Moon Names

The August dog moon

sees lightning

in the sky.

He yips

and he yelps

a thunderous cry.

     The Indians had different names for each of the moon's phases and months for planting or harvesting.  One of the names for the full moon in August is Dog Moon.  I think it might have something to do with the Dog days of summer.  Can you write a poem about the moon today?

The Cat

The cat

lounges

on my bed.

She's a cuddly

furry ball.

Her body

is warmly hot.

But she is NOT

that small.

She's asleep

in the middle

of my bed.

She really likes

that spot.

It's a  problem

when she won't move,

I can not sleep

in the space I've got.

Her purring keeps me

wide awake.

I think this kitten

may be a mistake.

At least it is not the same

as having a dog,

a Great Dane.

     Can you tell I don't really have a cat?  I'm visiting my sister in California.  It is her birthday.  She has a cat that wants to sleep on my bed. 
So, I think I really should comeback to this poem again and do some more work with the rhythm.  Do you have a dog or a cat?  Can you write a poem about your pet?
When my son was three he had a stuffed dog he would pretend to feed and have the dog sit up and beg.  He would take his stuffed dog for walks.  So even if you don't have a live pet, you can write about a pretend pet.  Have fun.  I'd love to hear about your pet.

MY DOG SINGS

My dog sings

bow-wow-wow

arf, arf,

wolf, wolf,

yelp!

I 

toss him

a cookie,

his singing

needs help!

     Today is a great day for writing a sound poem.  Sit quietly for a few minutes and just listen to the sounds where you are.  Can you hear the refrigerator hum?  Does your clock tick loudly?  Is there a cricket chirping?  Water dripping or running?  is the TV or radio on?  If you go out today listen to the sounds as you go.  A passenger in my car once said, "I can tell when you change gears by the noise your engine makes."  Can you write a list poem of all the sounds you hear?  Or pick just one sound and tell us all about what is making it.  Have a great Saturday. 

My Dog Spot

Spot, my dog barks

when I say, "SPEAK."

He hunts for his ball

when I say, "SEEK."

He's my good friend,

he sleeps on the rug.

He licks my hand

when I need a hug.

He wags his tail,

runs round a tree,

he's always happy

when he sees me.

     Can you write a poem about your pet?  This might be a good one to try as an acrostic.  My dog is a Welsh Springer Spaniel.  He's red and white and my son gave him his name.  What is your pet's name?  Have fun writing your poem.

My Dog

*MUNCH*

*CRUNCH*

*SLURP*

*MOAN*

My dog is chewing

 his rawhide bone.

     It has been a busy day.  I've been working on my homework for the drawing class I'm taking and so this poem is written on the spur of the moment.  But it is another sound poem.

Happy Christopher Columbus Day.  Did you know that Christopher Columbus named America after his teacher Amerigo Vespucci?  He is the one who taught Christopher and his brother Bartelomew how to draw and label maps.  If you'd like to read my Columbus acrostic poem, check out the archives for Tuesday, April 26, 2011.   So when you become famous, remember your teacher.  Now try writing a poem that tells what you are famous for.  Go ahead and use your imagination for this one.  Push your ideas over the top until they are silly.  Maybe you are the first person to turn into a dog, or a giraffe, or a tortoise.
     Make today special for yourself and others.  Celebrate.

Good to be Home

My Welsh Springer Spaniel
follows me from room to room
he circles like a cat
licks my ankles
bumps my thighs
he glares at me
waiting for a head scratch.

If I'd let him
he'd happily sit
in my lap.


He does not want
to let me go.
It takes a while
for him to do
his three turns,
and then plop belly down
to sleep on the rug
at my feet.

He shows me
he is happy
to have us all
home.

THE FLEA

THE FLEA

Fredrick, a flea who was tiny but bold.

Awoke one morning with the world's worst cold.

His nose was drippy; his eyes were red!

He thought he'd spend the day in bed.

He wrapped a muffler round his scratchy throat.

Then he cuddled in his wooly-warm coat.

It wasn't an overcoat, or an anorak

But the spotted fur from my spaniel Mack.

As Fredrick snuggled,

he wiggled,

he twitched.

And all Mack could do—

SCRATCH, SCRATCH—

was itch.

It's Raining!

Rain drops drum on the roof,

"Go to sleep," Dad says,

and I try .

Lightning cracks in a quicksilver flash

to light up the dark, cloudy sky.

Thunder roars, clashes,

crashes and makes a very loud boom.

Is it any wonder I'm here with my dog

under the sheets 

in my room?

  Lately, we've been having storms roll through in the late evening.  It floods the roads and comes with beautiful lightning and loud thunder.  Do you have summer storms?  Can you write your own poem about rain, or how about a list poem about all the things that go crash and boom?  Enjoy your writing.

My Dog

My dog pants in hot weather

his tongue lolls and drips.

He barks to let me know

when someone comes.

He likes his ears scratched 

and his back.

He loves to take walks

and to chase tennis balls

and birds.

My dog likes sleeping

and eating cookies

and watching dogs on TV.

What he doesn't like

are cats and fleas.

 I like that my dog likes me.

Do you have a pet?  Can you write a poem about the things your pet likes and doesn't like?