NOTHING LEFT TO FOLLOW

When respect marches boldly
over desert sands,
his brown, work-worn hands,
smooth and dry
are held out in greeting.

Respect offers sparkle
in the tiny drops of dew
gathered on the petals 
of yellow creosote blooms.

Respect bleaches the bones
of a desert packrat--
his time too brief.

Not meaning to be rude,
I clasp the out-stretched hand;
I take the creosote branch;
and watch the bleaching
of my bones, as blown sands
shift erasing even my own footprints.
There is nothing left to follow.


     I hesitate to call today's offering a poem.  I believe is would be what Theodore Roethke referred to as a thinkie--the beginnings of a poem but something that needs more thinking.  So that is what I will do with this, save it for some more work.  I'm not sure respect is the word I need.  Would you like to offer a suggestion?
     For now I will say, when the poetry muse gives you weirdness, run with it.  Who knows where it might lead?
     What does respect mean to you?  Can you write a poem that shows respect?  Have fun writing and have a happy weekend.

HANDS

Instead of waving
Bye Bye or Hello

I learned how to
High Five

to Bump Knuckles
so I
Pound It

that 
EXPLODES

with a 
POW.

      This is a poem about nonverbal communication, or the gestures we use.  All nonverbal language is learned from the community we live in.  Can you think of other gestures you use to convey meaning to another person (or animal, because you use gestures with your dog, I bet?)  I have a niece who is deaf and she is constantly teaching me new words to say with my hands.  Can you write a poem today about a gesture, or better yet, can you say a poem by just using your hands?  Try the Teensy-weensy Spider.  Have a fun day.

DIRT

Mom, I fell
and I'm a mess.
I got dirt
on my new dress.

There is dirt
all over the place,
on my shoes,
my hands,
my face.

     I'm at a Highlights Foundation Poetry Workshop titles Poetry for the Delight of It, facilitated by David L. Harrison.  The prompt he gave for this poem was dirt. Would you like to try writing your own dirt  poems today?

Big Bear Hug

Toes tap.
Fingers snap.
Knuckles rap.
Hands clap.
Arms flap.
Wrap around you
In a Big Bear Hug.


     This is an action poem.  Can you act out the lines?  Now have fun trying to write your own action poem.  What actions do you want to include?

Keeping Healthy

I want to stay healthy
so here's what I do--
each year I get
a shot for the flu.

I wash my hands
frequently
sing Happy Birthday 
twice, to keep germ free.

I use my elbow
when I sneeze,
exercise, sleep
and eat healthy.

I'm doing everything
I know how to do.
I hope you stay
healthy too.


      Happy Saturday.  What are doing today for fun?  Can you write a poem about it?