My BIKE

On Christmas morning,

I rush downstairs

and there it is

beside the tree

two shiny black tires

a cherry-red frame--

my own bicycle.

The one present

I really, really wanted.

On the handle bars

hanging,

like a Christmas tree ornament,

my bicycle helmet

with red flames

licking up the sides.

My bicycle,

my happiness,

my ticket 

to explore,

my freedom.

     Do you have a bicycle or is that on your Christmas wish list?  I remember my first bike.  My father got it from the Salvation Army Thrift Shop and painted it red for me.  He put wooden blocks on the pedals so I could reach them.  I was the only kid in my kindergarten class with a two wheel bicycle.  I learned early because I was always riding my older sister's bike.  But it was no where near as early as my own son who was riding a two wheeler when he was three years-old.  If you could fly on a bike, where would it take you?  What would the ride be like?  Can you write a poem about that?  Or write a poem about your own bicycle.  Have a fun time with this prompt.

Silver Bell

I'm the smallest silver bell

hung upon the Christmas tree.

I'm sparkling and bright,

I'm silvery-shiny.

I play a sweet song

, and ring tinnily.

I hang on this pine

so all folks can see.

Ring-ting-a-ling.

Ring-ting-a-ling

That's how I

joyously sing.

If you listen carefully

in the quiet, you'll hear me.

I'm the smallest silver bell

hung upon the Christmas tree.

Ring-ting-a-ling.

Ring-ting-a-ling.

That's how I

joyously sing.

     Have you ever heard a hand bell concert?  People in the choir ring bells to make music.  I love the sound of ringing bells.  If you were a Christmas ornament, what would you look like?  What would you sound like?  Can you write your poem from the persona of the ornament?  This can make for an interesting poem.  What if all the ornaments had a discussion?  Perhaps they could have an argument over who was the best and then discover that it doesn't matter, it takes all of the ornaments to make a pretty tree.  Hey, I like this idea.  I think I'll write a picture book about this.  Have fun with your writing.  I know I'm having fun.

HOT CHOCOLATE

After

our snowball championship fight,

my brother and I

rush into the house

to warm up,

to dry off.

Mom has hot chocolate waiting.

The rich smell

fills all the corners

of the kitchen.

The mug warms my hands.

My cocoa has 8 tiny marshmallows

floating on top.

My brother has 7.

Who is the winner

after all?

I counted.

    When you get cold in the winter, how do you warm up?  Do you wear colorful mittens, or a scarf and hat?  Do you eat hot food?  What does winter smell like to you?  What does it taste like?  Do you have snowball fights?  Who do you have fights with?  Write a winter poem about it.  Can you curl up by a warm fire to write?

SNOWBALLS

All morning

my brother and I

made snowballs

behind the safety

of our snow forts.

We packed firm round balls

for our arsenal.

Then,

when the pile

was big enough,

we had the snowball 

fight championship.

I threw first.

Got him in the chest

S-M-A-C-K.

He threw back.

I got a snowball

down my collar

Brrr-rrr-rrr.

We exchanged volleys.

And when the snowballs

were all thrown,

I was wet.

My brother declared himself

snowball throwing

champion of the world.

He said he was the winner

because I was wetter.

We went inside to warm up

and drink hot chocolate.

He doesn't know 

I've hidden one

perfect snowball 

in the freezer.

I'll get him back

next July.


    Do you have snow where you live?  Can you write a poem about how snow makes you feel?  Can you think of words that rhyme with snow?  Make a list and see where your poems takes you.  Have a fun magic carpet ride to poetry.

The Tree

All

week

I've waited

for this day.

On my sled Dad

loads some rope, 

and a small ax, and

his chain saw.  He picks

up the lead rope to pull my sled.

"Come on," he says.  "Let's go get 

us a

Christmas

tree."

     Does your family put up a Christmas tree?  How do you get your tree?  Who picks it out?  What does the tree look like?  Here in Arizona a lot of families do not put up Christmas trees, they decorate the cactus.  Or, they have artificial trees.  Can you write a poem about your tree?  What does it smell like?  Feel like?  What do you like best about your tree?  Have fun writing.

Christmas Colors

White and red

are the colors

of Christmas

for me.

The white

of fresh snow

draping on the trees,

like bridal gowns,

covering the ground.

The red

of cardinals

under the bird feeder

picking at seeds

in the snow.

Their call

in the quiet--

a Christmas carol.

     What is your favorite Christmas carol?  Have you ever gone caroling?  Can you write a poem about the music you like best at holiday time? 

Wheee-eee-eee

Wheee-eee-eee

There is a sound

that starts

deep in my belly.

Works its way

up to my chest,

then in a gush,

blows the top

of f my head.

It is the sound

I scream

as my sled

slides quickly

down the hill.

Wind

burns my cheeks

eyes water.

It is wild,

exciting,

fun,

Wheee-eee-eee!

     Do you ride a sled, snow ski, ice skate?  What winter activities do you like to do? Can you write a poem about it?  Stay warm and have fun.