Playing with parallel structure and playful frustration today in a poem about snow days…
(above) view from bedroom into backyard, 7:04 a.m.
March Snow
First snow day
Greeted with guilty exuberance
What's one day?
Hot cocoa inside
Family time extended
books, toys, baking
Fourth snow day
Met with mild resignation
What's another day, right?
Cocoa and coffee inside
Let's try to get out there today
snow angels, failed snowmen, cold noses
Seventh snow day
Received with palpable consternation
Really? Another day?
Too much coffee inside
Stir crazy children, over-caffeinated adults
youtube, complaining, lamenting of summer lost
Tenth snow day
Please.
Make it stop.
-Lanny Ball
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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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LANNY BALL, Literacy Specialist 
Yes! Please make it stop. You captured the contrast of feelings in this quick poem. Fingers crossed we are getting into school today with a three hour delay. Come on Spring!
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I love the progression of your poem using repetition. It gives voice to your obvious frustration with the winter weather. I hope spring comes soon.
Thanks for all your comments on my students’ posts. They get so excited about outside comments.
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Thanks Margaret! Always love reading your student blogs 🙂
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10 snow days … that’s a LOT! Will you be able to make it to OR today?
BTW: The backyard looks beautiful. So there’s still that!
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Yes it’s been insane this winter. But you’re right, the backyard is lovely!
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We’ve had no snow days here and wouldn’t mind one – but 10??!! I remember when my kids were young and how snow days started off so magically, but after a few days the novelty wore off. You’ve captured that so well in your poem.
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Thanks! Yeah they’re kind magical and wonderful the first few times, but this has been a monster winter ❄️ Thanks for your comment!
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I agree enough is enough. We have not had that many days off, but we have had lots of snow and cold.
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I enjoyed the progression. The parallel format, with the small exceptions in lines, builds the emotion. Such truism here. I have tried this type of progression, but haven’t been successful. I might have a go with your mentor text here ~
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What a strange, strange winter this has been. Southern Ontario usually gets lots of snow – we have only had a couple of days of any depth. The past 2 weeks have been almost springlike. Now we have a few flurries and around freezing temps – just as my bulbs start to come up. Loved your poems.
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