YOUR TONGUE

A tongue is
an amazing thing.
It lets us talk
and helps us sing.

We use it when
we need to chew.
So many things
a tongue can do.

But let me advise
you, this my son,
use caution when
you use your tongue.

Hold your tongue.
Don't speak fast.
Words once uttered
tend to last.

Pain and hurt
can rue the day
when your tongue 
wags away.


     This is a didactic poem. A didactic poem tries to teach.  This one advises to think before you speak.  As Geoffrey Chaucer admonished:
 A tongue cutteth friendship all a-two.       
    Do you have some rules that your parents tell you, or classroom rules?  Maybe say please and thank you, use an inside voice, or chew with your mouth closed?  Can you write your own poem today that offers an instruction?  Have fun writing.  If this doesn't appeal try writing about when the rules go wrong.

GOOD NIGHT

Fierce winds blow.
The wind chime sings loudly.
Leaves chatter on the trees
and I huddle 
in my warm blankets
listening to this night speak.

    Have you ever had nights when you couldn't sleep and you listened to all the sounds in the silent house?  Did you hear the clock ticking, a water faucet dripping, the heater click on? Could you hear someone snoring, or your dog wheezing?  Do you have a loud purring cat? Perhaps you heard crickets chirping.  Most houses make some creaking noises as the bones expand or contract.  Can you write your own poem today about what your house sounds like at night?


   Renee LaTulippe at NO WATER RIVER is hosting POETRY FRIDAY today.