Welcome

This is my playground for poetry written for children with ideas and inspiration for writing your own poems. Come on in. Sit for a spell, have a cup of words to swirl around and make your own cup of poetry. I'm so glad you are here. I hope you'll find the Kingdom of Poetry a fun place to be.

Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Isabel Iguana

Isabel Iguana skipped 
to the fair in the city.
She tickled herself pink
so she would be pretty.

This is how she 
won first prize
and admiration
from iguana guys.

     How many "i"s are in this poem?  How many words can you think of that start with the letter "i"?  Ice cream, intelligent, igloo, icky?  Can you write your own poem with lots of "i"s?  It must be fun.

Monday, January 30, 2012

Halfway to the Bottom of the Deep Blue Sea


Henry Haddock met
Hannah Halibut
halfway to the bottom
of the deep blue sea.

Said Henry to Hannah,
"You've stolen my heart.
Will you marry me,
halfway to the bottom
of the deep blue sea?"

Said Hannah to Henry,
"You are a handsome fish,
my husband you will be
halfway to the bottom
of the deep blue sea."
 
So they hired a humpback whale
to do their ceremony
halfway to the bottom
of the deep blue sea.
 
There they lived happily
and had hundreds of little fishies
halfway to the bottom
of the deep blue sea.
    

How many "h's" can you find in this poem?  Can you make your own list of "h" words?  How can you put those words together to write your own poem?  This would be a good poem to stress the sense of hearing.  Have fun.
    I owe inspiration for this poem to Pat and Don Murphy.  We had dinner with them last night at a sea food restaurant and I mentioned I was working on an "H" poem. They suggested the "h" fish.  
    When I told my sister about the haddock and halibut, she suggested I add a humpback whale.  So of course, the whale had to do the ceremony. 
     Today on our walk I recited this poem to my husband and he pointed out that haddock and halibut are bottom dwellers.  But I told him they would never get married anyway and if a frog could marry the mouse, I could have a halibut marry a haddock and have baby fishies, halfway to the bottom of the deep blue sea
     Actually that is the phrase I like best about this poem.  This can be done as a poem in two voices with the audience (or children) repeating the phrase, halfway to the bottom of the deep blue sea.  Enjoy.

Sunday, January 29, 2012

Missing You

I smell the fresh air
and flowers sweet--
primroses and snap dragons
line the street.

The colors are fresh
and super lovely.
They smell so sweet
and other worldly.

Sunshine and flowers
it doesn't get better than this.
You are the only
person I miss.

I wish you could walk
along the beach with me,
or we could sit
neath the tall pine trees.

     Happy Sunday.  Today is a great day for a walk outside.  Use all your senses and what do you see, feel, hear, smell and taste?  Can you use all of this information for a poem? 

Saturday, January 28, 2012

The Night Sky

The sky is a black bowl,
turned over to spill
icy crystals
sparkling bright
to fall 
across my eyes.

I see a bear,
a horse, a lion,
a warrior,
even a dipper
racing across the sky.

     It's Saturday.  How are you spending your weekend?  Can you write a poem about one thing you are doing this weekend? 

Friday, January 27, 2012

A Golfing Giraffe

Gerald Giraffe
plays golf
on the green.
It's the strangest
sight
I've ever seen.

His legs are spread
in a golfer's stance.
And he wears
plaid golfer pants.

Perhaps he'll make
a hole-in-one.
Gerald Giraffe thinks
playing golf is fun.


     Happy Friday.  There are a lot of "G"s in this poem.  Is there a "g" in your name?  The name of your town?  Street?  Can you write your own "G" poem?  I hope you have giggling fun writing.

Thursday, January 26, 2012

A Fox and the Opera

"Let's go to the opera,"
said funny Frannie Fox.
"Please buy us tickets
for a ground floor box."

"There I will feel safer
than in the balcony.
A ground floor box,
is sufficient for me."

"You can wear a tuxedo,
and I a frilly gown,
when we hear the opera
for our night on the town."

     What do you think a fox in a box at the opera would look like?  What would be the opera Fannie listens to?  Can you write your own poem about the opera, or animals going to the opera?  I'm actually having fun thinking about this.  I may add some more verses later, or perhaps I can turn this poem into a picture book manuscript.  Have a good time with you poem.

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

A Poem

A poem 
makes my toes
tap,tap,tap.

It makes my legs
want to 
kick,kick,kick.

My knees want to bend
and my bum
wants to
shimmy, shimmy, shake.

My body wants to sway.
My blood pulses.
My fingers
snap, snap, snap.

Poetry makes me
want to throw 
back my shoulders,
throw up my arms
into the air,
and shout 
Wahoo, Wahoo!

Even in sad times
poetry makes me feel
          J
          O
           Y.


   I'm taking a break from the bestiary today because I didn't like yesterday's poem.  And because I was thinking about this poem on my walk and I wanted to share it with you.  My walk this morning was a fun one.  When I started there was a cloud in the sky that looked like a twister with two holes for eyes.  Then those eyes morphed into eye brows and then a mustache and goatee.  Finally the whole thing morphed into a shape like a wolf with a very hungry look because his tongue was lolling out of his mouth.  Do you like watching clouds and making up pictures for them?  So the challenge for today is to watch clouds and write a poem about it.  Or if you'd rather just write a poem like mine about how poetry makes you feel.  Have fun.

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Elliot the Eel

Elliot the Eel
wasn't nice-- even a bit.
He shocked all his friends
with his electrical hit.

One morning Elliot awoke
and could not see.
He had lost his
electricity.

"Please help me,"  
Elliot pled,
as Wally Walrus 
swam past his head.

Wally helped Elliot
out that day.
Now Elliot has
changed his way.

Today Elliot the Eel
is kind and genteel.
To his friends, he's sweet.
He knows how they feel.


     How many animals can you name that start with the letter "E"?  Or can you write a poem about eggs?

Monday, January 23, 2012

Doreen Dragon

Doreen Dragon
dances down the street.
She do-se-do's
past all she meets.

Doreen wears a diadem
on her head.
She doesn't take it off--
even in bed.

Doreen is dainty,
delightful, debonair.
Her diamonds, they dangle
in the air.

This dazzling darling,
she dashes, she darts.
Doreen is a damsel
who has won 
all our hearts.

     Doreen definitely loves jewelry.  Can you see her with her tiara, and rings on her fingers and toes, and ropes and ropes of necklaces?  Can you write a poem about jewelry?  Or do you have a special piece of jewelry that has a story about who gave it to you, or the occasion?  Can you write a poem about that?
    

Sunday, January 22, 2012

If I Drove the Bus


If I drove the bus
I'd toot my horn
at folks on the street.
Toot, toot, toot.

If I drove the bus

I'd turn on the wipers
and listen to the blades.
Swish, swish, swish.

If I drove the bus

I'd travel up and down hills
and see across the bay
from my high seat.

If I drove the bus

I'd drive straight to you
to pick you up just so
I could show you
the driving I can do.

  The inspiration for this poem came from my friend and poetry pal Heidi Mordhorst, who has a blog My Juicy Universe.  Hop over to Heidi's blog to read her poem and find out more about the great poetry books for children she has had published.   I met Heidi at a Highlight's Founders Workshop in Poetry with David Harrison last May.  I hope to see her at the next poetry workshop in 112 days.
  So if you could drive a bus, what would you do?  Where would you drive?  Who would be on the bus with you?  Write a poem about your adventure.

Saturday, January 21, 2012

Charline Chameleon

Charline Chameleon
is a curious creature,
her skin changing colors
is a colossal feature.

Charcoal to chartreuse,
cyan to green.
Charline is the first
rainbow chameleon
I've ever seen. 

    I'm actually having fun with these strange creatures and may see about putting together my own bestiary.  Can you pick your own strange creature?  Make one up and then try writing a poem about it. Try drawing a picture to accompany your poem.  Can you make a broadside of your creation?

Friday, January 20, 2012

Bartholomew Buffalo

Bartholomew the Buffalo
liked to have fun
blowing bubbles
with his chewing gum.

He blew 26 pieces
and caused quite a stir.
His bubble, bigger than a building,
burst in his fur.

     Isn't "B" a delightful letter?  Beautiful, bountiful, busy, and briany?  Can you write your own "B" poem?  If you take a bubble bath, you might find inspiration, or try eating bologna. 

Thursday, January 19, 2012

Amy Aardvark

For Amy an Aardvark
it was love at first sight
when she saw Archie Ant
on a hot August night.

Before their love
had even begun,
Amy ate Archie
with a zap of her tongue.

She ate his aunts and uncles,
his brothers and sisters,
the old and the young
of Archie's ancestors.
She ate them all, everyone,
with a flap of her tongue.

     This is another poem that stresses an alphabet letter.  It uses a lot of assonance--repetition of vowel sounds.  Can you pick a letter and write your own poem?  You may end up with a tongue twister.  Hmmm?  I wonder if Amy Aardvark is particularly good at that since she has a long tongue she can twist.  Have fun writing.

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

Bee's B

Bright yellow buttercups
blooming in Bonneville
bit off by Bernard
our blustery Brahma bull.

Back in the barn
baby sheep are bleating,
blue birds are singing,
black beetles are eating,
and baby bunnies are munching
those  blooming butter cups
to a tune buzzed by bumblely bees.

     This poem uses a lots of "B" words.  when it is repeated at the beginning of the work, that is called alliteration.  When it is repeated in the middle or end of the word, that is consonance.  Can you pick your own letter from the alphabet and write a poem repeating that sound often in the poem..

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Little Hippo

One hot and sunny day
Little Hippo went
in the river to play.

In the water
he danced and splashed.
Then Little Hippo
on the bottom crashed.

And there he took
his morning nap
resting in
the river's lap.

     What would you like to write about today?  What ever it is, have fun writing.
Happy Tuesday.

Monday, January 16, 2012

Foods I HATE!

There are some foods
I do not like--
liver and onions
oysters and tripe.

The worst food
I ever ate,
make no mistake,
was my Aunt Bea's fruitcake.
I bit into it 
and got
a toothache.

     Can you write your own list poem of foods you do not like to eat?  Have fun.

Sunday, January 15, 2012

Let's Eat

MONDAY when it's time
for a meal,
I smell the aroma
of cooking veal.

TUESDAY when I
grab my fork,
I'm looking for
some tasty pork.

WEDNESDAY I am
finger-lickin'
that's the day
I eat fried chicken.

THURSDAY I don't know
what to do.
Ragout? Fondu?
Or barbeque stew?

FRIDAY and
another dish,
It is the day,
I eat fish.

SATURDAY make
no mistake.
That's the day,
I eat steak.

SUNDAY is a holiday.
I go to see the ballet.
I do not eat pate.
It is the one day
when I have
an ice cream sundae.

     What is your favorite food?  Why?  How do you like to eat it?  Can you write a poem about it?  I'm hungry just thinking about all the good foods to eat.

Saturday, January 14, 2012

Riding

I've ridden a horse
in Colorado.
I've ridden a burro
in old Mexico.

I've ridden a buffalo
across the plains.
I've ridden a elephant
 at a zoo in Des Plains.

I've ridden a reindeer
across the Ukraine.
I've ridden a camel
'cross sand in Bahrain.

But the best way to ride,
that I like,
is to pedal around
on my two wheel bike.


      Think about all the ways that you move and transport yourself.  Can you make a list of the many transportation vehicles you've been on or in.  Have you ridden in a car, a train, a bus, a plane?  How about a wagon?  Can you write a poem about it?  Where did you travel to?

Friday, January 13, 2012

Lunar Picnic

I'll pretend
to be an astronaut.
You can too,
or you can not.

I'd like to steer
a rocket ship
and fly it to the moon.
 I'd dart around 
among the stars
and not fly back til noon.

I'd take some bread and cheese
with me, and yes,  I'd take
a spoon.
I'd share my food 
with everyone
I met upon
the moon.

   Today I've been thinking about pretend play.  If you could pretend to be anyone, who would you be?  A pirate?  A Viking?  An opera singer? A ballerina?  Or maybe just your dog?  What ever you choose, try writing a poem about what you would do.  Have fun.

Thursday, January 12, 2012

Burro Benny

Brown Burro Benny,
Will you give me a ride?
I can brush burrs
out of your hide.

I'll plait your tail.
I'll trim your mane.
Let's ride in the sun.
Let's ride in the rain. 

     I wanted to write some poems that use other desert animals and Benny appeared for me to ride.  I hope you enjoy today's poem.  If you were to take a burro ride, where would you go?  Can you write a poem about it? 

Wednesday, January 11, 2012

Counting Stars

ONE star,
first out tonight.
TWO stars,
twinkling bright.
THREE stars,
shine at night.
FOUR stars,
a pretty sight.

I count every star
that I see,
but there are too many
to count in our
Milky Way Galaxy.

Counting poems are fun to write.  Would you like to try one?  What will you count?  Birds? Buttons? Cars? Leaves? Rocks? Snowflakes?  Have fun what ever you are counting.  You're welcome to share your poem here. 

Tuesday, January 10, 2012

Counting Doves

One dove sitting
on a telephone wire,
along lands another,
says he's a great flyer.

Two doves sitting 
on the telephone line,
along lands another,
says he's doing fine.

Three doves sitting
on the telephone post,
along lands another,
says,  four is the most
number of birds
to sit on this post.

Along came a hawk,
off they all flew,
flying away
into the blue.

One flew east,
one flew west,
two flew south
and built a nest.

       This morning there was a quail sitting on my fence.  He had a grey chest, a white band and dark bottom.  It looked like he was wearing a winter sweater with a feather cap on his head. He had his feathers fluffed to capture the air and warm himself.  I wonder who first observed the birds doing this and figured out we could do the same thing with down quilts to keep warm.  Do you have a cold poem you want to write today?  Enjoy.

Monday, January 9, 2012

Cactus Wren Song

On top of a Saguaro
all covered in spines
sang a brown cactus wren
in a song that was fine.

This little brown bird
flew to the Palo Verde tree,
his loud trilling song
was quite pleasing to me.

     Do bird songs cheer you?  I heard this one at the end of my morning walk.  I was just coming back up the hill to my house when I saw the bird sitting on top of the tallest Saguaro singing his heart out.  It gave me a real lift and I felt like if that little bird can be happy that it is a sunny day, I too, should be happy for today.  I hope you are happy today.  Can you write a list poem today about all the things that make you happy?

Sunday, January 8, 2012

Scurrying Quails

Scurrying quails
in a throng,
skittle, scattle
as they go along
they sing
a quail-ish song,

Churr-Cheep,
Churr-Cheep,
Churr-Cheep.

     Happy Sunday.  Have a fun day.  It is a great day to go outside and collect data of all the things you see, hear, smell and feel to use for writing poems next week.  What ticklies your fancy?  Yes, I know it usually is "tickles" but I like the idea of there being "ticklies."  Give your best smile to someone today.

Saturday, January 7, 2012

KANGAROO HOP

"Hello Rabbit,
How do you do?
I would like 
to hop with you."

"Very well, 
Mr. Kangaroo,
that is what
we should do."

Hop, hop, hop, hop.
Rabbit and 
Mr. Kangaroo
hopped away 
to the nearest zoo.

      This is a companion poem to yesterday's poem.  It is an action rhyme too.  It would be fun to act this poem out with a group of children.  In fact, it could be played like Duck, Duck, Goose.  One child could be Mr. Kangaroo and start hopping around the outside of the circle and pick the child to be Rabbit.  Then both children could hop in a race back to the starting point where Rabbit was picked.  The other children in the circle could recite the poem.  Oh, I wish you were here so we could try this out.

Friday, January 6, 2012

HOP, HOP, HOP, HOP,

I am a rabbit.
I hop and hop.
I keep on hopping
and will not stop.

I hop on one foot.
Hop, hop, hop.
Hop on two feet ,
hop-hop, hop-hop.

Hopping-hopping
until I slump.
One foot is a hop.
Two feet are a jump.

    This is an action rhyme.  Can you tell I've make an exercise resolution for the new year?  Can you try writing your own action rhyme? Do you like to run, skip, or sit?  I can think of words to rhyme with each of them.


My short poem


To run
is fun.
To skip,
don't slip.
But, if you sit
you're full of it.


     Which only goes to prove that I can write bad poems too.  I'm in a silly mood today.  I hope you enjoy your day too.


 

Thursday, January 5, 2012

Early Morning

Morning comes
the sun rises red,
I want to stay
at home in bed.

My pillow is soft.
My quilt is warm.
If I stay here
I'll come to no harm.

     Do you have mornings when you'd rather just stay in bed?  When you want to just turn over and go back to sleep?  A poem written about the morning is called an aubade, if it's written about the night, or evening it is called a serenade.  Can you write your own poem about the morning--your aubade?   Make it fun.

Wednesday, January 4, 2012

Quail

A family of quail
went for a walk today
chirp-cheep, chirp-cheep
they seemed to say.

"Come on children,
let's hurry away,"
scuttle, scuttle, run
across the street
and out of the way.
Chirp-cheep, chirp-cheep.


     I saw a covey of about 20 quail on my walk this morning--two adults, half a dozen adolecents,and the rest were small little chicks.  it was fun to watch them hurry away across the road.
    Lately I've been observing that the smaller the bird the prettier their song is.    Would you agree?  What is your favorite bird song?  Can you write a poem about birds?  Do you feed the birds?  Would that make a good title?  Have fun.

Tuesday, January 3, 2012

Little Lambs

I am a little lamb.
I like to jump and leap.
When I grow a little bit
then I'll be a sheep.
Jump, jump leap.
Jump, jump, bleat.

     I'm home and ready to go to work.  There is so much to do.  But before I go into all the details of coming home and the problems I'm facing, let's get this poem posted!  Sorry it was late, I didn't have internet services until 10 minutes ago.
     I got to see my poem in Highlight's High Five today.  That felt so cool.  Can you write a short poem today?  Have fun.

Monday, January 2, 2012

Happy Days

Ms Rosa Bloom
Mr. Chipper Birdsong
sing in praises
all day long.

How they are happy!
How they laugh!
I'm glad they're here
to lighten my path.

Sunday, January 1, 2012

You Choose!

The Bickersons
live next door
to the Snideleys
in a town
where nothing is right.
"It's too hot," they complain
each day.
"It's too cold," they whine
each night.
They spend their time
in sputter and fight.

Now here is some advice
I have for you.
I read it in their Daily News;
whether you are happy or sad,
whether you are good or bad,
it is your life,
you get to choose.


     I think this poems is a little too pedantic to be considered a good poem.  What do you think?  I'll try to do better tomorrow.
     I was raised with the adage my mother always repeated, "You can catch more flies with honey than vinegar."  So, I think this poem has more vinegar in it than honey.  But, I must admit that my favorite part of the movie Bambi is when Thumper's mother asks him, "What did your father tell you?"
    And Thumper replies, "If you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all."  
     I think all of this came to me because Toni McKain recently asked what I was trying to achieve with my poetry.  What message did I want to send?  It did get me thinking.  I guess what I'd really like is for the world to have more laughter.
     So today's challenge is to write a poem that will make someone laugh.