I LOVE GRAMPS

The ice cream truck comes rolling

down our tree lined street.

Grandpa says he'll buy me

an ice cream for a treat.

When it's time to pay the man,

guess what Grandpa hasn't got?

His wallet is in his bedroom.

Grandpa, he forgot.

His wallet, his wallet,

oh Grandpa he forgot,

I will run to get it

because I love Grandpa a lot.

When we gather at the table

our family says a prayer.

Grandpa starts and then he stops

because his pills, they are not there.

His pills, his pills

oh Grandpa he forgot.

I will run to get them

because I love Grandpa a lot.

     Yesterday was Grandma, so today has to be Grandpa that forgets.  Do your Grandparents forget things?  Do you help them to remember?  How can you help others?  Can you write a poem about that?  Can you share your poem with your grandparents?  Then ask them to write a poem for you.  Have fun. 

I Love Gram a Lot

Grandma loves to read in bed

says a book just hits the spot.

Tonight she can not read to me,

her glasses she forgot.

My Grandma, my grandma,

her glasses she forgot.

I will run to get them

because I love Gram a lot.

Grandma wants a soaky bath,

hot water hits the spot.

Gram says she's a wrinkly prune--

a bath towel she forgot.

A towel,a towel,

oh Grandma has forgot.

I will run to get her one

because I love Gram a lot.

     Do you do things to help your parents, your grandparents, brothers or sisters?  What are they?  Would you like to add verses to this poem, or write your own poem about the things you do to help?  Have fun.

My Dog Spot

Spot, my dog barks

when I say, "SPEAK."

He hunts for his ball

when I say, "SEEK."

He's my good friend,

he sleeps on the rug.

He licks my hand

when I need a hug.

He wags his tail,

runs round a tree,

he's always happy

when he sees me.

     Can you write a poem about your pet?  This might be a good one to try as an acrostic.  My dog is a Welsh Springer Spaniel.  He's red and white and my son gave him his name.  What is your pet's name?  Have fun writing your poem.

Counting Monkeys

Mildred, Moe, Margaret and Manny

Monkeys ride on the merry-go-round.

Martin, Mary, Mike and Molly

How many monkeys

could be found

riding round and round

on the merry-go-round?
    
      I laugh every time I think about the antics of these monkeys.  How many monkeys did you count on the merry-go-round?  How many "M"s are in this poem?  Do you like riding on merry-go-rounds?  I love picking the best horse to go up and down to the calliope music.  I have ridden on merry-go-rounds in 8 different cities.  Can you write a poem about riding the merry-go-round?  Is there a merry-go-round you can ride on to collect details?  Does you merry-go-round have other animals?  Pigs?  Swans?  Have fun!

Lilly Llama

Lilly Llama

practices everyday

so she can learn

how to play

the cello.

But when she pulls

her bow across

the strings

it sounds like

a buffalo

bellowing.

     If you could play any instrument, what would it be?  Can you write a poem about that?  Or if your dog or cat could play music, what would be the instrument?  Happy writing.

Stumbly Little Bear

A stumbly, bumbly little bear
tripped and tumbled, rumbled
down the stair.


He got a knot
upon his nose
and crumpled, rumpled
all his clothes.

Poor little stumbly, bumbly bear.
Now he walks with greater care.

     This poem is pure silliness.  I was having fun with the  m-b  sound.  I liked the way the words felt in my mouth.  I hope you are careful when you walk on stairs.  My house doesn't have stairs.  But I do try to use the hand rail when I use stairs.  What safety rules do you follow?  Do you look both ways before crossing the street?  Do you remember:
Stop, Look, and Listen
before you cross the street.
Use your eyes.
Use your ears,
and then use your feet.

Can you write a poem about one of the things you do to be safe?  Here are some of the rules I remember from when I was young:
Don't play with sharp objects.
Don't run with scissors.
Don't play with matches.
Don't talk to strangers.
Tell my mother where I was going when I left the house.
Don't try to pet strange dogs.
Don't bite my fingernails.
     Goodness, I bet you know of lots of things to add to the list. 

Sweet L

I like licorice

and lemon tarts.

I like licking lollipops

shaped in red hearts.

I love the tingle

on my lips

from eating lime-flavored

potato chips.

How about you?

What's the 'l' 

you like to do?

      I need a break from the bestiary, so I turned to foods.  I'll still get to an "L" animal poem, but my mind wants to think about it a little.  I think there are too many "L" animals--lions, leopards, lizards, loons.  What other animals can you think of with the letter "l" in their name?  Wolf, Owl, Caterpillar, or Angel fish?  If two of the animals had a conversation, what would they say?  Can you write a poem about it?