This week I am dining out on food poems. A topic quite generously served up within my  world of words.  The first poem is quite old. I wrote it more than forty years ago. The second poem is more recent. In between these poems there are countless other food poems I've dined out on. Bon appetite! SOGGY BEANS IN MY JEANS Auntie Bess I must confess I didn’t eat my greens When you got up to get dessert I hid them in my jeans   I then walked home to my place As quiet as a mouse My pockets full of soggy beans Until I reached my house   Well, that was many years ago And I was just a kid And still, I don’t like soggy beans -I Never Ever Did! © Alan j Wright JUST A SMIDGE   I shall break off a tiny piece of this biscuit A morsel A smidge Enough to tantalize and tease my tastebuds   Something this sweet and delicious Requires delicate nibbles At the very edge Just to make it last a little longer.   This taste tempting treat Must ...

 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 ...