NIGHT SKY

This evening
after the sun
goes by
grab your binoculars
and look
toward
the western sky.

There just at
twilight
don't be slow
see three planets
before they go.

This will be
around about 8.
Start at the horizon 
then look
up straight.

There
in a line
will be
three planets 
for you
to see--
Jupiter,
Venus, and
Mercury.

    I hope you can find time tonight and an unobstructed view to see these planets tonight.  Can you write your own poem about the night, the sky or the planets?  Use your imagination and have fun. 
   Poetry Friday is being hosted by Betsy at Teaching Young Writers.  Hop on over to read other fun children's poems.  thanks, Betsy, for hosting this week.

A WILD RIDE

A fairy rides on a toad 
who is white.
She giggles and laughs
and sings with delight.

They jump through the forest
where her flower beds loom.
And she whispers to me
It's magic that makes
my garden bloom.

Her pansies are bigger
than that white toad,
as together they leap
on down the road.


     Elves, brownies, pixies and fairies, all kinds of wee folk live in the forest.  When she isn't riding on her toad, what do you think the fairy is doing?  Can you write a poem about that today?  Have fun?

I knew a fairy
who lived
on Fairy Lane.
I went 
to visit her
again and
again.

We'd sit and sip
from her cups of tea
that wee little fairy
and happy me.

She'd tell me stories
about way back when
and I would listen
again and 
again.

We'd laugh
and giggle
and have a good time,
that wee little fairy
who is a friend of mine.


     If you knew a fairy, what would you do with him or her?  Can you write a poem about that today? 

HOW TO MAKE A FAIRY GARDEN

Look for a quiet spot
under the canopy of a tall tree.
If there are dead leaves
that's good, if there is moss
in the shade it is even better.

Scatter stones
to shape a walkway.
Carve a log into a house.
Use two rocks to make a bench,
others for some chairs.
Add a pine cone or dried mushroom
for a table.

Use sticks to form a fence.
Do you want to dig a wee well?

Then put out a sign saying
Fairies Welcome
and hope one takes up residence.
Plant seeds of happiness
and watch your garden bloom.



     I'm being fanciful and I invite you to join me.  This is a "how to" poem that gives directions.  Can you write your own "how to" poem today? Perhaps you'd like to write about how to catch a fairy.  Have fun.
Let your imagination soar.

WATCHING BIRDS

Thrasher, 
tanager,
finch,
Cactus wren,
warbler, 
Gambel's quail,
white-winged dove,
Gila woodpecker,
phainopepla,
even a vireo
all know
my bird feeder
is the place to go.

And two hawks circle
float in the sky
making those birds
flutter and fly.


    The birds are having a grand time in my backyard today.  I've counted 10 white winged doves sitting on the fence in a row.  The music is wonderful from the small song birds.  The Gila woodpecker is a pest.  She lives in one of the holes in the Saguaro and dines at my house.  I wouldn't mind, but she keeps trying to drink from my hummingbird feeder and with her long this beak, she does a great job of it.  If you were a bird, what kind would you be?  Can you write a persona poem today in the voice of a bird?  Have fun.

WHEN I WOKE UP THIS MORNING

When I woke up this morning
the sun was already out,
I watched two quails scurry
with little quailets all about.

When I work up this morning
I saw two rabbits eating grass
they munched across the garden
as I watched them wander past.

When I woke up this morning
I saw a lizard on the wall
he was clinging tightly,
he didn't even fall.

When I woke up this morning
I watched the goldfinch fling
themselves upon the bird feeder
and heard the song they sing.

When I woke up this morning
I thanked the shining sun
and all the clouds in the heavens
for making this Sunday fun.


    What did you see this morning when you woke up?  Can you write your own poem about that?  Have a great day.
    To all my wonderful friends and readers, thank you for making my birthday a really, really special day for me.  I think I had the best birthday ever.  Thank you.

BEING ME

Today I'll try to be the best I can be
because there really is only one ME.

I'll work really hard to learn and to grow
because I'm the only me that I know.

I'll read a book, write a poem or three
I'm the only one who knows how to be me.

When we play together, you will see
You can be you and I will be me.

  

    This is the start of a poem.  Where it is going, I don't know yet.  But, it is Saturday and that makes it a play day for me--a day to feed my creativity well.  What will you do today to feed yourself? Try to write something today even if it is only a shopping list or a to-do list (it is often easy to turn those into poems.) 
   Today is the birthday of  Theodore Roethke (my birthday poet) and Ralph Waldo Emerson.  Perhaps you can find some time today to read some of their poetry. 
    Have a great day and write soon.

WHEELS ON THE ROAD

The wheels on the car,
squish, squish
thump, thump
over the hot tar road.

The wheels on the pick up truck
squish, squish
bump,bump
over the macadam road.

The wheels on the dump truck
squish, squish
rattle, rattle
over the gravel road.

The wheels on the semi truck
squish, squish
swish, swish
over the highway road.

The wheels on the bus
squish, squish
jump, jump
over the wet, black road.

All the vehicles
come and go, come and go
splashing, bouncing
rolling over all our roads.


  There were a lot of cars out on my morning walk, and this is what I came up with.  If you're a fan of THE WHEELS ON THE BUS, you might see some similarities, except I'm going with different vehicles; and all of the tires go squish, squish.  Do you have an idea why?

   Now stick with me here.  I jumped from this idea to how I could take the same cadence of WHEELS, to my pet turtle.

MY PET TURTLE

The head on my turtle,
ducks right in,
ducks right in,
ducks right in.
The head on my turtle,
ducks right in,
hiding in his shell.

Can you see how the verses for the feet and tail might follow?  Now, jump back to a child going to bed.

GOING TO BED

The toes on my feet
tuck right in,
tuck right in,
tuck right in.
The toes on my feet
tuck right in
to my snugly bed.

  Then you could move to:
the feet on my legs, the knees on my legs, the shins on my legs, the thighs on my legs-- you name a body part and it can be tucked into bed.  And if a child doesn't want to go to sleep he could keep you going all night thinking of body parts to tuck into bed.

  So, here is your challenge--think of an object--animal, mineral, or vegetable, and write your own short verse using this repetitive cadence.  Have fun with this, you can be as weird and bizarre as you choose.  Just WRITE, and have fun with poetry.

FLYING KITES

A blue kite flew in the sky
Then a green kite
Came floating by.
 A yellow kite jumped up too
A white kite and a red kite
To join the blue.
All the kites flying high.
Then up came a pink one
To float on by.
They're all flying
Having fun.

MY TRAIN

Chug, Chug. Chug
goes the train
moving down the track.
The engine starts the front.
The caboose brings up the back.

Behind the engine 
rolls the coal car
it helps the train
travel very far.

In the middle
roll the flat cars,
and the box cars, too.
Chug, Chug, Chug.
They're coming to visit you.

     What is your favorite toy in the toy box?  Can you write a poem about it today?

    

SUNFLOWERS

One yellow sunflower
covered with dew,
count every petal,
see there are two.

Two brown faces
dancing in the breeze
covered in yellow crowns
see there are three.

Three happy sunflowers
grow in rains that pour
with rough green leaves
see there are four.

Four sunny sunflowers
bees come from the hive
to dance upon them,
can you count the five?

All the pretty sunflowers
growing in the sun
such happy faces,
oh, what fun.

     What is your favorite flower?  Can you write a poem about flowers today?  Have fun writing.

FIVE FIREFLIES

Five sparkling fireflies
flash in the trees,
blinking and sparkling
in the night breeze.

One of those fireflies
flew off with a soar,
blink, blink, flash, flash,
then there were four.

Four flashing fireflies
like stars in the sea,
blink, blink, flash, flash,
then there were three.

Three bright fireflies,
in the grass with dew,
blink, blink, flash, flash,
then there were two.


Two happy fireflies
sparking, having fun,
blink, blink, flash, flash,
then there was one.


One lonely firefly
feeling a little blue.
He's caught in your jelly jar
flashing for you.

    I love watching fireflies.  Do you?  Can you write your own counting poem today?  Have fun.

Sunday

Sunday is a fun day
For you and me to play.
Let's go for a hike,
What do you say?

We can play geologists
It's not vey hard.
We can dig for oil
In my back yard.

Or what if we had a tea party
On the village green.
You may invite all the fairies
That you've ever seen.

Sunday is the best day
For imaginative play. 
Won't you come and be with me
Before you run away.

     I hope you have a great time today.  Can you find a little time for reading and writing a poem?

Ring, ring
the doorbell rings.
I rush to open the door.

Ring, ring
who can it be
standing at my door?

It might be the sitter 
'cause Mom and Dad
are going out.

I hope she is a fun one
and not too overly stout.
I hope she will play with me
and doesn't suffer gout.

And as I stand here waiting
she's pushing on the bell.
Perhaps she'll just go away
and I won't have to tell.


     I like doors.  Do you?  How many doors are there in your house?  Are all the doors the same or different? 
Do you have a favorite sitter?  What do you do when the sitter comes?  Can you write a poem about a sitter, or babysitting?  Have a happy Saturday.

Happy Syttende Mai

Today in Norway is Constitution Day,
the children celebrate with parades.

Everyone wears the national colors
of the flag--red white and blue.

Today the graduating seniors
of their high school have a party,
stay up all night, and sing songs
through their towns.

My Grandmother is Norwegian
and so we will celebrate today too.
She'll  put a special table cloth she made
on our table.  She'll decorate with
her orange good luck horses.

For dinner we'll use the wooden 
painted plates and bowls.

She'll make her lutefisk
and kjott roll, her Norske fiske kraton,
and all her favorite dishes.

We'll eat three kinds of pickled herring
on flat bread or Norwegian crackers.

For dessert, Grandma makes kronekake
a special orange cake.  She lets me help
to break the eggs and stir.

For breakfast I even have my own
special wooden painted egg cup.
I always eat an egg on
Happy Syttende Mai.

     Do you have any special plates, dishes or cups you use for special occasions?  My mother had a special tea cup that she only got to use for cocoa when she was sick. My one son had a cup with a ceramic frog in the bottom that was his cocoa cup.  We even had a Bunnykins bowl where the decal of bunnies around the edge of the bowl had slipped a little so one bunny had lop ears instead of erect ears like all of his friends chasing around the rim of the bowl.  Normally this would be considered a flaw, but my boys always thought that was the lucky bowl and would fight over who got to use it.  Your challenge today is to write a poem about a special food your family eats or a special holiday your family celebrates.

Two spiny lizards
chase across the stucco wall
enjoying their spring


     Today's poem is a haiku.  I like to think that even when I can't think what to write, I can come up with a haiku.  I was really busy yesterday, I went to the gym; I did my morning walk, I went to the dentist.  I should have been thinking poetry all that time, but I was worried about other things, so this is what you get today.  I actually like this haiku a lot.  I like the way the last line has more than one meaning.  A desert spiny lizard is a big one, about 10 inches long.  I watched this couple from my shower this morning.
   Your challenge for today is to write your own poem about an indication you have that it is springtime.

   My copy of LIFTING THE SKY, Southwestern Haiku and Haiga came in the mail this week with four of my haiku published by Dos Gatos Press .

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

Do you like my smile?
Do you like my hair?

Do you like my bed?
Or how about my chair?

Do you like me standing here?
Or how 'bout over there?

Do you like my pear-ish shape?
Or like my face that's square?

Do you like my raven hair?
Or should I dye it fair?

Would you like to pet my dog?
Or maybe  ride my mare?

Tell me what of mine you like.
Or do you even care?

Would you like some tea with mint?
Perhaps you need a rest.

I'm fishing here for compliments.
It's what I do the best.

     My friend David L. Harrison has monthly prompts for writing poems on his blog.  The word for May is fog.  And now, he has added a monthly theme--fishing.  But, I didn't want to write about going fishing, or fishing poles and wiggly worms.  So as I thought about writing a poem, I got to fishing for compliments.  Then I had fun putting this poem together.  Compliments are always nice to give and receive.  What would someone say to you to give you a compliment?  Can you write a poem about it?  Do have fun.

SUNRISE

Sunrise
is like
my paintbox--
full of purples
blues and reds.
With such a
gorgeous sky,
who can
stay in bed?


    What did the sky look like for you this morning?  Can you write your own poem about the sunrise you saw (or didn't see) this morning?  Was your sunrise like a spilled bowl of fruit with oranges, grapes, lemons and cherries coloring the sky?

Happy Monday

Lying in bed
just after dawn
the sleep of night
is suddenly gone.

I'm listening to doves
cooing away
as I lie here and think
of the coming day.

Monday is the start
of this new week.
There's lots to do
and lots to seek.

I'm making my list
of things to get done.
I'm counting blessings
for lots of fun.

I  hope whatever
you have to do
this will be a
great week for you.



     Today's challenge is to write a list poem about all the things you need to do today.  Can you make it fun and interesting? 

Happy Mother's Day

Sunday morning,
early and calm.
I'm making breakfast
for my mom.

Mom is waking
in her bed
and that is where
she'll be fed.

Because my mom
is best to me
it's why I want
her day happy.

Happy Saturday

I'm going to the farmers' market today
I'll buy fresh salad greens if I may.
I'll pick out a tomato or maybe two,
some fresh goat cheese and 

some mushrooms for you.

I'll buy all the fresh fruit
that I wish
and hope someone brings
a nice fat fish.

Then if you come 
with me and Mary
we can all look for
fresh strawberries.


     Is there a farmers' market where you live? What kinds of things are for sale there?  can you write a poem about it?  Have fun writing.

Rain makes the road shine black.
I listen to the pitt-a-pat.
Dripping from the tree leaves,
falling off the edge of eaves.

On this day, I could feel gray
but the shine on the road
takes the blues away.


     Do you know the adage about, "Look for the Silver Lining?"  there was a movie in the 50's with that title.  It means to look for good things  even in bad situations.  Your challenge for today is to write a poem about something good that came out of something bad or difficult.  I Hope you have a great day.
  

Oahu

In Halauma Bay
they say
ten days
after the full moon
the box jellyfish swarm.

Avoid the warm water
on these days
and you will come
to no harm.

The diving is delightful.
The fish are an eye full.
Just try to stay away
from box jelly fish.

     I hope you are having a great Thursday.  Your challenge for today is to write a poem about any fish in the sea.  Have fun. (And eat some chocolate.)

Build My House

I'll build my house
at the the top of the mountain.
I'll build it where
the song birds sing.
I'll build my house
at the top of the mountain
where the white clouds settle
into a ring.


     Some say that the white clouds that settle into a ring around the top of a mountain is the breath of Puff the magic dragon creating a magical lei to circle the peak.  I love the thought of that.  What magical thing can you write a poem about today?  Have fun. 

Fireworks

h

 Fireworks
exploding
in the night sky.
Brilliant
colors
sparkling by.

   Your challenge for today is to write a poem about something you see in the sky.  Have fun.

AT THE BEACH

Today I will
run on the beach.
I'll smile at each
runner I meet.
I'll count each smile
that comes back to me
when I am running
in the sand.

Today I'll listen
to sounds on the beach.
I'll hear the birds
and waves crashing.
I'll hear children
building a castle
in the sand.

Today I'll try to
smell the beach,
the scent of salt
mixed with suntan oil,
and sandy seaweed
while I'm at the beach.

Today I'll open my mouth
to taste the salt air
on my tongue
when I am at the beach.

Today, I'll feel
happy in the sunshine.
I'll try not to burn
while I'm having fun
running on the beach.


     Today's poem is a list poem.  Can you see how I've used each of the five senses to list what it is like through the senses when I'm at the beach?  Your challenge for today is to take something you like to do--dance, go to the movies, eat pizza, read a book--and write your own list poem using your own senses.  It is through our senses that we experience the world and so when you write using your five senses, the reader can experience your world with you.  Have fun writing today.

Happy May 5th, Boys' Day

Carp fly over
the doorstep.
Carp fly over
the porch.

Bright orange fish
catch the breeze
flap like kites.
One big one
two smaller ones
the  fish are my dad,
my brother and me.

Mom made sure
the fish flutter
to celebrate
boys' day;
to mark 
how many men
live in our house,
to celebrate here
in Hawaii.

     Is Boys' Day celebrated in your community?  Your challenge for today is to write a tribute poem to a boy you know.  What makes him special?  Why is it great to be a boy?  Have fun writing. 
    

HAPPY SATURDAY

French toast,

Waffles,

Pancakes

What will

It be

Today?

When offered

French toast

Waffles, or

Pancakes

This is

What I say:

I think

I'll have

Yogurt

Today.

Happy Saturday. What will you have for breakfast today? And, when will you have your breakfast? Your challenge for today is to write your own breakfast poem.

Walk Along the Beach

Walk along the beach,
feel sand between your toes,
watch a fiery sunset,
see the world turn to rose.

Smell plumeria scent
from a Hawaiian lei.
Learn to live aloha,
take the time to play.


    I'm obviously still thinking about leis.  I talked to some people in Minnesota that had snow this morning.  So I thought I'd send you some sunshine and flowers.  Enjoy today.

Lei Day

May Day
is Lei Day
a chance 
to say
Aloha
in a special way.

Make a lei
a chain of flowers
to drape 
on this day
around
the neck
of someone
you know.

Bring the spirit
of love
and Aloha
to those
who need a lift.

Bring the smell
of Hawaiian islands
to those
who need a break
from their stress.

Aloha,
Happy Lei Day.


    Yes, I know this is coming to you on May 2 and Lei Day is May 1, but as my Island friends tell me, it is never a bad day to receive the gift of a lei.  So maybe I'm early for next year.  Your challenge for today is to write a poem from the viewpoint of your favorite flower.  What is its life like?  How does it feel about the other flowers, the birds, cats or dogs?  Have fun.  I think I'm going to try drawing a lei.

HAPPY MAY DAY

Find a piece of paper,

fold it to a cone,

add a sturdy handle

color for your own.

Now you have a basket

to put some flowers in.

Take them to a neighbor

and let the fun begin.  

Hang it on their door knob.

Get ready to run away.

When you ring the door bell

say, "Happy May Day."

    When I was a little girl, May 1st was considered the beginning of spring and the start of the end of the school year.  We'd have our last parent program on that day and each grade got to do a special dance.  The kindergarden students danced to A VISIT TO MY FRIEND,and the sixth graders got to dance the May Pole.  I remember standing in the hot sun for two weeks practicing before we performed for our parents. First we learned the dance steps.  Then we did the dance with ropes on the tether ball pole.  Next we had long rag ribbons on a special post.  When we arrived on the night of our performance we had long satin ribbons in pastel colors to dance with.  Each student had the responsibility not to mess the steps up, otherwise the ribbons on the pole wouldn't make the pretty woven pattern.  Oh what fun we had.  My mother made me a new yellow sun dress to wear.  My partner was so slow in picking up the steps: I think we all worked very hard to get him to do the right steps so when we were done, it all looked beautiful.

   Have you ever danced a May Pole?  After that event, we'd put away our fun activities and get ready for end of the year testing and final exams.

  What is your favorite memory for the month of May?  Can you write a poem about that?  Or maybe you can write about the flowers that are blooming now.