In stores now…
Yes, it’s finally here! The latest in National Geographic’s series of coffee-table poetry anthologies edited by the inimitable J. Patrick Lewis, former U.S. Children’s Poetry Laureate. I’m incredibly proud to have a poem of mine included in this book, along with 200+ others written by incredibly talented, insightful, witty folks.
When Pat first started putting the book together, he asked me if I would write a poem about Las Vegas nightlife. I replied that I’d love to – because if there’s anything a country boy from New Hampshire like me knows all about, it’s Las Vegas nightlife. Ha!

So Pat, always the accommodating fellow, asked if I’d prefer a different topic, to which I said, emphatically, NO; I relished the opportunity to write a poem on a subject about which I knew nothing! Seriously, when I think of Las Vegas I think of gambling, showgirls, and cheap steaks…and that’s pretty much it. So I jumped into research mode, reading about the city, learning the demographics, using Google Maps to go for a “virtual drive” around the city, etc.
After much deliberation, I decided on a blank verse sonnet, to try to capture the sense of form and structure of the city – and also leave a tip of the hat to a much more famous poem in the ending line. This is what I came up…

If you’d like to learn more about the Stratosphere Hotel and see the crazy amusement rides (like the Sky Jump) they have at the top of one of the tallest free-standing observation towers in the country, click HERE. For more poetry, head on over to Deowriter, where Jone MacCulloch is hosting Poetry Friday by spotlighting a poem from another poetry anthology, Sylvia Vardell and Janet Wong’s Great Morning (Pomelo Books, 2018).
Congratulations to the winners of a personally-signed copy of Flashlight Night (Boyds Mills Press, 2017)!
Last week, we celebrated the first-year birthday of my debut picture book, and many thanks to everyone who entered the giveaway by commenting or sharing the post via social media. Chosen at random, the winners are: Michelle Kogan, Erin Mauger, and a friend who wishes to remain anonymous. (Ah, yes, there’s one in every crowd, ha!)
Thank you again so much, for all your support! And if you’d like to order a personally-signed copy of Flashlight or any of my books, just scroll down a wee bit…
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Ordering personalized signed copies online? Oh, yes, you can!
You can purchase personalized signed copies of Flashlight Night, (Boyds Mills Press, 2017), Don’t Ask a Dinosaur (Pow! Kids Books, 2018), and nearly ALL of the books or anthologies I’ve been part of!
Just click the cover of whichever book you want and send the good folks at MainStreet BookEnds in Warner, NH a note requesting the signature and to whom I should make it out to. (alternatively, you can log onto my website and do the same thing) They’ll contact me, I’ll stop by and sign it for you, and then they’ll ship it. Try doing that with those big online booksellers! (Plus, you’ll be helping to support local book-selling – and wouldn’t that make you feel good?)
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Thank you to everyone for your support!
- NY Public Library’s “100 Best Book for Kids 2017” AND “Staff Pick!”
- KIRKUS Starred review!
- Kansas NEA Reading Circle Recommended Books!
- “Best Reads of 2017,” Unleashing Readers
- Amazon “Best Books of the Month,” Sept. 2017
- Positive reviews from Horn Book, School Library Connection, Booklist, Publisher’s Weekly, and Shelf-Awareness
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.- “Rollicking rhyme!” – Booklist
- “A wild romp!” – Parenting NH Magazine
- “Cute…intriguing…4 out of 5 stars” – Tulsa Book Review
- “Rhythmic…funny and informative” – Unleashing Readers
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Did you like this post? Find something interesting elsewhere in this blog? I really won’t mind at all if you feel compelled to share it with your friends and followers!
Congratulations on being included in this amazing looking book, Matt. I love the line: ‘As distant peaks rise in disdainful gaze’
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Oh,. thank you so much, Sally!
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Congratulations for the poem included in this amazing book, Matt. I’ve never been to Las Vegas, an intriguing city that now some tell me invites family visits, hence I see your “glass and girder, sin, and Sky Jump screams.” Wonder what the old-timers think?
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And the old-timers before THOSE old-timers! The city has a long, very interesting history. Thanks, Linda!
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Hi, Matt – CONGRATS! And as you noted on my blog, delighted to share book space with you. I had to research from afar, as well – a fun challenge! Love the jigsaw-puzzle pieces – strong image and offers extra pondering, too!
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Thank you, Robyn! I haven’t had a chance to read all the poems yet because the library has not yet processed the book and I’m still waiting on my own copy…but I’m looking forward to seeing yours and everyone’s in full color!
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Congrats, Matt! The book and poem are wonderful. I’ve never been to LV myself, but you capture its intricacies masterfully in Stratosphere!
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Thank you so much, Michelle, I appreciate that.
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Congrats on being included in the publication – I just saw that Robyn at the Deckle Edge was posting about her contribution as well. It’s also exciting to be one of the winners of your giveaway as well 🙂
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Thanks, Erin – and congratulations!! I sent you a FB message, so when you get a chance, just let me know who to sign it to and where it should be mailed, and I’ll get it off to you.
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Good for you, using this opportunity to write about something you didn’t know… imagination and empathy, that’s what it takes. Thank you for showing us something beyond the Las Vegas stereotype!
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Thanks, Irene – and congrats to you on being included in the book, as well! Looking forward to seeing your contribution.
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What a rich collection! I’m excited to be a part of it, too. Your poem really invites me in to adventure and thinking outside the box. The valley in jigsaw puzzle pieces is a great metaphor.
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Thanks, Margaret – and congrats to you, too! I did see your name in the contents and was happy for you!
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Very cool poem — congrats on having it included in this new anthology!!
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Thanks so much, Jama!
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Wow, I have no idea what I would have done with that topic either, but you met the challenge with aplomb, Matt! I especially love the beginning—the Second Babylon provoking and teasing God—and the Valley spread out in jigsaw puzzle pieces.
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Thank you so much, Michelle. It was a challenge, but a fun one. (Perhaps that’s another DMC…write a poem about a place you’ve never been to!)
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Quite a powerful poem Matt for this towering city of “glass and girder, sin, and Sky Jump screams.” Loved that line, and your last line closes so eloquently. Your poem has the flavor of a tale from long ago but told today– many Congratulations! And what a nice surprise to be the recipient of your “FLASHLIGHT NIGHT” book–thanks I’m looking forward to spending time with it–and I’ll be sure to share it with the Children’s Picture Book Class I teach!
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Oh, thank you, Michelle! I appreciate that. I “borrowed” the tone of that last line from Shelley’s “Ozymandias,” as I felt a connection between the ruins in his poem and the grandeur of Las Vegas. Please be sure to send me your address and I’ll get the book out to you asap!
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Congratulations on having your poem included in this collection, Matt! I can’t wait to get a copy. I haven’t traveled to the west too often, but Las Vegas is one place I have been. I can’t say that I loved it or am in a hurry to return, but it was an experience! I love the image you end with: “the lone Mojave sands [stretching] far away.”
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Thank you, Catherine. As I mentioned, I tip my hat to a very famous poem at the end, which is Shelley’s “Ozymandias.” The ruins in his poem and Las Vegas felt like two massive monuments to Man…and neither will last forever.
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Congratulations on your poem! I would not even know where to begin with a poem about Las Vegas. I had no idea about the Sky Tower. Thanks for teaching me something with your poem!
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Thanks, Kay! I had no idea about most of this until I researched – it was especially fun “driving” around the city!
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Matt, you captured Las Vegas without seeing it. Good job on your research and the rich language you used to write your poem. I have been to Vegas twice. It is a city that seems to never sleep but there is so much there that goes beyond the honky-tonk flavor of the city. Congratulations! Now I am back to the business of finishing the design of The Art of Summering.
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Thank you, Carol – I’m glad it captured some of what you’ve experienced. And best wishes on your gallery…I’m looking forward to seeing it!
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What a treasure this book is! I’ll share my poems next week!
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I’m looking forward to seeing yours, Mary Lee!
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Congratulations! I hope your copy arrives soon! If the other Nat Geo anthologies are any indication, you’ll be busy for days in reading it all. And who minds that kind of busy-ness?
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Thanks! I know…it’s going to be an enjoyable week of reading! 😉
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What a wonderful sweeping poem of the Stratosphere Casino. And, I love that it came from research. That’s one of my favorite aspects of writing…the finding out of details. Many congrats for making it into the book. It’s really fun watching your winning streak. Go, Matt, go!
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Thank you, Linda! It’s always an honor to be part of a Pat Lewis anthology, so I feel very fortunate.
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Happy Book Birthday! I really like your poem and the way you researched it. Ruth, thereisnosuchthingasagodforsakentown.blogspot.com
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Thanks so much, Ruth!
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Love the jigsaw puzzle pieces–it reminds me of an airplane view, but works as well for a skyscraper. And hurray for good research to bring your poem to life! (Mine was about a festival that’s an hour from my home, but I had never been to it before! Youtube to the rescue.)
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Gotta love YouTube and Google! Thanks, Buffy…I’m looking forward to reading yours!
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Love your poem, Matt. I hadn’t heard of this particular hotel/casino. Now I’m interested in learning more and also reading the rest of the collection.
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Thanks so much, Kimberly. The Stratosphere is actually one of the more well-known attractions these days (from what I read!), not only because of its height but also because of the amusement rides at the top!
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Congrats, Matt. It is an interesting place to go.
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It sounds like it! Thanks, Jone.
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