I am a huge fan of Verse novels and have curated a significant collection across the years-check out the attached image. It continues to astound me how many kids and teachers have little or no idea regarding this form of writing. A novel in verse is a full-length story told through poetry instead of prose, blending narrative structure with lyrical language, often using free verse, multiple voices, and white space to explore deep emotions, complex themes (like identity, grief, racism), and detailed plots in a concise, impactful way, making such books very popular for YA and readers with low confidence.  Australia has a wonderful track record with this genre. Sally Morgan, Steven Herrick, Kat Appel, Kirli Saunders and Sharon Kernot immediately come to mind as great contributors and champions of the verse novel. American authors like Kwame Alexander, Jacqueline Woodson and KA Holt are fine exponents of the genre and the UK's Steven Camden is a favourite of mine too.  Add an...

  Here are five of the most popular Poetry posts for 2025. Thank you  visitors and followers for your continuing support and interest in teaching poetry and all it entails.  Here's a second chance to connect with poetic ideas. Ideas you can easily carry forward into 2026. Just click the link... UK Poet, Peter Dixon This post highlighting the poetry of Peter Dixon proved extremely popular with readers.  Peter Dixon was not just a poet. He was a performer, educationalist and artist. I share his famous tea-bag poem. Viator Poems In this post I presented yet another recently invented poetry form!  I looked closely at the Viator poetic form, first created by author,  Robin Skelton. My post proved popular... First Line Index Poems Concerning School Life First Line Index Poem connected to the theme of school life proved popular with readers... Short and sweet renditions of this poetry form, courtesy of  UK Poets, Alan Ahlberg and Michael Rosen...

 At this time of the year I increase the level of rummaging I do through my extensive library of old writer's notebooks. Summer days afford me this special time. Given that I have 4 decades worth of notebooks, there is much to explore and rediscover.  The imminent release of my latest book, 'Notebook Notions,' reminds me rummaging is a topic I address in the book. It is an action highly reccomended for discovering new possiblities in old words. It was in this wonderfully satisfying process of rediscovery that I chanced upon some poetry gold gifted to the world by fellow participants of Poetry Friday. I have others I can call upon another time.   These poems had nestled safely into the pages of various notebooks as sources of admiration and inspiration. I bring them into the light and say thank you for these wordly gifts. Wishing everyone a New Year full of hope, optimism and fullfilment. Be well and keep the words flowing... It is the first Poetry Friday of 2026 and ...

 A seasonally adjusted poem is my offering this week. I found a poem I had written during my time living and working in New York called Raw Beauty. It encapsulates a stranger's Christmas gift in the depths of a miserably cold day, in a rather dreary location.  Inspired by Linda Mitchell's mash up poem last week, I decided to mash my poem with a short, evocative Christmas poem by UK poet, Wendy Cope. I enjoyed the weaving process. Season's greetings all. Vanderbilt Avenue bus shelter Raw Beauty - A Christmas Poem After Wendy Cope At Christmas little children sing and merry bells jingle I'm standing at the bus stop On Vanderbilt Avenue Stick trees line the street Silent soldiers on a bleak avenue   In a feeble shelter Three women stand I huddle in my flimsy coat Nearby An icy wind Rampant, raw Slaps my face With a bully’s rage The cold winter air makes our hands and faces tingle Above the wind And the ugly song of the traffic I hear whistl...

  Hi, Alan here to alert you to more support and ideas for the teaching of poetry are available on my web page:   https://www.alanjwrightauthorpoet.com/ A quick click and you can access even more information to make your teaching of writing and in particular, the teaching of poetry more expansive and rewarding. A visit will provide you with information regarding poetry resources and the latest news on all manner of literary related matters. Matters like  my new anthology of short verse, available in January 2026. Here's a glimpse...

I was gifted a small, leather bound notebook and it felt right to designate it as a place to gather short form poetry. I have commenced with haiku. I write in this notebook irregularly. I usually find myself compelled by natural phenomena like weather events, seasonal changes and related observations of the natural world.  I am finding this haiku harvesting contemplative, calming and reflective. It represents a form of limbering up for further writing across my day.  I am in no rush with the addition of entries. They arise when the mood strikes - singularly, or in numbers. My collection stands at 42 and rising.  So, here is a glimpse of my gathered harvest of haikus. I In other news... It is Poetry Friday and our host this week is Linda Mitchell from A Word Edgewise.   Linda offers readers a Christmas Mash Up Poem combining song lyrics and a poem. 

  I share the food shopping rituals with my wife. I take the opportunity to gather and hunt for our needs and because I enjoy cooking. I get the opportuntiy to purchase fresh produce from markets, supermarkets and greengrocers. Greengrocers are a diminishing commodity these days given the stranglehold of the giant supermarket corporations. I support them when I can. Every Wednesday, there is a produce market in the main street of my town. It attracts huge crowds, so the desire for fresh fruit and vegetables has not waned. I consciously avoid processed food items and their questionable additives. The opportunity to create a meal with fresh ingredients is a strong motivating factor. It emanates from my father's passion for maintaining an extensive fruit and vegetable garden when I was growing up. Money was scarce, but we always ate healthy meals.  I adopted the mantra is 'Don't buy something your grandmother wouldn't recognize.' This poem jumped into my trolley as I w...

Solvitur ambulando is a Latin phrase that means 'it is solved by walking.'  The phrase is used to describe how a complex issue can often be resolved through practical action and experience. The term is often attributed to the philosopher Diogenes.  More generally, it means that a problem can be solved by taking action, getting a new perspective, or simply clearing your mind through physical activity like walking.  So, I find walking is perfect for resolving outstanding matters and determining future action, as well as its health benefits. This was the harvest of my poet's walk... Solvitur Ambulando My brisk morning walk Came with some minor revelations Not life changing, Nor, earth-shattering, Merely noteworthy.   While spangin There was a singular encounter with a lone jogger A woman, small in stature Who passed with a laboured gait And a strained face Reminiscent of a failed bowel movement.   Two young women  Passed by jauntil...

 I recall an advertising jingle for toothpaste that was frequently broadcast during my childhood. It went- 'You'll wonder where the yellow went when you brush your teeth with Pepsodent.'   Naturally, as kids do, we amended the wording to, 'You'll wonder where the yellow went when you brush your teeth with wet cement.' I am sharing this little memory because one day last week my wife Vicki remarked on the spring weather and mentioned its frustrating variability. The day before had delivered welcoming sunshine and a bright blue sky. This new day  had quickly morphed into a drab grey sky with clouds packing the promise of rain. The wind was slicing through the garden.  Sun lover Vicki, remarked, 'I wonder where the sun went.' It was at this point that old jingle sparked to life in my mind. It was an ideal poetic provocation. So I scooped it up and words began romping around in my head. A little while later, a poem began to reveal itself in my notebook. I fu...