HAPPY BOYS DAY

     Happy Poetry Friday.

Three paper kites
hang from our house
they flutter, flap and sway.
These paper fish are flying
high to celebrate
Tango no sekku
a Happy Boys Day.

On May fifth in communities with a Japanese influence you'll see paper carp
dancing on bamboo poles to honor the men in the household.  There are lots of Japanese-Americans who live on my island so we celebrate boys day and there are lots of paper carp flying today.  This holiday is also known as the Feast of Banners.  You can find out more about this celebration here. 

   There is a legend about the swimming carp becoming a dragon.  Can you write a poem today about a dragon?  What color would your dragon be?  Have fun writing.

E kūlia i ka nu‘u.

 
Strive to reach the highest.

--a Hawaiian proverb

  To read more poetry posts, Jama Kim Rattigan is hosting the Poetry Friday Roundup today on 

her blog Jama's Alphabet Soup here.  Thanks Jama, for hosting us this week.

Happy Cinco de Mayo and have a great weekend.

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.