RODEO PARADE

Dust off your boots
for the rodeo,
the parade is today
and I'm raring to go.

Cowboys and vaqueros
ride down the street
waving and smiling
to all they meet.

The horses high step
to make horseshoes sing.
The polished silver saddles
make a sweet ring.

Here comes a cowboy
standing on his horse's mat.
He's a trick roper
who jumps through his lariat.

Everyone is watching 
and having good fun.
I'll join the march
at the end when it's done.

Bands play, guitars strum,
floats go past.
The rodeo parade is over
much too fast.


     It is Rodeo Days in Tucson and the parade is today.  The students in our schools have today and tomorrow off so they can participate in the festivities.  The parade is called the longest non-motorized parade in the U.S.  When was the last time you went to see a parade?  Have you ever been in a parade?  Does your school have parades?  Your challenge for today is to write a poem about a parade, or something you saw in a parade.  Or you can use your imagination and add a verse to my poem.  Have fun writing.You can see photos of previous Rodeo Parades here:
http://tucson.com/gallery/news/local/photos-historic-tucson-rodeo-parade/collection_176c488c-3e7e-5fde-907d-4e581fe2cd43.html#0 

and the floatshttp://tucson.com/gallery/sports/rodeo/photos-rodeo-parade-floats/collection_dcf829a7-3a0c-5d41-bb67-226fc96bcc0d.html#6

and of the rodeo http://tucson.com/gallery/sports/rodeo/photos-la-fiesta-de-los-vaqueros/collection_9d0790d2-ba34-11e4-9a10-6f386173e470.html#0

The Elegant Elephant

An elegant elephant
sat for tea
and used her napkin
most delicately.

She tried to be dainty,
as you may suppose,
when using her napkin
to cover her nose.

But the napkin was huge
and as long as a hose.
When she unfurled it,
it dropped under her toes.


    This is a poem about manners.  Can you try writing your own poem today about something mannerly?  Who might give you advice as when to say please or thank you?  Do you have a favorite animal you can make the main character of your poem?  Have fun writing.

    I was having so much fun saying elegant elephant that I tried to think of other things that would distinguish an elephant, making her elegant.  Do you think she would wear a hat to a tea party?


    A elegant elephant
wore a flowered hat
it slipped off her head
whenever she sat.