Thinks I've Been Thinking (a list poem)

Or: I don't have time to be paralyzed by overwhelm

My doggies, Lucy (left) and Gimli (right). Gimli is an old guy, and his difficulties occupy my thoughts a lot!

My brain is a jumbled mess right now, so instead of trying to write my usual essay style newsletter, I’m going to do a little brain dump in the form of a list poem in the hopes that it helps me clear my mind and ease the sense of overwhelm I feel pressing down on me. I don’t have time to be paralyzed by overwhelm, so a brain dump should help. And I hope you find it entertaining.

Thinks I’ve Been Thinking

Dr. Suess wrote
of the thinks you can think
and I wish my brain thought up
a rink rinker fink
but all that is up there
is jumbled up stuff,
some clunky and heavy,
some fluffily fluff.
I’m thinking of stitches
on granddaughter’s head.
I’m thinking of blankets
on poorly made beds
and of a dog growing old,
stumbling ‘round in the dark
while the other one jumps
at each chance for a bark.
And I’m thinking up lessons
for a camp day or two.
I’m thinking of people I love
feeling blue.
I’m thinking of fish
the poor fish that all died
and we couldn’t save them 
(believe me, we tried).
I’m thinking of parties
of meetings
of plans
and that part of my brain
that says, “Run, if you can!”
I’m thinking of messes
that always stay messed,
the struggling heart 
in my mom-in-law’s chest.
I’m thinking of projects
pushed back in a drawer
and I’m thinking of deadlines
that loom at the door.
And I’m thinking of how
sitting down for some time
to think about writing 
this all out in rhyme
can be the best medicine
for my silly brain,
a riddle, a puzzle
too strange to explain.

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I don’t know what it is about trying to emulate Dr. Suess, but it always gets my creative juices flowing when they get all gummed up like overcooked jam. So, in honor of Suess, here are my favorites of his books:

• If I Ran the Circus (I have the very beat-up old family copy of this one, and I’m very proud of it)

• The Cat in the Hat because it’s so absurd

• How the Grinch Stole Christmas because…isn’t that on everyone’s list of Suess favorites?

• The 500 Hats of Bartholomew Cubbins. I haven’t read this one in a long time because I don’t own a copy, but it was a favorite when I was a kid.

• The Foot Book because my kids loved this one.

• The Sneetches

• You’re Only Old Once. This book is written for adults, and it’s hilarious.

I love rhyme so much—partly in thanks to Dr. Suess—that every one of my published picture books are in rhyme, and even my middle grade novel in verse, Mari in the Margins, had to have some rhyming poetry in it! If you’ve never tried to write something in rhyme, perhaps you should try it. Right now is the time!

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Mari in the Margins SWAG winners

I forgot to announce the winner of the swag giveaway (in celebration of Mari in the Margins turning ONE) in last week’s newsletter, so I’m doing that now. I chose two winners because there were only two official entries in the giveaway. So, congratulations to

Annette Whipple

and

Emily Barnett

! Thank you for helping me to celebrate Mari’s first birthday. I’ll be in touch so I can get your prizes to you!

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