For some reason I’ve been obsessed with photographing milkweeds this autumn. Here's a poem that's lovely and has a lot of personal meaning for me.

1.   A MILKWEED

Anonymous as cherubs
Over the crib of God,
White seeds are floating
Out of my burst pod.
What power had I
Before I learned to yield?
Shatter me, great wind:
I shall possess the field.

   from Two Voices in a Field by Richard Wilbur

 This poem reminds of the fall my brother Bob was killed in a car accident. I think it's a hopeful poem. It reminds me that it's possible to go forth, live, love, and prosper, even after you have been totally shattered.

 

Ralph Fletcher Speaking Schedule

   There may additions/deletions in the future, but this should be pretty accurate. 

October 17 and 18, 2013

Rutgers University

New Brunswick, NJ
Contact: Michelle Rosen
michelle.rosen@gse.rutgers.edu

November 3

Texas Christian University

Fort Worth, Texas

Contact: Connie Briggs

Cbriggs1@twu. edu

November 4 and 5    Author Visit

Kincaid School

Houston, TX

Contact: Elizabeth Holloway

elizabeth.holloway@kinkaid.org

November 12

Erie I BOCES / WNYRIC

Contact:  Mary Jo Casilio

mcasilio@e1b.org

November 17-20

NCTE National Conference

Boston, Massachusetts

Presentation on Friday Nov. 20  at 4pm

“The Persistent Call of Stories”

December 4   Author Visit

Peaslee School

Northborough, MA

Contact: Melissa Farrell

MFarrell@nsboro.k12.ma.us

December 5 Author Visit

Northeast School

Stamford, CT

Contact: Sandra McDonald

sandra.mcdonald@yahoo.co

December 6 Author Visit

Jefferson Elementary School

New Rochelle, NY

Contact: Pamela Haas

phaas@nred.org

December 10

Principals Meeting CFN 406

Brooklyn, NY

Contact: Karen Ames

KAmes@schools.nyc.gov

 

January 11, 2014

The Learning Community

Contact: Christine Alves

christine@thelearningcommunity.com

January 28, 2014    Author Visit

Cottage Lane School

Blauvelt, NY

Contact: Willy Sullivan

willyksullivan@gmail.com

January 29, 2014   Author Visit

North Street Elementary School

Greenwich, CT

Contact: Cheryl Heike

cpheike@gmail.com

February 22, 2014

Ka Hui Heluhelu Conference

Honolulu, HI

Contact: Jody Chang

jodykchang@gmail.com

March 3-7, 2014

International School Bangkok

Bankok, Thailand

Contact: Elizabeth Rossini

elizabethr@isb.ac.th

April 7, 8, 9, 10   Author Visits

Merrimac, NH

April 7: Mastricola Elementary

April 8: Thorntons Ferry

April 9: Reeds Ferry

April 10” Upper Elementary

Contact: Conti, Sydney

Sydney.Conti@merrimack.k12.nh.us

April 11   Author Visit

Albert S. Hall School

Waterville, NH

Contact: Jen Allen

jallen@aos92.org

May 15   Author Visit

Friends Academy Middle School

Locust Valley, NY

Contact: Steve Rubenacker

stephen_rubenacker@fa.org

May 20, 21, 22   Author Visits

Berkeley Heights, NJ

May 20:  Shrewbury Boro School

May 21: Little Silver School

May 22: Fair Haven School

Contact: Colleen Doogan

colleen473@verizon.net

July 9-12, 2014

Australian Literacy Educators’ Association

Darwin, Australia

Contact: Helen Chatto

helen.chatto@ntschools.net