Happy New Year

Midnight,

Horns blare.

Fireworks flare.

Bells ring.

Glass flutes ting.

Confetti flies.

The old year dies.

2012 is finally here.

May it be a year of cheer.

May your days be blessed

with creativity and happiness.

May your riches abound

as elegant rhymes are found.

May you find much inspiration

and be rewarded with publication.

Happy 2012.

Haiga Heliconia

Heliconia

colored claws reach to the sky

tropical perfume

     I'm definitely having fun playing with my water colors on this vacation.  This poem is a haiga.  Haiga is when art and haiku are combined.  When haiku is interspersed with prose, then it is called haibun.   I always think it is fun when I can supply a picture to go with my poem.  Do you have a picture you'd like to write a poem to go with?  What ever you do, have fun following your bliss.

Haiga Bird of Paradise

Bird of Paradise

flying on an island breeze

singing Aloha

     Part of the fun of being on a Hawaiian island is seeing all the colorful flowers and having the time to appreciate them.  Can you name your favorite flower?  Can you write a poem about it?  This is a haiku.  If you get stuck you could try an acrostic, or a list poem.  Have fun and enjoy the time.

Public Toilets

"Boinga, boinga, boinga,"
said Marie Spears
placing her hands
over her ears.

"That toilet flush,
makes too much noise.
I wonder if
it is as loud
in the BOYS."

     This poem is the result of seeing a little girl in the Ladies restroom.  I'm not sure what this poem means, except that girls are curious about what the boys' bathroom looks like.  And of course, the new low water flush toilets are very noisy.  Personally, I never thought I'd write a poem about public restrooms--but there you go. Anything is fair game when writing poetry.  And I do like saying "boinga, boinga, boinga."  Can you write your own poem that uses a nonsense word?  Have fun.

Tropical Christmas

Crested waves

of lacy

white foam,

Palm trees

bend,

sway

in a tropical breeze

In the silence,

a

p-l-o-p

of coconut

dropping to the sand.

A seagull cries.

following the

Oh Holy Night

this is

the blessing day.

Where the

sun smiles, Aloha

and

Mele Kalikimaka!

     I hope you had a great Christmas and a super Boxing Day.  Today's challenge is to write a poem that describes what the landscape looks like where you are.  Can you hear any birds?  What do you think Christmas was like for the birds?  Have fun enjoying a few moments of silence and a chance to appreciate the place where you are.

Happy Boxing Day

Today is the day

to say thank you

to all the folks

who worked

yesterday,

so that you

could have a 

Merry Christmas--

the gas station attendant,

the quickie mart worker,

the movie theater attendant,

the Disneyland, Epcot, Disney World folks

The Knox Berry Farm, Sea World workers,

the cruise ship staff,

the restaurant workers,

the maids and butlers,

the house cleaners,

and hotel workers,

the doctors, nurses,

firemen, and emergency care workers.

When you make your list

there were a lot of people who

had to work yesterday.

Today is a day to give thanks

and to appreciate their work.

What can you do

to make this a brighter day

for all those who worked

for you yesterday?

What can you do

to make this a

Happy Boxing Day.

     Today, can you write a poem to celebrate and thank one of the many folks who worked yesterday?  I hope you are keeping the holiday spirit.

Mele Kalikimaka

is how 

to say

Merry Christmas

in Hawaiian.

I hope your day

is filled with

joy, aloha,

happiness,

and family.

     Does your family have special things you do for Christmas?  What was the best gift you got?  What was the best gift you gave?  Do you know another way to say Merry Christmas?  Can you write a poem today?

Christmas Eve

If you look 

at the sky tonight,

You may see

a magical sight.

There the North Star

is shining so bright

to guide Santa, his sleigh

and the reindeer in flight.

On the roof tops

they alight.

So Santa can squeeze

down the chimneys tight

and deliver gifts

all through the night

for children who have been good

to give them delight.

When the children awake

their smiles are bright.

I hope you have a

Happy Christmas Eve Night.

MERRY CHRISTMAS.

    WOW!  I think I did it, a whole month's worth of Christmas themed poems.  Can you try writing a list poem about all the great things about the holiday season.  At the top of my list would be you.  Thank you for reading my poems and for all your support.

I'm interviewed

www.kidsmartbooks.blogspot.com/2011/12/poetry-for-soul.html 

There are 2 of my poems over at Kid Smart Books. Toni McKain has illustrated DOCTOR, DOCTOR and BLUE CANOE with her clever drawings.  I love the picture of a magpie with a peg leg!  There is also an interview there too.  Have fun checking it out.

Let's Go Caroling

Tonight

is a night

for caroling,

to gather

with friends

for a Christmas

sing.

We

will sing

with gladness

and cheer

and think

of having a

Happy New Year.

We will chant

for our friends

with the warmth

and laughter

the season

sends.

We will sing

with a smile

enjoying

our caroling

all the while.

Merry Christmas

to you

on this winter

night.

May all your songs

be filled

with delight.

     If you were going to write your own Christmas carol to sing to your friends, what words would you use?  Have fun writing that poem.

A Day of Wonder

Today

is

a day

of

wonder.

I

awoke

with a

star

in my 

hand.

     What would you do if you woke up and you had a star in your hand?  What would you do with it?  Where else might you find a star?  Or, what else might you find in your hand when you wake up?  Oh, I think this could make for an interesting poem.  Please share your poem with us.

Christmas Cracker

Sitting at my place

for Christmas dinner

is a Christmas cracker.

My sister holds one end,

I hold the other,

we both pull.

A loud P*O*P

and confetti strings

fly everywhere.

Inside is a funny 

purple paper hat

that I put on.

A paper fortune

that says I'm going

to come into money.

And a little metal

toy that makes a noise

like a cricket.  

My sister's cracker

has a pink hat

and her fortune says

she has much treasure

in her friends.

Her toy is two metal

nails that are twisted together

and she has to figure

how to separate them.

Everyone at the table

looks a little silly

with our paper crowns

and funny fortunes

and our little toys.

Christmas is

a very special 

time of year.

      Just when I was starting to slow down on ideas for Christmas poems, a friend wrote a note that reminded me of the Christmas my family spent in Oxford and all the British things we did for the holiday, like having crackers and going to the Christmas panto at a local theatre. I shouldn't forget Boxing Day either.  Oh, this is fun.  So can you write a poem about the holiday in a different culture of climate?   

Ocean Christmas

If you are diving

deep in the sea,

dolphins have gathered

kelp for a tree.

Sand dollars and sea stars

for your enjoyment

hang on the kelp

like a Christmas ornament.

They are all there

deep in the ocean vast,

to wish each other

a Merry Christmas.

    Some funny rhymes today.  I'm not sure how well enjoyment rhymes with ornament.  And  certainly pairing vast with Christmas is a stretch and a slip rhyme.  But that only means this isn't a perfect poem and it is one I can come back and play with at a later date.  Oh, I do love when I can come back and play with my poems more than once.  What good fun.  So for today can you take one of your favorite old poems and visit with it again? Are there words you would change?  have fun revising.

Camel Races

Now imagine

the wonder

of these three guys--

Kings,

like old golf buddies,

out riding their camels

in the desert.

They see a bright star.

"What do you think that is?"

asks one king.

"Probably the opening

for a new camel dealership,"

says the second king.

"Come on," says the third.

"Let's go see," says the second.

"Last one there," they all say together,

"Is a rotten egg."

     Today's poem reminds me that I haven't written a Christmas poem about egg nog yet.  Perhaps you'd like to help me do that.  I actually had French toast that my husband made with egg nog just the other day.  Oh was it yummy.  I'm so lucky  my husband loves to cook.  I hope you have lots of occasions to laugh today.  Have fun writing poetry.

Nativity

Think of the young couple

traveling to Bethlehem

to pay their taxes.

No fax machine for on-line payment.

No Priceline, Expedia, or Travelocity

to book their room ahead.

How did they manage?

She, nine months pregnant,

her belly big, round.

The baby rode low on her hips,

kicked all day.

She astride the donkey

and her husband walked beside.

What do you think they talked about

as they walked that whole day?

Did they sing,

tell jokes,

talk of their plans

for the baby?

     As the holiday (holy day) comes closer, today is a day for reflecting, thinking and for breathing.  Make a list today of all the things you are thankful for.  It really is a wonderful time to be alive.  A wonderful time to live the Christmas spirit.  You're welcome to write a poem about that.
     I hope you enjoy this beautiful day.

Christmas Surprise

Early Christmas morning

I creeped down the stairs

happy to discover

Father Christmas had been there.

Hanging from the fire place,

peeking out of my stocking

was a little kitten

who started mewing.

She was soft and white

and began to purr

Just what I had wanted,

I love this bundle of fur.

     I was always a sucker for those pictures with the puppies and kittens hanging in the Christmas stockings.  As a kid, it was exactly what I wanted to wake up to on christmas morning.  As an adult, I know it isn't practical.  But, how did they get those kittens and puppies to stay in the stockings?  Do you have a pet?  Can you write a poem about what your pet is going to do for Christmas?

Christmas Candles

The candles burn so brightly.

they flicker in the light,

casting dancing shadows

on this winter night.

     Have you ever watched the changing shadows on the wall from a candle?  Have you used your hands to make shadow puppets from that light?  My house smells like pine and peppermint from the scented candles I burn at this time of the year.  can you try writing your own poem about candles?   Hmmm, I wonder what would happen if I make this quatrain into a concrete poem instead?  Could I put one or two words on a line to make it tall and slim like a candle?  Which way do you think you'd like better?  See how much fun you can have playing with poetry?

Christmas Dolly

I am the wrapped doll

hidden under the tree

Won't you please hurry

to come and find me.

My hair is blond,

my eyes are blue.

I'm in this box

waiting for you.

I'm dressed in a ball gown 

for a party

a tiara on my head.

Will you promise

to always love me,

and take me with you

when you go to bed?

Can you tell me

what you will name me--

Robyn, Donna, Jeanne,

Linda Sue or Mamie?

Please hurry and find me.

Let us dance.  Let us twirl.

I'm looking forward to meeting

my own special girl. (or boy)

     Are you starting to feel the Christmas spirit?  I certainly am.  Today's poem is written for Linda, who suggested this poem--one written in the persona of a Christmas present, from the toy's point of view.  Today's challenge is to write a poem from the point of view of the toy.  What would a sled say?  I'm thinking the yo-yo would have quite a story to tell.  How about that drum, or even the angel on top of the tree?  Can you tell their stories?  Please share your poems.  Happy holidays

Christmas Candy

I told you red and white were the colors of Christmas for me.  I especially like peppermints at this time of year.

Peppermint candy,

makes my mouth sparkle with spice.

They're called starlight mints.

     All right, now it is your turn to write a poem about all the different kinds of candy you like to eat at this time of year.  What candy ends up in your stocking?  Using peppermints makes a great writing exercise because it has a wonderful smell, the wrapper makes an enticing sound as you unwrap it.  There is both texture and taste that change as the candy melts on your tongue or crunches into smaller pieces.  I hope you have a peppermint to eat while you write your poem.  Do I need to say enjoy?

FALLING SNOW FLAKES

 

Today's poem is another concrete poem and I couldn't quite figure out how to do it in text.  I have one other idea, but that is going to take some time, so you get it this way for now.  I hope you have falling snow for this holiday.  Can you write your own poem about snow? If you put the poem on a piece of paper like I did, you can use it for wrapping paper for gifts.