haiku

a hawk, hear its cry

as a car whizzes by

a snake on the road

     Do you ever have days when you get stuck and can't think of anything to write about?  Look out your window.  What is the first thing you see?  Now look for something to move or listen for a noise.  So now you have two things to try writing a haiku about.  Try this and let me know what happens for you.  You are welcome to leave your poem in the comments below.  I'd like to read your poem.  Have a great day listening and observing.

Election Day

Today is Election Day

"GET OUT AND VOTE"

the advertisements

all say.

You can vote red.

You can vote blue.

Voting is something

we all should do.

This is our freedom.

Don't throw it away.

Please go vote,

this Election Day.

      Being able to pick who governs our country is a very special privilege.  Not everyone in the world has this opportunity.  What are some of the symbols of our country and our freedom?  Our flag, the Liberty Bell, Lady Liberty, even the colors red, white and blue all stand for the USA.  Can you write a poem today about voting, freedom or one of the symbols for the United States?  Have fun.  Use your imagination. What would happen if a dog wanted to run for President?  What would she campaign on?
   If you'd like to read more about our freedoms and elections,  Janet Wong has written a poetry book, DECLARATION OF INTERDEPENDENCE Poems for an Election Year.  
   Last March, Janet Wong allowed me to share a couple of the poems from her book with you.  You can find those poems HERE.

Great Blue Herons

Three great gray herons

came to the lake today.

In among the bracken

is where they stay.

Eating up the minnows

and other little fish,

the herons think this restaurant

is very de-lish.

They'll lay an egg in a nest

high among the trees.

Along the shore of our lake

is everything they need.

Have you ever watched a great blue heron fly over a lake?  They look so awkward flapping their wings to take off, and then they fold their legs back  and become a long dart to fly over water looking for dinner.  Can you draw a picture of your favorite bird today, and then try writing a haiku.

flashing reflections

great blue herons swoop the lake

look for fish dinner

    The water color above I painted.  It is another one of the art projects I did with my sister while she was here visiting. 

Night Tales

It is just as you said.

I've looked at the moon

and it is all so vast.

But, imagine, if you will,

that every star

is a wish, and every wish

is a story.

Can you see the two bears, 

a big one and the minor?

Loping across the sky

chased by a hunter, Ryan.

He has an arrow notched

in his bow.

Taking aim at 

the lion or those fish.

Then he leaps on his horse

Pegasus in a wild race.

And yes, I see those girls

hands joined in a circle dance.

They laugh and giggle,

their pigtails flying behind them.

One is Leda and another

is named Cassie.

Seven sisters all together.

I don't know which

is my favorite wish.

I haven't heard

all their stories.

     Since it is Sunday, can you make up your own poem about the sun?  Is the sun a huge chili?  Or perhaps a great weight lifter?  Have fun playing with this one.

Sandy's Destruction

One neighbor brought milk.

another brought ice

In times of crisis, like this

I realize most people are nice.

     Let's be creative today.  Can you write a poem about Hurricane Sandy, or about things you can do to help?  Do have fun.

The Avacado

An avocado grew at the top of the tree,

wondering what his life would be.

Each day he watched the sun pass by

as he grew up toward the sky.

His skin grew thick and shiny black

he started to droop and fell back.

He saw birds perch and start to swarm,

he didn't want holes in his perfect form.

His limb began to stretch down, down

and the avocado bent toward the ground.

Finally the avocado shouted out  Wheee!

As he jumped off from that tree.

Can you hear him singing, Ole, Ole,

as he gets smashed for guacamole?

      Oh dear, I'm being silly again.  I couldn't think what to write about, but I have some potato stickers Debbie Ohi sent me from the book she illustrated--I'M BORED.   Debbie gives personality to a potato, and the stickers say "Power to the Potato."  I think you're lucky I didn't spring a potato poem on you today.  But a grocery ad from the newspaper was sitting right here with jumbo Hass avocados on sale for 99 cents.  (It was a toss up between the avocado and the grapefruit--same price.)  I thought I'd have more fun trying to rhyme that "o" on the end of avocado.  But then look what I did.  I put avocado in the middle of lines so I didn't have to rhyme.  But I did like rhyming "Ole" with guacamole.
OK, here is your challenge for today, can you write a poem about a fruit or vegetable?  Have fun.  I'd love to see your creations in the comments below.

Poetry Friday is being hosted today at MAINELY WRITE. 

Dia de los Muertos

Happy Dia de los Muertos.

Happy Day of the Dead.

Today I'll remember my loved ones.

I'll sing and I'll dance and wear red.

I'll make a sugar skull for Grandma

then write her name on the head.

I'll eat this yummy sweetness

thinking of her as I go to bed.

I'll write a note to my grandma

and ask her to came back to me.

We'll toss marigolds, eat good food

and swing a pinata in the tree.

I'll celebrate and remember

to keep my dead relatives close.

We'll parade for the Day of the Dead.

Happy Dia de los Muertos.


     Today starts a special holiday in Mexico and celebrated here.  It is All Saints Day.  Do you have family traditions or special things your family does for holidays.  You might have some fun doing some research on holidays.  There are many holidays in other countries that we do not celebrate.  Can you write a poem today about your favorite holiday?