Half-dreaming
against full moon
Dusky-nightmare
mission
Shadow soaring
over skylight
Mistaken
exploration!
Wing-swept wind
above my nose
Heart frantic-beating
It’s from this
skimming smallish jerky largish
creature
Get it Let me
out!
I can’t see! I’m afraid!
She’s more afraid of me?
*Performance note: I have adapted the format used by Paul Fleischman in his wonderful Joyful Noise. The poem can be read aloud by two readers at once, one taking the left-hand part, the other taking the right-hand part. The poem is read from top to bottom; lines at the same horizontal level are spoken simultaneously, and lines in the center column are spoken in unison.
Graceful Press Poetry 
Cool. It took a few reads (’cause I’m slow) but I got it – and enjoyed it immensely.
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I’m sure you’re not slow! Thanks for being an early test reader! 🙂
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I like that you gave both perspectives, and the format worked so well. It’s probably true that it would be just as traumatic for the bat!
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Oh, I’m so glad you thought the format worked. I’ve been second-guessing this all day. We have had a bat get into our house–twice!–and I just felt sorry for the poor thing. I’m sure we completely freaked it out with our reaction.
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Very cool. Would love to hear it!
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Thank you. I should get my kids to read it, and record…I wonder if I’m technologically savvy enough to post something like that…
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What a cool format, and the two viewpoints were so creative! I used a read a children’s book with a similar idea with my kids. So much fun 🙂
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Thanks, Marcy. Have you read Fleischman’s Joyful Noise? It won the Newbery in 1989…I think it’s amazing.
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No, I don’t know that one. Thanks for the recommendation.
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I tried saying this aloud in two different voices.Such an interesting idea!
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Haha, I tried doing that in my head…gotta get some family members to do it for me!
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What a fun format. I think you executed it perfectly!
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You are too kind. Thank you.
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For some reason, I read it in two tones even before I read the performance note. Great work!
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Oh, awesome. Thanks for that. 🙂
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Cool and very unique.
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Thanks so much for reading!
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What a cool format. And I love how these words sound together: “skimming smallish jerky largish”
How we fear what fears us — great topic to explore, especially in this format. So well done, Jennifer.
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Thanks, Meg. You’re always so kind and thoughtful in your comments.
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Such an interesting format. I’ve never seen this before. I like the two voices.
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Thanks, Michelle. I’m going to keep recommending Fleischman’s Joyful Noise–his poems for two voices are amazing.
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The layering in this piece is incredible! I love how each line is able to stand alone and conjure an image in the reader’s mind. Nicely done.
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Thank you, Karen, I appreciate your kind words. I thought your poem this week was brilliant.
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I read it aloud too. Well done. A truly original approach.
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Oh, cool! Thanks. I loved your “Puff” piece!
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That’s funny, thanks. 🙂
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Lovely poem. I also liked the format. Two people reading aloud seems wonderful.
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Thank you…I’m trying to find someone around here to read it aloud for me. 🙂
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Very unique! I’ve never seen anything like it.
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Thanks for reading, Melanie. If you get a chance, check out Fleischman’s Joyful Noise. It’s fantastic.
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I’ll have to take you up on that after I finish reading Nate’s recommendation!
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Lovely format! Wonderful to see both perspectives.
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Thanks, Jen. I felt so sorry for that bat, especially after my husband tried to trap it with a broom…and accidentally knocked it a bit hard.
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Lol oops!!
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Ha! Another bat story! I love that you’ve given us both perspectives and that the bat was surprised the person was more afraid. The format was very creative, too. I like that it was interactive and I had no trouble reading it (even before I saw the “performance notes”).
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Yay, bats! “Based on a true story.” I’m glad to hear the format worked for you–I was unsure how it would go over.
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Wow! Two clear perspectives in one gargleblaster. Impressive!
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Thanks for the wow, Nate. That means a lot to me. 🙂
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Oh that’s wonderful. I particularly liked the bat’s voice. If only they had been able to hear each other think the last line.
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Exactly! Thanks for your comment–I was feeling kinda sorry for the bat, myself.
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Wow. Very nice. Well structured and the chosen style really fits it.
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Thanks, Laith. I appreciate your feedback!
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How creative and unique!! I love all the ways you can read this and both perspectives perfectly captured. Awesome. Makes me want to try it for myself.
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Yes! Try it! I had a lot of fun.
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So wonderfully creative. I loved the flow of the words, no matter which way you read them.
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Thank you, Tina.
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