Second Place Winner!

Second place

Wickham Farms

by Nathan Murray, age 10
Penfield

Wickham Farms in Penfield is so close to us,
We can get there without a fuss.

I love your ice cream in a cone,
And picking a pumpkin you have grown.

In the corn maze I get lost,
Your chicken dinner is low cost.

On the jumping pillow I go up and down,
I never ever get a frown.

Animals, playground, tractor rides,
Batting cages, mini golf, then inside…

We look for the cute little mice,
And the people that work there are so nice.

Birthday parties, field trips from school,
On holidays you really rule.

There’s no doubt east or west,
Wickham Farms you are the best!

"Wickham Farms," ©2011, Nathan Murray. All rights reserved.

(Joe’s Commentary: I love the details in this poem. They create distinct images of fun to be had on a special farm from “picking pumpkins to “tractor rides.” I especially like the end rhymes which sound natural and unforced.  Then there’s the powerful use of personification near the end: “On holidays you really rule.” This is a marvelous poem written by ten-year-old Nathan Murray. Congratulations! Keep on writing poetry!)

Thank You, Debra Ross! Editor & KOA Chief

I want to thank Debra Ross, editor and creator of www.KidsOutAndAbout.com, for publishing my essay about encouraging toddlers to enjoy poetry during National Poetry Month. (If interested, the essay site is below the poem that follows.)



The way the essay appears on the page is excellent with its easy to read print, graphics, and edits. I consider Debra an amazing friend who inspires many in the Rochester area and beyond to explore life doing healthy family activities. She makes a difference for Rochester, thanks to her weekly newsletter and other positive activities. And I consider her my friend. This poem is for her by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow: 


Friendship


I shot an arrow into the air,
It fell to earth, I knew not where;
For so swiftly it flew, the sight
Could not follow it in its flight.
I breathed a song into the air,
It fell to earth, I knew not where;
For, who has sight so keen and strong
That it can follow the flight of song?
Long, long afterward, in an oak
I found the arrow, still unbroke;
And the song, from beginning to end,
I found again in the heart of a friend.


http://rochester.kidsoutandabout.com/content/ten-ways-celebrate-national-poetry-month-toddler

Write What Inspires You

Donna McDine is leader in the field of children's books. Her blog is interesting, informative, and worth reading on a daily basis. She also has a wonderful newsletter that you can subscribe to called, "Write What Inspires You." And shouldn't all writers do that as often as they can? That is, shouldn't they write what they are passionate about? She inspires writers to write daily. Thank you Donna for your blog, book reviews, and newsletter.

The best place to find out more about Donna is to go right to her Web site...

http://donna-mcdine.blogspot.com/2010/05/poetry-and-song-night-joe-silly-sottile.html