Taking a photograph of four generations of women sitting next to each other led me to look into the idea of the Female Line. And, of course, to write a poem.
Less prose and more poem in this blog. I've always loved nursery rhymes, for their music and for their simple memorability. Once learnt, rarely forgotten it seems, even after a gap of decades.
For over thirty years, if you have been travelling on a London tube train, you might have been lucky enough to sit opposite not just an advertisement but a poem. 'Poems on the Underground' was the idea of the writers, Judith Chernaik, Cicely Herbert and Gerard Benson and was launched in 1986.
Don't forget, Poetry Roundabout gives an extensive list of poets who have written for children and includes well-known names like McGough and Zephaniah as well as many far less familiar.
I've just had a letter from Bloomsbury Publishing to say that I've had one of my poems chosen to be in a new collection of puzzle poetry for children called Puzzles, Riddles and Paradiddles. I'd sent in four poems to the editor and was quite surprised by the one chosen........
Don't forget, if you really need a children's poet (and some people do) then have a look at the Poetry Roundabout as it gives an extensive list and includes well-known names like McGough and Zephaniah as well as many far less familiar.
Lucy's put down the threatening paintbrush but I'm still writing this blog. A poet friend is bringing out a really useful Listing of Children's Poets. Should you be desperate for a Children's Poet, and it has been known, you can find a link here. And a poem.