June 30, 2015 Monsoons

The rain that we wanted

finally is here.

It finally is raining.

Isn't it great?

The monsoons are here.

Let's all celebrate.

 

    I thought you'd like to know that the monsoons are here in Tucson.  One report I read said they had come 15 days early this year.  This is a great relief after the predictions were that the rains would be late.  Maybe that means the season will be long this year.  

       My tomato plants are enjoying the rain and I'm enjoying eating lots of tomatoes in salads and on pasta.  The small cherry tomatoes make a great snack all by themselves.  

      OK,  tomatoes are usually thought of as being red, so for your poetry challenge can you write a poem about red today?  Or just try writing a three line poem today.  (Did you follow my logic on that challenge?)  What ever you do today, celebrate your writing.

    Poetry for children is a celebration.

ONE HOT SUMMER 7

Will the monsoons ever come?

Will I see lightning?

Will I hear thunder?

Once more?

Yes, the monsoons will come.

But now it is summer.

Doves coo and 

the elf owl hoots a sweet lullaby

to sing you to sleep.

Listen.

Hush now,

sleep,

the monsoons have come.

Raindrops splash

against your window.

Cracks of lightning shine

in the sky,

and everything is cool

and green,

once more.

    So, there you have it.  Everyone is waiting for the monsoon season to begin again.  I hope you have enjoyed working your way through a week's worth of waiting for the monsoons.  
       I did want to share the headline from yesterday's newspaper with you.  In Tucson, we really do wait for the monsoons to come.

This poem is inspired by NOW IT IS WINTER, written by Eileen Spinelli.  The ending to her story is very different from mine.  Her's is very elegant.  Please read her book to see how it makes a great mentor poem.  I hope my ending makes sense.  

      Now for your poetry challenge.  Look at poems you like and find what you think is a good end line.  Now make that line the first line for your own poem.  Have fun writing.

Writing Children's Poetry is the best place 

I know to play.

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 4

Will the monsoons come?
Will I help Grandpa
gather Saguaro fruit
and desert marigolds?
Will we look for horned toads
and gila monsters
near the arroyo?
Once more.

Yes, monsoons will come
to you and Grandpa
and to the horned toads
and gila monsters.
All will be there.

But now it is summer.
Now we lick
prickly pear popsicles.
So cool, so delicious.
Taste it.

     I'm still using NOW IT IS WINTER, written by Eileen Spinelli for my mentor text.  What is your favorite food to eat in summertime?  Can you write a poem about summer foods today?  Have fun writing.

   It is Friday again and time for the Poetry Friday Round Up.  A chance for you to read more poetry by children's poets.  The Round Up is hosted by Jama Rattigan today at her blog Jama's Alphabet Soup.  Hop over to the party and enjoy the poetry.  Thanks, Jama for being the hostess with the mostess for us.



Reading children's poetry is a great way to build vocabulary.

MONSOON

The monsoons arrive at six o'clock.
Knock at my door.
First, gentle sprinkles
then in a pour.

Finally, it comes down with buckets
dashing away in rain.
I didn't want to send them off.
I asked them, Won't you please, come again?

     Finally, our monsoon rains came.  The air has cooled a little.  We were only in 90 degrees yesterday.  What was your Fourth of July weather like?  Are you up for writing a weather related poem today?  Do have fun.

SOON MONSOONS

Hot winds
bounce thin branches
of the mesquite tree.
For lack of rain,
the paloverdes
have lost all their
tear drop leaves.
Date palms flap
and everyone,
everyone waits
for monsoons--
soon monsoons.
Please hurry.

 

 

 

Paloverde trees without leaves, notice the clouds gathering in the background.

  The Paloverde tree has green stems and leaves.  The bark of the tree can photosynthesize.  In the hot weather the tree loses it's leaves so it won't lose moisture through the leaves.

Green twigs on the Paloverde

The leaves are like tiny little tear drops.

All photos, copyright 2014 by Joy Acey

Your challenge for today is to write a poem about your favorite plant.  Have fun writing.

Cinquain

Monsoon

Cholla blooming

Creosote scents the air

Cactus wren nests in saguaro

Warm rain

Today's poem is a cinquain.   It is a five line syllabic poem.  The first line has 2 syllables, the second line has 4, the third 6 and the fourth 8, then in the fifth line there are 2 syllables again.

line 1 = 2 syllables

line 2 = 4 syllables

line 3 = 6 syllables

line 4 = 8 syllables

line 5 = 2 syllables

Can you write your own cinquain today?  Mine tells about the desert where I live.  Can you write your cinquain about where you live?  I'd love to read your poem.  You are welcome to leave your creation in the comments below.

Thank you for stopping by and I hope you are enjoying this last day of the holiday weekend.