A writer inspired by nature and human nature

Archive for the ‘My Poetry’ Category

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Write an Autumn Haiku!


Autumnal Ensigns (a haiku by Bette A. Stevens)

Photo and Haiku by Bette A. Stevens Autumn’s vibrant display of colors never fails to inspire and writing Haiku (a Japanese-inspired three-line: 5-7-5 syllable poetry form) is one of my favorite ways to capture nature’s stories. Haikus are usually written about nature. Here’s what I came up with this week. What’s inspiring you this autumn? ~ Bette A. Stevens, Maine author/illustrator

Happy Haiku Writing!

  • Find out more about how to write haiku and other poetry at Reference.Com

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Written

on 10/10/2016

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Cricket Choir, A Seasonal Poem by Bette A. Stevens


Wildflowers & cricket poem 4 blog BAS 2016Happy September!

Another Labor Day Weekend and the crickets here at The Farmstead in Central Maine are singing about it. I snapped this photo on the day their chorus began (three weeks ago). As Grandma would say, “Only six more weeks ’til frost.” And that was three weeks ago.

Needless to say, nature inspired me to pen a poem for the occasion.

~ Bette A. Stevens, Maine author/illustrator

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Written

on 09/03/2016

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Write a Limerick!


SPIDER Limerick 3 BAS 2016

 Write a limerick?

Why not! I thought it would be fun to share a limerick this week and invite you to write one too. Mine is about me and a spider.

When teaching (grades 4-8), I found that starting a new school year by writing poems and sharing them was an exciting way get students hooked on writing. I must admit it—limericks are so much fun! In the classroom we learn about using some of the tools in our writer’s tool box—tools like assonance (repeating vowel sounds) and consonance (repeating consonant sounds) to create a musical message. And of course, we had Scholastic rhyming dictionaries and thesauruses close at hand. It’s always exciting to discover alternative words (synonyms) that have just the right sounds and syllables to perfect our poems.

Whether you’re a teacher, a parent or simply want to share the love of reading and writing, get the kids together and give it a try. Read on to discover what inspired me to write my spider limerick and have lots of fun writing and reading with the kids!

Click the link to find out all about it How to Write a Limerick http://www.poetry4kids.com/blog/lessons/how-to-write-a-limerick/

More about Bette’s Spider Limerick

Before I wrote this limerick, I had been watching several spiders weave their webs on the outside screens of our back porch all during the spring and summer. Spiders are fascinating creatures to watch from a safe distance. But, up close and personal they frighten me. The photo for the limerick was taken by me (safely inside the screen). Nature and my own human nature inspired me to write this one:

There once was a tall timid writer
Who spotted an intrepid spider
She jumped up and screamed
Then she suddenly beamed
“Why, I’ll write a fine book about spiders!”

~ Bette A. Stevens

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Written

on 08/13/2016

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Season of Blossoms a Haiku by Bette A. Stevens


Inspired by nature

Apple Blossom HAIKU bas 2015Spring has sprung and apple trees are shouting about it here at the farmstead in Central Maine. After a long winter’s nap their branches are bursting into bloom. With temperatures in the 70s and sunshine in full array (Oh, but rain predicted to be on its way…), this writer is shouting about it too. Inspired by another of nature’s wonders ~ Bette A. Stevens, Maine author illustrator

What’s inspiring you this spring?

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Written

on 05/13/2016

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HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY! Mama I Miss You… (poem by Bette A. Stevens)


MAMA I Miss you POEMWishing everyone a “Happy Mother’s Day” and sharing a poem written in 2014 to celebrate my beautiful mother on her birthday. ~Bette A. Stevens, Maine author/illustrator

It will be nine years ago on August 8, 2007, when I called Mama to wish her a Happy Birthday and, as usual, we talked for hours. It was the last birthday we got to ‘celebrate’ together. Mama left us for her heavenly home the following April and there hasn’t been a day since that I haven’t thought about her and missed her. Mama’s strength of character, her poise, wit and unconditional love live on within all those whose lives she touched. The photograph (circa 1951) of Mama and me was taken in California.

Happy Mother’s Day, Mama. I miss you.

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Written

on 05/05/2016

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“Peace Comes Walking” a poem by Bette A. Stevens


Peace Comes Walking POEM bas 2015

Wishing you love, joy and peace in the New Year and beyond. ~ Bette A. Stevens, Maine author/illustrator

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Written

on 01/01/2016

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“Season’s Makeover” HAIKU by Bette A. Stevens


Season Makover HAIKU bas 2015

Here at ‘The Farmstead’ in Central Maine, the when leaves have fallen and we’re feeling a little blue, we awake to morning magic—a landscape transformed with fresh fallen snow. Our first season’s adornment arrived last week—a mere inch and a half of that lovely white lace. Blessed by late autumn’s makeover. ~ Bette A. Stevens, Maine author/illustrator

4 Book Inspired by Nature &...Collage bas 2015

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Written

on 12/02/2015

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Autumn’s Lament HAIKU by Bette A. Stevens


Autumn’s Lament

Haiku by Bette A. Stevens, Maine author/illustrator

AUTUMN LAMENT Haiku bas 2015

By late November autumn’s vibrant deciduous tree leaves have settled in for the soon-to-arrive Maine winter, ready to read their own bedtime stories for a season. At least that’s the tale they told me. ~ Bette A. Stevens

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Written

on 11/25/2015

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“Milkweed Wishes for Monarchs” a poem by Bette A. Stevens


Milkweed Wishes for Monarchs POEM bas 2015

The poem “Milkweed Wishes for Monarchs” was inspired during a walk out to the mailbox one morning when I spotted an exploding milkweed pod in all its glory. I ran back into the house to grab my camera and was delighted with the results. I also captured a shot of two more pods mostly intact and picked them for a friend (photo below).

I am a writer inspired by nature and human nature. As a retired elementary and middle school teacher, a wife, mother of two and grandmother of five, I live in Central Maine on a 37-acre renovated farmstead where I enjoy reading, writing, gardening, walking and reveling in the beauty of nature. I advocate for children and families, for childhood literacy and for the conservation of monarch butterflies—an endangered species (and milkweed, the only plant that monarch caterpillars will eat).

My children’s book AMAZING MATILDA follows an amazing monarch butterfly through her metamorphosis. I wrote and illustrated this picture book to inspire kids to have patience and to follow their dreams.

 ~ Bette A. Stevens

 

MILKWEED Pods

  • AM Look Inside NEW 2015Find AMAZING MATILDA and all of Bette’s books at YOUR AMAZON

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Written

on 11/19/2015

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THE TANGRAM ZOO & WORD PUZZLES TOO!


The Tangram Zoo and Word Puzzles Too! was written and illustrated by Bette A. Stevens (1st Edition published by Windswept House, Mt. Desert, ME in 1997) as an educational  resource to use in her classroom. Kids, teachers and families are still raving about this book.

“Awesome and Creative!” ~ S.B.

“These were fun, so I wish there had been more pages.”
~ Ocean Breeze

“The animal shapes are fun and the riddles are great too.
Don’t worry the answers are in the book so you will
not get stuck trying to figure them out.”
~ David M. Howard, author

“A great tutoring resource. I would highly recommend
it as a teaching aid for parents or tutors.“
~ Charles Bray, educator and author

For hours of creative learning at home
and in the classroom, visit
THE TANGRAM ZOO and WORD PUZZLES TOO!

Kids will learn how to make their own tangrams

  • Solve tangram puzzles
  • Solve rhyming riddles
  • Create their own creatures & riddles
    to add to THE ZOO…

TZ Flamingo Pages

TZ Cover BW

 

 

  • Get the kids out of that boredom slump with THE TANGRAM ZOO by Bette A. Stevens—a great resource for home or school. Puzzles, poetry, reading, research, writing & projects too! (ages 5–adult)
  • Looking for some Classroom or Family Fun with the kids or grandkids? Need some quality together time on a rainy or snowy day?
  • Solve 18 puzzles and riddles, make your own tangram puzzle pieces; then write your own riddles and add your creatures to THE ZOO!
    Solutions and project ideas included.

Visit THE TANGRAM ZOO AND WORD PUZZLES TOO! written and illustrated by Maine author/illustrator. Paperback only $6.99 for hours of creative learning and hands-on fun. Get your copy at YOUR AMAZON today!

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Written

on 10/28/2015

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