My mind lives in the land of poetry. Dreaming, connecting, imagining. Each year, the NCTE Outstanding Poetry for Children Award Committee selects notable poetry books and verse novels published during the calendar year. The awards are announced at the annual National Council of Teachers of English Convention at a ticketed luncheon. While the texts are chosen with students and teachers in mind, the award winners will capture the hearts and minds of all lovers of the poetic language. Today, I am going to play with form and poetry, using the titles from the 2023 winners. At the Pond , spring springs to life, A Seed in the Sun is planted, while Mother Goose sings Maya’s Song as she Goes to India , and silly dogs chime in with verses from “ Behold our Magical Garden ,” where there is Room for Everyone , riding on Marshmallow Clouds , a Patchwork on the way to The Door of No Return where The Hope of Elephants travel The Roa...