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Students - writers often have many small writing preferences, things that don't matter in the end, but which may help us individually as we go. Where we write. What we write with. What time we write. These things may stay the same or change, and many writers find it helpful to keep some such rituals the same, keep a focus on the day's work. What matters is not these things. What matters is that we write, setting our words free into the wide world.

Teachers - as a writing teacher, I am always seeking out the wise words of other writing teachers. Jane Yolen, in her book TAKE JOY, teaches us to keep our BIC (butt in chair). She was the inspiration for "Plant your rear" in today's poem. You can read more of Jane's sage writing advice at her website.

This book, about finding one's own story, is a great read aloud.

So begin today. Just get started. You'll find an idea as you go.

(Please click on COMMENTS below to share a thought.)

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Students - writers often have many small writing preferences, things that don't matter in the end, but which may help us individually as we go. Where we write. What we write with. What time we write. These things may stay the same or change, and many writers find it helpful to keep some such rituals the same, keep a focus on the day's work.

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WALTER IOOSS JR./THE PLAYERS' TRIBUNE

Dear Basketball,

From the moment

I started rolling my dad's tube socks

And shooting imaginary

Game-winning shots

In the Great Western Forum

I knew one thing was real:

I fell in love with you.

A love so deep I gave you my all -

From my mind & body

To my spirit & soul.

As a six-year-old boy

Deeply in love with you

I never saw the end of the tunnel.

I only saw myself

Running out of one.

And so I ran.

I ran up and down every court

After every loose ball for you.

You asked for my hustle

I gave you my heart

Because it came with so much more.

I played through the sweat and hurt

Not because challenge called me

But because YOU called me.

I did everything for YOU

Because that's what you do

When someone makes you feel as

Alive as you've made me feel.

You gave a six-year-old boy his Laker dream

And I'll always love you for it.

But I can't love you obsessively for much longer.

This season is all I have left to give.

My heart can take the pounding

My mind can handle the grind

But my body knows it's time to say goodbye.

And that's OK.

I'm ready to let you go.

I want you to know now

So we both can savor every moment we have left together.

The good and the bad.

We have given each other

All that we have.

And we both know, no matter what I do next

I'll always be that kid

With the rolled up socks

Garbage can in the corner

:05 seconds on the clock

Ball in my hands.

5 ... 4 ... 3 ... 2 ... 1

Love you always,

Kobe

The Fight Unseen

Jessica Mendoza's greatest pride is her background. The Olympic Gold Medalist shines light on her Hispanic heritage fueling her career.

Philly, We Are on a Mission

I am human. Sometimes, in game, I can make it look like I am not. I do things very fast, yes. I work well with my team, yes. I make lots of plays, yes. But I am

Where the Grass Is Greener

When the pandemic started, I guess we all needed to find hobbies to help us pass the time. For me, it was reading. This has been a pretty big year for me - tra

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WALTER IOOSS JR./THE PLAYERS' TRIBUNE Dear Basketball, From the moment I started rolling my dad's tube socks And shooting imaginary Game-winning shots In the Great Western Forum I knew one thing was real: I fell in love with you. A love so deep I gave you my all - From my mind & body To my spirit & soul.

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© Tyler more by Tyler

Published: May 2014

I've told you once, mom's told you twice.
Forgetting homework just isn't nice.
Homework is like getting dressed;
got to do it to be your best.
You say it isn't fair,
but people do it everywhere.
Do it now, get it done.
I know, I know it isn't fun.
Homework is like cleaning your room,
except you don't have to use a broom.
Do it now; we'll give you a treat,
something tasty good to eat.
We're like parrots repeating stuff,
like our brains have turned to fluff.
JUST DO YOUR HOMEWORK NOW!

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© Tyler more by Tyler Published: May 2014 I've told you once, mom's told you twice. Forgetting homework just isn't nice. Homework is like getting dressed; got to do it to be your best. You say it isn't fair, but people do it everywhere. Do it now, get it done.

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Dear Mother, Dear Daughter (Paperback)
Poems for Young People
By Jane Yolen, Heidi E. Y. Stemple, Gil Ashby (Illustrator)

Wordsong, 9781590787434, 40pp.

Publication Date: August 1, 2009

* Individual store prices may vary.

Description

Who better than her mother to offer advice and comfort? In seventeen pairs of sensitive verse, poets Jane Yolen and Heidi E. Y. Stemple-real-life mother and daughter-exchange their thoughts on a variety of adolescent issues great and small.

About the Author

Jane Yolen is the award-winning author of more than two hundred books, several of them with Heidi Stemple, including Meet the Monsters and Mary Celeste: An Unsolved Mystery from History. Heidi's short stories and poetry have appeared in a number of magazines and journals. They live in Hatfield, Massachusetts.

Gil Ashby has provided artwork for many advertisements, textbooks, and children's books, including a book about Rosa Parks by Eloise Greenfield. He lives in Detroit, Michigan.

Not Currently Available for Direct Purchase

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Dear Mother, Dear Daughter: Poems for Young People | IndieBound.org

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Poems for Young People By Jane Yolen, Heidi E. Y. Stemple, Gil Ashby (Illustrator) Wordsong, 9781590787434, 40pp. Publication Date: August 1, 2009 * Individual store prices may vary. Description Who better than her mother to offer advice and comfort? In seventeen pairs of sensitive verse, poets Jane Yolen and Heidi E.