Eternal Winter
by Lanny Ball
Storm warning
Again
Eugene approaches
White blankets will fall
Winter roaring its terrible roar
Gnashing its terrible teeth
Chilling breath bearing down
Not to be denied
Rudely shoving June
Further into summer’s courtyard

Accumulation out my front window 7:15 a.m. on March 14th. Notice the top of the planter on the bottom left…just getting started.
* To all in the Northeast and everywhere, stay warm and safe!

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Author: Lanny Ball
For more than 29 years, Lanny has taught, coached, presented, staff developed, and consulted within the exciting and enigmatic world of literacy. With unyielding passion and belief in the possibility of workshop teaching, Lanny has worked to support students, teachers, and school administrators around the country in outgrowing themselves as both writers and readers. Working first as a classroom teacher, then as a coach and TCRWP Staff Developer, Lanny is now a literacy specialist, working and living in the great state of Connecticut. Outside of literacy, he enjoys raising his three ambitious young daughters with his wife, and playing the piano. Find him on this blog, as well as on Twitter @LannyBall. Lanny is also a former co-author of a blog dedicated to supporting writing teachers and coaches that maintain classroom writing workshops, twowritingteachers.org.
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I love the personification of the storm in your poem, especially the line “not to be denied”. We’ve had an unseasonably warm winter here in Austin, and just slid back to cooler temps the last few days–not the Spring Break we are used to. We haven’t had an average temperature yet this month! Hope you stay warm and safe today.
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Thanks for the feedback! I was so nervous to try publishing a poem, but all the sliders are taking such big risks with their writing…why not? Ha! Thanks for your words 🙂
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Love the line, “rudely shoving June further into summer’s courtyard.” – It evokes strong imagery and emotion. Good for you for being vulnerable and posting a slice outside of your comfort zone.
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Greetings from snowy west-of-Boston! Bravo on your poem. Well done. I’m new to writing poetry and slicing, too, so I love it when Slicers share their vulnerabilities. Of course this Kindergarten teacher/Max fan was immediately drawn to “gnashing its terrible teeth.” Stay warm and be safe!
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Ha! You noticed! You’re the first so far! Thanks for the feedback 🙂 You stay warm too! It’s a blizzard out there!
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Great verbs and a wonderful ending line. Unfortunately, winter is also “rudely pushing” the school calendar into July! Thanks for taking a risk — I hope to see more of your poetry.
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Love this poem and it’s nod to Maurice Sendak. Your ending nailed it! We just shouldn’t have this much “stuff” in March!!
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Wonderful! Love “Rudely shoving June, Further into summer’s courtyard” The storm helped you write a beautiful poem.
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Your little nod to Wild Things settled nicely into your poem Lanny. Particularly liked the strong ending. Poets needs to finish strongly. You have done this. Poetry like all forms of writing is essentially practice. Keep taking yourself into the zone as you have today. You have been a brave writer. Well worth sharing with less experienced student writers. They need to see we are risk takers too.
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Thanks for that feedback, Allen. I’ve honestly never given much thought to the notion that poetry, like everything, takes practice. I’d kind of written myself off as a poet. But now…anyway, I appreciate your encouragement. Thanks 🙂
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I’m so jealous of all your snow, which I know is an obnoxious thing to say. Love this poem. And your allusion. Thanks for sharing!
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Shoving June farther away must be the most painful part of the entire experience.
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Well done! As others have mentioned, I love your nod to Where the Wild Things Are. March can be a rude month, can’t it?
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Yes, indeed! March has been awfully rude this year! Thank you 🙂
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Bravo for poetry! I think it’s a good fit for you. Stay safe and warm!
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