Last week I finished up Julie Hedlund's 12 days of Christmas Challenge–it started on December 26th and ran through January 6, 2019. It's a Facebook group that she's been offering writer's for the last four years, to get a jump start on their writing for the New Year! She focuses on reflecting over last year–reviewing your successes, achievements, and failures, and then turning them around into learning's and growth. The 12 days build successively with different writing prompts. I really liked the focus of reflecting back on what we accomplished and bringing that forward, as apposed to setting resolutions.
One day we were given the challenge to write a story or poem from a list of prompts she supplied. As I was out playing with my family that day, I decided to deviate slightly from her prompt and wrote a haibun, on an event that unfolded while we were visiting the Garfield Park Conservatory in Chicago.
I also continued writing haikus this week tagging them as #haikuforhope–from Mary Lee Hahn, and also #MoPoetry2019–which is a call from Kat Apel, to write Insta-Poetry. Here are two from this last week.
Bottle Tree at the Garfield Park Conservatory, © 2019 michellekogan.com.
This entry was posted in Children's Illustration & Writing, Haiku, Nature, Nature photos, Painting, pen sketch, Poem, Quick Sketches, Sketchbooks, Trips, Writing and tagged #haikuforhope, #MoPoetry2019, #PoetryFriday, 12 Days of Christmas, Art, chicago, Garfield Park Conservatory, Haibun, Haiku, Julie Hedlund, Kat Apel, Mary Lee Hahn, Mchelle Kogan, Painting, pen, poems writing, reflections, sketches, Watercolor. Bookmark the permalink.
I like how your reflected photo captures the back view – as opposed to her face, making it more impersonal and dreamlike. (And so very pretty!) Your haibun words and presentation complement the scene beautifully. And your bottle tree is perfect for a Downunder Poetry Friday! 🙂 Thank-you for linking in.
Hi Kat, thanks–sometimes we are in the right spot at the right time… And thanks for shedding your sunshine spirit from Downunder, the timing is perfect!
Very odd, When I typed in my comment, it vanished but my like remained. Your Mexican Doll poem and photo remind me of my mother's vintage dolls with their bouffant skirts. When I read the Bottle Tree, I said to myself, Michelle is a wonderer and that gives her the right to be classifed a wonderologist. I want to share your drawing with the Wonderopolis team. Stay tuned for that tweet. I can agree with your January tanka, especially tonight when it is so cold here.
I remember a Mexican doll from long ago. A restaurant we went to had a variety of them & my grandfather bought one for me. (I'd love to see it now!) I love your capture of that moment, Michelle. I saw the bottle tree on Instagram, very fun, and I especially like that "paradise moves in midwest imaginations" – so true. We have snow coming tomorrow, winter's back for a little while! Thanks for all!
Many of my sixth graders are already planning for their quincinera celebrations. I will show them your haibun today. I love, love, love the bottle tree poem and art. I am trying to teach myself to be a little more artistic and I want to come to Chicago and take a class from you!
Thanks Carol, I'd love to have you!
Your continued dedication to writing a poem every day inspires me. It's a 2019 goal that I haven't really kept up. Love your haibun that matches the dancing image perfectly, so creative and full of imagery.
Thanks Margaret–hope to carry them through!
What a wonderful gallery of creativity!
Your consistent creative adventures are so fun for me to read about. And I love your writing and art.
You are inspiring with your creativity and commitment to challenges! Looks like your new year is off to a great start. I'm with you with the tanks – January is cold right now and all I want to do is bundle.