ONE HOT SUMMER 4

Will the monsoons come?
Will I help Grandpa
gather Saguaro fruit
and desert marigolds?
Will we look for horned toads
and gila monsters
near the arroyo?
Once more.

Yes, monsoons will come
to you and Grandpa
and to the horned toads
and gila monsters.
All will be there.

But now it is summer.
Now we lick
prickly pear popsicles.
So cool, so delicious.
Taste it.

     I'm still using NOW IT IS WINTER, written by Eileen Spinelli for my mentor text.  What is your favorite food to eat in summertime?  Can you write a poem about summer foods today?  Have fun writing.

   It is Friday again and time for the Poetry Friday Round Up.  A chance for you to read more poetry by children's poets.  The Round Up is hosted by Jama Rattigan today at her blog Jama's Alphabet Soup.  Hop over to the party and enjoy the poetry.  Thanks, Jama for being the hostess with the mostess for us.



Reading children's poetry is a great way to build vocabulary.

Linked Haiku

Golden brown turkey
on Grandma's shining china--
family gives thanks

Grandpa is missing
his spirit is with us all
giving his blessing


     Have you ever tried writing linked haiku?  You can write a verse and another and put them together to tell a story, or you can write with friends.  You write a verse and then a friend can write a haiku to go with your verse.  Have fun trying to write linked haiku today.

Grandpa's Magic

My grandpa found a quarter
tucked behind my ear.
I know it is his magic trick.
But still it brings me cheer.


     Do you have a grandpa?  What do you call him?  What kinds of things does your grandpa do?  Can you write a poem today about your grandpa, real or imagined?  Have fun.

Baby's Words

Mom heard the baby
and said "Kitchy-coo."
Baby kicked her feet
said, "Goo-goo-goo."

Daddy tickled Baby on her chin
then coughed a little, clearing phlegm.
Baby kicked the air and stared at him
then she said, "Ah-hem, Ah-hem."

Grandma cleaned out Baby's ear
Looked at her, and said, "Oh dear."
Then she patted Baby's rear.
Baby said, "Cheer-cheer, cheer-cheer."

Grandpa said, "A smell is coming through
I wonder what we should do?"
Baby held up her fingers, two
then she said, "Phoo-phoo, phoo-phoo."

"Wonder if we should call the doctor quick
to find out if Baby is sick?"
The doctor came in very little time.
said, "This baby really is quite fine
she just has a grand talent 
for making words rhyme."

      I tell you what, get out your jump rope and try saying this to the beat of your jumping.  I think it will sound better this way because the meter is really fluey.  I wrote this because the word for the month over at David L. Harrison's blog is "talent" and I wanted to write a poem using the word.  What talents do you have?
Do you want to try writing a poem about your talent?  (To see more TALENT poems, click on the WOM Adult Poems on the top of his tool bar. )

MY GRANDPA

My grandpa rolls by

in his wheel chair.

Many people ignore him

pretend he's not there.

I love my grandpa.

It fills me with pride

when he lifts me on his lap

and takes me for a ride.

     Grandparents are very special people.  Every child needs grandparents to spoil the child.  Can you name five interesting, unusual, normal, fun or ordinary things about your grandparents.  I bet if you need help with this list your grandparent would be happy to help you,  My husband still has the little chair his grandfather made for him when he was very, very young.  Can you write a grandparent poem today?  When you get done, read the poem to your grandparent or your parent.

I LOVE GRAMPS

The ice cream truck comes rolling

down our tree lined street.

Grandpa says he'll buy me

an ice cream for a treat.

When it's time to pay the man,

guess what Grandpa hasn't got?

His wallet is in his bedroom.

Grandpa, he forgot.

His wallet, his wallet,

oh Grandpa he forgot,

I will run to get it

because I love Grandpa a lot.

When we gather at the table

our family says a prayer.

Grandpa starts and then he stops

because his pills, they are not there.

His pills, his pills

oh Grandpa he forgot.

I will run to get them

because I love Grandpa a lot.

     Yesterday was Grandma, so today has to be Grandpa that forgets.  Do your Grandparents forget things?  Do you help them to remember?  How can you help others?  Can you write a poem about that?  Can you share your poem with your grandparents?  Then ask them to write a poem for you.  Have fun. 

Fishing with Grandpa

My grandpa takes me fishing
in his little rowing boat.
I have to wear a life vest
'cause if we tip, I want to float.

We take our rods and reels
out upon the lake.
We also take along
a can of wormy bait.

I do not like to touch them,
I only like to look.
So Grandpa takes a juicy one
and baits it on my hook.

I feel a little sorry
for that squiggly, wiggly worm
and if I did not need him,
I would not cause him harm.

I drop my line overboard
cross my fingers in a wish.
I hope that wiggly quiggly worm
catches me a great big fish.

Sitting in the morning sun,
I'm feeling rather fine.
Quietly I'm counting,
then,  a big tug on my line.

The float on my line is bobbing,
tell me what should I do?
 I'm reeling in a great big fish.
Oh NO! It's someone's rotten shoe.