Friday, February 17, 2017

Just You Wait: Powerpack Poem 7 - GYMNASTICS + Poetry Friday

I'm still writing poetry inspired by Sylvia Vardell and Janet Wong's  book, You Just Wait - A Poetry Friday Power Book. Today I am sharing the poem I wrote for the Powerpack 7 prompt, Look At Me (acrostic poem): Now try writing in the form of an acrostic poem. Here, the first letter of each line spells a key word (e.g., basketball). For an extra challenge, you might see if the first WORD in each line can also build a sentence (e.g., Be a success, kid: engage the brain, act like lightning).
I tried the extra challenge with my poem on GYMNASTICS:                             
 
Powerpack Poem 1 is here.
Powerpack Poem 2 is here.
Powerpack Poem 3 is here.
Powerpack Poem 4 is here.
Powerpack Poem 5 is here.
Powerpack Poem 6 is here.

Join the Poetry Friday celebration at Check It Out.


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35 comments:

  1. Doraine BennettFebruary 17, 2017 at 7:35 AM

    Nice poem, Bridget. And so true. I love the way you have woven this message.

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    1. Bridget MageeFebruary 17, 2017 at 9:21 AM

      Thanks, Dori! This describes a girl from my gymnastics team long ago. I still wonder about her.

      Delete
  2. jamaFebruary 17, 2017 at 8:47 AM

    Good job, and thought provoking!

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    1. Bridget MageeFebruary 17, 2017 at 9:22 AM

      Thanks, Jama! The book gives great inspiration. =)

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  3. Katie LogonautsFebruary 17, 2017 at 9:16 AM

    Oooh, dark. Great job working through each poem! I'm currently giving away copies of the 2nd power book: Here We Go. Such great inspirations!

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    1. Bridget MageeFebruary 17, 2017 at 9:23 AM

      Thanks, Katie! Yes, I entered to win a copy in your giveaway. I love Janet and Sylvia's books. =)

      Delete
  4. Carol VarsalonaFebruary 17, 2017 at 10:38 AM

    Bridget, I like your commitment to writing poems inspired by Just You Wait by Janet Wong and Sylvia Vardell. I won a copy of Here We Go so when I have a chance I would like to try to write a response poem and have teachers do the same. I really like your #4 and 6 poems and of course this one is an introspective one on an obsessed athlete. Great job!

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    1. Bridget MageeFebruary 19, 2017 at 8:51 AM

      Thank you, Carol! Yes, I have thoroughly enjoy Just You Wait - I plan to keep going to the end. It has stretched me as a poet. =)

      Delete
  5. Linda BFebruary 17, 2017 at 10:38 AM

    I like how you placed the poem on the image, too, Bridget. Your extra challenge is done well, and I love that "arched brow".

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    1. Bridget MageeFebruary 19, 2017 at 8:52 AM

      Thank you, Linda! I like using the images from Pixabay - many fit perfectly with my poems. =)

      Delete
  6. Jane @ www.raincitylibrarian.caFebruary 17, 2017 at 12:39 PM

    What a powerful poem, such a heartbreaking reality for young athletes who are willing to sacrifice everything, even their health, for the sport they love.

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    1. Bridget MageeFebruary 19, 2017 at 8:53 AM

      True that, Jane. This poem is actually about a girl on my gymnastics team many years ago. I often think about her and hope she received treatment for anorexia, though at the time we didn't know that was what she was suffering from.

      Delete
  7. Mitchell LindaFebruary 17, 2017 at 4:33 PM

    Wow....the title made me think it was going to be an easy and fun read.....but this is a poem with a streak of "uh oh". Nice job. This works as a hi-lo. I look forward to seeing what comes next from you. Have a great week.

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    1. Bridget MageeFebruary 19, 2017 at 8:56 AM

      Thanks, Linda! It was a tough one to write - both because of the subject matter - but also because of the up/down, side to side action of the acrostic. I appreciate your encouragement. =)

      Delete
  8. Leigh Anne EckFebruary 17, 2017 at 6:18 PM

    Just recently received Here We Go, but still need to sit down and do some of my own writing with it. That elusive "perfect score."

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    1. Bridget MageeFebruary 19, 2017 at 8:57 AM

      Lucky you, Leigh Anne! Here We Go will be my next challenge after I finish Just You Wait. =)

      Delete
  9. michelle koganFebruary 17, 2017 at 11:05 PM

    You've woven a taste of life into your poem, I like the story quality it has!

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    1. Bridget MageeFebruary 19, 2017 at 8:58 AM

      Thank you, Michelle! Story poems are always my favorite to read and write, though I am not always successful. =)

      Delete
  10. Brenda HarshamFebruary 18, 2017 at 6:36 AM

    Your poem has real grit and understanding. Have you seen that story about the gymnastics doctor? So upsetting to think someone was preying on girls who were putting everything into succeeding.

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    1. Bridget MageeFebruary 19, 2017 at 9:00 AM

      Thanks, Brenda. Yes, I saw that about that doctor. Unfortunately, there are a lot of abuses with young athletes. Parents must be vigilant.

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  11. TabathaFebruary 18, 2017 at 7:21 AM

    Well done, Bridget! I especially like the added layer of meaning.

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    1. Bridget MageeFebruary 19, 2017 at 9:01 AM

      Thank you, Tabatha! There are always several ways to look at things and success always seems to have a price. =)

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  12. Laura ShovanFebruary 18, 2017 at 9:21 AM

    Wow, Bridget. I love the idea of a double acrostic -- not only the word running down the vertical, but also a sentence. I'm working on a project about youth wrestling, a sport which also has issues with weight and healthy eating.

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    1. Bridget MageeFebruary 19, 2017 at 9:04 AM

      Thanks, Laura! The double acrostic was a great challenge - definitely pushed me. Yes, in college we gymnasts shared our practice gym with the wrestlers. There definitely was a crossover on weight related issues between the male and female athletes - something many don't realize.

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  13. Diane MayrFebruary 18, 2017 at 10:32 AM

    Amazing acrostic, Bridget! You have a fine poetry series going, I look forward to more.

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    1. Bridget MageeFebruary 19, 2017 at 9:07 AM

      Thank you, Diane! I appreciate your encouragement. With the release of Here We Go I wondered about continuing with You Just Wait, but I am having such fun and am growing as a poet, so I am going to see it through to the end. =)

      Delete
  14. Robyn Hood BlackFebruary 18, 2017 at 3:07 PM

    Wow - for a poem about lightness and spring, you've effectively imbued it with "heavy." Thanks for sharing - I need to catch up on your others!

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    1. Bridget MageeFebruary 19, 2017 at 9:09 AM

      Thank you, Robyn! Yes, there is a 'weighted' aspect (double meaning intended) to a sport where the athletes 'fly'. =)

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  15. CarolFebruary 18, 2017 at 7:49 PM

    Wow- not what I was expecting at all, but you have definitely captured a very real aspect of gymnastics. My sister was a gymnast and trained with several girls that struggled with eating disorder. I really need to buy this book!

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    1. Bridget MageeFebruary 19, 2017 at 9:11 AM

      Thanks, Carol! Yes, I, too, had many girls on my team with eating disorders, most especially the subject of the this poem, my best friend's older sister. I highly recommend You Just Wait and the recently released Here We Go. =)

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  16. Mary LeeFebruary 19, 2017 at 6:46 AM

    Yikes! What a message...and a DOUBLE message at that. I admire effective acrostics!

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    1. Bridget MageeFebruary 19, 2017 at 9:12 AM

      Thank you, Mary Lee! This was a tough one to write for lots of reasons, but I feel good about the results. I appreciate your encouragement. =)

      Delete
  17. Michelle Heidenrich BarnesFebruary 21, 2017 at 2:34 AM

    You do a great job getting into the head of this gymnast, Bridget! I so enjoy seeing how you take on each PowerPack.

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    1. Bridget MageeFebruary 21, 2017 at 8:37 AM

      Thanks, Michelle! The PowerPacks have been fun and challenging. =)

      Delete
  18. Marie AcreeJuly 15, 2018 at 2:05 PM


    Nice Blog ! Thanks for such a informative post.

    ReplyDelete

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