THE BANANA POEM CHALLENGE
Here's an idea that came from UK Poet, Liv Torc and I am more than happy to bend with it. After the quite serious nature of my last post, this was a most welcome, frivolous and enjoyable distraction.
Write a poem on a banana every day for a term, a week, a month or for as many days as you can be bothered. Send them to school with your kids, or invite your kids to write their very own (make sure they agree, -consensual bananas only) and see what happens.
In time we may become members of a new banana republic! At the very least we can trigger a real banana revolution together. I have not considered other fruit forms, and this project is certainly not recommended for fruit you just happen to randomly meet in the supermarket aisle...
Are you ready to go bananas?
It's once again Poetry Friday and our genial host this week is Elisabeth Norton at Unexpected Intersections .
Elisabeth is celebrating the writing of Jane Yolen, the acclaimed writer of some 400 books. Find out more by visiting Elisabeth and connecting to other poets in the process.
Alan, I love the light-heartedness of your poem. the banana smile one is precious. I can see where students would find this exercise a real crowd-pleaser.
ReplyDeleteLight heartedness was an essential element going into this challenge Carol, so I'm glad it shone through. Like you, I think a whole 'bunch' of kids would enjoy this irreverence...
DeleteThese are delightful Alan! Fun and light - enough to turn frowns upside down, just like your poem!
ReplyDeleteThanks Elisabeth. Glad it brought a little delight...
DeleteOh, these do appeal. Loving the wordplay, Alan!
ReplyDeleteThanks Kat. In the wordplay there is much to enjoy.
DeleteHahahahahaha. I've seen pics of these on twitter and wondered about it. Fun and funny all in one slip.
ReplyDeleteThere you go Linda. A mystery revealed. The skin removed. Behold the banana!
DeleteOh my goodness the pure inspiration of the canvas!! I will be laughing over consensual bananas for some time, and heading to my fruit bowl right now...
ReplyDeleteThanks Heidi. I think I enjoyed writing the intro as much as I did scribing banana words. Good luck with the fruit bowl. I don't recommend raspberries...
DeleteLet's go bananas for banana poems! How I wish I still had kids at home. They would be mortified. But I do have students! Ha! I think I may have to show up next Poetry Friday with a bunch of bananas. Thanks for the laugh and for the idea.
ReplyDeleteI am sure the kids will delight in your banana behaviours Margaret. Have fun!
DeleteI hope this starts a trend. I think kids could use some clever and lighthearted thoughts in their lunch box!
ReplyDeleteRight now Janice I think this would deliver delight and distraction. The thought of lighthearted lunchboxes makes me smile.
DeleteThank you for a good laugh and your clever words to spark my day. Yesss! This is a great idea! And... I was planning to make banana bread anyway. ;0)
ReplyDeleteHow fortuitous Karen. Feel free to go totally bananas. Glad you liked my frivolous words.
DeleteI think you must have gone 'round the bend' with this one, Alan. I'll be sure to peel a few for the granddaughters! What a great idea to put a new kind of smile in the lunches!
ReplyDeleteI am already there Linda- according to some. Have fun with your granddaughters. Glad you like this and the possibilities it throws up.
DeleteWhat a fun idea! And you can still eat the banana!
ReplyDeleteExactly Carol. No bananas were harmed in the making of these poems. However, they were all eaten later...
DeleteThe medium is the message? (ha!) This is a hoot of a project. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteToo true Susan. A hoot indeed. Glad to be able to share a little bit of fun with everyone.
DeleteSuch fun! Thanks for sharing. I wonder what would happen if someone found a banana poem in a bunch they bought? It might be very appealing!
ReplyDeleteAn undercover banana poet Rose? Hmmm? Appealing no doubt...
DeletePoems on bananas! My hubby eats two a day, and now you've got me thinking how I can leave him love notes. Thank you!! Also reminds me of people mailing coconuts from Hawaii (just writing the address with a sharpie right onto the coconut). Fruity poetry...delicious!
ReplyDeleteI like your plan Irene. I like the idea of coconuts. A much larger writing surface. More fruity verse perhaps?
DeleteOh, I love these, Alan! This would have been such fun to do with my kids' lunches! Hmmmm...Maybe once school starts, I'll tuck a bunch of bananas in the Teachers' Room...I think Rose's idea of surreptitious poem writing in the produce section also has merit!
ReplyDeleteThere is much scope in your thoughts Molly. I wish you well with these potential projects. I'm with you on Rose's thoughts.
DeleteWhat fun poems you served up from these lively bananas Alan, they are banana-licious; might have to try a few myself, thanks!
ReplyDeleteGo for it Michelle. Go bananas- in the nicest possible way of course.
DeleteI especially like the peal/peel one. Thanks for the fun!
ReplyDeleteThanks Tabatha. This little diversion was quite- appealing.
DeleteOrange you sweet for introducing this appealing idea, Alan. Perhaps a pear of poems is in my future (with washable ink).
ReplyDeleteBridget, you win the bowl of fruit for your wonderful wordplay response. Love it!
DeleteWhat a hoot!
ReplyDeleteA hoot indeed Mary Lee. I'm now thinking watermelons...
DeleteWhat a fun idea! Love your wordplay. So appealing! :-)
ReplyDeleteThank you Carmela. Wordplay is such fun in which to indulge.
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