HAPPY LEI DAY

Today we went out
to the plumeria tree
to pick some flowers
for mommy and me.

We threaded them all
in a fragrant chain.
We did it once
then again and again.

White and pink,
and rainbow too.
Again and again
until we were through.

We strung the flowers
into a round lei,
to celebrate for
this Lei Day.

 What do you do to celebrate May Day?  Do you give flowers to your friends?  Do you make paper flowers?  Today's challenge is to write a poem about your favorite flower.  I hope you have a happy Lei Day (our 90th) and that you have fun writing poetry.

He lei poina ‘ole ke keiki.
A lei never forgotten is the beloved child. (a Hawaiian proverb)

  Have you ever thought about how dull life would be without flowers?  What would the bees do?  We'd have no honey.  I'm so glad we have flowers and showers to help them grow. 

HAIKU

purple orchids dance
swaying in the soft spring breeze
hula dancer's lei

    Happy Saturday.  Can you try writing your own haiku today?  Try to include a season word.  Write it in present tense to make your haiku more immediate.  Have fun writing.


A self that goes on changing is a self that goes on living. Virginia Woolf

Manticore V

My manticore is a gho-che-at.
He has the head of a ghost,
the feet of a cheetah,
and the body of a very scared cat.

He runs fast outdoors
with his cheetah feet
hunting for fish and souls 
to eat.

He wears a Hawaiian lei
to say Aloha
every day.

  Who ever would have thought to put the head of a ghost on a manticore?  Only the children from Kapa'a Elementary School.  I think this came from the idea that a manticore is a mythical beast.  Isn't the creativity wonderful?  And then to follow through with the idea that a ghost eats souls.  Some thinking is going on.  Wonderful!  I've never had a manticore poem go in this direction before and I love it.  Bright and very creative.
   Can you try writing a manticore poem today?  Maybe you can get your friends to help by suggesting interesting shapes to patch together.  Don't forget to try to use your five senses when writing your poem. 

Seek new paths for your creativity.

Dragon Lily

Lily, a dragon,
on the first day of school
wore flowers around her neck
so she could look cool.

And when it was time
to go out and play,
Lily just sat
and sniffed on her lei.

So while other dragons
were breathing with flame,
 Lily was sweet
and acted quite tame.

haiku

Polite dragon sleeps
at the top of the mountain
clouds caught in a lei

Many plumeria trees
are blooming.
You can smell them.

       Here are two form poems for today.  Can you try writing your own form poem today? 

Walk Along the Beach

Walk along the beach,
feel sand between your toes,
watch a fiery sunset,
see the world turn to rose.

Smell plumeria scent
from a Hawaiian lei.
Learn to live aloha,
take the time to play.


    I'm obviously still thinking about leis.  I talked to some people in Minnesota that had snow this morning.  So I thought I'd send you some sunshine and flowers.  Enjoy today.

HAPPY VALENTINE DAY

Here are some Valentine rhymes for book characters.

To Harry Potter.
You really are swell.
My Valentine for you
is a secret spell.


For Horton the Elephant
Here's what I've sent,
A friend who is faithful
100%.


For Ferdinand the Bull
this Valentine Day,
I'm sending you
a flowery lei.


For the French girl, Madeline
a very special Valentine--
a package of drawing chalk
for drawing straight lines.
on the sidewalk.


      Now it is your turn.  Can you write a Valentine verse for your favorite character?  I had fun writing these verses.  I hope you have fun with yours.  Please share your creation in the comments below.