Saturday, April 17, 2021

Weekly Mews Poetry Corner Edition: From the Inside

I am linking up to the Sunday Post hosted by Kim of Caffeinated Book Reviewer and The Sunday Salon (TSS) hosted by Deb Nance of Readerbuzz  where participants recap our week, talk about what we are reading, share any new books that have come our way, and whatever else we want to talk about. I am also linking It's Monday! What Are you Reading? hosted by Kathryn of Book Date where readers talk about what they have been, are and will be reading.






April is National Poetry Month. It seems the perfect time for it. I often think of poetry as a flower, starting out as a seed, growing roots under the earth and sprouting up, words put together, coming together to form a bud and then blooming more fully into a beautiful flower--a poem fully formed. 

I may have mentioned it before on my blog, but every Wednesday this school year, my daughter's teacher has the students write poetry. They have been learning different types of poetry, experimenting a bit on their own, and been given free rein on what they write about. When I am working from home, I sometimes get to hear the an occasional student's poem read in class--some are silly and others more serious. I love their creativity.

I recently read a collection of poetry offered for review via NetGalley. I was drawn to the description of From the Inside: The Inner Soul of a Young Poet and decided to take a chance on it. I hadn't realized when I accepted the book for review that the author, Thanvi Voruganti, is ten years old, the same age as my daughter. It would not have made a difference in my saying yes or no to the collection, but it did influence my reading, I imagine. 

It is clear Thanvi has a passion for writing poetry--and she is very talented. She has a way with words and a gift for putting to paper her thoughts and feelings. Her words are those of a child but speak to all ages. It is easy to forget she is so young. 
I found her poems very relatable. They are mostly centered around the pandemic. They are uplifting and heartfelt. She touches on such emotions as grief and loss as well as hope. She writes about taking pleasure in nature and finding joy in the little things, as well as about the isolation and sadness. 

I have several favorites but one that stands out the most is "Journey Home" which tells the story of a sister searching for her brother. It's whimsical and fun:
I asked the royal blue ocean
With the cool winter breeze
He said, "Ask the mighty mountains,
They'll find him with ease." [excerpt from "Journey Home" by Thanvi Voruganti]
I would like to share some other passages I came across in From the Inside. I hope you will enjoy them as much as I have. 
Words slowly rebuilding me
Flooding my heart
Slipping onto my tongue, to the tip of my pen
To tell the story of emotions [excerpt from "From the Inside" by Thanvi Voruganti]
It's okay to be fearful, life has a way
No matter the circumstance [excerpt from "One Tear Left" by Thanvi Voruganti]
Voice shrieking anguished cries, but unheard
And shoved back into a world of isolation [excerpt from "Left Out" by Thanvi Voruganti] 
Is this a sign?
Could I make it without you?
Screaming until my voice fades in the wind
If only you could tell me [excerpt from "Lanterns" by Thanvi Voruganti]
Everybody is trying to help
But I know I'm on my own
It's slightly disheartening
But greatest battles are fought alone [excerpt from "Be a Fighter" by Thanvi Voruganti]
The singsong voices of the whispering aspen trees
The gleeful response of the bluebird warbling
The rushing peals of laughter from the streams
Making harmony of your wildest dreams
Swaying to the chorus of the idyllic forest [excerpt from "Does Nature Count?" by Thanvi Voruganti]

Have you come across any poems or poetry collections recently you would recommend? 


What I Am Reading: I had every intention of picking up The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo as soon as I finished Kiley Dunbar's The Borrow a Bookshop Holiday one day this past week, but after a rough morning at work, I needed something more familiar and intense to clear my mind during my lunch break. As a result, I picked up Chloe Neill's Shadowed Steel (Heirs of Chicagoland #3) instead. It proved the perfect choice because I was soon back in Elisa and Connor's world of vampires, werewolves and other supernatural beings. I have since finished it and officially have begun reading The Poet X, this month's TBR List Poll winner. It's so good! 

On the Mouse front, she and I finished reading Tales of the Not-So-Perfect Pet Sitter (Dork Diaries #10) and have moved onto Tales of the Not-So-Friendly Frenemy (Dork Diaries (#11) by Rachel Renée Russell. I love that Mouse wants to share these books with me--they continue to be funny and entertaining reads. Mouse is reading other books as well, which I hope to talk about in my next Mouse's Corner.

I haven't put much thought about what to read next. Angels of the Overpass (Ghost Roads #3) by Seanan McGuire is a tempting choice though. 


What I Am Watching: I am nearly finished with the first season of Netflix's The Irregulars. I have one episode to go. It is about a group of teens in Victorian London who reluctantly are talked into solving mysterious crimes with an obvious supernatural bent by a sinister Dr. Watson and an elusive Sherlock Holmes. The show focuses mostly on the teens and their exploits. I am enjoying this horror mystery drama with its interesting cast of characters.

We watched the fifth episode of The Falcon and the Winter Soldier and have one more to go. It was an amazing episode, a bit quieter than the last, but still packing quite a punch. We learn more about Isaiah Bradley and his background. I have enjoyed seeing Sam and Bucky's relationship grow. They are both such great characters. I am already looking forward to watching the show again when the season ends. 

Off the Blog: I am loving the spring weather and am craving more outdoor time. It was a hectic and challenging work week which I was glad to see come to an end. I think my husband felt the same way about his week. Mouse has kept busy with virtual school and dance. Rehearsals for the summer musical seem to be going well. The cats are as playful as ever. Gracie and I have had to have a few talks about her continually trying to lay on my computer or my chest while I am trying to work. It seems to be happening more and more this past week. Nina usually just periodically walks under my desk and around my feet for a quick pet. Although lately she likes to jump up onto the desk, walk around a bit, just enough for an above the tail scratch, and then will leave. Luckily she keeps her paws off the keyboard, unlike Gracie who has been known to type messages to my coworkers. 

Nina stretching out to nap.


Tell me what you have been up to! What are you reading, listening to and watching? How was your week? Do you have anything planned for this week?

I hope you all have a wonderful week! Happy Reading!


© 2021, Musings of a Bookish Kitty. All Rights Reserved. If you're reading this on a site other than Musings of a Bookish Kitty or Wendy's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.

48 comments:

  1. I'm so glad your daughter's class is writing poems. One of the things in my life that has given me great joy is writing poems.

    And how lovely that the author of From the Inside: The Inner Soul of a Young Poet is the same age as your daughter. That's something to share with your daughter and her class.

    I hope to read Poet X one of these days, too.

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    1. Deb - I hope many of these students will keep up writing as they go through their lives. My daughter for all her complaints about not liking to write, does a lot of it on her own time--writing song lyrics and stories. I'm sure the "assigned" part of assigned writing is what takes the fun out of it--it does for most of us.

      Thank you for visiting!

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  2. I like good poetry. I love writing but poetry is something beyond me (or I'm too intimidated to try- either way!). I heard about that show on Netflix and I want to try it. It looks good!

    The chloe Neill series sounds good too. I like urban fantasy even if I don't read a ton of it.

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    1. Greg - If you do give The Irregulars a try, I hope you enjoy it. I really liked the casting.

      I enjoy writing poetry although I do not think I am very good at it. I do it more for my own enjoyment than anyone else's though and that is okay.

      I really enjoyed the Chloe Neill book. I need to go back and read the parent series at some point.

      Thank you for stopping by!

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  3. For a ten year old that poetry is intense.
    This past week we trying to get out of the New Year holidays and back to normal. It is not easy when the entire country went on holiday for five days! Now the talk of increase in Covid is in the air because of the travelling that lots of people did going back to their villages for family celebrations. Well we will have to face that if it happens.
    I am hopeful that the second vaccine scheduled for tomorrow will take place, though late. Greetings from broiling heat!

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    1. Mystica - I am very impressed with her writing.

      I hope you are enjoying your holidays and are able to get out some. I imagine everyone is tired of being confined so long. I hope it doesn't affect the infection rate there. I think we all need good news. Good luck with your second dose of the vaccine. I hope you are able to get it as planned! Stay cool and thank you for visiting!

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  4. You've reminded me it has been far too long since I read any poetry! This past week has been the second half of the schools' Easter break here, so I have been enjoying more time off and my first lunch out with friends in like four months! I have also been reading the historical-mystery Justice Hall by Laurie R. King and re-watching lots of comfort films. Take care and happy reading in the coming week, Wendy. 🙂

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    1. Jessica - I am glad you were able to meet with friends for lunch finally. That must have been nice. Justice Hall sounds good. I really want to try Laurie R. King's books at some point. I hope you have a great week back to work. Thank you for stopping by!

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  5. I shall be featuring two wonderful collections of poetry published by two of my very talented former students - hopefully at the start of next week:)).

    I love the pic of Nina stretched out on the carpet - she looks a bit of a pickle. But having her partner in crime tapping the keyboard is hilarious! I hope the Spring-like weather continues and you have a great week, Wendy.

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    1. Sarah - I look forward to reading about the poetry collections by your two former students.

      Nina is my usual troublemaker but Gracie has her on invading my workspace constantly. Haha.

      Thank you for visiting! I hope you have a great week too.

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  6. What great poetry! I am glad you are enjoying it...

    Working with cats nearby is very challenging, isn't it? I haven't had any pets for several years, but I have distinct memories of how they push their way into whatever we're doing.

    Enjoy your books and your week. I keep hearing about The Irregulars, so now I will check it out.

    Here are my WEEKLY UPDATES

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    1. Laurel-Rain - Yes, they can be very difficult to work around. Gracie is especially pushy when she wants my attention. I keep moving her and she comes right back. Haha.

      Thank you for stopping by!

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  7. I'm glad to hear that you are enjoying The Poet X, which I've probably mentioned to before, was one of my favorite books I read (listened to) last year.

    I also am watching The Falcon and The Winter Soldier (my wife is "over" comic-book movies and TV) and while I didn't know if I would continue, the fifth episode won me back over.

    I understand (a little) about cats, although our one cat, Seamus, who is about 16, likes to lie right next to me while I'm typing up things, at least, it's only once a week and not every day. Luckily, I just can shift him a little over so he's not right on the keyboards. That's where he is now, to the right of my laptop, head just on the edge of the keyboard.

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    1. Bryan - I have a feeling The Poet X will be one of my favorites of this year.

      I am glad you liked the most recent of The Falcon and the Winter Soldier. I never got into the comics, but I do enjoy the movies and most of the TV shows. I think my husband gets tired of me always asking him about the history of this or that character. He doesn't complain though. :-)

      Seamus sounds like the perfect companion. I am working with Gracie on her learning to sit next to my computer rather than on it or on me while I am working. Any other time I don't mind her wanting to lay on me. She's so funny though. I move her and she comes right back. She likes to make appearances during my Teams meetings too sometimes.

      Thank you for visiting!

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  8. Love that your daughter's class has poetry Wednesdays. I liked Eve Ewing's poetry. Thanks for sharing some of Thanvi Voruganti's work. Have a wonderful week!

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    1. Victoria - She seems to enjoy it even as she complains about having to do the writing assignments. Thank you for the Eve Ewing recommendation! I will give her work a try. I hope you have a great week too. Thank you for stopping by!

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  9. It's been a long time since I've read any poetry. Those passages are really good. Yes, cats can be demanding, can't they? Have a great week!

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    1. Yvonne - Thank you! I have been trying to read more poetry these past couple of years. I've always enjoyed read it, but novels seem to get all my attention. I hope you have a great week too. Thank you for visiting!

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  10. It sounds like a lovely week. I also enjoyed Shadowed Steel. I'm lucky Lulu is too small to get up on the desk. She wants to be in our laps though and then licking everywhere she can reach.

    Anne - Books of My Heart This is my Sunday Post

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    1. Anne - I am glad you enjoyed Shadowed Steel too. I really like that series. I need to read the parent series at some point. Dogs aren't quite as capable of free range as cats are--which can definitely be a plus! I miss having a dog. Thank you for stopping!

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  11. Thank you for sharing those beautiful poems. That's wonderful that your daughter's class is exploring poetry.

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    1. Marie - You are welcome. It was a lovely collection. I like seeing young people so inspired. Thank you for visiting!

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  12. Having a set of books (or a book) that we're planning to read can sometimes just not work out and we have to go with something we know will do well by us. I do think you'll like Poet X when you get to it, but you've got to be in the right space.

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    1. Helen - Yeah, sometimes my mood calls for a different book than I was intending to read. I am loving The Poet X right now. I started it yesterday and can already tell it will be a favorite of mine this year. I just wanted to give it my full attention and in that moment, I knew I wouldn't be able to. Thank you for stopping by!

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  13. I occasionally write a poem for my own enjoyment, because it's often the best way to express a thought, feeling or even a deep thought :) something fleeting, or not. So, perfect to give young people that outlet.

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    1. Claudia - Yes! I find that true for me too. I don't know that my daughter will turn to writing as her outlet--and it's fine if she doesn't--but I am glad she is able to explore different outlets to express herself. Thank you for visiting!

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  14. Very impressed by that poetry for such a young girl. How fun that your daughter is doing poetry weekly in her classes. Love it!

    Nicole @ Feed Your Fiction Addiction

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    1. Nicole - I love that her class is learning to write poetry too. :-) Thank you for stopping by!

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  15. Poetry is not my thing but I like that the children are being encouraged to appreciate it.
    The Irregulars is on my watch list, so is The Nevers which seems similar in some ways

    Wishing you a great reading week

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    1. Shelleyrae - It's kind of sad how people forget that poetry was often the first type of reading they were exposed to. So many young children's books are written in that style and we might not realize it. So, I am glad to see these kids being exposed to poetry writing as they get a little older. Hopefully an enjoyment of poetry will stick with them as a result even as they get into the higher grades where they are forced to pick apart poems which can often be a big turn off.

      I don't subscribe to the channel The Nevers are on, but perhaps someday I'll get a chance to watch it.

      Thank you for visiting!

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  16. I started watching The Irregulars, but I got interrupted and don’t remember what happened. I guess I need to start over. I hope you have a great week!

    Aj @ Read All The Things!

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    1. AJ - Did you ever get back to Irregulars? I think I zoned out in some of the middle episodes because I'm always multitasking. I liked it over all. I hope you have a great week too!

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  17. I don't read much poetry but enjoy what I do read. I also enjoyed Shadowed Steel which led me to reread Merit and Ethan's first book. Come see my week here. Happy reading!

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    1. Kathy - I haven't read the first series but do hope to someday. Thanks for visiting!

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  18. I'm not a fan of poetry, but I also don't hate it. Depends on my mood, I guess.

    The Irregulars sounds interesting. I should check that out.

    I'm loving our Spring weather. It's so nice here in NC.

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    1. Carol - I have to be in a certain mood--a quiet one--to really appreciate poetry. I find it very relaxing, forcing myself to slow down. Kind of like meditating. Thank you for stopping by!

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  19. I've got no major updates. Just looking forward to this afternoon when I take my daughter in for vaccine #1. My daughter is rehearsing for Sweeney Todd. They are hoping to perform it for a small audience. What musical is your daughter doing?

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    1. Ti - Mouse is doing Annie in the summer. She's really excited. I hope the Sweeney Todd rehearsals are going well for your daughter. Thank you for visiting!

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  20. Yay for National Poetry Month, I enjoy poetry also and I like how you describe it. that's great that your daughter is writing poetry in school too.
    From the Inside sounds like a great collection, thank you for sharing some of it.
    lol about Gracie and the keyboard. I don't know how my dog is going to acclimate when I go back to the office next month, he's so used to my being home now.
    Enjoy your week ahead!

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    1. Naida - It was a sweet collection. I am glad I read it. :-)

      Gracie and I have come to an understanding. I push my laptop back far enough so she can lay between me and it for a bit and she understands that means I have to reach over her to type and cannot always pet her. LOL

      Thank you for stopping by!

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  21. I am in awe of this 10 year old that has published a book of poetry. How amazing is that! Shadowed Steel sounds really good and I hope to get to that one as well. I have had my 50 pound dog try to climb in my lap while I am working on the computer. Animals are fun!

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    1. Carole - Me too! I imagine her parents helped a lot with that. :-) Shadowed Steel was a fun read. :-) I'm picturing your dog trying to climb on your lap while you are working at your computer. LOL Thank you for visiting!

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  22. I don't read any poetry. One day I will fix that! Pretty amazing that the book is by a 10 year old.

    We are watching Falcon and Winter Soldier too. We are one episode behind so we will try to catch up this week.

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    1. Marg - I find reading poetry to be relaxing. :-) I hope you enjoyed Falcon and Winter Soldier! My husband and I really liked it. Thank you for stopping by!

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  23. Cats love to be in the middle of things, don’t they? I’ve been enjoying the weather too. It’s been sunny and 70s here which I consider perfect weather. Hope you have a great week!

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  24. I must admit I've rarely read any poetry. I just didn't really grew up with it. But I must say I've been enjoying them more lately.
    I hope this week is less hectic for you.
    Have a great week and happy reading.

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    1. Maureen - You probably are exposed to it more than you realize given you have little ones in the house. Many of young children's books are written in a poetic style. :-) Thank you for stopping by!

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