Tuesday 21 September 2010

Next week's Poetry Bus – back to the old school

I put this prompt up a while back (maybe you remember... back in August) but then it wasn't needed in the end so it was shelved for a while. It started with this:



Huh?

Well, as you may also remember, our daughter (now 10) has always been a story addict. She just can't get enough stories, books, story characters, TV shows and movies (she's not that keen on poetry however...). For example, this summer she was fairly obsessed with the new 'Toy Story' movie (no 3 for those of you out of the kiddie loop) and she talked about the new film, she talked about the previous films, she played endless games with the TS characters, she tried to engage anyone (who would stay still long enough) in non-stop analysis of the whys and wherefores of the TS various stories... she takes it all very seriously!

And so this week's prompt is:

- think of a character (or series of characters) from a children's story, comic, TV series, film or other story source (it can be a new story or something quite ancient). You can stick to one story source or merge different ones – I'm fairly laid-back on such matters,

- write your poem (or similar) and post it on your blog,

- give me your link (in the comments here is fine).


I will put all the links in a post (complete with my own poem) and that post will probably go up this Sunday (26th). I know this is fairly early warning but the more time you have to think the better the poem (maybe?). You can send in your link any time. Poems are going up now - here.


And just to refer back to the last Bus stop for a while... remember I was writing about trees (here)? Well, here's the rowan tree in our front garden (taken on Sunday):




Exactly a year ago I posted a photo of the same tree
here and the autumn colour was not nearly so far advanced. Does this mean anything, nature experts amongst you? Or do rowans alternate like this regularly? Just wondering... just wondering...

See you later in the week for your poems...really looking forward to seeing which kids' characters you pick.

x

38 comments:

NanU said...

Ah, the possibilities! I'm glad you put the prompt up early, and in fact wish we always could have so much time.

Helen said...

Sounds like fun ... no doubt bring out the inner child in each of us.

Marion McCready said...

Quite fond of Toy Story meeself! I have a rowan just like that in my back garden, I think there are still berries on it, will check it out tomorrow!

Titus said...

Ooh! Just the other day the boys were saying when they could come and see said daughter again (even remembered her name, which is a bit surreal considering their usual standards) and now they could have Toy Story 3 debates into the night, for we have had our fair share of analysis going on here since seeing it.

I had a really good idea for this prompt back then. Can you remember what it was? Because I can't. Ah well, there's a treasure chest of possibilities in this one...
Oh, NanU has already said that.

Rachel Fox said...

The rowan had loads of berries last year (if you see the old post) and not so many this. And somewhere we just read that lots of berries can herald a harsh winter (which we did have last year). Maybe it means this winter won't be so white or so frozen...we'll see!

The Toy Story fever has abated a bit now. This year has also seen a major 'Parent Trap' obsession (old and new versions...though redhead Lindsay Lohan is a big factor).

And Titus - we'd love to see you and the boys any time!
x

Niamh B said...

I saw a rowan on my travels yesterday it was split half and half between your two pics.
and yes, I like a bit of time to think, doesn't always produce miracles, but it helps!

Karen said...

Thanks for the early warning! I often don't get the poems written until too late.

Rachel Fox said...

Yes, I too prefer a bit of time to think if possible!
x

Totalfeckineejit said...

This ios going to take a bit of thought, I likes it.Thanks for the early warning system.And I hope your Rowan tree means a softer winter this time, the last one nearly feckin killed me!

Rachel Fox said...

Yes, kids loved all the snow but for adults it was hard work!
x

Jinksy said...

Big kid that I am, I'm ahead of myself HERE

Dave King said...

What a superb tree! I think most of the signs of autumn around here are early. But where such beauty is concerned, it hardly matters when it comes along!

Great prompt. I will try to do it justice.

Enchanted Oak said...

Thanks for a grand idea! Will you link me early Sunday morning, when I've scheduled a Poetry Bus post?
I'm off in the woods until Sunday night.
My Bus Ticket or try this: chrisalba-enchantedoak.blogspot.com

Rachel Fox said...

Yes, I'll get a post up on Sunday and trawl round looking for fish!
x

Heather said...

So many possibilities - I shall need the extra time to choose one! You rowan tree is looking beautiful. It's interesting to note the difference between this year and last but I don't know why it should be so. I think it may have been drier this year - perhaps that has something to do with it.

Rachel Fox said...

It hasn't felt drier... not July and August anyway!
x

Dr. Jeanne Iris said...

Love those Toy Story guys! Great prompt, Rachel.

My Cinderella Rant is up here:

http://www.revolutionaryrevelry.blogspot.com

Dr. Jeanne Iris said...

Rachel,
I don't know about Rowan trees, but I've heard (and have seen) that holly berries are good indicators of the winter ahead: the more berries, the harsher the winter. My holly bush has had a full supply of berries for the past few summers, and the winters have been appropriately winter-like, which is wonderful, that coming from someone born and raised in Michigan, though.

Peter Goulding said...

Hi Rachel, great prompt. I'm buying 2 tickets this week. #1 is here - http://stammeringpoet.blogspot.com/2010/09/poetry-bus-is-currently-sauntering-up.html

Rachel Fox said...

So many of you bringing your homework in early...I'm tempted to get on with the post...but I won't, not yet. I'll put it up Sunday as promised.
x

Peter Goulding said...

My second ticket - http://stammeringpoet.blogspot.com/2010/09/back-to-childhood-poetry-bus-part-deux.html

The Bug said...

Here's mine: http://danabugseyeview.blogspot.com/2010/09/poetry-bus-is-headed-to-alps.html. I enjoyed the trip down memory lane. Thanks!

Rachel Fox said...

So many of you done before the weekend! Will I weaken and post before Sunday..? Maybe...
x

izzy said...

Thank you for the prompt- I'll come back w/ a link.
Your tree maybe early, here in New England we have been very dry. All season. The Spring was early - our garden got planted a month ahead! My ponies started their winter coats at the Beginning of August! The fruit was early- So it will be anyone's guess.That Volcano often will cool things down, also.You were east of it-

Rachel Fox said...

Yes, I think we had our summer in June!
x

Dave King said...

Thanks for the prompt. I have ground out a contribution and scheduled it for early tomorrow (Sunday) morning.

Dave King said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Rachel Fox said...

You people who schedule posts... very organised!
x

Unknown said...

here you go!

http://jmaybury.blogspot.com/2010/09/poetry-bus.html

I'm starving now

NanU said...

Here it is! Here it is!
http://pinkrabbitabroad.blogspot.com
Disclamer: no rats were permanently harmed in the making of this post.

Rachel Fox said...

Going out tonight - post with links up first thing Sunday (our time!).
x

Helen said...

Hi!

You can find me in Wonka Land ...

http://woonietest.blogspot.com/

The Weaver of Grass said...

Will try Rachel although only just back so have to get my head in the right mode.

MuseSwings said...

I loved stories as a child. Grimm's was my handbook and escape route. I'll post later today!

Rachel Fox said...

It's 'turning off for the night' time here soon so I'll add links tomorrow morning if they come in much after this. The post with all the links is here.

Doctor FTSE said...

Huff and Puff, running to catch the bus. Phew, just in time

izzy said...

Crash landing-too many possibilities!
Thanks for the prompt!

http://izzy-conversing.blogspot.com/2010/09/poetry-bus-childrens-story.html

Mrs.Trellis said...

It's still Monday in Abergele, but there have been no buses through HERE for years.