HAPPY BIRTHDAY

 

There are so many things to celebrate today.
Happy Spring.
Happy Poetry  Friday.
Happy National Poetry Month.

And Happy Birthday to Lee Bennett Hopkins.


Today is Lee's birthday
Let him take a bow
As Hawaiians wish him
hau'oli la hanau

Trade winds blowing
across the islands
Orchids growing
for lei in garlands

We watch the hula
with hips that sway
they're here to wish you
HAPPY BIRTHDAY

What do you have planned for the weekend?  I am going to an orchid show.  I'm also meeting with a group of women on Sunday to draw flowers.  
Can you try drawing a picture and writing a poem about what you are doing this weekend?  Have fun writing.

Art is not what you see but what you make others see.--Edward Degas 

The Poetry Friday Roundup is hosted by Robyn Hood Black on her blog, Life on the Deckle Edge, this week.  Check out her post for more children's poetry. Thanks Robyn for hosting a GREAT party.

Happy Birthday

     I'm so happy.  Today is the one year birthday for Poetry for Kids Joy.
I can hardly believe I've been writing a poem a day for a whole year.  Zowee!
   To celebrate David L.Harrison is donating a copy of his most recent poetry book COWBOYS.

     Yesterday  David shared the wonderful poem "Bunkhouse."  Today we're getting a peek at  "Spittin' Mad." 

SPITTIN' MAD

Not fair!

"You're too little," they say.
"Go play with your dolls."

Been ridin' since I could walk.
I could break a bronco
good as they can.

"You're a girl," they say.
"Stay out of the way."

I'm tougher'n any boy.
Mess with me,
I'll poke 'em in the eye!

Not fair.

Not fair!

I'm so mad
I could kick a cow chip!

Not!

Fair!

      I love the idea of being so mad you could kick a cow chip.  Actually, I can see the t-shirts now.
     Gosh, I think this is a beautiful book.  I love the variety in the poems and the illustrations just blow me away. Don't you just wish you could sit in Dan Burr's studio and watch him work his magic?
     And I greatly appreciate David Harrison adding this birthday gift to our party.  If you'd like to win the autographed copy that David has donated, leave your own comment or cowboy related poem in the comments below.  You have until midnight tonight.  Then I'll put all the names into a cowboy hat (of course) and draw one name out.
    Actually, I'll draw two names and the second name drawn, I'll write a poem for you.

Here's my poem for today:

POKEY PONY


I have a pony, Pokey.
He's a sweet little paint.
Cause when I'm in a hurry--
Pokey, he ain't.

     Oh that is bad.  I think I need to go drink some sarsaparilla.  Have a good weekend and Happy Poetry Friday.