Poetry Friday: Chartreuse, Another Color Poem

I compiled all the color poems I’ve written over the last three years of blogging, as well as a few I wrote with my students before The Apples in My Orchard was launched. Soon, those poems will be given, as drafts, to my “beta readers” for review prior to work on a Color Poem book which I am writing to dedicate to my mom – who is in her early 80’s.

My mom was a third-grade teacher for several decades. She was an exceptional teacher – during a time when teaching was less prescribed by standards. Her students experienced units on the American Cowboy (both black and white), Robin Hood, as well as Johnny Appleseed, and Paul Bunyon.  She taught with enthusiasm and passion for these literary legends. I am sure she made an impactful impression on those who were lucky enough to grace her classroom and core (a group of rooms in an “open concept” school.

When I think of great teachers, and I know quite a few now, I also think of my mom. Over the years, she continued to write, some poetry and short stories, but never worked at publishing her written material. Her excuse? “It was too much like a business.” And, yes, she is correct about that. To be published, even self-published, one needs to be pushing constantly forward. It is something that I’ve wanted to do for a long time. But, in all that time, never did I think I would aim to publish a book of my poetry first.

However, I’ve realized that it is a perfect way to honor my mom – the impact she made on me as an educator, the passion and care she exhibited towards her students, and the love she has for words and writing. And, I want to do this before she dies. She is in fairly good health for a woman in her early 80’s. But, the looming thought that she might not (will not) always be here, is the motivation to finish and publish my book of poems.

For the six years I offered a small group of third graders the opportunity to be in a writer’s circle with me, I found that I really enjoyed our poetry unit. The unit lasted about a month and bore some wonderful examples of student poetry. Color poems were a fun way to teach the power of description – to create that picture in the reader’s eye.

When I went through my pile of poems for a round of self-editing, I found I was missing a few colors. Today, I offer a new poem on a shade of the color green. Although I could see it in my mind’s eye, I still looked up the word Chartreuse before I started pounding the keys of my laptop. Let me know what you think! Thanks, in advance, for the feedback!

Chartreuse

When it springs to mind,

Color pops you in the eye!

Bright,

Psychedelic,

An ever vibrating hue.

Chartreuse,

Don’t you know?

It’s a green of sorts,

said to be half yellow, of course.

Like a Sour Apple Jolly Rancher candy,

Light and inviting but packing quite a punch,

When needed, it comes in handy.

Chartreuse,

the new color I chose

for my deck bistro set.

A rejuvenating spot for

tea, latte, or wine.

There I will sit until I feel fine!

Not as deep as lime and lighter than fern,

Sometimes it makes your eyes and tongue burn.

A melon ball cocktail too sweet for your buds,

A limeade mocktail that makes a saliva flood.

Which came first the cocktail or color?

Only the Monks can tell you for they had the fun,

Both by the vibrant sight and a puckered tongue.

They left the recipe unknown and undone.

Chartreuse

Is a color that screams, look at me!

That I will do, because I cannot unsee.

Of all the things in this life that are boring and bland,

Chartreuse is not one of them,

It really takes charge and command!

Chartreuse, Chartreuse

Just a fabulous hue,

Bright enough for a smile that spreads

From me, all the way to you!

Today is Poetry Friday! Today’s round up is hosted by: Karen’s Got A Blog!  Thanks go to Karen for hosting this week. If you have a Norwegian heritage, you should check out her page for a cute kid’s poem she recalls from her dad. Do you know it?