Monday, June 29, 2015

DMC: "Treetop Dream" by LeeAnn Blankenship





TREETOP DREAM

I wish I’d somehow soon acquire
The tree house of my heart’s desire:
A sturdy, wooden home replete
With fellow poets on retreat.

We’d leave distractions down below,
Escaping to our high chateau
Where each could have his private nooks
For writing verses, songs, or books.


© 2015 LeeAnn Blankenship. All rights reserved.


Corey Rosen Schwartz has challenged us to write a stanza or two about building a treehouse, using unpredictable rhymes of more than one syllable. Click HERE for all the details.

There are only two more days to join in the fun! Send your stanzas to TodaysLittleDitty (at) gmail (dot) com, or use the contact form in the sidebar to the right. Visit our wrap-up celebration to read all of this month's contributions. One lucky participant will win a personalized copy of Corey's delightful new picture book:





Thursday, June 25, 2015

June DMC Wrap-Up + Giveaway


Photo: Miranda Barnes

At the beginning of this month, Corey Rosen Schwartz challenged us to write a stanza or two about building a treehouse, using unpredictable rhymes of more than one syllable.

"Treehouse of Awesome" by S. Shepard
Let me tell you, this was not easy. Ask any one of the diehard treehouse poets out there who grabbed their rhyming toolboxes and went at it.

Nope. Not easy.

But was it fun? You betcha!  So much so, that one or two stanzas was rarely enough.

Or maybe you're just gluttons for punishment.

"Treehouse" by John Wright








In any case, for me the best part was seeing where your imaginations took us.

Thank you to those who participated in this month's challenge, and especially to Corey Rosen Schwartz, who inspired us to reach new heights.


 

All poems are copyright 2015, and published with permission of the authors, who control all rights.





From Katie Gast:

Chicken tried to hammer nails
Instead, she hit her feathered tail
“Ouch!” she squawked. “This hammer’s weighty!
I can’t do it and you can’t make me!”

“Instead, I’ll sand the tree house floor.”
And she scritch-scratched across each board.
“That’s not sanding,” the old dog barked,
“Your chicken feet have left it marked!”

“I learned this trick from my old ladies -
the swanky ones with the Mercedes.
You’re dog-gone wrong with your critique,
our tree house floor now looks antique.”


                                                  From Janie Lazo:

                                                  Duck waddled through town posting flyers and billing
                                                  that Woodpecker helped hang with his skillful beak drilling.
                                                  Goosander was sawing, Ms. Beaver was gnawing,
                                                  and Bear hoisted boards with his heaving and pawing.
                                                  But Moose wanted more for this leafy retreat-
                                                  an excellent tree house he meant to complete!
                                                  So he watched like a hawk and did frequent inspections,
                                                  and he pointed out flaws and minute imperfections.
                                                  His voice roared like thunder through his orange megaphone,
                                                  "Level!" He shouted "LEVEL" in a harsh, hurtful tone.
                                                  "This wall is not plumb and it must be precise!"
                                                  "You must read my blueprint! It's very concise!"
                                                  From the sting of his words Moose's friends felt defeated.
                                                  So they packed up their tools and through the woods they retreated.


Planning Your Treehouse
          by Michelle Heidenrich Barnes


When building a treehouse you need to be clever,
so making a plan is a useful endeavor:

  • The walls should be strong like a tough armadillo.
  • The floor should be soft, like your favorite pillow.
  • No need for a roof, since the rain won’t affect you.
    (Your leafy umbrella will always protect you.)
  • Now this is important– the last thing you’ll need
    is a shelf full of books so there’s plenty to read.

                         The Tiny Wish
                                   by Linda Baie


                         It would be nice, yet need advice
                         to fabricate a treehouse.
                         My mother says I am not fit
                         ‘cause I’m a tiny house mouse.
 
                         The leafy green would be my scene
                         inside a little tree.
                         Please why can’t I be living there?
                         With Mom, I disagree.

                         I would create a minimum
                         of fuss in my construction,
                         only desire a tool or two
                         plus labor for production.

                         I found a perfect cheese box
                         that smells of camembert,
                         to formulate this upstairs home -
                         favored fragrance in the air.

                         I’m looking for a willow tree
                         Constructing there is best.
                         The tree will offer privacy.
                         I’ll love my little nest.

                         I will appreciate the help
                         to lessen Mom’s concern.
                         Send notes to Hattie Housemouse
                         via Postman Michael Tern.


                                                                 My Treeless Tree House
                                                                           by Michelle Kogan


                                                                 My treeless tree house whirr is under construction.
                                                                 Watch out dear critters for flying sawdust fluxion.

                                                                 The fence will fill in fine for my tree substitute.
                                                                 It anchors my house while climbing great altitude...


                                                                 Nails, screws, and elbow grease hold all joints together.
                                                                 When finished I’ll invite my friend with a feather.

                                                                 Tada! My house is done its rustic and breezy,
                                                                 Climb up, take in the vista, and take it eeeasy...



With a Hat Like a Bishop's, What Else Would You Expect?
          by Diane Mayr

Two woodpeckers poked, and pecked,
made one heck-of-a
mess of sawdust and splintery wood.

The one with sideburns
had a moment of concern,
but the other said, "You've misunderstood!

We'll wiggle our hips
and smooth down those chips.
We're nesting! It's our parenthood!"

Then she lifted both legs.
Popped out six dozen eggs.
And was nominated for avian sainthood.


                                                                      From Christine Rodenbour:

                                                                      I made my first treehouse
                                                                      With blankets and vision,
                                                                      But each time I sat
                                                                      There’d be a collision.

                                                                      This time I was smarter.
                                                                      The treehouse I’ve built
                                                                      Should be quite sturdy.
                                                                      I’ve used my mom’s quilt.


Moldysocks and the Three Treehouses
          by Donna JT Smith

One day when a girl named Miss Moldysocks
Was traipsing through woods and on river rocks,
She spied a big tree
With a house hanging free
With doors, except one, having paddylocks.

She climbed up the tree where she shouldn’t go;
She climbed it so quickly that don’t you know,
She couldn’t resist
And wouldn’t desist
Until she had left the ground far below!

The things in the house were just way to big;
The cupboards were stuffed for a hungry pig;
She slipped back outside
And slid down with pride
Without even breaking a single twig.

She skipped on her trip through the piney groves,
Then sat down to snack on some moldy loaves;
She looked up and saw
A house for MawMaw
With windows, and curtains and cooking stove.

She tiptoed some more till she spotted him:
A bear cub aloft on a pine tree limb;
He’d been sent away
To build his chalet,
However, his treehouse looked pretty grim.

Moldy called up to him, “What has happened here?
I see by your treehouse your plans aren’t clear.
To build it with flair
You must take more care.
I’ll help you this time!” Then bear gave a cheer!

With hammer, some nails and a tape measure
Construction began on this tree treasure;
They measured and nailed,
Through work quickly sailed,
“Thank you, Moldy!”
       “No, prob! It’s my pleasure!”

Now Moldysocks visits the bears a lot;
In her heart she has a big Moldy spot
For Bear’s treehouse done
By more than just one,
Where some days she naps in this Camelot.


                                                                Alice’s Treehouse
                                                                          by Mindy Gars Dolandis

                                                                I’m excited about my new treehouse! gushed Alice.
                                                                It’s going to look like a princess’s palace.
                                                                I’ll paint the floor lilac, the walls sea foam green,
                                                                the door dusty rose, the roof aquamarine.
                                                                Aside from the usual paraphernalia,
                                                                I’ll decorate with all the finest regalia:
                                                                A golden-trimmed, pink velvet throne that’s gigantic,
                                                                and white chiffon curtains, so soft and romantic.
                                                                My treehouse will be finer than any other!
                                                                Yeah, dream all you want, said Sammy, her brother,
                                                                but it won’t build itself, so stop all your yammering.
                                                                Pick up a hammer and nails and start hammering!


Neighborhood Project
          by George Heidenrich

It's a treehouse we're building. We found the directions
In a cereal box, mixed in with confections
Like chocolate bits and marshmallow fluff.
We tell all our friends. For today that's enough.

Tomorrow we'll look through all our collections
To find rope and wood, then make some corrections
To plans we have doodled, and schedules so tough
A wizard would find the results are too rough.

We hammer and saw, then wait for inspections.
We're crossing our fingers; we want no rejections!
The job's done at last. There are no objections!
The neighborhood's happy. We like our selections!


                              A Treehouse All Your Own
                                        by Catherine Flynn

                             When you’re feeling boisterous,
                             rowdy, shouty, roisterous,
                             go outside and find a tree
                             that you can call your own.

                             One that has a flat, wide space
                             between the branches that can brace
                             a treehouse hideout
                             that you can call your own.

                             Find a friend to help you hoist
                             smooth pine planks for each floor joist
                             plywood walls and a flat tin roof
                             that you can call your own.

                             Once you’ve built your private lair
                             twenty feet up in the air,
                             you can jump and stomp and shout
                             in a treehouse all your own.

                             Be careful as you prance about.
                             The ground’s a long way down!


                                                                                         My Tree House
                                                                                                   by Linda Mitchell

                                                                                         Better in my head
                                                                                         than it is in the tree
                                                                                         more a to-be-read shed
                                                                                         of stories for me.

                                                                                         During my school year
                                                                                         I read all that I had to.
                                                                                         Now summer’s here
                                                                                         and I read what I want to.

                                                                                         No sawing or sanding
                                                                                         of boards to my tree
                                                                                         just hauling up books
                                                                                         skyward, closer to me.

                                                                                         Up a few branches
                                                                                         where  apples will ripen
                                                                                         fantasy flutters and
                                                                                         poetry happens.

Treetop Dream
          by LeeAnn Blankenship

I wish I’d somehow soon acquire
The tree house of my heart’s desire:
A sturdy, wooden home replete
With fellow poets on retreat.

We’d leave distractions down below,
Escaping to our high chateau
Where each could have his private nooks
For writing verses, songs, or books.


Feeling inspired?

You have until Tuesday, June 30th, to send your rhyming treehouse poem to TodaysLittleDitty (at) gmail (dot) com, or use the contact form in the sidebar to the right.



Participants in this month's challenge will be automatically entered to win a personalized copy of WHAT ABOUT MOOSE? by Corey Rosen Schwartz and Rebecca J. Gomez, illustrated by Keika Yamaguchi. (One entry per participant, not per poem.)

Alternatively, you may enter the giveaway by commenting below.  If you contribute a poem and comment below you will earn two entries in total. Comments must be be received by Tuesday, June 30th.

The winner will be determined by Random.org and announced next Friday, July 3rd, when Carrie Clickard will be here with a new installment of her rhyme crime investigation series.

I'll be taking a little ditty of a hiatus in July, but hope you'll be hungry for our next Spotlight ON interview and ditty challenge come August!  (That's a hint, by the way. Something to chew on while I'm gone.)

Carol is hosting this week's Poetry Friday roundup at Carol's Corner.






DMC: "Alice's Treehouse" by Mindy Gars Dolandis




Alice’s Treehouse
 
I’m excited about my new treehouse! gushed Alice.
It’s going to look like a princess’s palace.
I’ll paint the floor lilac, the walls sea foam green,
the door dusty rose, the roof aquamarine.
Aside from the usual paraphernalia,
I’ll decorate with all the finest regalia:
A golden-trimmed, pink velvet throne that’s gigantic,
and white chiffon curtains, so soft and romantic.
My treehouse will be finer than any other!
Yeah, dream all you want, said Sammy, her brother,
but it won’t build itself, so stop all your yammering.
Pick up a hammer and nails and start hammering!

© 2015 Mindy Gars Dolandis. All rights reserved.


Corey Rosen Schwartz has challenged us to write a stanza or two about building a treehouse, using unpredictable rhymes of more than one syllable. Click HERE for all the details.

Send your stanzas to TodaysLittleDitty (at) gmail (dot) com, or use the contact form in the sidebar to the right. All contributions will be included in a wrap-up celebration TOMORROW, Friday, June 26th, and one lucky participant will win a personalized copy of Corey's delightful new picture book:





Wednesday, June 24, 2015

DMC: "Moldysocks and the Three Treehouses" by Donna JT Smith




Moldysocks and the Three Treehouses

One day when a girl named Miss Moldysocks
Was traipsing through woods and on river rocks,
She spied a big tree
With a house hanging free
With doors, except one, having paddylocks.

She climbed up the tree where she shouldn’t go;
She climbed it so quickly that don’t you know,
She couldn’t resist
And wouldn’t desist
Until she had left the ground far below!

The things in the house were just way to big;
The cupboards were stuffed for a hungry pig;
She slipped back outside
And slid down with pride
Without even breaking a single twig.

She skipped on her trip through the piney groves,
Then sat down to snack on some moldy loaves;
She looked up and saw
A house for MawMaw
With windows, and curtains and cooking stove.

She tiptoed some more till she spotted him:
A bear cub aloft on a pine tree limb;
He’d been sent away
To build his chalet,
However, his treehouse looked pretty grim.

Moldy called up to him, “What has happened here?
I see by your treehouse your plans aren’t clear.
To build it with flair
You must take more care.
I’ll help you this time!” Then bear gave a cheer!

With hammer, some nails and a tape measure
Construction began on this tree treasure;
They measured and nailed,
Through work quickly sailed,
“Thank you, Moldy!”
       “No, prob! It’s my pleasure!”

Now Moldysocks visits the bears a lot;
In her heart she has a big Moldy spot
For Bear’s treehouse done
By more than just one,
Where some days she naps in this Camelot.

© 2015 Donna JT Smith. All rights reserved.



Corey Rosen Schwartz has challenged us to write a stanza or two about building a treehouse, using unpredictable rhymes of more than one syllable. Click HERE for all the details.

Send your stanzas to TodaysLittleDitty (at) gmail (dot) com, or use the contact form in the sidebar to the right. All contributions will be included in a wrap-up celebration this Friday, June 26th, and one lucky participant will win a personalized copy of Corey's delightful new picture book:





Tuesday, June 23, 2015

DMC: "I made my first treehouse" by Christine Rodenbour




I made my first treehouse
With blankets and vision,
But each time I sat
There’d be a collision.

This time I was smarter.
The treehouse I’ve built
Should be quite sturdy.
I’ve used my mom’s quilt.

© 2015 Christine Rodenbour. All rights reserved.



Corey Rosen Schwartz has challenged us to write a stanza or two about building a treehouse, using unpredictable rhymes of more than one syllable. Click HERE for all the details.

Send your stanzas to TodaysLittleDitty (at) gmail (dot) com, or use the contact form in the sidebar to the right. All contributions will be included in a wrap-up celebration this Friday, June 26th, and one lucky participant will win a personalized copy of Corey's delightful new picture book:





Monday, June 22, 2015

DMC: "With a Hat Like a Bishop's, What Else Would You Expect?" by Diane Mayr




With a Hat Like a Bishop's, What Else Would You Expect?

Two woodpeckers poked, and pecked,
made one heck-of-a
mess of sawdust and splintery wood.

The one with sideburns
had a moment of concern,
but the other said, "You've misunderstood!

We'll wiggle our hips
and smooth down those chips.
We're nesting! It's our parenthood!"

Then she lifted both legs.
Popped out six dozen eggs.
And was nominated for avian sainthood.

© 2015 Diane Mayr. All rights reserved



Pileated Woodpecker by Simon Pierre Barrette


Corey Rosen Schwartz has challenged us to write a stanza or two about building a treehouse, using unpredictable rhymes of more than one syllable. Click HERE for all the details.

Send your stanzas to TodaysLittleDitty (at) gmail (dot) com, or use the contact form in the sidebar to the right. All contributions will be included in a wrap-up celebration this Friday, June 26th, and one lucky participant will win a personalized copy of Corey's delightful new picture book:





Thursday, June 18, 2015

Limerick Alley: Robert Schechter



Emu in the Snow, by Mark Dumont


G'day, mate. 

Howyagoinallright?

Limerick Alley's gone walkabout, ya see. We're down under today thanks to Bob Schechter. He may not be an Aussie, but he's a decent bloke as peoples go... and fair dinkum when it come to writing limericks. Have a squiz.



A large flightless bird! You may deem you
Know just what it is, so you scream you
Are seeing an ostrich!
But no, that's prepostrich!
Its feet have three toes. It's an emu.


© Robert Schechter. All rights reserved.

Photo by Airwolfhound
Really. An ostrich. We are not amused.


Ostrich Toes, Steph Hillier
Our visit to the Billabong Koala & Wildlife Park, 2008













Built for speed–
ugly as a box of blowflies.







Three toes, ya see... shapely, symmetric-
like, can run the pants off a kangaroo.  
Bugger off, Wallaby, I'm talking to the girlie!


Michelle here. Can we get back Bob, please? Bob's emu limerick is one of 60 (!) that appear in The Omnificent English Dictionary in Limerick Form (OEDILF). Besides limericks, Bob writes poetry for children, light verse for adults, and translations of poems. You can enjoy examples of each on his website. Several of his poems have been published in Highlights for Children, as well as in newspapers, magazines, journals, and anthologies, including the forthcoming National Geographic Book of Nature Poetry edited by J. Patrick Lewis.  His verse and jokes have earned him the title of “Rookie of the Year” and “Loser of the Year” in the Wash­ing­ton Post Style Invi­ta­tional, and he even had a limerick about taxes performed on air during a segment of NPR's Weekend Marketplace.

Having sent me several limericks to choose from, I couldn't resist sharing one more. This one is from a contest where the first two lines are from Edward Lear, but the last three are Bob's own digestive-inspired genius:

There was an Old Person of Chili
Whose conduct was painful and silly;
For dinner she’d dine
On a baked porcupine,
Though it left her esophagus quilly.

© Robert Schechter. All rights reserved.

Beauty! Goodonya, Bob. 
(But the emu one is better.) 
Gotta run– hooroo!

Emu, by Ian Sanderson


Hooroo, Emu! And to you, too, my TLD friends.

It's been such fun sharing Bob Schechter's limericks today– ta, Bob!

For the road, here's one of our Barnes family favorites: "Old Man Emu" by John Williamson.



* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *


There's only one week left to submit a rhyming treehouse ditty for Corey Rosen Schwartz's DMC challenge this month.  Click HERE for all the details. Featured ditties this week included my own, plus three others by Janie Lazo, Linda Baie, and Michelle Kogan.

Mary Lee Hahn is also featuring animals at A Year of Reading.  Join her for today's Poetry Friday roundup.






DMC: "My Treeless Tree House" by Michelle Kogan





My Treeless Tree House

My treeless tree house whirr is under construction.
Watch out dear critters for flying sawdust fluxion.

The fence will fill in fine for my tree substitute.
It anchors my house while climbing great altitude...



Nails, screws, and elbow grease hold all joints together.
When finished I’ll invite my friend with a feather.

Tada! My house is done its rustic and breezy,
Climb up, take in the vista, and take it eeeasy...



© 2015 Michelle Kogan. All rights reserved.


Corey Rosen Schwartz has challenged us to write a stanza or two about building a treehouse, using unpredictable rhymes of more than one syllable. Click HERE for all the details.

Send your stanzas to TodaysLittleDitty (at) gmail (dot) com, or use the contact form in the sidebar to the right. All contributions will be included in a wrap-up celebration on Friday, June 26th, and one lucky participant will win a personalized copy of Corey's delightful new picture book:





Wednesday, June 17, 2015

DMC: "The Tiny Wish" by Linda Baie





The Tiny Wish

It would be nice, yet need advice
to fabricate a treehouse.
My mother says I am not fit
‘cause I’m a tiny house mouse.

The leafy green would be my scene
inside a little tree.
Please why can’t I be living there?
With Mom, I disagree.

I would create a minimum
of fuss in my construction,
only desire a tool or two
plus labor for production.

I found a perfect cheese box
that smells of camembert,
to formulate this upstairs home -
favored fragrance in the air.

I’m looking for a willow tree 
Constructing there is best.
The tree will offer privacy.
I’ll love my little nest.

I will appreciate the help
to lessen Mom’s concern.
Send notes to Hattie Housemouse
via Postman Michael Tern.


© 2015 Linda Baie. All rights reserved.


Corey Rosen Schwartz has challenged us to write a stanza or two about building a treehouse, using unpredictable rhymes of more than one syllable. Click HERE for all the details.

Send your stanzas to TodaysLittleDitty (at) gmail (dot) com, or use the contact form in the sidebar to the right. All contributions will be included in a wrap-up celebration on Friday, June 26th, and one lucky participant will win a personalized copy of Corey's delightful new picture book:




Tuesday, June 16, 2015

DMC: "Planning Your Treehouse" by Michelle H. Barnes




Planning Your Treehouse

When building a treehouse you need to be clever,
so making a plan is a useful endeavor:

  • The walls should be strong like a tough armadillo.
  • The floor should be soft, like your favorite pillow.
  • No need for a roof, since the rain won’t affect you.
    (Your leafy umbrella will always protect you.)
  • Now this is important– the last thing you’ll need
    is a shelf full of books so there’s plenty to read.

© 2015 Michelle Heidenrich Barnes. All rights reserved.


Corey Rosen Schwartz has challenged us to write a stanza or two about building a treehouse, using unpredictable rhymes of more than one syllable. Click HERE for all the details.

Send your stanzas to TodaysLittleDitty (at) gmail (dot) com, or use the contact form in the sidebar to the right. All contributions will be included in a wrap-up celebration on Friday, June 26th, and one lucky participant will win a personalized copy of Corey's delightful new picture book:




Monday, June 15, 2015

DMC: "Duck waddled through town" by Janie Lazo




Duck waddled through town posting flyers and billing 
that Woodpecker helped hang with his skillful beak drilling.
Goosander was sawing, Ms. Beaver was gnawing,
and Bear hoisted boards with his heaving and pawing.
But Moose wanted more for this leafy retreat-

an excellent tree house he meant to complete!
So he watched like a hawk and did frequent inspections,
and he pointed out flaws and minute imperfections.
His voice roared like thunder through his orange megaphone,
"Level!" He shouted "LEVEL" in a harsh, hurtful tone.
"This wall is not plumb and it must be precise!"
"You must read my blueprint! It's very concise!"
From the sting of his words Moose's friends felt defeated.
So they packed up their tools and through the woods they retreated.


© 2015 Janie Lazo. All rights reserved.


Corey Rosen Schwartz has challenged us to write a stanza or two about building a treehouse, using unpredictable rhymes of more than one syllable. Click HERE for all the details.

Send your stanzas to TodaysLittleDitty (at) gmail (dot) com, or use the contact form in the sidebar to the right. All contributions will be included in a wrap-up celebration on Friday, June 26th, and one lucky participant will win a personalized copy of Corey's delightful new picture book:




Thursday, June 11, 2015

Laura Shovan: Summer Postcard Poetry


"Postcards" by Stefano Montagner

Having just returned from the 100 Thousand Poets for Change World Conference in Italy, TLD contributor Laura Shovan is here with a splendido postcard activity for the summer months. 

Welcome back, Laura!

 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Summer is almost here. Do you have your day trips, camps, or vacations planned yet? The children may be out of school, but summer offers wonderful opportunities for families to write together. Whether you’re visiting the local science museum, spending a week at the beach, or stopping by a relative’s house, sending a postcard is a great way to encourage writing.

I love postcards. For years, I’ve kept a small album filled not with photographs, but with postcards that friends and family have sent our family from their travels.  Postcards aren’t just about the picture. The written message is a little peek into someone else’s exciting adventure.

Making a poetry postcard is one way to say “Wish You Were Here” to a friend back home. This is a simple project that families can work on together. I like using this project to work on imagery-writing skills: emergent writers can observe the five senses, while children who are ready for a challenge can opt to create similes.

Make Your Own Poetry Postcard

You will need:
  • 4 x 6 index cards (or purchase a souvenir postcard)
  • Paper for notes (or use index cards)
  • Colored pencils (optional)
  • Your five senses!

On Memorial Day, my husband and I went to an outdoor café at Lake Kittamaqundi. There were colorful paddle boats floating on the lake. It was such a beautiful day here in Maryland, I thought, “My niece and nephew would love to be here, paddling on the lake.”

Paddle boats at Lake Kittamaqundi

I took out my index card and started writing down notes about what I observed, with some help from my husband.

Taking notes at the café
Steps:

1.  On your paper or an extra index card, describe the place you’re observing using your five senses.
     What do you see?
     What do you hear?
     What do you feel?
     What do you smell?
     What do you taste?
2.  Challenge option: can you make a simile for any of your images? 

     SENSE: I see that the lake has ripples.
     SIMILE: The lake’s surface looks as rough
                       as a turtle’s shell.


3.  If you are making your own postcard, sketch a picture on the unlined side of a clean index card.

Sketch of the pirate boat (with Uncle Rob's pterodactyl)

4.  On the lined side of your postcard, draw a line to make a left and right side.

5.  Use your ideas from Step 1 and Step 2 to write a message on the left side of your postcard OR write a five senses poem using your notes.  (Be sure to leave the right side of the postcard blank for the address.)

Keep it simple for younger kids.
I see a red pirate ship paddle across the lake.
I feel the breeze play with my hair.
I smell the green of new leaves.
I hear ice tinkle in a glass.
I taste sharp, sweet lemonade.
6.  If you are making your own postcard, color or decorate it.

Finished drawing of Auntie Laura in the red pirate paddle boat

7.  Add an address and a stamp.

8.  Send!


Postcard from Lake Kittamaqundi
For Madeline & Caspian

Have you ever munched on the roots
of a blade of grass? That was the scent
on the breeze today, so I thought of you.
The lake was speckled with paddle boats—
a swan, a pink flamingo—
you would have captained the red
pirate ship, so I thought of you.
At the café, the waitress’s orange fingernails
were a bed of daylilies in bloom.
The ice in my lemonade tinkled
as the waitress handed it to me.
I took a sip and it was sweet,
so I thought of you.

© 2015 Laura Shovan. All rights reserved.

Laura Shovan is poetry editor for the literary journal Little Patuxent Review and of two poetry anthologies. Her chapbook, Mountain, Log, Salt and Stone, won the inaugural Harriss Poetry Prize. She works with young poets as a Maryland State Arts Council Artist-in-Residence. Her debut novel-in-verse for children, THE LAST FIFTH GRADE OF EMERSON ELEMENTARY, will be published in spring of 2016 (Wendy Lamb Books). Laura blogs about arts education at AuthorAmok.


What a wonderful momento of summertime adventures– thank you, Laura, for this fun family activity! 

Read Laura's other posts on Today's Little Ditty:

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In case you missed last week's interview with Corey Rosen Schwartz, we're stretching our rhyming muscles while building treehouses this month. Katie Gast's clever chicken was the first to be featured. What's next is up to you!

Jama is hosting this week's Poetry Friday roundup at Jama's Alphabet Soup. Stop by for a poem and a taste of something sweet.