From the Photo Archives: Sunset, Venus Bay

When I hear the lyrics 'Save me. Save me from tomorrow. I don't want to sail with this ship of fools...' I can't help but think of the majority of America's citizens.

The Flowering Gums are currently providing such brilliant displays of colour at present. Every day the sight of them lifts my spirits. Dazzling disrupters.

Wordplay and woolly verse.

Etheree Poem #poetry #primaryenglish #syllabicpoetry

Notebook Notions. Order now via Fishpond. www.fishpond.com.au/Books/Notebo...

Tanka poem #ekphrasticpoem #poetry

Etheree Poem #poetry #primaryenglish #syllabicpoetry

Wordplay and woolly verse.

A poem about pondering...

The unquestioned imposition of ‘writing prompts’ denies student writers the opportunity to practice thinking and the identifying of suitable ideas for their writing. It discourages ownership and undersells the child as a protagonist in their own learning.

Kenji volunteered To be honourary secretary Of his local origami club But he resigned After two months In the position Citing, too much paperwork. Alan j Wright #lightverse #poetry

POETRY FRIDAY has me sharing a new poetry form- the Choka. A Japanese poetry form with syllabic constraints. Across the years I have willingly explored a host of poetry forms from Japan. I appreciate the scaffolding. alanjwrightpoetrypizzazz.blogspot.com/.../choka... #poetryfriday #chokapoem

POETRY FRIDAY has me sharing a new poetry form- the Choka. A Japanese poetry form with syllabic constraints. Across the years I have willingly explored a host of poetry forms from Japan. I appreciate the scaffolding. alanjwrightpoetrypizzazz.blogspot.com/.../choka... #poetryfriday #chokapoem

‪For student writers to think and act like writers, they must be given daily opportunities to write & reflect. Time for reading must also increase. Immersion brings about changes in perception/behaviors.‬ A meagre diet will not deliver desired outcomes. We must nurture what we hope for...

Teacher walked into my workshop one morning and announced ‘it's about writing-good, that makes me feel a whole lot better.’ Great start indeed...

Modeling strong writing and surfacing teacher thinking are essential for guiding students to become better writers. Today Sarah surfaces why these practices are so important and suggests actionable steps for bringing them back.

A poem for the start of a new school year in Australia...

Limbering up with Lunes 3-5-3 wordplay fun. A twist in the ending. Verse with vitality. #Lunes

From The Photo Archives : Mobile Library, Bali

From the Photo Archives: Black cockatoo, Avalon NSW

Light #wanes Gives way To burgeoning shadows Dim impressions Seashells echo fading hopes As wind takes flight Stealing the essence of you. Whilst sifting sands move Erasing footsteps Casting ever longer shadows Upon my heart I watch as you fade unto night Furtherest ever From view. #vss365

New Post: 'Writing Creates Its Own Magic.' livinglifetwice-alwrite.blogspot.com/2026/01/writ...

From the Photo Archives: Giant's Causeway, Ireland

Person waiting our table delivers drinks we have ordered, while practicing the art of imprecision- 'Here's the boost juice and the other thingy.' The word 'cappuccino' proved elusive...

I frequently hide notes, ephemera and cards in my books, a habit I caught from my Mum. It provides an opportunity to reach into the future. So this caught my eye... A note found in a book in Keighley Library, Yorkshire: ‘Joe, when you’ve read up to here, please take the pie out of the oven.’

'Trump is an anarchic toddler, constantly causing upheaval across the globe, transgressing and remaking everything in his helter-skelter image. He has no interest in fireside chats; he wants to set fires.' Maureen Dowd, The Age.

Safely nestled in my notebook after three week in the hot summer sun on Fisherman's Beach Reserve. #poetrytree #verse

Writing creates its own magic... A new post as Australian schools approach the start of a new academic year. livinglifetwice-alwrite.blogspot.com/2026/01/writ... #sharingwriting #writersnotebooks #writing #education #teacherwriters

As we journey through life we might consider the words of Swiss psychoanalyst, Carl Jung and explore new possibilities. It's never too late for re-invention and new direction. 'The afternoon of life is just as full of meaning as the morning; only, its meaning and purpose are different.' Carl Jung

LAUNCHING WITH RISKY WORDS: An array of poetry found its way into my new book, 'Notebook Notions-Using a writer's notebook to harvest ideas and transform your teaching.' The poem 'Risky Words.' to set the scene. alanjwrightpoetrypizzazz.blogspot.com/.../setting... #poetryfriday #notebooks #poetry

LAUNCHING WITH RISKY WORDS: An array of poetry found its way into my new book, 'Notebook Notions-Using a writer's notebook to harvest ideas and transform your teaching.' The poem 'Risky Words.' to set the scene. alanjwrightpoetrypizzazz.blogspot.com/.../setting... #poetryfriday #notebooks #poetry

In the quest to become a more effective teacher it's imperative to spend time in bookshops honing a knowledge of children's literature. Aim to curate your own trusted authors collection. But remember, not all bookshops are created equal. Enter those embracing children's literature with some zeal.

First came the book, closely followed by the Tee!

Burrata with chargrilled grapes and basil. It is indeed one of life’s great taste pleasures. #burratacheese #italianfood

Newspaper mistakes: 'Mrs Ponsford, a teacher at Valley Road Primary School was severely bitten by a dog in the school grounds. The school headmistress pointed out that it might just as easily have been a child.' Wiltshire paper

A passing stranger spotted me sitting outdoors at a cafe. She leaned in and said, 'It's good to see someone reading a real book.'

Trump invites Putin to join the new Gaza Board of Peace after being informed Attila The Hun and Rasputin were not options.

Most popular poetry posts on Putting Pizzazz Into Poetry in 2025. Revisit here... alanjwrightpoetrypizzazz.blogspot.com/2026…

Selling NAPLAN testing preparation materials as back to school promotion shamelessly feeds into parent anxiety and ignorance.

Spending time in bookshops sustains me. It challenges & invigorates my thinking.. They exist as places to make discoveries. Word gardens.

My hope for 2026 is that teachers of writing focus their energies on how to write, rather than what to write. It's the same hope each and every year.

From the Photo Archives: Under the umbrella at Fisherman's Beach Mornington.

My hope for 2026 is that teachers of writing focus their energies on how to write, rather than what to write. It's the same hope each and every year.

I asked Shakespeare's ghost what he thought of the man and he replied. 'He is no more than, a lumpish, crook-pated lewdist.' Hard to trump that.

Just saw a man wearing a huge watch. Probably more accurate to call it a clock. Hope the summer flies don't annoy him.

Let's Hear It For Verse Novels in 2026 alanjwrightpoetrypizzazz.blogspot.com/2026/01/lets... #versenovel #StevenHerrick #sallymorgan #kwamealexander #stevencamden #kaholt #katappel #kirlisaunders #sharonkernot #pipharry #lisafipps

Insalate Pantesca from Sicily. A light tasty salad with potatoes, tomatoes, red onions, black pitted olives, capers, basil, oregano and parsley. Toss the ingredients together gently and thoroughly and serve. A dinner winner...

There exists in the gentle repetitive lapping of the waves, introducing themselves to the shoreline, a meditative calming for the soul. We do well to invest some time, just to listen to nature's soothing sounds.

It's POETRY FRIDAY and I am feasting on food poems- a rather universal theme for poets. I am sharing two poems written decades apart. Feel free to help yourself to a slice... alanjwrightpoetrypizzazz.blogspot.com/.../feastin... #poetryfriday #verse #poetrypizzazz