Thursday, October 1, 2009

Poetry Friday Original

Reading CRANK by Ellen Hopkins inspired me to write the start of one of my works-in-progress in verse.

I offer this (fictional) original poem. I'm not sure who is hosting tomorrow, but I'll put it in comments when I find out.

BASKETBALL
Varsity team my senior year
That’s all I wanted
Instead I’m shamed
Shipped down to J.V.
But that was two months ago
Now coach wants me back
But it just can’t….................................................... BE

FOOLPROOF
My perfect tryout strategy:
No mistakes
I knew the players
Did the math
I’d be a shoe-in for ninth or tenth
On a ten man roster
Only word I had to remember…......................... CAREFUL

TRYOUT DAY
Who’s the new kid?
Adam says “relax”
A kind word from my best friend
Thought tryout went great
Til coach announced the team
Then I thought WTF
But only said…........................................................ WHAT

BLAME
Clearly fell on the new kid
Maybe he’d fail a class
Break a leg
Or go back where he came from
And give back my spot on varsity
Where players have names
Other than #45 or ….............................................. YOU

WISHING
For something bad to happen
To the new kid – anything
I could regain my name
My spot on varsity
My best friend
I know it’s wrong
But each day I still …............................................. ASK

KARMA
Mine gone amuck
Followed Adam home last week
It took shape as a SUV/drunk driver duo
But I know why
Adam never made it home
Why I can never replace him on varsity
Be careful what you ask …................................... FOR.

7 comments:

Jim Danielson said...

Kelly is hosting at CROSSOVER. Thanks Kelly!!

http://crossoverbooks.blogspot.com/2009/10/poetry-friday.html?showComment=1254488430156#c5225270306146376676

Trina said...

JIM!!! If you don't keep going with this novel in verse I'm going to break your other Achilles tendon. You are on to something here. I have the chills! Please don't stop.

Kelly Polark said...

Wow, Jim, this is really intriguing.
My dad was a hs basketball coach for many years so basketball was a big part of my life (he was just inducted into a coaching hall of fame last night actually). This book would be so great for athletes or fans of sports!!

PJ Hoover said...

Clever!

I've been meaning to read something by Ellen Hopkins for ages. Must do this!

Jim Danielson said...

Trina: Leave the Achilles alone!!!! (Please note I used one more "!" than you did.)

Kelly: If I persue the story I might need a hs basketball consult from you. Congrats on your dad's induction!

Tricia: Thanks! Yes, read Ellen Hoplins.

laurasalas said...

I love the way Ellen Hopkins does those poems/messages within poems. This is really clever! Thanks for sharing.

Jim Danielson said...

Thanks for visiting Laura!