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.

BIRTHDAY SURPRISE

      Sorry to be slow with my posting for yesterday, but it was my birthday and I was having a grand time. I went to a Friends of the Library book sale and bought lots of great picture and poetry books.  Lots of books at $10 a bag.  And here is a poem about what happened with my birthday dinner.

BIRTHDAY SURPRISE

Eating dinner,
my cards and presents
by my plate.

Unwrapping gifts
my family knows me
I get a new journal.

The cake is chocolate
the ice cream too.
I look up to see
movement out the window.

Surprise!
There in my backyard
is a bobcat.
She slowly walks closer.

She has come to give me
one more present
the gift of her sighting.

     Do I need the last line of this poem? Or, should I switch the last two lines? Can you see how, "There in my backyard/ is a bobcat." is more exciting than There is a bobcat/ in my backyard? The order of the words  helps to build excitement.
     Can you write a free verse poem about what you did today?
     I feel wonderfully blessed to have so many friends sending greetings for my birthday via email and Facebook.  Thank you all.  I'm such a lucky girl.

Editing a poem is like picking fleas from a monkey's back.

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.

Desert Abecedarian

Across the arroyo
Bouncing in the basin
Coyotes call
Down the dry, rocky wash--
Eerie echoes reach
Far into the
Gully-- yipping and yapping
Hanging on a breeze
In the chill desert air.
Jack rabbits and
Kangaroo rats jumping,
Leaping high
Making little
Noise in the night.
Only the bobcat
Pauses to
Quietly creep before
Racing after rabbit prey, then a
Scream pierces the still silence,
Talons caught
Under the fur , and a 
Vulture
Wings over the dark
Xeriscape.
Yellow eyes leave
Zilch, nada, nil behind.

    I've been having fun playing with abecedarians this week.  Can you try your own poem shaped around the alphabet?  Have fun playing with this form.