in the southwest. As is my practice, I began each morning checking email and doing some professional reading. I wanted to keep up with the “Writing About Reading” series on Two Writing Teachers. One of the ideas Stacey shared in her post about the different ways she uses her writer’s notebook to write about reading was copy-changing, where a writer uses a poem or another piece of writing as a scaffold to create one of their own.  The poem Stacey cited, “Today” by Billy Collins, inspired me to write about the natural beauty surrounding me in my travels. While perhaps not a true copy-change, I used Collins’ first line and couplet structure as a jumping off point.

 

Sedona


If ever there were a place so perfect,

so full of natural wonder

 

where the morning sun sets the red rocks ablaze,

welcoming the day,

 

where prickly pear cactus

line dusty trails to ancient ruins,

 

where majestic mountains loom large, red and white,

beneath bright blue skies,

 

where juniper trees dot the landscape

with puffs of forest green,

 

If ever there were a place so perfect

well, Sedona is that kind of place.


10 Comments
nanc link
2/3/2014 08:15:43 pm

I love this poem because of the rhythm that it creates...and I also would love to be in Sedona right now ! xo

Reply
Bernadette Laganella link
2/3/2014 09:09:31 pm

I am looking out at the snow for the umpteenth time this morning and wishing I could be in Sedona. Your poem makes it so inviting.

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Tara link
2/3/2014 11:30:30 pm

Love these lines:
where juniper trees dot the landscape

with puffs of forest green,
I've never been to Sedona, but hear it's a must see place. Perhaps one day!

Reply
Dana Murphy link
2/4/2014 01:57:59 am

This is lovely! Like Nanc said above, I also really enjoyed the rhythm. Love the ending, too. Your slight shift in voice was great.

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Stacey link
2/4/2014 04:34:47 am

I love the way you mentored yourself after "Today." I felt like I was back in Sedona, a place I loved visiting, but haven't been to in over a decade.

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Catherine link
2/4/2014 04:51:48 am

I love these lines: "Where the morning sun sets the red rocks ablaze/ welcoming the day"
Thank you for sharing this beautiful poem! (And I agree with you: those posts were amazing!)

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Linda Baie link
2/4/2014 06:53:35 am

I've been there with my students, Rose, and hope I can return someday. It has the special beauty you described. I love Billy Collin's poem, and you've changed the line just enough to make it yours! Ah- those "puffs of forest green" stand out!

Reply
Clare and Tammy link
2/4/2014 08:35:18 am

We love how you shared your writing and your process. We have not tried poetry yet…. yet…

Clare and Tammy

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Jaana link
2/4/2014 08:36:32 am

When can I buy a plane ticket to Arizona?? I want to experience a blazing red sunrise! Thank you for painting such a beautiful picture for me!

Reply
Julie Johnson link
2/6/2014 09:05:32 am

I've only been to Sedona once, but you describe its beauty perfectly. Such a lovely place. Thanks for sharing your process. We are in the middle of trying some different tools when writing poetry. I'm going to add this to our "toolbox" and share it with my students next week.

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