FIRE`

Fire burns, fire flames
adding warmth
to love for you.

Fire erupts
from the volcano,
lava sizzles into the sea.


   I've started working on the fire poems, but it is a busy weekend so this will have to do for today.  I thought I'd really have a hard time finding enough variety for "fire" poems, but once I got stated I surprised myself with all the different kinds of fire I could think of. Now, I'm busy doing the research to make sure I've got the information correct.  I do need to thank my sister for all her help and suggestions for fire poems--thank you Clo Ann Smith.

DREAMS

Each thirsty night

I am sprinkled

with a soft rain

of words I try

to arrange

in to poems.

    What dreams do you have at night?  Can you write a list poem about your dreams today?  Have fun writing your poem.

     Today is the Poetry Friday Round-Up.  You can find more poetry on Paul Hankins' blog These 4 Corners.  Thanks, Paul, for hosting us today.

EARTH

Earth keeps
daffodil and jouquil bulbs,
and holds tree roots.

Earth turns
fallen tree leaves
into rich soil.

Earth grows
grass in pastures
for cows, horses, deer and rabbits.

Earth holds
gold and silver
rubies, granite and marble.

Earth trembles
with quakes
shifting tectonic plates.

Earth changes
with rain, fire, wind, and snow
sometimes fast, sometimes slow.

Earth
makes our world
to enjoy and protect.


     I'm enjoying working with these three line verses.  They're called tercets.  Can you try writing a three line poem today?  Have fun writing.

EARTH

Earth turns,
plants itself
in dust to dust.

Earth freezes
from icy snow
in mountains, on plains.

Earth muddies
with falling rain
wraps around pig feet.

Earth holds
puddles and ponds
to the delight of ducks and geese.

Earth is home
for bear, badger
even wiggling worms,
and you and me.


     What are some of the things you have observed about the earth?  Can you try writing your own earth poem today?  Have fun.

WHAT DOES THE TOOTHBRUSH KNOW?

What does the toothbrush know?
     The minty taste of the paste's flow.
     To brush up and down, to and fro.
     To slide over each tooth slow.

What does the toothbrush know?
     A missing tooth makes a window.
     To rinse before you go.
     To make each smile all aglow.


         Michelle Barnes and Joyce Sidman have challenged children's poets to try writing a "Deeper Wisdom" poem.  This is a poem based on What Do the Trees Know? by Joyce from her book WINTER BEES & Other Poems of the Cold .  You can find out more about this challenge and suggestions for writing your own poem on Michelle's blog, Today's Little Ditty.

THE GEESE OF GOOSE LAKE

Today's Deeper Wisdom poem is for my friend David Harrison, who has a collection of poetry titled GOOSE LAKE.

What do geese know?
    To fly south before they smell snow.
    To eat grubs from lakes down below.
    To listen for hunter's guns as they blow.

What do geese know?
    Flying a "V" makes a good show.
    Honking formation as they go.
    To feel the river as it flows.

     I discovered something about this form today.  I wasn't sure how to put the lines together for this poem and I wasn't sure which lines to include and which ones to leave out.  I went back to the basics--I looked at my five senses.  Can you find the 3 S's ( sight, sound, smell) and 2 T's (Touch, taste) in the poem?

     If you'd like to know more about writing a Deeper Wisdom poem,  Michelle Barnes is asking for entries in her contest at her blog Today's Little Ditty.    Michelle Barnes and Joyce Sidman have challenged children's poets to try writing a "Deeper Wisdom" poem.  This is a poem based on What Do the Trees Know? by Joyce Sidman from her book WINTER BEES & Other Poems of the Cold .  You can find out more about this challenge and suggestions for writing your own poem on Michelle's blog, Today's Little Ditty.

FIREFLIES

What do fireflies know?
     How to fly high, how to fly low
     Flashing light as they go
     And to hibernate before the snow.

What do fireflies know?
     Even their larvae have a glow.
     Searching for a mate, they put on a show.
     If you catch one, let it go.


     Michelle Barnes and Joyce Sidman have challenged children's poets to try writing a "Deeper Wisdom" poem.  This is a poem based on What Do the Trees Know? by Joyce from her book WINTER BEES & Other Poems of the Cold .  You can find out more about this challenge and suggestions for writing your own poem on Michelle's blog, Today's Little Ditty.