Starting your holiday shopping? If you’re looking for a nonfiction book, click here to see the signed, personalized books? (including a few rhyming ones, alphabet ones, and color-based ones) I sell through Amazon. Great gifts for teachers/classrooms:>) Thanks!
Wake up your poetry brains with 15 Words or Less (guidelines here)!
Here’s a picture I took from the 18th floor of the Gaylord Convention Center while I was there for NCTE. I had a great time there (see my post earlier this week), but it was tough being so close to Washington, DC, and having no time to get in to the city. This image makes me think of:
1) kids begging to go to a parking lot carnival
2) the Ferris wheel at the Chicago World’s Fair
3) riding the Wiener Riesenrad huge Ferris wheel (20 or so of us in one tilting car) in Vienna last year
And here’s my?first draft.
Splashes of Time
wooden watermill–
old clock–
your slow-spinning hands
steal moments from
river’s endless hours
–Laura Purdie Salas, all rights reserved
Now it’s your turn! Have fun and stick to 15 WORDS OR LESS!??(Title doesn’t count toward word count:>)?
212 Responses
Laura,
I like it! I never thought of a watermill in this way. Hmmm…
Thanks–me, either!
Laura,
I like it! I never thought of a watermill in this way. Hmmm…
Thanks–me, either!
Maybe It’s Nice to
Stand still,
Be burdenless,
Kiss the sky
Without knowing
I have to come down
Wow I love this picture!
I love the last 3 lines
During this season of rushing around, I love how your title and first two lines create a moment of stillness and peace.
It does seem as if we ‘kiss the sky’ at the top of a ferris wheel. Nice image!
No burdens to weigh us down — the sky is within our reach. Nice thoughts.
Oh, my. This is one of your loveliest, Amelia. Lines 2 and 3 give me a breathless feeling.
Your poem is a good example of “Living in the Now.”
Kiss the sky, enjoy the moment, without thinking of what comes next.
Isn’t it pleasant to escape reality, even for such a short while. Nice verse.
Maybe It’s Nice to
Stand still,
Be burdenless,
Kiss the sky
Without knowing
I have to come down
Wow I love this picture!
I love the last 3 lines
During this season of rushing around, I love how your title and first two lines create a moment of stillness and peace.
It does seem as if we ‘kiss the sky’ at the top of a ferris wheel. Nice image!
No burdens to weigh us down — the sky is within our reach. Nice thoughts.
Oh, my. This is one of your loveliest, Amelia. Lines 2 and 3 give me a breathless feeling.
Your poem is a good example of “Living in the Now.”
Kiss the sky, enjoy the moment, without thinking of what comes next.
Isn’t it pleasant to escape reality, even for such a short while. Nice verse.
I love your Poem Laura and the pic
water will
one will ride
tick tock
ships at dock
caption shouts
rides cost
a dime
Caption
one line
circles time
sky ships sail
circles rime
a tail of a wail
story
Poems By Jessica Bigi
I like how your poems work together. I get a sense of excitement from tick tock. Love the first three lines of Caption.
My will should be wheel
I like the rhythm that you’ve created, Jessica.
Loved “Tick, tock, Ships at dock”.
I love that captain shouting–forget trying to get a free ride!
I like the catchy rhythm of your poems, Jessica.
Fun to say aloud.
Jessica I like tick tock ships at dock.
I love your Poem Laura and the pic
water will
one will ride
tick tock
ships at dock
caption shouts
rides cost
a dime
Caption
one line
circles time
sky ships sail
circles rime
a tail of a wail
story
Poems By Jessica Bigi
I like how your poems work together. I get a sense of excitement from tick tock. Love the first three lines of Caption.
My will should be wheel
I like the rhythm that you’ve created, Jessica.
Loved “Tick, tock, Ships at dock”.
I love that captain shouting–forget trying to get a free ride!
I like the catchy rhythm of your poems, Jessica.
Fun to say aloud.
Jessica I like tick tock ships at dock.
I love your poem today, Laura, especially the title and last two lines.
Here’s mine:
With this paddle wheel
at my stern,
I’ll race anyone.
Love your poem and the the last line
Ha! Fun to imagine it as a paddle wheel-clever!
Oh, a paddle boat! With a wheel that size, I think it will be an unfair race!
Thanks, ellie:>) I love how stern serves to be informationally correct but also an indication of tone. This feels strong and confident!
I like your take on this.
I think it’s great to see the different ideas that everyone has on Laura’s picture.
Your poem brings a smile.
I think even the largest paddle wheel would be intimidated! Good interpretation Ellie.
I love your poem today, Laura, especially the title and last two lines.
Here’s mine:
With this paddle wheel
at my stern,
I’ll race anyone.
Love your poem and the the last line
Ha! Fun to imagine it as a paddle wheel-clever!
Oh, a paddle boat! With a wheel that size, I think it will be an unfair race!
Thanks, ellie:>) I love how stern serves to be informationally correct but also an indication of tone. This feels strong and confident!
I like your take on this.
I think it’s great to see the different ideas that everyone has on Laura’s picture.
Your poem brings a smile.
I think even the largest paddle wheel would be intimidated! Good interpretation Ellie.
Gorgeous pic and poem!
Waves wash away
footsteps
of the past,
Echoes fade,
A new page.
I love the waves washing footprints away
That ‘new page’, wonderful ending.
How many footprints must have been washed away over the years?
Thank goodness for some of the high tides in our lives that leave us with a fresh start!
I love the way you expressed this thought.
Waves washing away footprints from the past.
Echos fading —- Wow!
Nostalgia big time. Sweet Dalton.
Gorgeous pic and poem!
Waves wash away
footsteps
of the past,
Echoes fade,
A new page.
I love the waves washing footprints away
That ‘new page’, wonderful ending.
How many footprints must have been washed away over the years?
Thank goodness for some of the high tides in our lives that leave us with a fresh start!
I love the way you expressed this thought.
Waves washing away footprints from the past.
Echos fading —- Wow!
Nostalgia big time. Sweet Dalton.
Genesis
Forever sky
melds with
endless sea
bridged with
steel for
you and me.
Awesome photo, and how convenient for you. We have a local business who uses a real Ferris wheel in front of the building with advertisement boards where the seats would have been. I prefer serenity to distraction.
Love the first 3 lines
I love your melding of the sky, sea and steel, Martha, and the rhyme too.
That bridge does seem to connect sky and water — in addition to two land bodies. I was struck by the bridge, too. (well, not “struck” like hit with it!)
LOL — sometimes life gets in the way and it can feel like being struck as in being hit!
Well, that must be attention-getting! I love your word choices here–melds, bridged–lovely!
You have a way with words, Martha. Beautiful.
Genesis
Forever sky
melds with
endless sea
bridged with
steel for
you and me.
Awesome photo, and how convenient for you. We have a local business who uses a real Ferris wheel in front of the building with advertisement boards where the seats would have been. I prefer serenity to distraction.
Love the first 3 lines
I love your melding of the sky, sea and steel, Martha, and the rhyme too.
That bridge does seem to connect sky and water — in addition to two land bodies. I was struck by the bridge, too. (well, not “struck” like hit with it!)
LOL — sometimes life gets in the way and it can feel like being struck as in being hit!
Well, that must be attention-getting! I love your word choices here–melds, bridged–lovely!
You have a way with words, Martha. Beautiful.
I love the picture, Laura, & your imagined “slow-spinning hands”. It looks cold in the pic.
On this windy morning,
last leaves sail
with the memory of laughter
on the ferris wheel.
Linda Baie ?All Rights Reserved
Time to put the ferris wheels away when those leaves start sailing! Love the memory of laughter.
It was kind of chilly, but balmy compared to the temps back in Mpls, so I was a‑ok:>) Oh, those 2nd and 3rd lines are just lovely.
Ah, yes. The memory of that summer fun on the ferris wheel fades away with autumn’s arrival. Nice.
The memory of laughter accompanied with squeals! Thanks Linda!
I love the picture, Laura, & your imagined “slow-spinning hands”. It looks cold in the pic.
On this windy morning,
last leaves sail
with the memory of laughter
on the ferris wheel.
Linda Baie ?All Rights Reserved
Time to put the ferris wheels away when those leaves start sailing! Love the memory of laughter.
It was kind of chilly, but balmy compared to the temps back in Mpls, so I was a‑ok:>) Oh, those 2nd and 3rd lines are just lovely.
Ah, yes. The memory of that summer fun on the ferris wheel fades away with autumn’s arrival. Nice.
The memory of laughter accompanied with squeals! Thanks Linda!
Ferris Wheel
Popcorn, cola,
cotton candy
suddenly decide
they don’t want
to ride
with me.
Diane Mayr, all rights reserved
Funny! We don’t need to think long to connect this to the picture.
Oh, I hate when that happens!
I love the story your words tail
Euuuuuw. Thank you for this understated poem. My mind is filling in all the disgusting details:>)
Ha, ha. What a vision! I’m sure it’s happened.
Amazing Diane. What a quick, creative take on the photo. I’m sure there are legions of kids and adults who can identify.
Ferris Wheel
Popcorn, cola,
cotton candy
suddenly decide
they don’t want
to ride
with me.
Diane Mayr, all rights reserved
Funny! We don’t need to think long to connect this to the picture.
Oh, I hate when that happens!
I love the story your words tail
Euuuuuw. Thank you for this understated poem. My mind is filling in all the disgusting details:>)
Ha, ha. What a vision! I’m sure it’s happened.
Amazing Diane. What a quick, creative take on the photo. I’m sure there are legions of kids and adults who can identify.
Laura,
Love the photo and your poem. I read your NCTE post! It sounded awesome. So glad you had so much fun.
Here’s mine.
What am I?
I?m furry.
I scurry
in flurry-hurry
round and round?
nowhere bound.
Penny Parker Klostermann
I do feel sorry for them in that “going nowhere fast” wheel…but they don’t seem to mind that they got off where they started!
love the ending
love the rimming
’round and round/nowhere bound’-poor hamster, Penny. I like it!
Aw, a hamster poem! I love the flurry-hurry, and what clever rhyming:>)
Ha! I love it. A riddle poem. I actually had to slow down and read it again.
Flurry, scurry. Great description of a hamster on a wheel.
Love the riddle–but I got the answer wrong! I was imagining a dog chasing its tail (and wondering how the photo inspired you) until I read other replies.
Love this Penny. And we certainly were a hamster family eons ago.
Laura,
Love the photo and your poem. I read your NCTE post! It sounded awesome. So glad you had so much fun.
Here’s mine.
What am I?
I?m furry.
I scurry
in flurry-hurry
round and round?
nowhere bound.
Penny Parker Klostermann
I do feel sorry for them in that “going nowhere fast” wheel…but they don’t seem to mind that they got off where they started!
love the ending
love the rimming
’round and round/nowhere bound’-poor hamster, Penny. I like it!
Aw, a hamster poem! I love the flurry-hurry, and what clever rhyming:>)
Ha! I love it. A riddle poem. I actually had to slow down and read it again.
Flurry, scurry. Great description of a hamster on a wheel.
Love the riddle–but I got the answer wrong! I was imagining a dog chasing its tail (and wondering how the photo inspired you) until I read other replies.
Love this Penny. And we certainly were a hamster family eons ago.
Interesting picture. But I keep focusing on that bridge.
It reminds me of some of our road trips.
Daily Commute
River’s wide.
If you reside
on other side,
each day you’ll have
a busy ride.
That bridge caught my eye as well, but went with the boats. Like your rhyme scheme.
Veary n
Very nice
Thanks, Jessica and Donna.
I wonder what it would be like to cross a bridge on my commute, Pat. This implies so much, terrific!
Thanks, but I wouldn’t like a commute like that, although I have known people who did have long rides like that every day. Ugh!
When we visit Duluth, MN, which has a lift bridge over the canal from Lake Super to Duluth Harbor, I always think about the people who live on the other side of the bridge. Could make their commute into town fairly lengthy, as traffic really backs up when there are one or two freighters going through!
There used to be a lift bridge in Sunset Beach, NC, but now they have built a new magnificent bridge. It may be more convenient, but it has taken away the flavor of your trip to the beach.
Yeah, there’s something about that forced pause, isn’t there? That sense of being out of our own control and on someone else’s (something else’s) timetable.
Your poem makes one think that a commute such as that might be a fun thing. Or NOT. Cute rhyme.
Interesting picture. But I keep focusing on that bridge.
It reminds me of some of our road trips.
Daily Commute
River’s wide.
If you reside
on other side,
each day you’ll have
a busy ride.
That bridge caught my eye as well, but went with the boats. Like your rhyme scheme.
Veary n
Very nice
Thanks, Jessica and Donna.
I wonder what it would be like to cross a bridge on my commute, Pat. This implies so much, terrific!
Thanks, but I wouldn’t like a commute like that, although I have known people who did have long rides like that every day. Ugh!
When we visit Duluth, MN, which has a lift bridge over the canal from Lake Super to Duluth Harbor, I always think about the people who live on the other side of the bridge. Could make their commute into town fairly lengthy, as traffic really backs up when there are one or two freighters going through!
There used to be a lift bridge in Sunset Beach, NC, but now they have built a new magnificent bridge. It may be more convenient, but it has taken away the flavor of your trip to the beach.
Yeah, there’s something about that forced pause, isn’t there? That sense of being out of our own control and on someone else’s (something else’s) timetable.
Your poem makes one think that a commute such as that might be a fun thing. Or NOT. Cute rhyme.
The boats all around the ferris wheel was what struck me…though the bridge caught my eye as well. Too bad you couldn’t have stayed an extra week to enjoy your surroundings, but glad you had a good time!
Molpe
Drawn by the tingle
Of alluring jingle -
Sweet Siren sounds,
Hypnotic rounds -
Doomed boats mingle.
Love your rhyming, Donna, that ‘Sweet Siren sounds/hypnotic rounds’-perfect for a ferris wheel!
love the first3 lines
Ooh, I hadn’t heard of Molpe specifically, just Sirens in general. What a lovely and foreboding poem!
Her name means “Music”…so it seemed fitting.
Thanks for introducing me to a Siren named Molpe.
I like learning new words.
I like the three rhyming words you used together — tingle, jingle, mingle.
Lovely Donna.
The boats all around the ferris wheel was what struck me…though the bridge caught my eye as well. Too bad you couldn’t have stayed an extra week to enjoy your surroundings, but glad you had a good time!
Molpe
Drawn by the tingle
Of alluring jingle -
Sweet Siren sounds,
Hypnotic rounds -
Doomed boats mingle.
Love your rhyming, Donna, that ‘Sweet Siren sounds/hypnotic rounds’-perfect for a ferris wheel!
love the first3 lines
Ooh, I hadn’t heard of Molpe specifically, just Sirens in general. What a lovely and foreboding poem!
Her name means “Music”…so it seemed fitting.
Thanks for introducing me to a Siren named Molpe.
I like learning new words.
I like the three rhyming words you used together — tingle, jingle, mingle.
Lovely Donna.
Ferris Wheel
Looking up at
proud Ferris wheel,
boats scoff.
It can?t
and they can
take off.
?Kate Coombs
Wonderful
Hehe–it’s all about perspective, right?
Although I’d never thought of it until now…I’d rather be a boat than a Ferris wheel.
I like the humor in this.
Neat take on the picture Kate.
“Oh, yeah!” says the ferris wheel. “You try rotating and see what your crew thinks of it!”
Ferris Wheel
Looking up at
proud Ferris wheel,
boats scoff.
It can?t
and they can
take off.
?Kate Coombs
Wonderful
Hehe–it’s all about perspective, right?
Although I’d never thought of it until now…I’d rather be a boat than a Ferris wheel.
I like the humor in this.
Neat take on the picture Kate.
“Oh, yeah!” says the ferris wheel. “You try rotating and see what your crew thinks of it!”
Laura, loved the last two lines of your poem, especially river’s “endless hours.” And I’m loving all the rhyming poems today!
FERRIS RIDE
Circle, circle, rise and fall.
Sights and sounds, all enthrall.
Then
jerk-stop.
Seat swap.
I like the rhythm of the words you used.
Good implication of the movement of the wheel.
I can feel the ride as I read your verse. Very nice Cindy.
Love the ending!
You’ve got the motions down perfectly! And the ending reminds me of my polar bear poem in NEED TO FEED. I’ll be sharing that here eventually, and you’ll see what I mean, I think…
Laura, loved the last two lines of your poem, especially river’s “endless hours.” And I’m loving all the rhyming poems today!
FERRIS RIDE
Circle, circle, rise and fall.
Sights and sounds, all enthrall.
Then
jerk-stop.
Seat swap.
I like the rhythm of the words you used.
Good implication of the movement of the wheel.
I can feel the ride as I read your verse. Very nice Cindy.
Love the ending!
You’ve got the motions down perfectly! And the ending reminds me of my polar bear poem in NEED TO FEED. I’ll be sharing that here eventually, and you’ll see what I mean, I think…
Morning Routine
spinning my wheels
throwing up roadblocks
chasing my tail–
just write the damn thing
(maybe I need a new routine? Loved reading about NCTE on your blog, Laura.)
As someone once said, “The hurrier I go the behinder I get. I share your pain!
Looks like you may be in the hamster wheel!
Hehehe–sometimes we have to get tough with ourselves, don’t we!
Some days it feels just like this, Buffy.
Morning Routine
spinning my wheels
throwing up roadblocks
chasing my tail–
just write the damn thing
(maybe I need a new routine? Loved reading about NCTE on your blog, Laura.)
As someone once said, “The hurrier I go the behinder I get. I share your pain!
Looks like you may be in the hamster wheel!
Hehehe–sometimes we have to get tough with ourselves, don’t we!
Some days it feels just like this, Buffy.
These are my students’ poems.
“I want to go! i want to go!”
the children cry as their fun awaits.
by Vannisa, 5th grade
Ships and Houses
Boats like houses,
a wet neighborhood,
waiting for a ship
to move away.
by Jacob, 1st grade
Wheel crushing Fun
A giant wheel
crushing the road
causing disasters in disguise
having fun
making kids’ laughter.
by Tyler, 6th grade
You are all wonderful poets 🙂
Margaret, I enjoy your students’ poetry. In my mind, it’s never to early to expose children to poetry. I encourage expectant parents to read poetry while baby is in the womb. I have witnessed my own grandchildren reacting to something they had heard only before birth. Thanks for sharing.
…oops “too” not to!
Very nice! Great job all…
Way to write, Jacob! Love that “wet neighborhood”!
Love these varied approaches! That repetition in Vannisa’s, the simile/metaphor in Jacob’s, and the imagination in Tyler’s. So much fun!
These are terrific Margaret, all different, all delightful.
These are my students’ poems.
“I want to go! i want to go!”
the children cry as their fun awaits.
by Vannisa, 5th grade
Ships and Houses
Boats like houses,
a wet neighborhood,
waiting for a ship
to move away.
by Jacob, 1st grade
Wheel crushing Fun
A giant wheel
crushing the road
causing disasters in disguise
having fun
making kids’ laughter.
by Tyler, 6th grade
You are all wonderful poets 🙂
Margaret, I enjoy your students’ poetry. In my mind, it’s never to early to expose children to poetry. I encourage expectant parents to read poetry while baby is in the womb. I have witnessed my own grandchildren reacting to something they had heard only before birth. Thanks for sharing.
…oops “too” not to!
Very nice! Great job all…
Way to write, Jacob! Love that “wet neighborhood”!
Love these varied approaches! That repetition in Vannisa’s, the simile/metaphor in Jacob’s, and the imagination in Tyler’s. So much fun!
These are terrific Margaret, all different, all delightful.
MARITIME MERRIMENT
On the shore
I lay idle,
as ships pass by
Nessie’s unicycle.
Ellen Vojnovic
Love that! One of the highlights of my trip to Scotland 8 years ago was going to Loch Ness. How I wish she existed AND rode a bicycle!
MARITIME MERRIMENT
On the shore
I lay idle,
as ships pass by
Nessie’s unicycle.
Ellen Vojnovic
Love that! One of the highlights of my trip to Scotland 8 years ago was going to Loch Ness. How I wish she existed AND rode a bicycle!
FIRST MOVE
Nestled inside lighted pinwheel
I reach for my date?s hand,
She squeezes back…
I exhale.
© Charles Waters 2014 all rights reserved.
I love the anxious, tender moment you captured here, Charles.
FIRST MOVE
Nestled inside lighted pinwheel
I reach for my date?s hand,
She squeezes back…
I exhale.
© Charles Waters 2014 all rights reserved.
I love the anxious, tender moment you captured here, Charles.