SUN

(original art by Joy Acey, 2013 all rights reserved)

This is another of the spine poems.  I played with the idea of having you read the poem right to left, so the poem would end in the traditional west side of the paper, but it was really hard to read that way.

If you have trouble reading this, here it is in a traditional vertical mode.

Sun
rises
in the
east
starts 
a new 
day
UP
Rise Up
come 
out
play
when
it's
time
to rest
sun
sets
in the
west


     Now it is your turn, can you write your own poem about the sun, or play?  I hope you have as much fun writing poems as I do.  Enjoy.

Moon

(original illustration by Joy Acey, 2013)

Today's spine poem reads in an arc, so you read from the bottom left to the bottom of the right side of the picture.  This one I had to illustrate, to show you how to read it.
If you have trouble reading the words, here they are in traditional linear fashion.

shape-
shifter
moon
rides
the back
of a
wolf
watches
sleeping
children
when
all is at
rest
moon
sets
in the
west


    I hope you enjoy today's poem.  Your challenge for today is to write your own moon poem.  Indians had a different name for the moon for each month.  You might have some fun doing research before you write your poem.  Have fun.

ROASTING MARSHMALLOWS

clouds
kiss
tries to
smoke
and the
the sky
reaches
upwards
spirals
twirls
twines
fire
camp-
from the
smoke

   Which way does smoke travel, up or down?  So read this spine poem from the bottom up.  I'm still working on this one, trying to make it into a reverso, a poem that reads from either direction.   Can you try writing your own poem about a campfire today, or roasting marshmallows?  Have fun writing.

Acorn

An acorn
dropped
from
the top
of a 
tall
oak
to spin
whirl
twirl
then
plop
into
the 
soft 
earth
to be
covered
in a
colorful
patch-
work
quilt
of fallen
leaves
to sleep           S  again.
until               E
spring          S
when          I 
it              R



      I've been playing with spine poems again.  This one reads down before you start up again as the acorn drops and then starts to grow at the end of the poem.  Was this one hard to read?  I've been having fun with thinking about things that drop.  It is Sunday, so have fun writing your own poem today.

JACK IN THE BOX

surprise
with
laugh
baby
makes
he
high
so
stretches
box
his
of
out
springs
box
the-
in-
jack-
A



      Some thing go up, and some come down.  This poem reads from the bottom up because that is the way a Jack-in-the-box would spring up.  This is another spine poem.  Can you tell I'm having fun with this form?  I'm thinking this poem, or a variation on it would make a good concrete poem, too.  Have fun writing your own poem today.  Happy Saturday.

Gravitational Force

Gravity
forces
birds
bees
leaves
and
me 
to 
float
drop
fall
toward
earth


     I've been working on some spine poems lately.  These are long slim poems with only one or two words on each line.  Can you write your own spine poem today?
You might have fun writing from the bottom up.

sky
the
into
bird
a
like
float
to
air
expanding
heats
balloon
air
hot
a


   Have a great weekend. Write some poems.  Have fun.

Poetry Friday is hosted by Sherry  at Semicolon this week. And Co-hosted by Matt Forest at Radio, Rhythm and Rhyme.

Modern Haiku

overnight

Texas Rangers

 bloom in abundance

     It is monsoon season in the desert.  We are finally getting some rain after a month of 100+ degree temperatures.  It is still very hot, but now we have some rain to break up the heat.  Over night some of the plants have decided that now is the time to bloom.

     There are some people who will say this isn't a poem.  It is too short.  But it captures one idea, and if you look at the syllable count (3,4,5) you'll see that it is a nice little package.  I like that the name of this plant is Texas Ranger, it provides a turn for the poem because the words do send a reader down a path of cowboy westerns.  Seeing the blooming plants that were just greenery the day before definitely provided an "a-ha" moment for me.

     Can you try writing your own short poem today that contains just one thought or image?  Enjoy the beauty in your day.

YOUR TONGUE

A tongue is
an amazing thing.
It lets us talk
and helps us sing.

We use it when
we need to chew.
So many things
a tongue can do.

But let me advise
you, this my son,
use caution when
you use your tongue.

Hold your tongue.
Don't speak fast.
Words once uttered
tend to last.

Pain and hurt
can rue the day
when your tongue 
wags away.


     This is a didactic poem. A didactic poem tries to teach.  This one advises to think before you speak.  As Geoffrey Chaucer admonished:
 A tongue cutteth friendship all a-two.       
    Do you have some rules that your parents tell you, or classroom rules?  Maybe say please and thank you, use an inside voice, or chew with your mouth closed?  Can you write your own poem today that offers an instruction?  Have fun writing.  If this doesn't appeal try writing about when the rules go wrong.

THE FLY

A fly is buzzing
around my head.
I wish that fly
would be dead.

I try to catch him
but he flies away
then comes back
in an annoying way.

I cover my ears
and what do you think?
He lands on my nose,
the little stink!

I try to grab him
but he's too fast. 
How long can
his buzzing last?

I get the fly swatter
and then what do I see?
No more fly to bother me.

I put the swatter down.
And then guess what?
The fly is back
to kick my --OOPS.

But I'm going to win
some how, some way
and get rid of this fly
some time today.

      I've had a fly interrupt my writing today, and I figured if I wrote a poem about him, maybe he'd fly away and leave me be--I do hate killing things.  Can you write your own poem today about an insect?

NIGHT

A full moon shone 
in the sky last night
big and round
and very white.

Seeing the moon
caused me delight
as I thought of the words
that I could write.

About dishes and spoons
and cows jumping moons.
About the howling
of moonstruck dogs,
oinking and whee-ing
of mud-rolling hogs.

Of bats that fly late at night,
or an airplane that leaves
on cross-country flight.

Half of each day
is filled with night.
I like it when
the moon is bright.


     Can you write your own poem about something that happens in the middle of the night?

One Hot Chicken

Today it is
very hot--
enough
to bake 
an egg
on the 
parking lot.

Sizzle,
steam,
cliente.
Break an egg,
let it drop,
cooking there
in the hot.
Chicken runs
far away.
Poor chicken,
it's a HOT day.

FLIP FLOPS

I like my flip flops.
I think they are neat.
They flip and they flop
to an up-tempo beat.

But some days they
are so very slow.
What could be wrong?
I do not know.

The rhythm is lazy
so I take a seat.
I laugh because 
I put them
on the wrong feet.

       Happy Saturday.  I've written several poems about shoes.  How about you?  Can you write a poem about shoes today?  Have you ever put your shoes on the wrong feet?  How did it feel?  Do you like getting new shoes?  Have shoes ever worn blisters on your feet?  What if you were an elephant who wanted red pumps?  Or a mermaid who has always wanted to wear shoes?  Have fun writing your poem.

SUN RISE

 

Sunrise
the sky is red,
time for me
to get out of bed.

It is a day
with lots to do.
I'm watching
as the sky
turns blue.


And I think
while I'm dressing
today is a day
with many blessings.


    It is Friday.  I hope your day is as beautiful as mine is starting to be.  Can you write a poem about one good thing that is happening to you today?  Have a great day.

THE BAT

A bat flew 
searching one night
found my pool
to his delight.

And in his flight
he took a dip
from my pool 
he took a sip.

He got stuck
but what is worse
we had to call
the bat-man hearse.


      This morning when I went out to the pool to swim morning laps, I found a dead bat.  A golden beetle was attached to him.  I always feel a little sad when I find dead animals in the pool.  What is something that makes you feel sad?  Can you write a poem about that today.  Hey, writing always cheers me up.  I hope it works for you too.  Have a great Thursday.

PRICKLY PEAR

I'm working hard
doing the best I can.
I'm cooking up some
prickly pear jam.

It is sweet and tasty,
I don't want to boast,
but it tastes delicious
on my morning toast.

     Making prickly pear jam isn't easy because there are lots of stickers to deal with.  what is your favorite flavor of jam.  I had friends give me strawberry jam and apple butter that they made from their own fruits.  Homemade jam on toast tastes wonderful!  Can you write a poem today about your favorite flavor of jam?  Maybe you want to add peanut butter and write about a sandwich?  Have fun playing with words as you cook up your own sweet poem.

TARANTULA HAWK

A tarantula hawk is an amazing creature.
It's bright orange wings are a stunning feature.
It's body is blue, a shade of teal.
I wonder how a tarantula hawk must feel.

Are there days when he wishes not to be so bright?
So he can disguise himself and keep out of sight?

Are there times when he wishes folks wouldn't stare
and they wouldn't notice the tarantula hawk there?

     A tarantula hawk is a really cool wasp.  Can you write a poem about an insect today? Have fun.

TODAY, LIVE

Four doves sleep on the fence.
A lizard walks over the desert floor.
The wind blows in light rushes
bending the creosote bushes.

The sky is blue,
the clouds, fluffy and white.
It is a day where I feel
everything is right.

     How is your day going?  I met with a group of seniors today, so I could hear the wonderful  poems they are writing.  This is always lots of fun for me. Can you write a poem about what the sky looks like in your part of the world?  Enjoy.

BLESSING AND GRATITUDE

After midnight
I step outside
into the quiet
of darkness.
I watch and listen.
I see
great flashes 
of lightning
illuminating the desert;
hear great roars
and rumbles of 
cracking thunder.
Such power,
such unpredictable beauty.
I feel very small
amid this power and strength.
I'm only a small part
of this great world.
There is something
far greater than I am.
I'm grateful to be
a part of this universe,
blessed by it. 


     Happy Sunday.  I hope you enjoy your day and have fun writing your own poem today.
Have fun.

ORANGE

Toss me.
Furl me.
Spin me.
Twirl me.
Juggle me.
Dance.
Roll me
through the streets
looking for romance.
Strip me.
Peel me.
Eat my sections.
I'm a citrusy
orange confection.


     I couldn't think of anything to write about this morning and so I picked the first thing that came to hand--An orange.  And then ideas started to dance through my head.  Put your hand out.  Turn around and what is the first thing you can touch?
Can you write a poem about that?  Happy Saturday and have fun writing.

SAXOPHONE MAN

There is a man
playing saxophone
out on the street.
He plays blues
and jazz
with a lively beat.
Smiles at the pennies
from the folks
he meets.
He leaves his case 
open praying for
dollars, not dimes,
hoping his tunes
will roll in  
good times.
It is Saturday night
and it's getting late.
Time to go home
to his kids
and his mate.
But there's not
enough money
to count
in his case yet,
so he plays one
last tune
trying
to get out of debt.
It's jazz and blues
loved by this man
who plays his saxophone
the best that he can.

     Are there street performers in your town?  Have you ever sang along or performed with them?  Your challenge for today is to write a poem about a street performer.

  Michelle is hosting the Friday Poetry Roundup today on her blog Today's Little Ditty
Thanks so much, Michelle.

MORNING

Like a child on Christmas morning,
clouds creep over the mountains,
slow, and then they run.
Light shines on the hillside,
it gleams with morning sun,
a new day has begun.

     Can you tell I was up early today?  Can you write your own poem about your morning?  Have fun writing.

FRIENDS

Joe is a girafee.
Tom is a turtle.

"Come on friend,
Let's go play,"
said Joe.

"Oh, NO!
We cannot
be friends," said Tom.

"Ridiculous.
Why can't we be friends?"
asked Joe.
"I want to know."

"Because you're so tall
and I'm so small
way down here below,"
said Tom.

"Ridiculous,"
repeated Joe.

"You like to eat acacia leaves
high up on acacia trees.
You're so big, you frighten me,"
said Tom pulling into his shell.

"RIDICULOUS!"

"You walk fast
and gallop as you go.
I toddle along.
Turtles go s-l-o-w."

"Ridiculous, I don't think so," said Joe.

"Oh yes," said Tom.
"With four long legs
you're fast when you flee,
and I worry.
You might kick me.
Oh NO!  Friends--
we can never be."

"Hmmmm," thought Joe.
"Let me see.  If I can find
one thing that is the same,
will you then
play a game?"

"I guess, maybe.
But what can that be?
I'm asking you, Joe
with your head
in that tree."

"Tom, that's it," said Joe.
"How we're the same,
I think I know.
I stick out my neck 
to get these acacia leaves.
I'll drop some down
for you to see.
Now you can eat along with me.

"But you, little turtle,
must stick out your neck too,
to eat the leaves
I've dropped for you."

"For being good friends
takes more than kisses and pecks
it requires
sticking out our necks."

     This is very new, and very rough, but I'm having fun working on a drawing to go with it which is fun for me too.  I'll continue to do some editing and polishing. There are a lot of reversed rhymes, and I'm going to have to work to get rid of these forced rhymes.   This started because I was having fun saying, ridiculous.  And I knew I wanted to use the word. 
    Can you write your own poem today based upon a single word like ridiculous, shucks, gosh, yes, no, or another word?  Have fun.

Road Trip

Today is the first day
of our summer vacation.
We're taking a road trip
across this nation.

My sister and I
get the back seat,
traveling this way
just can't be beat.

I  hope she stays
on her half of the seat,
or I'll take off my shoes
from my smelly feet.


      What are you doing during your summer vacation?  Can you write a poem about that?  Have fun.

SLEEPY MONDAYS

Some Mondays
are a little hard for me.
I start my day too slow.

Mom stands at my doorway
and urges me to 
GO.   GO.   GO.

I want to turn over
and sleep some more.
But Mom, she will not wait.

She says if I don't
put a wiggle on
I surely will be late.



     All of us are late at sometime.  I remember when I transitioned from elementary school to Junior High and we got a lecture on being tardy and the consequences of three tardies in one grading period.  Do you remember the March Hare from Alice in Wonderland rushing around saying "I'm late.  I'm late."  The author Lewis Carroll was a math tutor at Christ Church College in Oxford, England.  At midnight the bells would start chiming in the bell tower. (This was before the time of wrist watches and cell phones with alarms.)  The students could hear the bells from anywhere in the town.  It meant they needed to get back to their rooms.  If a student wasn't back inside the gates of the college by the end of the 100th chime, the gates were locked and the student was locked out for the night. (And probably had to sleep on the streets.)   So your challenge for today is to write a poem about being late.  Have fun.  And if you are late in writing this poem, that is OK, I won't throw you out in the street.  Have fun.

Fairy Ride

A fairy rode 
on a rabbit's back,
hopped from here
to the top of Mt. Sac.
They told stories
and sang
along the way.
Yippie-I-O
Kai-Ay.
Hurr-ay.


     There were several rabbits out this morning on my walk.  Would you believe it was already 86 degrees and it wasn't even 7 o'clock yet.  I thought I'd forgotten the first of the month ritual to turn around three times and say, "rabbit, rabbit, rabbit."
Do you know that silly thing for having good luck during the month?  Do you know other rituals or superstitions?  Can you write a poem about that today?

PERSPIRATION

I'm hot
and 
I'm sweaty.
My body 
is aglow.
I'm 
the 
stinkiest
kid
I know.

       Sorry for this smelly poem today, but I just couldn't help myself.  Oh, it is so much fun to feel just a little bit naughty.  Your challenge for today is to write about a smell.
Theodore Roethke, wrote about a "congress of stinks," in his poem about the Root Cellar. Sylvia Plath wrote, "our noses/ Take hold of the loam" in describing Mushrooms in her poem.  So how would you describe a smell?  Have fun writing and playing with words.

PILLOWS, PILLOWS, PILLOWS

What a lovely sight!

Pillows, pillows, pillows

on my left 

and my right.

Pink, blue, yellow,

brown, green, white.

I have an idea,

let's have a pillow fight

and we don't even have

to wait 

for tonight.

     Now, I've shown you this toon picture of pillows and presented my poem, but I also wanted to share a poem by my friend Marcia Diane.  (She is the person who introduced me to Pippin, the little black and white pony with beautiful blue eyes that I've pictured here earlier and wrote a poem for him.)  Her poem is about feelings, and I thought it would be a good one for discussing feelings.  Marcia, Thank you for sharing your poem with us.

SAD AND BLUE

by M. Diane

Did you ever hug a pillow

when you’re sad and blue?

Have you ever hugged a pillow

right up close to you?

Have you ever hugged a pillow

when your mom’s to busy to hug you

or your dad’s not around

and your brother’s acting like a clown?

Did you ever hug a pillow

up close to you?

It’s ever so lovely

a thing to do.

M. Diane

       Your challenge for today is to write your own poem about a feeling you've had, or you can write about your own pillow and how it makes you feel.  Have fun.

          POETRY FRIDAY is hosted over at Keri's today.  Head over there if you'd like to read more children's poetry.   Keri, thank you for hosting us. 

Happy Fourth of July

Fireworks flash,
rockets fly.
BOOM,
            BOOM,
                      BANG,
                               BANG.
Happy Fourth of July.