Thursday, January 25, 2018

Poetry Friday -- Charlotte Zolotow





Last week, I wrote about the closing of Acorn Bookshop, and one of the treasures I purchased. (Sorry I didn't make it around the roundup. Life happened last week. Big time.)

In close second place to the first edition Joyce Kilmer is this AUTOGRAPHED book by the one, the only, THE Charlotte Zolotow!

Besides being a poet and prolific picture book author, Charlotte Zolotow was a children's book editor for 38 years. The award bearing her name is given to the best picture book (writing, rather than the Caldecott's illustrating) of the year.

Here's a favorite from the book:



So Will I

My grandfather remembers long ago
the white Queen Anne's lace that grew wild.
He remembers the buttercups and goldenrod
from when he was a child.

He remembers long ago
the white snow falling falling.
He remembers the bluebird and thrush
at twilight
calling calling.

He remembers long ago
the new moon in the summer sky.
He remembers the wind in the trees
and its long, rising sigh.
And so will I
                    so will I.


Love the illustrations, too!



Carol has this week's Poetry Friday roundup at Beyond LiteracyLink.




27 comments:

  1. So will I. There is such comfort in these lines, the knowing that one generation passes these things to the next... what a treasure! Thank you for sharing, Mary Lee -- thinking of you as you move through whatever life is bringing you these days. xo

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  2. What a treasure! Thank you for sharing it with us. As I read this poem, I couldn't help but picture my own memories of Queen Anne's lace and goldenrod and falling snow. Words do tie us together. Hope life is more kind this week--or at least less busy.

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  3. OK, trying again. Love those echoed lines that ring out in your heart after you read this. Thank you for sharing it, and I'm wishing you a calmer week. Hugs...

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  4. That's really pretty. Thank you for sharing. I hope this week was a better one for you and yours.

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  5. Wow! Truly a great find. Lovely poem. :)

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  6. Such a lovely poem. Thanks for sharing it.

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  7. Ah, so will I -
    It seems remembrance at the end of a long life is something to be cherished - and also something for which to strive. I like that the poet is inviting us out to look at things and remember them, too.

    Hope that all is well, Cousin. Thinking of you as life happens.

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  8. Beautiful and so will I. I feel that needs to be the first line of a poem. What a treasure.

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  9. What a treasure, Mary Lee. That poem is so full of inspiration for what nature brings us each season. (LOL) I just read Jone's reply and she used the word treasure. Indeed what you found is!

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  10. Oh my. When I think of Charlotte Zolotow I think of William's Doll, which was featured on Free To Be You And Me. Boy this took me back in the way back time machine! I'm going to have to explore her poetry now! -- Christie @ https://wonderingandwondering.wordpress.com/

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  11. Anonymous7:02 PM

    So much yearning and fragility of emotions, in that repeating 'so will I'. It speaks of the connection between the poet and the grandfather.

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  12. Anonymous7:43 PM

    What a lucky find!

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  13. What a lucky find! And a lovely poem....Thanks for sharing it, Mary Lee!

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  14. How terrible, I can't think of a single title from Charlotte Zolotow - I need to rectify that situation immediately!

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  15. That is such a treasure!!! Wow. I love Charlotte Zolotow. :)

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  16. This poem is beautiful and it really hits on a personal theme for me. Thank you for sharing it. I'm embarrassed to say I don't know any of her works...or, if I do I don't remember her name attached to it.
    Life has been happening big time in my house too. I feel for you. Poetry and all my connections to the community are my way of escaping. I'll say a prayer for your peace today. Thank you for this post.

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  17. My favorite Charlotte Zolotow book is Mr. Rabbit and the Lovely Present, illustrated by Maurice Sendak. Not to be missed!

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  18. What a gorgeous poem, Mary Lee. Sorry to hear about the closing of yet another independent bookstore, but I'm glad to know you walked away with some treasures at least.

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  19. So lovely - especially that comforting cadence.

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  20. This is just gorgeous! This book reminds me of one of my favorite treasures, "The Shape of a Year," by Jean Hersey. Thank you for sharing, Mary Lee!

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  21. So lovely! Thank you for sharing your find.

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  22. So will I. So will I. Swooning over this book and this poem. Why does writing poetry seem so easy in a poem such as this one when we all know it's hard as heck?

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  23. So lyrical and gorgeous... thank you for sharing, Mary Lee. What a legacy she left!

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  24. Such a beautifully comforting poem, Mary Lee...thanks for sharing this.

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  25. What a treasure -- that book was meant to be yours!

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  26. Charlotte Zolotow has been a favorite author of mine for a very long time, what a wonderful find you have, and the pictures are lovey, enjoy! Thanks for sharing your treasures with us too Mary Lee.

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  27. A beautiful poem, Mary Lee--Thank you for sharing. Hope this week is going well for you. I don't always comment--please know I'm reading every post and appreciate all you and Franki share.

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