Fireworks

h

 Fireworks
exploding
in the night sky.
Brilliant
colors
sparkling by.

   Your challenge for today is to write a poem about something you see in the sky.  Have fun.

AT THE BEACH

Today I will
run on the beach.
I'll smile at each
runner I meet.
I'll count each smile
that comes back to me
when I am running
in the sand.

Today I'll listen
to sounds on the beach.
I'll hear the birds
and waves crashing.
I'll hear children
building a castle
in the sand.

Today I'll try to
smell the beach,
the scent of salt
mixed with suntan oil,
and sandy seaweed
while I'm at the beach.

Today I'll open my mouth
to taste the salt air
on my tongue
when I am at the beach.

Today, I'll feel
happy in the sunshine.
I'll try not to burn
while I'm having fun
running on the beach.


     Today's poem is a list poem.  Can you see how I've used each of the five senses to list what it is like through the senses when I'm at the beach?  Your challenge for today is to take something you like to do--dance, go to the movies, eat pizza, read a book--and write your own list poem using your own senses.  It is through our senses that we experience the world and so when you write using your five senses, the reader can experience your world with you.  Have fun writing today.

Happy May 5th, Boys' Day

Carp fly over
the doorstep.
Carp fly over
the porch.

Bright orange fish
catch the breeze
flap like kites.
One big one
two smaller ones
the  fish are my dad,
my brother and me.

Mom made sure
the fish flutter
to celebrate
boys' day;
to mark 
how many men
live in our house,
to celebrate here
in Hawaii.

     Is Boys' Day celebrated in your community?  Your challenge for today is to write a tribute poem to a boy you know.  What makes him special?  Why is it great to be a boy?  Have fun writing. 
    

HAPPY SATURDAY

French toast,

Waffles,

Pancakes

What will

It be

Today?

When offered

French toast

Waffles, or

Pancakes

This is

What I say:

I think

I'll have

Yogurt

Today.

Happy Saturday. What will you have for breakfast today? And, when will you have your breakfast? Your challenge for today is to write your own breakfast poem.

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.

Lei Day

May Day
is Lei Day
a chance 
to say
Aloha
in a special way.

Make a lei
a chain of flowers
to drape 
on this day
around
the neck
of someone
you know.

Bring the spirit
of love
and Aloha
to those
who need a lift.

Bring the smell
of Hawaiian islands
to those
who need a break
from their stress.

Aloha,
Happy Lei Day.


    Yes, I know this is coming to you on May 2 and Lei Day is May 1, but as my Island friends tell me, it is never a bad day to receive the gift of a lei.  So maybe I'm early for next year.  Your challenge for today is to write a poem from the viewpoint of your favorite flower.  What is its life like?  How does it feel about the other flowers, the birds, cats or dogs?  Have fun.  I think I'm going to try drawing a lei.

HAPPY MAY DAY

Find a piece of paper,

fold it to a cone,

add a sturdy handle

color for your own.

Now you have a basket

to put some flowers in.

Take them to a neighbor

and let the fun begin.  

Hang it on their door knob.

Get ready to run away.

When you ring the door bell

say, "Happy May Day."

    When I was a little girl, May 1st was considered the beginning of spring and the start of the end of the school year.  We'd have our last parent program on that day and each grade got to do a special dance.  The kindergarden students danced to A VISIT TO MY FRIEND,and the sixth graders got to dance the May Pole.  I remember standing in the hot sun for two weeks practicing before we performed for our parents. First we learned the dance steps.  Then we did the dance with ropes on the tether ball pole.  Next we had long rag ribbons on a special post.  When we arrived on the night of our performance we had long satin ribbons in pastel colors to dance with.  Each student had the responsibility not to mess the steps up, otherwise the ribbons on the pole wouldn't make the pretty woven pattern.  Oh what fun we had.  My mother made me a new yellow sun dress to wear.  My partner was so slow in picking up the steps: I think we all worked very hard to get him to do the right steps so when we were done, it all looked beautiful.

   Have you ever danced a May Pole?  After that event, we'd put away our fun activities and get ready for end of the year testing and final exams.

  What is your favorite memory for the month of May?  Can you write a poem about that?  Or maybe you can write about the flowers that are blooming now.