A mask poem (also called a Persona) is written from the point of view of an object, an animal, or a person (other than yourself). Can you guess the subject of the three mask poems below? Read the poems then click the right arrow for the answers.
Continue readingRhyming poems
This and That (SUMMER)

Well hello, summer! We’ve officially hit the summer season and that means it’s time for a This and That seasonal poem. It’s been fun to write about each season in this form. You can check out winter, spring, and fall‘s poems here.
Continue readingThis and That (Spring)

One fall I went walking with a friend on a nearby trail, the colorful leaves crunching beneath our sneakers. We were talking about the russet beauty all around us, pointing out this and that as we went along. I thought a poem, in the form of “This and That” would be a fun challenge and it played on my mind as we walked. So, I went home and wrote this fall poem. And then I wrote a winter This and That. Now, spring has sprung and so has a new poem in this fun form!
Continue readingFun with Junk EMail: A List Poem

My computer recently crashed and when it was up and running again, I found all of my junk mail had bailed the confines of its folder and was hanging out in my actual inbox. I spent hours sifting through what was junk and what was not junk. But as they say, when life gives you lemons, write a poem. That’s what they say, right? Anyway, I seized the opportunity and wrote a list poem made up entirely of the subject lines of my spam mail. It took some time to find subject lines I could rhyme but it turned out to be a fun poetry project!
Continue readingHappy World Poetry Day: Poem Parade

Remember the “old days” when you wanted to enjoy poetry? You’d find it in a book. These days, we often turn to the screen for our pop of poetry. This got me thinking that poetry in modern times is like a parade. Poems of every subject and tone march across the screen for all to see. And we, as readers, writers, and lovers of poetry, can join in the parade whenever we want (no shoes required). Of course, for me, random thoughts like this often turn into a poem. Cotton candy, anyone?
Continue readingVisual Prompt: Jelly Dancer

We’ve all been there, pen in hand, waiting for a poem to arrive. Poetry prompts are a great way to get the juices flowing on those inevitable days when a poem doesn’t show up. In the visual prompt below, the tentacles reminded me of a skirt swishing. And the way a jelly fish moves in the water is like that of a graceful (although dangerous) dancer.
Continue readingThis and That Poem (Winter)

One fall day I went walking with a friend on a nearby trail. We were talking about the beauty of nature in autumn, pointing out this and that as we went along. The thought of a poem in the form of “This and That” played on my mind. So, I went home and wrote this fall poem in simple rhyme. Winter begins in just four days, so I thought it would be fun to write a poem in the same style to celebrate the season. Happy winter!
Continue readingMask Poem Riddle

A Mask Poem is when you write from an object’s point of view (or a person other than yourself). Today I’m sharing a mask poem with a twist as the object plays a guessing game with the reader. Can you guess from whose point of view the poem is written before you get to the end?
Continue readingCover reveal: YA Novel-In-Verse

When Aspen’s best friend gives her a DNA test kit, a half teaspoon of spit is all it takes to discover her entire life has been a lie.
I am proud to share the cover of my debut young adult novel-in-verse, releasing May 30, 2022! This is the book of my heart. This is the book based on my true story. This is the book that helped me through a very real, very difficult time in my life. Four years ago, I took a DNA test and discovered the man who raised me and whom I loved dearly was not my biological father.
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