BEING CAT

If I were a cat
I know what I'd do
I curl in your lap
and purr for you.


    Today's poem came because I was reading a poem posted today by US children's poet laureate Kenn Nesbitt.
    His poem starts: If I had a dollar/ I know what I'd do...  and as I reread the lines, I thought, hey, I've written a poem with those same words.  And the more I thought about the lines, the more I knew these lines would make a good outline for lots of poems.  My previous poem was about a dog, so I tried again with a cat.  The poem above is what came out.  But what would happen if you used a bird?

If I were a goldfinch,
I know what I'd do,
I'd sit at the feeder
and sing songs to you.

     Or what happens if I try another animal?

If I were an elephant
living in the zoo
I'd share half my peanuts
and give them to you.

        I could also try a holiday, this is what I ended with for the Fourth of July.
If I were an American flag
I know what I'd do
I'd wave for freedom
in red, white and blue.


    Would the basic pattern work for professions?

If I were my teacher
I know what I'd do.
I'd make recess last all day.
How about you? 

 So now it is your turn.  Think of an animal, an object, or an event, and write your own poem.

If I were (fill in the blank.)
I know what I'd do.
I'd ______________________
____________________ with you.

    Give it a try and see if you have fun.  You are welcome to leave your poems in the comments below.  Have fun playing with this.

MY SIPPY CUP

I sit up here
in my high chair
and watch the dog
sleeping there.

I drink my milk
from my sippy cup.
I drink it down
                                UP.
                           UP
then toss the cup


And it falls
          DOWN
                   DOWN
and wakes the dog.

My sippy cup
does not spill, 
does not break.

But then my mom
knows to make
me more milk
in my blue sippy cup.


     Today's poem is for a very young audience.  I want to credit Tom Pearson for the inspiration.  Can you try writing your own poem today for a very young person?.  You might want to try observing a baby before you write.  Watch what the baby does.  I had a physical education teacher tell me once she brought her baby to school and had the football players duplicate the baby's movements for five minutes.  At the end of that time the football players (in prime physical condition) were exhausted.  Having been a mom to a young baby, I know they are constantly on the move and can be quite tiring.  Maybe we should write a poem thanking moms instead.  Have a great weekend.

      Today is the Poetry Friday Roundup.     Diane Mayr at RANDOM NOODLING   is hosting the party.  Thank you.
You can find more poetry at the party.