ONE HOT SUMMER 6

Will the monsoons ever come?

Will we see the water

rush and gush across the road?

Will the cracks

in the earth disappear?

Once more?

Yes, the monsoons will come

and we will see water

rushing and gushing

and filling the cracks.

But now it is summer,

and the snake and tarantula

sleep underground.

Now you and I shall hike.

Here is your backpack

and your water bottle.

All ready to go?

Walk slow.

Shhhhhh.

    Today is day six of my poems based on NOW IT IS WINTER written by Eileen Spinelli.
Only two days left to this tale. 
     Here is your poetry challenge for today.  Can you make a list of things you would say "Shhhh," to?  Can you write a poem about that?  Write a list poem, or pick one item and tell us about it.  How do you feel hen someone tells you to shhhh?  Have fun with writing your poem.

Children's Poetry is the owl that calls to me each night.

ONE HOT SUMMER 3

Will the monsoons come?
Will I race outside laughing
with my mouth open
to catch rain drops
on my tongue
once more?

Yes, monsoons will come
and raindrops
will fall on your tongue
and laughter too.

But now it is summer.
Now you can stand in the shade
to feel a few degrees cooler
playing shadow games.
What fun!

    It is three days now that I have been using Eileen Spinelli's NOW IT IS WINTER as my mentor text.
What games do you like to play in summertime?  Can you write a poem about your favorite game?  Have fun writing.

Children's poetry must be written with enthusiasm.

ONE HOT SUMMER 2

Will the monsoons come?
Will creosote bushes blossom
scenting the air
with tiny yellow stars
ever come?

Yes, there will be
creosote bushes and monsoon rain.
But now it is summer.
Now there is sunshine
and we wear sun block
and dark sun glasses.
So hot!
Feel it.

    So I've broken my verses into several posts.  This poem is inspired by Eileen Spinelli from her picture book NOW IT IS WINTER.  What is your favorite thing about the mountains, the plains, the city, the beach?  Try writing a list poem about all the things you love about your place.  Have fun writing.

Children's Poetry is written for the child in each of us.

ONE HOT SUMMER

Will monsoons ever come?
Will clouds umbrella over the sun
to make shade?
Will they drift into my dreams
like cool dew drops over my pillow?
Will the rains come?

Yes, the monsoons will come.
But now it is summer.
Now the sunlight blazes.
Heat ripples off the pavement.

The morning sun glares
when I pull my covers
over my head.
The birds hide in holes
in ancient Saguaros.
They lift their wings
to say hello.

     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. 
    What things do you like to do in summer?  Can you pick one of your favorites and write a poem about it?  Why is that your favorite summer thing to do?  Have fun writing.

If more people read children's poetry the world would be a better place.

SUMMER RAIN

Just when

we are thinking

to erase the word

rain from the dictionary

the monsoons arrive.

The golden barrel cactus

grows round, plump,

and full.

The seams

of the saguaro

fill and their deep creases

flesh out.

Even the small yellow

creosote flower

permeates the air

in heavy, heady fragrance.

We all

heed the signs:

Avoid arroyos

during flash floods. 

    Poets have been writing poems about the weather for a long time.  I can remember when we were in England people used to say, "If you don't like the weather, wait 15 minutes.  It will change."   This is why they carry umbrellas, the British never know when it might rain.  Can you write your own poem about weather?