I'll be back soon.

I'm caught
in a web
of poor
internet
service.

I'll take
a short break
and I'll be
back on Jan. 2

   Dear friends and blog readers,
   I apologise for being so undependable lately.  My move to Kauai is more complicated than I anticipated.  But, rest assured all is well.  It is just that where I assumed I'd have good internet service, I don't.  I thought the free wi-fi at the condo would be good, but I keep getting dropped and the service is slower than a slug.  All will be better soon when we move back to the house.
The cargo container with all our furniture is scheduled to be unloaded on Jan. 2.  So hopefully, you will check back then and we can get rolling with a great poetry year in 2016.
Keep writing your poems and enjoying your holiday.

JOY

I'M HERE

Always,
I raise my hand
to say I'm here
ready to participate.

Does your teacher take roll in class?  Where else might someone take roll?  What does it mean when you raise your hand?  What activities do you participate in?  These are questions that have been rolling around in my mind. Things I have been thinking about.  It may be because a friend told me I had things so well organized for my move that I should be on autopilot. I didn't like that thought at all.  I don't want to coast through my life. I want to participate.  I want to be active in making decisions. I want to be the one out there playing because I'm the only one who can live my life.
I hope you are living your life to its fullest.  What will you do today?  Try writing your own poem about your day.  Have fun.

   I will live my life.

haiku

quiet creature visits
perhaps it's a wasp
need Hawaiian insect guide


    Isn't this wasp beautiful?  The yellow color is wonderful. The wings are actually lacy clear.  But, I have no idea what kind of bug it is and I'm going to have to do some research.  Isn't that part of the fun of moving to a new place?  You get to see all sorts of new flora and fauna.
   Can you spend some time observing nature today to write your own haiku? Have fun writing.
   

haiku

Night's refreshing rain
crickets chirp and frogs bellow
then a morning rainbow

   I'm sitting on my lanai in my shorts and a t-shirt watching and listening to the Kauai chickens.  It is a beautiful, sunny morning.  A mother hen and three little chicks are strutting across the grass, searching for grubs.  All is well in my world.
   How are things in your world?  Can you write your own poem today bout the state of things in your world?  Have fun writing.
   Mele Kalikimaka.

GIRL WITH LEGOS

A girl with Legos®

is an amazing thing.

She can build

almost anything.

A rocket,

a sailing ship,

a backyard swing.

A hospital,

a fire engine 

or a castle

for a king.

   Happy Sunday.  Life is getting crazy here. How would you define a crazy life?

How about trying to write a poem today on what a crazy life means to you?  Have a calm day writing today.

THREE LITTLE RABBITS

Three Western cottontails

hopping in the desert

on a sunny day.

Hop, hop, hop.

Along comes a rattlesnake

calling with his shaking tail,

Come let us play.

Stop, stop, stop.

Off jump the rabbits

quick as can be.

Hop, Hop, hop.

Hiding under

a mesquite tree.

Stop, stop, stop.

On my walk this morning I had not one, not two, but three separate Western Cottontails hop across my path. They weren't in a hurry. One even paused in front of me to stare. I felt if I had a carrot and held it out I could have fed the rabbit, they seemed that tame. Have you ever been in the presence of a wild animal that acted tame? For today's poetry challenge can you write a poem about taming? It could be your hair, your dog, your teacher or any imaginary beast you can think of. Have fun playing with this idea.

There is a beast to tame within each of us.

13 WAYS OF LOOKING AT A SNOWFLAKE

Since I'm going to be moving over the holidays and who knows what will happen with my internet connection, I thought I'd start early with sending good holiday wishes.

  Since I wasn't sure how things would go with the move, I didn't participate in Tabatha Yeatts' Holiday Poetry Exchange this year.  With all the stress of moving, I didn't know how creative I'd be feeling.  And being able to "artistically" present my poem would be impossible since all my art supplies are sitting in packed boxes. But there was a moment when I was packing and I came across a poem that  Irene Latham wrote for me during our summer poetry exchange titled 13 WAYS OF LOOKING AT THE MOON.  Yes, I wanted to try this.  Of course her poem and mine are both based on Wallace Stevens' poem 13 WAYS OF LOOKING AT A BLACKBIRD.

And, I'm discovering that when my world is crazy the best way I know to calm myself and feel settled is to write a poem.

Here is my poem:

13 WAYS OF LOOKING AT A SNOWFLAKE

six-sided symmetry
crystal chiller
mitten sparkler
tongue tingler
snowball starter
snow angel swish
eyelash wish
dream of no school
Inuit house
skiers delight
one frozen tear
individual as a fingerprint
start of an avalanche

   So here is your challenge for today.  Take a holiday icon (a wreath, a candle, a jingle bell, snowglobe, menorah, hot chocolate, etc.) and try writing your own 13 WAYS...poem.  Have fun writing.

   It is the happiest time of year for those who hold the joys of the season in their heart.


Happy Poetry Friday Roundup.  The party this week is over at  A Teaching Life blog.  You'll be able to find more poetry fun here.  Thank you,  Tara Smith for hosting us this week.

haiku

seeds from the broom sage
parachute across the air--
swimming pool litter.

   I have a couple of big bushes just outside my fenced yard.  The broom sage is shedding buckets of seeds.  They are pretty to watch as they float in the air, being carried to new homes.  I just wish they wouldn't land in the pool because they quickly clog the pool filter. Can you think of other things that are pretty but a nuisance?  This might make for a great topic for your poem today.  Have fun writing.

Instead of hurry, hurry, this is the time of year to slow down.  Have a cup of cocoa and count all the beautiful things in your life.

Goldfinch Good Bye

A flock of goldfinch
feasting
in the blown broom sage
gone to seed
like blooming sunflowers
on a gray day.

    This is a wonderful time of year as birds, plants and people get ready for the winter.  What things do you do to get ready for the cold?  Can you write a poem about that today?  (If you live in the Southern Hemisphere you're getting ready for warm summer weather and will have a very different poem.) No matter what you write today, have fun.

Writing is an adventure to take us in many directions.

December

Sunsets come earlier
and the sunrise
waits for a later time
making more of the night
leaving me in darkness
except for the bright
of a too white 
December moon.

   I don't know why, but over the last couple of years I've been learning more about the moon, Indian legends and other folklore about luna. Maybe it is my midnight writing.  I used to write in my closet at night, now I'm in my studio with windows.  So, of course I look out into the desert at night. I find it interesting that half of our lives is spent in darkness.  Most people sleep through it.  Your poetry challenge for today is to write a night time poem.  Have fun writing.

  The moons of our lives are a blessing.

haiku

yapping coyotes
punctuate the still of night
December's bowl moon

   I was awake in the middle of the night last night.  I love when that happens because I can get up to write.  The house is still; the world is quiet.  But last night, as I was walking around in the dark to get to my studio, it was very bright outside.  I looked for the moon and I saw a big white bowl.  It might have been a very big smile.  What do you do when you can't sleep at night? Can you write a poem about that today?  Or try writing about what you see when you wake at night.  Have fun writing.

Meeting with friends is a fun way to write.  Find a friend to write with today.

senryu

sunshine on my back
and on the butterfly wings
at rest on lantana

flitter and flutter
his wings and my heart 
enjoy a warm glow


   As our weather starts to get colder, we have more butterflies stopping by our flowers.  They are mostly Monarchs on their southerly migration.  Time yourself for a minute.  In that time how many different kinds of butterflies can you name?  Now pick one to write your own poem.  Have fun writing.

"Why should I not sit, every morning of my life, on the hillside, looking into the shining world."  Mary Oliver

   Today is Friday, just in time for the Poetry Friday Roundup.  You can find more links to children's poetry and children's poets on Buffy Silverman's blog here.  

   Thanks, Buffy for hosting us today. 

Hammer Symphony

My neighbor hammers
tap, TAP, tap.
He's hanging hooks
for Christmas lights
to his house eaves.

A Gila Woodpecker
pauses 
on the Mesquite tree,
filled with curiosity.

Together they make
a hammered symphony
tap, TAP, tap,
tap, TAP, tap.

   A Gila Woodpecker is a pretty bird with a checkered tuxedo coat and a small red beret for a hat.  They make holes in the Saguaros so other birds can make homes inside the cacti.   To make this music took two voices--my neighbor's hammer and the Gila Woodpecker. 
   Your poetry challenge for today is to write a poem about something that takes two (or more) to get it done.  In your poem let us know who they are and what each needs to do.  Have fun writing.

A little nonsense now and then is relished by the wisest men.  Roald Dahl

BIRD TRILLS

Winter is coming.
The birds all trill.
Snowflakes will fall
to give us a thrill.

The geese all gather,
fly south through the sky.
Why do I feel sad to say,
"Good Bye?"

     Happy December, the last month of the year.  What is your favorite month?  Why?  Each month has something special about it. Can you write a poem today about your favorite month?  Have fun writing.

GOOD BYE DOVES

Doves sit on the courtyard wall
making their dove-y coo-y call.
Saying hello and good bye
before they fly 
into the blue, blue sky.

  The doves usually huddle on my back hurricane fence, but today they all sat on the wall in front of the house so I'd be sure to see them.  They didn't want to be missed.  Have you ever missed something?  What was it?  Can you write a poem today about something missed?  Have fun writing.

Cold turkey sandwiches are de-lish.
   The Poetry Friday Roundup is over at Carol's Corner.  Go here for links to more children's poetry.  Thanks Carol for hosting us.

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving to you.
May your food be plentiful,
May family and friends be close too
and may your day be wonderful.

May you feel blessed
with all the things you need
and may you be thankful
in both word and deed.


   I hope your day is fantastic.  What are you thankful for today?

   On days like today, I feel blessed to call you friend.

JAVELINA

A javelina stood in the road today.
He didn't budge, as if to say,
"I hear that you are moving away.
I think I'd like for you to stay."

It was a while before he moved on,
he ambled off, and then was gone.
I didn't move, or even try.
I was sad when the javelina said,
"Good bye."

     Lately, it seems like the animals are coming out in force to give me wonderful memories of Arizona.  Do you really think they are giving me a special treat because I'm moving away?  Several times this week the phainopepla has perched at the top of the ocotillo to sing a symphony just for me.  I feel a little like that man who was trying to grow tulips for his spring garden party.  All winter long he'd go out to where the bulbs were planted.  He'd talk to the plants; he'd croon and whistle to them; he'd tell them how beautiful they would be.  When Spring came the bulbs didn't stick their pretty little heads up.   The man stepped up his efforts.  He gave them extra fertilizer.  The day before the garden party, still nothing.  By now the man was angry that all his time and efforts were for nothing.  He went out to the garden.  He stomped his feet.  He yelled and cursed.  He told the bulbs, "If you don't come up by tomorrow, I'm going to rip you out of the ground."
    The next day the man went back out to his garden ready to go to work digging the bulbs up, but to his amazement there were beautiful, richly colored tulips, all abloom just in time for the garden party.
   Now that I'm ready to move, all those animals I waited patiently to see are showing themselves to me.

   Can you write a poem today about something you have learned from observing?  Have fun.

I am thankful.  What do you give thanks for?

MOVING

I'm packing boxes.
I'm in the groove.
I'm getting ready
for the BIG move.

   
     I've moved several times in my life.  Usually the moves occur over the summer, but I can think of two other times I've moved before the end of the year.  When I was 10, I moved and started fifth grade at a new school.   That was a tough year of learning new things.
     This time I'm moving to the island of Kauai in Hawaii.  In twenty days a big cargo container will arrive at my house.  We'll load it with all the packing boxes and then the cargo container will be put on a boat to be shipped to our destination.
     Have you ever moved?  If you did move,what prized possessions would you take?  What would you leave behind?  Can you try writing a poem about moving today?  Have fun!

How long does it take to say a few kind words?

THE BOBCAT

The bobcat knows

how to jump and leap.

He also knows

how to run and creep.

The bobcat knows

how to roll and play.

He also knows

how to walk away.

  A little bobcat kitten, only about a foot long , sat on the cushion storage box outside my front window this week.  He was looking inside at me. I watched him walk on top of my garden wall, leap to the top of a 7 foot metal fountain next to the wall.  He almost slipped off.  Then he jumped over the wall, strolled around the mesquite tree before deciding it was time to leave.  He looked so cute.  I wanted to go outside and pet him, or put a saucer of cream out for him. But, I knew mama bobcat was probably close by and I didn't want to upset her.  Later in the day, I saw mama chasing a rabbit.  I had to remind myself a bobcat is a wild animal and it is best to keep my distance.

    This got me to thinking about friends in Colorado who have bear sightings and friends in Vermont who have moose sightings.  Children in Laos can see elephants in their yard and in Kenya lions.  There is wildlife around us in all parts of the world.  What can you see in your part of the world?  Can you try writing a poems about wildlife today?  Have fun writing.

Plan today for a bright tomorrow.

WHAT'S IN MY BASKET

"Josephine" by Joy Acey, 2015

Let's go shopping.
What do I see?
Put them in my basket
1,   2,    3.

Let's go shopping.
What are your picks?
Put them in my basket
4,    5,    6.

Let's go shopping.
Everything is fine.
Put them in my basket.
7,    8,    9.

One more thing
that makes 10.
Empty the basket.
Count again.
10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1.


This poem is inspired by Josephine, a little girl I met while shopping today.  This is also a counting poem.  Imagine you have a magic basket.  Everything you put into the basket multiplies.  What would you put into the basket?  For your poetry challenge today, can you write a poem about your magic basket and one thing you put in the basket?  Have fun writing.

Happy Friday the 13th.  Today is Poetry Friday and the round up is being hosted by my friend Bridget Magee on her blog Wee Words for Wee Ones 
You'll find links to other children's poetry there.  Thanks Bridget for hosting us.

BUTTERFLY WALK

Joy Acey 2015

Today I took a walk
with a butterfly
and every step I took
it would flutter by.

Glad for the company
as I walked along the road.
That butterfly, he helped me,
by lightening my load.

    I don't know why, but watching nature always makes me feel happy, fanciful.  It lightens my spirit.  Is there something in your life that always makes you feel good?  Can you try writing a poem today bout things that make you happy?  Have fun writing.

Today I'll keep a smile on my face, because the world is a marvellous place.

HAPPY VETERANS DAY

My grandpa served in Vietnam.
His daddy in World War II
My dad was in Desert Storm.
He's a veteran too.

I'm proud we have veterans,
and I'm glad for all they do.
I know they keep us free
and safe, they're true
red, white, and blue.

So each night
when I go to bed
and I say a prayer,
I ask for peace
around the world
for people,
everywhere.

  Do you know someone who is a veteran?  When and where did he or she serve?  What can you do today to thank that person for their service to our country?  Can you write your own poem to a veteran today?  Have fun writing.

True patriotism sometimes requires men to act contrary...  Robert E. Lee

WHO IS LISTENING?

At the top
of the spires
of the ocotillo
where red flames grow
perches a phainopepla
emptying his throat.
His sweet song
drifts over the sage
brush for all to hear.
But if no one 
pauses to listen, 
is there a sound?

     I live a very quiet life at the end of a road on three acres.Sometimes when I go into town, to the mall to go shopping, it seems really noisy to me.  There are all sorts of buzzing, rings, voices, and sounds I don't normally hear.  I think about those birds and I wonder what voices the city folks hear.  What birds have you seen or heard today?  For your poetry challenge for today, can you try writing a poem about some sound you hear?  Have fun writing.

     Today I'll stop and listen to the sounds around me.

WILD!

Wind roars
water rains
desert dances
a wild refrain.


  Today's poem is a tribute to Irene Latham who is celebrating a 10 year blogaversary.  She's having a party and invited us all to write poems about wild.  Can you try writing a WILD poem today?  Have fun,
  You can visit her party to find other wild tribute poems at Irene's blog here

Celebrate, even the rain.

HAIKU

Joy Acey, 2015

Since my hand is in a cast, I've been reduced to one hand typing and this encourages me to write really short poems.  Hence the haiku.


dancing in moonlight
silver steps in the garden--
a snail creeps along.

     And if you think typing is hard, you should try controling a paint brush with your non-dominant hand.  But I'm still plugging along.  For your poetry challenge for today can you try writing you own haiku about something from nature that has 8--like a spider, an octopus, or even an elephant.  (RATS!  I made a mistake, elephants only have six sets of teeth.)  Did you know that elephants have 6 sets of teeth in their life times? Have fun writing and you may leave your haiku in the comments below if you'd like to share your creation.

     The Poetry Friday Round Up is hosted by Katya Czaja on her blog Read. Write. Repeat.  You can find links to lots more poetry for children here.  Thanks for hosting us at your poetry party, Katya.

    Today I'm making a list of eight great things in my life.

Listening to Nature's Poetry

 


Each morning when I rise

I find to my surprise
a gift Nature has written to me
another verse of poetry.

Do you like watching Nature outside your window?  I have a thistle bird feeder and two hummingbird feeders outside my windows so I can watch and listen to the birds.  Now that winter is arriving, we have more birds coming to the feeders.  Can you try writing your own poem about nature today?  Have fun watching, listening and writing.

Choose to be happy today.  What happy things can you plan to do? 

I LOVE YOU

I love you
up and down
from the top
of your head
to the tips
of your toes.
I love you
round and round,
front side
back side
up and down.
I love you
in and out
and all about
my love knows
no bounds.
Sun rise
sunset,
do I love you?
You bet.
I'll always love you
more than crackerjack.
I'll love you
all the way 
to Pluto and back.
I love you.

     Dear Friends,
         Thank you for hanging in there with me while I cope with a broken wrist.  On Tuesday I go back to see the orthopedist, and hopefully the swelling has gone down enough that they will be able to put a cast on my wrist.  For now, I'm typing this post with the fingers of one hand.  It is terribly slow and frustrating.
        Thank you for all the prayers, card and good wishes sent to me.  You are the best readers anyone has ever had.  I appreciate you.
        Your poetry challenge for today is to write a poem about something that is broken and doesn;t work.  Have fun writing.

After midnight, they say, dreams come true.

So sorry

Joy hurt her hand and it is very painful to type.  So, thank you faithful readers, but I'm going to take a week off from posting.  I'll be back next Saturday with a message.  Until then, keep writing your own poems.

CRUMPET TEA PARTY

copyright 2015, Joy Acey

At her tea party
Little Miss Muffet
offered Miss Elephant
a taste of her crumpets.
"These are delicious,"
Miss Elephant trumpets,
"Oh what a day!"

     If you were to host your own tea party, who would you invite?  What food would you serve?  What would you talk to your guests about?  Can you write a poem today about your own tea party?  Have fun making up your guest list.

There are all kinds of tea and all kinds of tea parties, I mean to enjoy a few.

The Needle Speaks.

Said the needle
to the thread,
"I've got my eye
on you. 
I can poke,
you can pull,
and I will slide 
you through."

Do you like to sew?  What are some other things needles are used for?  What do you think the thread would say to the button or the needle?  Your poetry challenge for today is to write a poem in response to mine.  Or can you try writing a riddle poem for a button, thread or a needle?  Have fun with your writing.

Everybody here is a somebody.  I'm a somebody too.

COME

copyright 2015, Joy Acey

Seagulls call to me,
come to the shore,
come to the shore,
come to the shore.

And so I walk on the beach,
feel the sand sift through my toes
the sea salt in my hair.
I look for sea shells
and perfect, complete sand dollars.

I call to you,
come along,
come along,
come along, too.

   Do you like going to the beach?  What do you do?  What do you see?  Have you ever flown a kite on the beach?  For your poetry challenge today, can you write your own poem about the beach?  Have fun writing.

I enjoy being me in all kinds of weather.

PINK BOOTS

I've worn pink boots 
in Boston
and in Botany Bay.
Worn them in Tampa
and old Santa Fe.

I wear my pink boots
where ever I go.
They're the best fitting boots
and my feet
ought to know.

I treasure my boots.
That's what I do.
I bet you wish you
had pink boots too?

   I saw these boots on a 7 year old at Costco and I thought they were just too cute.  I wanted some.  But, I knew how I could make those boots my own.  All I had to do was write a poem about Pink Boots.  If you had pink boots, where else could you walk to or wear them?  Do you have an object you wish you had?  Can you write a poem about the object?  Have fun writing your poem.  Hmmmm, I've always wanted a magic carpet too, so I could fly away.

I pick my clothes for comfort, not style.

LITTLE HATCHLING

copyright 2015, Joy Acey

Oh, look!
What do I see?
I've hatched my egg.
A little me.

He may not be
a perfect match.
I'll always love him
My Little Hatch.


    A mama bird creates little hatchlings.  I created a picture to go with this poem.  What is something you have created?  A fort, cookies, a card for a friend?  Can you write a poem today about something you have created?

I can create many things.  It just takes time and patience.

MY KITTEN

Have you seen my kitten?
She really is quite small.
I've looked in the kitchen.
I've looked down the hall.

She is not on the couch
where she curls into a ball.
She usually starts to run
when she hears my call.

I might have an idea.
I think it is a plan.
I'll see if she comes
when I open her food can.

I will place her kitten food
in her little dish.
Look, here she comes.
She must have smelled the fish.


    When was the last time you lost something?  What was it?  Where did you look for it?  Can you write your own poem about something lost?  A dog, a fish, a bird, or how about a smile?  Do have fun writing.  

You are growing.  Celebrate the changes in yourself.

   Happy Poetry Friday.  The Poetry Friday Round Up is hosted by Amy Ludwig Vanderwater this week.  You can gallop over to her blog at THE POETRY FARM to lasso more poetry.  Thank you Amy, for hosting us this week

LATE

I'm sleepy.
I'm tired.
I'm going
to bed.

I hope
I have
sweet dreams
waiting in bed.
Good Night.

the snake leaves his skin
across the sandy desert--
adds one more rattle

    Happy Saturday.  Can you find time today to write a haiku.  Pick any topic you choose. Have fun. 


Breathe.  Remember to breathe.  It is a great way to relax.

HAPPY NATIONAL CHESS DAY

"Let's play chess," Dad said.
"I'll teach you, Son.
You'll learn in no time.
Playing chess is fun."

Some pieces move diagonal,
others move straight.
And it is the knight who moves
with a galloping gait.

The queen can move anywhere.
The rook has a straight line.
"Just move a piece.
Give it a try.
I know you will do fine."

"You can tell the bishop.
He has a pointed hat.
Playing chess is easy
if you remember 
all of that."

    Thanks to my friend Linda Andersen  for letting me know about National Chess Day.  Do you play chess?  What other board games do you play?  Checkers? Monopoly? Candyland?  For today's prompt, can you write a poem about a game you like to play?

 Today is Poetry Friday and the Round Up is at Laura Purdie Salas' blog, Writing the World for Kids.  Gallop on over to HERE to read more poetry.  Have a great weekend.
 Thanks Laura for hosting us.

  When I feel nervous or anxious, my body is asking me to relax. Sharon Hackleman