I've a ticket
on the dream train.
I'm leaving town tonight.
I've a ticket for sweet dreams
when I go to bed tonight.

If you had a ticket on the dream train, where would it take you?  Have fun writing your own poem.

BAREFOOT

I'm going barefoot
without my shoes.
Now I'm wondering
What's your news?


Happy Saturday.  Saturdays are catch up days at my house.  I clean my room, change my bed sheets, shop for groceries, and pay my bills.  What do you do on Saturdays?  I hope you can find time to write a poem today.

FRIDAY

Today is Friday.
Make it a fun day.
Live for today,
not tomorrow.
Try to be happy,
let go of sorrow.

    What are you doing today to have fun?  What makes you happy a bout today?  Can you write a poem about that?  It would make me happy.  Have fun writing.

Fortune Cookie

I ate a fortune cookie
a yummy little wafer.
The fortune said, Be careful,
it's time you should be safer.


   If you had a fortune cookie, what would you like the fortune to say?  One of my recent fortunes said I'd be travelling to the Orient.  Guess what?  I actually had the opportunity to travel to China occur this week.  I'm planning a trip for 2015.  Have fun writing a poem about your fortune.

THE FRIENDLIEST SOUND

The friendliest sound 
in the desert to me
is a phainopepla calling
from a Paloverde tree.
Too-weet, too-weet, too-weet.


    On my walk this morning, I saw and heard the phainopepla.  It reminded me that it is about time for the birds to start their migration.
    This poem can work fairly well as a template for lots of bird sounds.  Next I want to try calling from a cactus.  Let's see:

The eeriest sound
in the desert to us
is an elf owl calling
from a Saguaro cactus.
Chewk, chewk, chewk.

 Now, let's see with a different bird:

The strangest sound
in the desert to us
is a Gila woodpecker calling
from a Saguaro cactus.
Churr-kip, churr-kip, churr-kip.

 Now, let's see with a different location, bird, and tree:

The prettiest sound
in the mountains to me
is a cardinal calling
from a pine tree.
Cheer-cheer-cheer-chireep.

  So, here is your challenge for today--can you use this template to write a poem about a sound you hear in your locale?  Have fun trying this in lots of different ways.
  
The nosiest sound
I've ever heard
is my dog barking
at a bird.
Woolf, woolf, woolf.
Do have fun writing today.
, 

FLOATING ON THE RIVER

A river named Poetry
flows through my dreams
with cascading mists
dancing in moonbeams.

The cool taste of words
delights in my ear
as I'm drifting in poems
full of good cheer.

I wade with my Wellies
and grab some smooth stones,
for as long as there's poetry
I've no need to roam.

Exotic destinations are all
found in verse.
Addicted to rhyming,
oh, that is my curse. 

Pete Repeats

fingerpaint, copyright 2014

I have a pet parrot.
His name is Pete.
The only word he knows
is repeat, repeat.

I introduce my parrot
to everyone I meet,
but all Pete says
is repeat, repeat.

   How many different kinds of birds can you name?  Can you write a poem about a bird today?  May your poem soar.

Dear Friend,
Oh, how I depend upon you
to help me on days
when I'm feeling blue.

Your smile makes me happy
and carries me through
to another day 
when I give thanks
for friends
that are true.

Create a Poem

If you want
to have a good time
write down some words
and try to rhyme.

Flea Circus

copyright 2014, Joy Acey

The circus is here
and I'm all agog
to see the clowns
and the flying trapeze.

The world's largest circus
made up of fleas
and they're all performing
on my poor dog.

     If you could join the circus, what would you do?  Water elephants, tame lions, juggle?  Would you be a clown, an aerialist, a bareback rider or the ring master?  Can you try writing your own circus poem today?  Have fun.

JELLY, OH MY!

On my toast, I like jelly.
On my biscuits, in my belly.

Jelly on my fingers.
Jelly on my face.
I've gotten jelly
all over the place.

I think that I am
a jelly mess.
I LOVE jelly,
can you guess?

    My jelly is a beautiful red color.  How many things can you think of in a minute that are red?  Can you select one thing on your list to write a poem about, or can you write a poem about being red?  Have fun writing.  Maybe you can eat some toast and jelly while you write.

BOBCAT

copyright 2014, Joy Acey

A bobcat came to my house today,
under my tree she wanted to play.
And even though she looks so cute
in her spotted bobcat suit
I know that I must keep away.

    Some times magical gifts are given to us, if we just keep our eyes and ears open.  This poem was the gift given to me today and the fantastic experience of seeing a wild bobcat walking across my yard.  What is something magical that has happened to you?  A sight from nature?  An unexpected surprise or gift?  Can you write a poem about one of the magical things that has happened to you or someone you know?  Have fun writing and counting blessings.

Dear Friend,

Send me the song
of a cactus wren
trilling and hauntingly sweet.
By the tune
I will know
you are there, still
in the desert,
where wide skies unfurl
pink, purple, red;
where Saguaros rise
in benediction
and living is
a devotion.

    I've been busy today making Prickly Pear jelly.  I covered my arms with leather gauntlets and wore leather gloves, but still the spines went through my gloves and clothing.  That is the hardest part of making the jelly.  What is something hard or difficult for you to do?  Can you write a hard poem today?  (That was a little pun.)  Do have fun writing your own poem.

PEACH

copyright 2014, Joy Acey

Wrinkled-pit peach
how do you grow?
Your taste is delicious
with a fuzzy warm glow.

     I've been writing peach poems today.  I think peaches are my favorite fruit.  What is your favorite?  What vegetable do you like best?  Can you write a fruit or vegetable poem today?  Is there a fruit or vegetable you don't like?  Growing up, I never liked grape jelly, I still don't.  What is your favorite jam?

SOAP

Soap foams.
Soap bubbles.
Soap in my tub,
soaks away troubles.

   When you take a bath, what goes in the tub with you?  You can use your imagination and make up an answer to this question.  Now, try writing a poem about that.  Have fun writing.

LET'S GO FISHING

I like eating fish.
I like it a bunch.
I eat fish for dinner.
I eat fish for lunch.

I catch fish
on my fishing pole.
I catch fish 
in a net.
I like eating fish,
oh yeah, you can bet!

    Do you have a favorite food?  How do you make it or get it?  Can you write a food poem today?  Or, how many different kinds of fish can you name?  Can you write a list poem with all the fish you know?  Have fun writing.

CELEBRATE!

Celebrate,
let's dance!
Let your toes
tap, tap, tap.
Let your hands
clap, clap, clap.
Let your body sway.
Today is a special day.
Celebrate me!
Celebrate you!
Celebrate all the things
we can do.

     What is one thing you can do?  Can you write a poem today about the specialness of you?  Have fun writing your own poem.

THURSDAY MORNING IN PARADISE

Dew in the pasture

clouds cuddle the

mountain top

sky begins to blue

red ti and banana leaves

flutter in the breeze

the roosters crow

in a chorus

Cock-a-doodle-doo

blessings and

Good Morning

to you.

Sorry this is late, I'm still coping with internet connections. I hope your day is filled with blessings like mine. Take a moment today and think of all the things you are grateful for. Can you shape your list into a list poem? Try to use all of your senses. You have the power to make today a great day, not only for yourself, but for others too, through your poetry. Write on.

Wednesday, August 13, 2014

RAINBOW RIDING

I've hitched a ride
on a rainbow.
We're bucking high
and diving low.
I'm seeing all colors 
in vibrant hues.
Would you like
to hop on
and hitch
a ride too?

   Use your imagination.  What is something you might like to have a ride on?  A dragonfly, a snail?  A flying pizza?  An octopus who could take seven of your friends with him?  What would the ride be like? Have fun thinking about all of the possibilities for poems and have fun writing.

LIFE IS GOOD

The brightest light I've ever seen
is the shine upon your face.
It is shown in the smile
you give with joy and grace.
Your happiness creates sparkling glows.
Enjoying your world, it surely shows.
So smile right now,
do not wait.
The gift you give 
is really great.


     What is one good thing that happened to you today?  Can you write a poem about that?  Did you learn something new?  Did you meet a new person?  What has blessed you today?  Have fun writing about your experience.

HOW TO TALK TO A ROOSTER

If you want to talk to a rooster
here's what you should do,
just shake your head and ask,
How do you do?

The rooster if he wants
to get to know you,
will shake his comb too,
and say, Cock-a-doodle-doo.

     This poem is an instructional poem.  It tells how to talk to a rooster.  What is your favorite animal?  What instructions could you provide the animal?  How would you teach an aardvark to make his bed, an ostrich to drink tea, a bear not to snore?  Have fun writing your own instructional poem today.

FIFTEEN CHICKENS

Fifteen chickens
scratching in the grass
looking for grubs 
to eat before they pass

on to the next yard
covered in dew.
Can you hear 
the roosters crow
cock-a-doodle-doo?


    Can you guess what woke me up this morning?  What wakes you in the morning?  In the evening?  What do you do when you can't sleep?  Can you write a poem about that?  Let's all celebrate that the hurricanes didn't cause too much damage in Hawaii.  Have a grand day writing and celebrating you.  Happy Sunday.

SATURDAY, August 9, 2014

TWO DOGS

Two dogs

playing in the yard,

panting,

running fast and hard.

Drinking

from their bowl they chug.

On a sisal rope

they both tug.

Two tired dogs

take a rest,

under the porch

in a dirt nest.

     I'm sorry this is late.  Sometime, it just can't be helped.  I'm sitting in a McDonalds having a bacon and egg biscuit for breakfast and enjoying their free WiFi connection.  So, what did you have for breakfast this morning?  Can you write a breakfast poem?  Have fun writing.

SQUIRREL

A squirrel drinks
from my swimming pool.
I guess it's how
the squirrel stays cool.

Watch him lapping
with a little pink tongue.
Then he scoots, and
runs, runs, runs.

     I fly off tomorrow, into the hurricane, so my posts might become a little irregular for the next six days.  What is something in your life that stops and starts?  (Think about that one.)  Now, can you write a poem about it?  Have fun writing and have a great weekend. 

MY NEW T-SHIRT

Oh, Dear!
This is my greatest dread.
Mom put my new white t-shirt
in the wash with something red.

That red something,
what would you think?
It turned my t-shirt
a vivid shade of pink.

     I hope you are having a great day.  Do you have a favorite t-shirt, shoes or dress?  Can you write a poem today about one piece of clothing you like the best?  This could be fun.  Maybe it's your blanket. 

BURRITOS

I like the taste of burritos.
I think they are divine.
That's why you'll find me eating
burritos all the time.
One burrito, two burritos,
three burritos, four,
five burritos, six burritos,
seven burritos, more.
Happy eating.

Do you have a favorite food?  Or several foods?  What poems do you know that include foods?  Can you write your own food poem today?  Have fun.  

IT'S NOISY OUT THERE, FRED

Today I think
there's music 
in the air.
I sit to listen
and the sounds
are there.

The refrigerator hums.
The ceiling fan clicks.
The light makes a buzz,
and the old clock ticks.

So much music
bringing me cheer,
I just need it quiet
so I can hear.

     Close your eyes and listen for a moment.  What do you hear?  How are the sounds inside different from those outside? Does your school sound different from your home?  Is the school library filled with different music than the art room, the music room, the office?  Take you note pad and sit quietly  listening for five minutes.  Write down everything you hear.  Can you shape our notes into a poem.  You can do this exercise with friends to see who has the longest list in five minutes.  Can you turn each sound into a simile?  Have fun writing today.

MY DOG

copyright 2014, Joy Acey

My dog loves to run in the desert
barking at doves in the sun.
It's hard to miss the cacti spines
When he's having so much fun.


    Do you have a pet?  What is the pet's name?  What does your pet like to eat?  What does your pet do?  Can you write a poem about your pet today?  Have fun writing.

I'm Sorry

I'm sorry, I almost
Forgot my chores today.
I was busy writing
And didn't take time to play.

     I love writing poetry.  I especially love writing poems for children.  It seems like play to me.  So sometimes when I get really busy, I forget that I need time to play too .  What did you do today?  Can you write a poem about what you did or saw?

I'm Tired

Today I'm feeling sleepy
I want to take a nap.
But, every time I shut my eyes
I feel my brother's tap.

I thought I'd try the hammock.
I wasn't being lazy.
Brother called with chores to do
Some days he drives me crazy.

Tonight I guess I'll have to try
to get some extra sleep
and then I'll feel as if I can
run and jump and leap.

   What plans do you have for today?  Do you have chores to do, or can you be lazy?  Can you write a poem today about your Saturday activities?

WHO IS IN THE TUB?

copyright 2014, Joy Acey

Someone is in the bathtub
and I bet you'd never guess
it's a hippo in my bathtub
and she's causing quite a mess.

She's splashing out the water
and causing bathtub ring.
But the worst part
of a hippo in my bathtub
is the songs she tries to sing.



      Oh, I had so much fun with today's poem.  It got me to thinking about other animal poems I've written.  I've had penguins driving cars, a flamingo on a skateboard, even a gorilla in my refrigerator.  So, here is your poetry challenge today.  Pick an animal.  (I like to pick ones with interesting or amusing shapes.) Then put the animal in a setting. (I like to pick common place things.  I've written poems about a snake at a birthday party and a mouse in my lunch box.)   Now write a poem about what happens next.   Have fun playing with yur animals and settings.  Happy writing.

     For more poetry fun, the Poetry Friday Roundup is being hosted today by Margaret Simon. Head over to Reflections On The Tech to join the party and read more fun poetry.  Thank you, Margaret, for hosting us today.