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Thursday, April 10, 2014

Fairy Tales and Poetry

In the past, I've sometimes connected National Poetry Month with the Once Upon a Time Challenge.  It is a way to celebrate both poetry and fairy tales.

Beauty and the Beast: An Anniversary

by Jane Yolen

It is winter now,
and the roses are blooming again,
their petals bright against the snow.
My father died last April;
my sisters no longer write,
except at the turning of the year,
content with their fine houses
and their grandchildren.
Beast and I
putter in the gardens
and walk slowly on the forest paths.
He is graying around the muzzle
and I have silver combs
to match my hair.
I have no regrets.
None.
Though sometimes I do wonder
what sounds children
might have made
running across the marble halls,
swinging from the birches
over the roses
in the snow.
(via Endicott Studio)
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I really like this one.  Of course, I think Jane Yolen always does a marvelous job with poetry, and I couldn't even begin to choose a favorite.

10 comments:

  1. Like it! Thanks for sharing :)

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  2. Yolen is so good! Glad you both enjoyed it!

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  3. This is great! I made it a goal to get into poetry a couple years ago but the project was a disaster... I should try again!

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  4. Oh, that is a nice one. Bittersweet :)

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  5. Kelly - I love poetry, and for some reason, poems reconstructing fairy tales are among my favorites!

    Fence - Yes, you are exactly right about bittersweet!

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  6. I don't read a lot of poetry but I did like that and it's so appropriate as I've just read Beauty!
    Lynn :D

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  7. Lynn- :) It is a perfect poem to satisfy both National Poetry Month AND the Once Upon a Time challenge, isn't it? Especially for those who, like you, are reading versions of the Beauty and the Beast tales!

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  8. I am pretty sure we have a number of Jane Yolen's children's books on our shelves!

    I really like the poem.

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  9. Wendy - Yole has written a lot of books for very young children, as well as her YA books. I ordered a book of her fairy tale poetry for children because I enjoy her poetry based on fairy tale characters!

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