Slice of Life Post for March 18, 2025 (2:04-2:35) by Barb Edler

Writing poetry has been an obsession of mine since I was a high school student. I love, love, love writing poems. I love to read poetry, and I love celebrating poetry. Ethical ELA Open Writes offer a wonderful opportunity to craft a poem based on a particular prompt. It’s also a fantastic way to connect with other teacher/poets.

Some of the poets who write at Ethical ELA and blog at Two Writing Teachers include Glenda Funk, Fran Haley, Denise Krebs, Kim Johnson, and Margaret Simon. Each of these women are inspirational. Glenda’s powerful poetry often brilliantly reveals an injustice occurring within our nation or world. Denise’s thoughtful poetry often highlights the importance of being an advocate. Fran, Kim, and Margaret are all gifted writers sharing their love of birds, dogs, and nature. I truly appreciate the effort it takes to both blog and write poetry for both platforms. They all seem to embrace it with ease, and I would love to possess their talents.

Yesterday’s Open Write prompt invited writers to craft an ekphrastic poem using a short poetry format. I personally love writing shorter poems. I often share poems with my sister who also writes but rarely engages with others during ELA Open Writes. She wasn’t a teacher, so I think that discourages her participation. Anyway, she often encourages me to extend my poems. Sometimes I do, but maybe a bit reluctantly because I like to leave some ideas open for interpretation.

My poem from yesterday was culled from a longer ekphrastic pantoum poem I wrote about Grant Wood’s Stone City. (If you don’t know about Stone City, Iowa, it is a small idyllic place where Grant Wood established an art colony in 1930. Its purpose was to provide a retreat for artists to focus on their craft.) I’ll share my longer version today.

Artists’ Retreat, After Stone City, 1930, by Grant Wood

Grant Wood’s rolling hills, golden green
shine like a woman’s jeweled breasts
ready to embrace its artist’s dream,
a tranquil life put to the test

shine like a woman’s jeweled breasts
watchful windmills whispering peace
put a tranquil life to the test
where emerald trees offer release

watchful windmills whispering peace
life’s ordered simplicity gleams
where emerald trees offer release
blessing the fertile Wapsi stream

life’s ordered simplicity gleams
young corn singing from perfect rows
blessing the fertile Wapsi stream
sun kissed skies, a contentment glows

young corn singing from perfect rows
ready to embrace its artist’s dream
sun kissed skies, a contentment glows
beneath Grant Wood’s hills, golden green

At 2:00 today I will be zooming with another collection of writers who are all working on memoirs. These women are also uplifting and supportive which brings me to the true point of my post which is to thank Two Writing Teachers and Ethical ELA writers who have shared their personal stories, experiences, and who have written their hearts out while upholding other writers by providing thoughtful and supportive responses to each other. Writing and engaging with other writers is truly a blessing. I cannot express my sincere gratitude enough for being able to find such incredible writing communities. Thank you!