Summer Nights

Summer evening
air starting to cool
people come out
sit/stand at the curb
watch children 
play stick ball
and talk story.


  Talk Story is a Hawaiian term meaning to chat with one another.  When the weather is nice, neighbors often meet to chat in the street.  Two people start chatting and then another joins in, and another and soon there are half a dozen folks just catching up on neighborhood gossip.  If the road, street or avenue where you live could talk, what would it tell you about your neighborhood?  Try writing about that today.  Have fun.

Today I'll be happier than an egret having lunch on a cow's back.

SUMMERTIME

Summer is
pick-a-daisy time,
a crazy time, 
a lazy time.

Summer is
a what should we do time,
go-without-shoes time,
a paint the sky blue time.

Summer is
a let's go far time,
ride in the car time,
a look at the stars time.

Summer is
can we play time,
sing on our way time,
sail on the bay time.

Summer is 
a watch re-run time,
enjoy the sun time,
let's have fun time.

  What is summer time for you?  Can you try writing your own poem about what you do during the summer?  Do you go camping?  Do you eat watermelon,? Have cookouts?  Go swimming?  Read in a hammock?
Enjoy your summer and your writing. 

Writing poetry is like a covered dish.

I LOVE

I love
sugary cotton candy
   spun into a pink cloud,
writing children's poetry
   to be whispered aloud.

watching yellow butterflies
   as they flit flying by
comforting a baby
   when she's starting to cry.

grass on summer mornings
   glistening in dew,
and the feeling I get
   when I think of you. 

This is a list poem.  Can you try writing your own list poem today?  It doesn't have to rhyme.  Just start by writing a list--things you love or hate, books you've read, movies you've seen, places you've visited, foods you like, etc. Then try to shape your list into a poem.  Have fun.  Happy Sunday.

Just like there are all kinds of people, there are all kinds of poems.  Each one is special.

ONE HOT SUMMER 5

Will the monsoons ever come?
Will water rise in the wash?
Will we be able to fish 
like Dad and I did last year?
Once more?

Yes, the monsoons will bring
the river back and water 
will rush through the wash.
But now it is summer
and the bats fly at night
swoop in circles catching bugs
and sunsets come 
in reds, purple, orange.
How pretty.

  This poem is inspired by NOW IT IS WINTER, written by Eileen Spinelli,  Her picture book was illustrated by Mary Newell DePalma, published by Eerdmans Books for Young Readers, copyright 2004.  And, as you can see this is the fifth day I've been adding verses to this poem.  Our monsoons haven't started yet, but they should be arriving soon, in the meantime we fight the heat.  It does explain why our kids get out of school in May.  One wonders what people did before air conditioning.  Oh, I do remember--swamp coolers.And I remember driving over desert roads with a canvas bag hanging from the radiator for extra water to keep the radiator cool.
    What things do you do to stay cool in the summer?  This is your challenge for today, write a poem about things to do to stay cool.  When I was young I'd go to the matinee at the movie theater, or to the library to stay cool on hot summer days.  Have fun writing your poem.

A children's poem presents unlimited possibilities.

ONE HOT SUMMER 2

Will the monsoons come?
Will creosote bushes blossom
scenting the air
with tiny yellow stars
ever come?

Yes, there will be
creosote bushes and monsoon rain.
But now it is summer.
Now there is sunshine
and we wear sun block
and dark sun glasses.
So hot!
Feel it.

    So I've broken my verses into several posts.  This poem is inspired by Eileen Spinelli from her picture book NOW IT IS WINTER.  What is your favorite thing about the mountains, the plains, the city, the beach?  Try writing a list poem about all the things you love about your place.  Have fun writing.

Children's Poetry is written for the child in each of us.

ONE HOT SUMMER

Will monsoons ever come?
Will clouds umbrella over the sun
to make shade?
Will they drift into my dreams
like cool dew drops over my pillow?
Will the rains come?

Yes, the monsoons will come.
But now it is summer.
Now the sunlight blazes.
Heat ripples off the pavement.

The morning sun glares
when I pull my covers
over my head.
The birds hide in holes
in ancient Saguaros.
They lift their wings
to say hello.

     This poem is inspired by NOW IT IS WINTER, written by Eileen Spinelli,  Her picture book was illustrated by Mary Newell DePalma, published by Eerdmans Books for Young Readers, copyright 2004. 
    What things do you like to do in summer?  Can you pick one of your favorites and write a poem about it?  Why is that your favorite summer thing to do?  Have fun writing.

If more people read children's poetry the world would be a better place.

SUMMER HAIKU

Wading in the creek
we turn rocks over to look
for salamanders.

At sleep-away camp
in my cabin with the girls
we talk through the night.

Dandelion puffs
will grant us a magic wish
when we blow on them.

Dress up with my dolls
we are having a tea party--
cookies without crumbs.

Picnic at the park
peanut butter sandwiches
and too many ants.

At swim team practice
we race minnows and sharks
everyone gets wet.

    Happy Saturday, can you try writing your own haiku today?

MASAI

In Africa

where the sun shines hot

and dust blows

across the plains.

Masai warriors

herd their cows

hoping for

summer rains.

     In the countries south of the equator it is summertime.  The Christmas preparations in these countries are very different from countries in the northern hemisphere.  What things do you do to get ready for Christmas?  Have fun writing a poem today about anything.  

copyright 2014, Joy Acey

 

SUMMER 2014

Summer arrives
and it's HOT.
Leaves wilt,
Saguaro blossoms
last less than a day.

The doves, pigeons
and the quail
scope out swimming pools
to watch and drink.

The gila woodpecker
takes his fill
and the hummingbird feeder.

Lizards laze on walls
and even search for cracks
in the doors to catch
a cool breeze
from the air conditioning.


     It is 108 degrees today.  We're all counting the length of triple digit days.  This is a free verse poem that describes life in the desert.  Can you write your own poem about what the weather is like in your part of the world?  Do have fun writing.
    I've been having fun making poetry boxes this week.  I'll explain tomorrow.  I also read that tomorrow in National Doughnut Day, so I'd better work on a poem for that.  Yum!  I'm hungry just thinking about it.

Summer is here.
It's getting hot.
I'm glad the pool
opens at 9 on the dot.

    Is it hot enough for you?  Can you write a poem today about being hot.


I know you like me,
when I'm hot.
I am a pancake.
I hit the spot.

SUMMER

(original art, Joy Acey, all rights reserved)

old wooden row boat
in the gentle current drifts
idle oars at rest


     There are times, during this summer when I have felt like that row boat--just drifting with the current, with little energy to do anything more.  The heat affects me that way.  How is your energy level today?  Can you write a poem about that and use a simile or metaphor to show how you feel.  Have fun writing.  Have a great weekend.

Road Trip

Today is the first day
of our summer vacation.
We're taking a road trip
across this nation.

My sister and I
get the back seat,
traveling this way
just can't be beat.

I  hope she stays
on her half of the seat,
or I'll take off my shoes
from my smelly feet.


      What are you doing during your summer vacation?  Can you write a poem about that?  Have fun.

TRIOLET for Fairies

Based on two lines of poetry by Rose Fyleman

There are fairies at the bottom of our garden.

They often have a dance on summer nights.

Have you seen them there, do you reckon?

There are fairies at the bottom of our garden.

When you hear them, please beg their pardon.

Wee folk hate to be seen by star light.

There are fairies at the bottom of our garden.

They often have a dance on summer nights.

    I had so much fun writing the triolet for yesterday's post, I thought I'd try it again today.   Have a good weekend.  I hope you find time to write your own poem.

Summer Heat

Turn on the sprinkler,

let's get out of this heat.

We can spray and splash

and get wet feet.

Running in the sprinkler

is pretty neat,

it can't be beat

when you are surrounded

by all this heat!


      What do you do to beat the heat in summer?  Do you sit in the shade and read a book?  Do you go to the movies or the library where it is air conditioned?  Do you make popsicles?  Eat cold watermelon? 
Try writing your own poem about beating the heat today. 

Going Barefoot

Take off

your shoes.

Take off

your socks.

Wiggle

your toes.

I love 

summer lots.

      What do you like best about summer time?  Can you write a poem about it? 

Summer Fun

What is your favorite thing to do during the summer?  Can you write a poem about it?

Photographs

Snap my picture
Don't I look cute,
Standing here
in my swimming suit.