Friday, November 27, 2009

Party for a Poetry Man

I was away in Philadelphia for a few days last week for the 2009 NCTE Annual Convention. The reason I attended the convention--for the first time ever--is because I wanted to be there to celebrate with lots of other poets at the Poetry Party for Lee Bennett Hopkins, the 2009 recipient of the NCTE EXcellence in Poetry for Children

L to R: Janet Wong, Pat Lewis, Kris George, Moi, Rebecca Dotlich
Award.

Sylvia Vardell and Janet Wong compiled a special book of poems as a tribute to Lee. I was thrilled to be one of the poets as to contribute to Dear One. Click here to read Eating Poetry, the poem I wrote in honor of Lee.



Pre-Party Pictures

L to R: Pat Lewis, Rebecca Dotlich, Michele Krueger

L to R: Moi, Pat, Rebecca


Let the Tribute Begin!

Sylvia Vardell Gets the Poetry Party Rolling

Lee Bennett Hopkins Comes to the Podium



Lee & The Poets Who Shared Their Poems & Remembrances of Him
L to R: Walter Dean Myers, Georgia Heard, Rebecca Kai Dotlich, Sylvia Vardell,
Lee Bennett Hopkins, Janet Wong, Jane Yolen, Pat Lewis

More Poetry Party Pics

Bobbi Katz
Sara Holbrook

L to R: Pat Lewis, Jane Yolen, John Grandits

And here's one of my all-time favorite poems about poetry. This one's for you, Lee!


Introduction to Poetry
by Billy Collins

I ask them to take a poem
and hold it up to the light
like a color slide

or press an ear against its hive.

I say drop a mouse into a poem
and watch him probe his way out,

or walk inside the poem's room
and feel the walls for a light switch.

You can read the rest of the poem here.


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At Political Verses, I have Who's the Turkey?: A Poem about Sarah Palin.


The Poetry Friday Roundup is at Becky’s Book Reviews.


5 comments:

Michele Krueger said...

Elaine,

It was wonderful to meet you out in Philly for the festivities of Lee's Poetry Party. It was so special. Thanks for the girls' night in with Julie and Julia. It was fun!
Keep in touch, and happy holidays,

Michele

Mary Lee said...

So sad I missed you in Philly, but glad to know you had PLENTY of fun!

Elaine Magliaro said...

Michele,

It was great having you as a roommate in Philly. It was wonderful meeting you and so many of the other poets who contributed to Lee's tribute book. That was one fantastic Poetry Party!


Mary Lee,

So sorry we didn't connect in Philly. I got caught up in a few things, bumped into friends, and kept trying not to get lost. I've never been to an NCTE Convention before. Lots of people!!!

I'll be in Orlando next year. Will you be going?

Anonymous said...

Hello. And Bye.

Jules at 7-Imp said...

Oh wow! That looks like so much fun. Thanks for sharing!