Welcome

This is my playground for poetry written for children with ideas and inspiration for writing your own poems. Come on in. Sit for a spell, have a cup of words to swirl around and make your own cup of poetry. I'm so glad you are here. I hope you'll find the Kingdom of Poetry a fun place to be.

Thursday, July 31, 2014

DIRTY DOG

My dog is dirty,
he rolled on the path.
I've filled the tub
to give him a bath.

I've looked all around.
He's can't be seen
now that I want
to wash my dog clean.


     Have you ever given a dog a bath?  How about a cat?  Is there another animal you could bathe?
I once scrubbed the side of an elephant.  Just like giving a dog a bath, I got more water on me than I did on the elephant.  I thought about changing this poem to be about an elephant instead of the dog, but I think I want a different poem for that.  Elephants love water and they would be the first ones in the water making mud. 
   Your poetry challenge for today is to write a poem about bathing, grooming or feeding an animal.  Have fun writing.

Wednesday, July 30, 2014

MY TEMPER

I try not to jump,
scream or shout.
I don't want to let 
my temper out.

If my anger
I do not mend,
my temper comes back
in the end.

So instead of mad words
that may cause harm
I take a deep breath
and aim to be calm.

     Oh gosh, some days are harder than others.  The idea is hidden in this poem, but the words need some work.  Let's just call today's poem a draft.  At least I have the idea down so I can come back to it later to work on.  Can you write your own poem about being mad today?  What happens to you when you get mad?  What makes you mad?  What makes you lose your temper?  Have fun writing a draft for your poem.

Tuesday, July 29, 2014

MY CLUB HOUSE

I'm building a club house
in my back yard
with cardboard boxes
it shouldn't be hard.

I'll hoist up a flag,
watch it unfurl
with words to say--
JUST FOR GIRLS.

I'll invite my friends,
bring in my toys
and we can try to keep out
the pesky boys.
(Like my brother,
who is sure
to yell to my mother,
all through the day,
"Sister won't let me play.")

     Have you ever built a club house out of boxes?  Have you built a train, a boat, or a space station?  Can you write a poem today about what you might build if you had the boxes?  Who would you invite to play with you?  What would you do?  Would your club house have rules?  Have fun with your imagination and try writing a poem.  Have an adventure today.

Monday, July 28, 2014

NEVER ENOUGH TIME

Hurry.  Hurry.
Rush.  Rush.
I do not want to wait.
If I don't
move along
I surely
will be
late.


    Can you write a poem about a time when you were late?  Have fun writing.

Sunday, July 27, 2014

SAILING

I'm sailing along
on a briny sea.
There's a lighthouse on land
in front of me.
I watch its mirrors
spinning around
to help keep my boat
from going a ground.
Here is where 
I want to be,
sailing along
on a briny sea.

    If you had a sail boat, where would you sail?  Who would you take along?  What would you do?  Can you write a poem about sailing today?  Have fun letting your imagination go wild (Wandering In Lovely Destinations).  Just write.

Saturday, July 26, 2014

NIGHT LIGHT

When I'm alone and scared
in the middle of the night,
all I need to do is grab
my trusty flash light.


    Do you have a flash light?  What do you use your flash light for?  Can you write a list poem about the uses for your flash light?  Have fun writing

Friday, July 25, 2014

STORM

The winds blew,
the lightning flashed,
the rains came down
and the thunder crashed.
Oh what a lovely storm.

    Our monsoon rains are coming and it is so lovely to have a break from the heat.  Can you write a poem today about some aspect of the weather?  Perhaps you can use the weather for a metaphor for your relationship with some one you know.  Have fun writing.

    The Poetry Friday roundup is hosted this week by Sylvia Vardell and Janet Wong over at http://poetryforchildren.blogspot.com/    Thanks to the greatest editors ever.  I appreciate your hard work in bringing poetry to children and teachers.

Thursday, July 24, 2014

GEODE

copyright 2014, Joy Acey
A geode looks like a regular rock
until it's split in two.

copyright 2014, Joy Acey

Then you can see the crystals inside
sparkling for you.

    How many different kinds of rocks can you name?  Can you write a poem about rocks today?  Have fun writing.

Wednesday, July 23, 2014

JIB SAIL

Somehow, it seems right,
the jib, small triangular sail,
is set before the mast,
attached to the bowsprit.

Like the unfurled journeys,
each night, in my dreams
sailing away from you,
but still attached to come home.


     Do you know what a jib sail is?  How about a Genoa jib, genny jib or a flying jib?  Do you know the word bowsprit?  Learning new words is one of the fun things I like about reading poetry.  I'm always learning.  Can you find a new word to write a poem about today?  You might want to write your poem in free verse.  Have fun writing and learning.

Tuesday, July 22, 2014

DANCING SHOES

I have new shoes
they are dancing shoes
they fit upon my feet.

I have new shoes
purple dancing shoes
they help me tap a beat.

I have new shoes
pale pink dancing shoes
they help my feet to fly.

I have new shoes
silver dancing shoes
they lift me to the sky.

     Now that I've started this poem, would you like to add a verse?  What color would your shoes be?  What would they help you to do?  Have fun writing.

Monday, July 21, 2014

SO HUNGRY

I'm so hungry
I could eat a bear.
My teddy says,
"Don't go there!"

I'm so hungry
I could eat a horse.
"Don't eat me!"
says my horse, of course.

I'm so hungry
I could eat a cow.
"If I'm eaten,
there's no milk, now."

I'm no longer hungry
Don't want to be fed.
I think I'll return
to my bed instead.


     This is not the first poem I've written about being hungry.  What kind of poem could you write to answer the question: How hungry are you?  What would you eat?  Have fun writing a food poem today.

Sunday, July 20, 2014

Sunday Morning

Sunday morning
sunrise service
singing hymns of praise
yip, yip, yipee, yip, yip, yip
coyotes congregate on the golf course.

     Sunday is a great day for being grateful.  What are you thankful for today?  Can you write a poem of praise?  Have fun writing.

Saturday, July 19, 2014

haiku

desert roadrunner
races across the tarmac
eating a lizard


     I've seen several roadrunners lately and each one always has a lizard dangling out of his mouth.  I guess it is part of desert living.  What is something typical about your part of the world?  Can you write a poem about that today?

Friday, July 18, 2014

MY SMILE

I put a smile
upon my face
I wear it
like a crown.
I skip.
I dance.
I even race
my smile
all over town.

     Your challenge for today is to write a happy poem.  What makes you happy?  What are some fun things you like to do?  Have fun writing your poem.
     The Friday Poetry Roundup is hosted by Tabatha Yeatts this week.  Hop over to her blog The Opposite of Indifference for more poetry fun.  Thanks Tabatha for all the wonderful things you do for us.

Thursday, July 17, 2014

LACES

New laces in my shoes
tied in crisp white bows.
Keep them tight with double knots
or else they'll trip your toes.

    The inspiration for today's poem came from Adella Arceo who wrote her own poem LACES.  Her poem was written for adults and was much longer.  Your poetry challenge for today is to take the title from another poem and write your own verse to fit the title.  Have fun writing.



Wednesday, July 16, 2014

LICKETY-SPLICKETY

Lickety-spickety
Where are we going?
Lickety-spickety
What shall we do?

Lickety-spickety
Put on your puddle boots.
Lickety-spickety
grab your umbrella too.

    We have been having monsoon rains.  It is fun to have rain.  The cacti plump up with water.  The creosote bushes blossom.  The Paloverde trees get new leaves, and if we are very lucky, we get to go out in the rain and it feels wonderfully cool.
     Lickety-spickety is a nonsense word which can mean hurry up; can you try writing a poem today that uses a rhyming nonsense word in the poem?  Have fun writing. 

Tuesday, July 15, 2014

Oh! Oh! Oh!

I once met a handsome bandito.
He rode on a horse named Splendito.
Together we shared a burrito.
Afterwards he jumped up to go
and where he went, I do not know.

     This poem all came about because I liked the feel of "Splendito," in my mouth.  Do you ever have words that feel good in your mouth?  Delicious is another feel good in the mouth word for me.  Can you try to find your own good-mouth words and use one of them in a poem today?  Happy writing.


Monday, July 14, 2014

MONDAY

Today is Monday.
It's a let's have fun day.
I'll show you the way day.
We can write a poem today, day.
It's a can you come play day.
What do you say, day?
So much to do on Monday.

     Happy Monday.  What a great day to start a new week.  Do you have plans for what you want to get done this week?  Can you try writing a list poem about that?  Or take one topic from your list and write a poem on that.  Have fun writing.

Sunday, July 13, 2014

SHOES

Shoes do help
to protect your feet.
But, I think going barefoot
can't be beat.


    Which do you like better, wearing shoes or going barefoot?  Can you write a poem about your preference today?  Have fun writing.

Saturday, July 12, 2014

BANANA SMILES

 
copyright 2014, Joy Acey


If I were a banana
here's what I would do,
I'd lay on my side
to smile at you.

     I'm being silly today and playing with my food.  Can you write a silly poem today?  Have fun.

Friday, July 11, 2014

Summertime

Staying inside
where it's nice and cool
or hanging out
at the swimming pool.

Lying in the hammock
with a book to read,
it's summertime,
this is all I need.

    

     What is your favorite thing to during the summer.  Do you go camping, fishing or jet skiing?
Do you eat corn on the cob or watermelon? Can you write a poem about what you like to do in summertime?  Have fun writing. 

Linda Kulp over at Write Time is hosting the Poetry Friday roundup today. You can mosey on over there for more children's poetry fun.  Thank you, Linda, for hosting us today. 

Thursday, July 10, 2014

MOUSE TALE

Late at night
when it's dark at our house
Out from his hole
creeps a little gray mouse.

He scurries around
till he finds some cheese
then it's back to his hole
where he slips with a squeeze.


     What would you do with a pet mouse?  Can you write a poem about that today?  Have fun writing.

Wednesday, July 9, 2014

The Fairy and the Imp

A little fairy
and a tiny imp
went down to the sea
and dined with shrimps.

They supped with scallops
and some lobster too.
Then went for a ride
o're the ocean blue.

The fairy paddled
over the foam,
and the tiny imp steered
their boat home.

    There is a real world and a world of magic.  I think I like the fun of visiting with magic.  How about you?  So, here is your challenge for today.  Can you write a poem about the world of magic?  Have fun writing.

Tuesday, July 8, 2014

MAKING MEMORIES

I've got two fists of stars
and bright moonlight, it's true,
a wispy cloud to float
across the sky, deep blue.

I've put them in this box.
I'm sending it to you
to help you with your dreams.
I hope you have a few.

Please, close your eyes to sleep
and fill your head with memories.
So then when you awake
you'll send your thoughts to me.


    WOW!  This poem is definitely a draft.  If you'd like to try re-writing the last stanza so the meter and rhyme are better, please do.  In the meantime, I'll file this one away to think on some more.  What are you thinking about today?  Did you learn something new?  Can you write a poem about that?  Have fun writing.

Monday, July 7, 2014

TODAY

Today is mine
the whole big pie
from sunrise until
I close my eyes.

In moonlight I'll dream
while I sleep
but today starts a memory
I can keep.

So, I'll share my apples
and give you a bite
for today is a day
we both should delight.

    Happy Monday.  Today is a day you can claim as your own.  Why not?  What will you do today?  Can you write a poem about your day?  What will you see?  What will you do? What will you read and write?  Make today your special day. 

Sunday, July 6, 2014

haiku

gila woodpecker
on the feeder, hummingbird
awaits the quelling

     When the gila woodpecker sits on the hummingbird feeder, he is so heavy that it radically tilts the feeder and when the bird flies away it leaves the feeder swinging.  I saw two hummingbirds sitting in the mesquite tree watching the gila woodpecker at their feeder.   That happens to me sometimes too, I have to wait for the big guys before I can have my turn.  Have you ever had to wait before you get a turn?  Can you write a poem about that today?  Have fun writing.  

Saturday, July 5, 2014

MONSOON

The monsoons arrive at six o'clock.
Knock at my door.
First, gentle sprinkles
then in a pour.

Finally, it comes down with buckets
dashing away in rain.
I didn't want to send them off.
I asked them, Won't you please, come again?

     Finally, our monsoon rains came.  The air has cooled a little.  We were only in 90 degrees yesterday.  What was your Fourth of July weather like?  Are you up for writing a weather related poem today?  Do have fun.


Friday, July 4, 2014

FIREWORKS

See in the sky
Petals bursting
As flowers of
Red, white and blue
Keep freedom's
Light burning in an
Energetic Dance with
Radiant
Shining sparklers.



    I hope you have a great Fourth of July.  Keep writing and enjoying poetry.

Thursday, July 3, 2014

Haiku

black chin hummingbird
comes again to talk to me--
three mornings running

    I'll bet you are busy today.  Can you find time to write a quick haiku, or an acrostic poem?  If that doesn't work for you, try writing a list poem and include all the emblems of the Fourth of July.  Have fun writing.

Wednesday, July 2, 2014

LET'S HAVE A PICNIC!

Pack the food
In a cooling ice
Chest.
Now let's find,
In a shady spot, a place we
Can have a picnic.


     Do you have plans for the FOURTH OF JULY?  Will you eat HOT DOGS? Will you see FIREWORKS?  Will you be at the BEACH?  Can you find your own SUMMER word to write an acrostic today?  You can use any of these words written in CAPS, or discover your own word.  Have fun writing.

Tuesday, July 1, 2014

HAPPINESS

I like the look of happiness,
it makes me glad, I must confess.
Your smile full of energy,
it makes me feel mirthful glee.

Your eyes sparkle with an impish shine.
Your laughter I can take.
The joy that glows upon your face
is impossible to fake.


    Your challenge for today is to take an emotion and write a poem about what that looks and feels like.  What does sadness look like?  How can you tell when someone is in pain?  How would fear look?  Have fun writing.