Poetry Friday: #10FoundWords

Happy February, everyone. This week, we kicked off my annual poem project, which has moved over to Facebook.This year's theme is #10FoundWords. We have a daily news story, speech, or current event selected by a project member. That person chooses 10 words from the news source, which makes up our word bank for the day.Because we're all writing with the same daily prompts, my favorite part of the project is reading the response poems. I notice the ways our writing overlaps, and cheer people on when their poems are unexpected, when there's an innovation. (You can still join the project. Leave a note in the comments if you'd like to give it a try.)Speaking of news -- scroll to the bottom of the page for two announcements: an event with me and YA author Heidi Heilig, and a book giveaway.Here's one of my own poems, written as a warm-up exercise.DivisionBy Laura ShovanRemember learning long division?This was long ago, 20^th Century math.Historical stuff. We’re talkinga solid wall between two different numbers.The smaller number makes its appeal.“Let me inside. It’s cold.I’m suffering out here.”The wall stays up becausethat’s how division has alwaysbeen calculated. But the big numberis overcome with a generous spirit.It sneaks the shivering digits inside,counts how many will fit.Soon, there are numbersclimbing on the roof, thankful numberstunneling underneath.It’s a kind of freedom,the way they gather on all sidesof the wall, which looks thinner,less substantial, surroundedby the orderly many.This was Warm-up #6: January 29, 2017. Kip Rechea was in charge of this day's #10FoundWords and news source.divisionwallfreedom20th CenturyovercomespirithistoricalthankappealsufferingSource: An appeal from the mayor of Berlin not to build a wall across the U.S. border with Mexico.Still here? Great! Thanks for sticking with me. I've got two announcements.Announcement #1: On February 8, I'm hosting YA author Heidi Heilig (THE GIRL FROM EVERYWHERE) as part of the Master Storytellers series run by the Ivy Bookshop. Join me and Heidi as we discuss the broad appeal of young adult fiction. You can find details and RSVP here. If you're in town for AWP, it's a short trip up to Baltimore. Hope to see you there.Announcement #2: Foundry Media is giving away four copies of THE LAST FIFTH GRADE OF EMERSON ELEMENTARY on Goodreads. Sign up here to join the giveaway.Announcement #3: (When I said "two announcements," I was simply stating an alternate fact.) I'm excited to share that THE LAST FIFTH GRADE is a finalist for a Pennsylvania Young Readers' Choice Award!