Backwards but wishful thinking

     I have been intrigued by the reverso poetry form for a few years now.  I first saw this clever type of poetry during the original game of poetry tag hosted by Sylvia Vardell.  The reverso poem is actually two poems.  Written in the original direction, the poem expresses one point of view or opinion.  Written in reverse, the opposite opinion is often expressed.  I am amazed by Marilyn Singer's  collection of reversos in her book titled "Mirror, Mirror."  If you have not read these brilliant poems, get your hand on her book today!

  Today, many people in Western New York are bracing themselves for a late spring storm.  We are expecting heavy, wet snow and serious winds.  Like many children, as soon as I saw the storm warning come across the tv's ticker I thought, "SNOW DAY!"  I don't think we'll have the day off, but the storm  did inspire my first ever reverso poem!

Wishful thinking

By Melinda Harvey

Get ready for school!

Put your backwards pajamas 

and white crayons "away."

This late in the season

it is unheard of 

to have snow and sleet and blinding winds

It could happen...

A snow day in late April!

A snow day in late April?

Like THAT could happen...

It is unheard of

to have snow and sleet and blinding winds

this late in the season.

Don't count on it.

Put your backwards pajamas

and white crayons away

Get ready for school!

     I have been intimidated by this style of poetry for a while, but you know what?  It's kind of fun!  Think of a topic that often has two sides to it...playing video games comes to mind.  Wearing a coat or hat during colder weather, doing homework before playing, the things parents and kids argue about.  Try writing a reverso poem to illustrate both sides of the issue.  Better yet, grab your parent (or your kid!) and write a reverso with him!  Let me know if you try it!