DMC: "Echoes from the Past" by Kristi Dee Veitenheimer

ECHOES FROM MY PAST

Echoes from my past
             Youth...a distant memory
             of times long ago
             I remember how it felt
             embarking on life's journey

Echoes from my past
             Reminding me I’ve come far
             survived...even thrived
             Growing in wisdom and faith
             reflecting on life's meaning

© 2016 Kristi Dee Veitenheimer. All rights reserved.


In celebration of National Poetry Month, Marilyn Singer has challenged us to write poems inspired by the word "echo." Click HERE for more details.

Send your poem 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, April 29th, and one lucky participant will win a copy of her fantastic new collection of reverso poems based on Greek myths:

DMC: "Ditty Trouble" by Kristi Dee Veitenheimer

DITTY TROUBLE

There once was a lady who wrote
short simple rhymes in a note.
Twas such a pity
that each little ditty
often got stuck in her throat.    

Whenever she tried to recite one,
whether fairy tale, fable, or pun,
the words that were listed
would always get twisted,
tying her tongue in a bun.

So one day the lady decided
the beautiful words she provided,
should only be read
in somebody’s head,
so no one would then be misguided.

The lady continued to write
each night until dawn’s breaking light.
Known to be witty,
each little ditty
brought children’s loud squeals of delight.

© 2016 Kristi Dee Veitenheimer. All rights reserved.


David L. Harrison has challenged us to write poems inspired by the word "ditty" this month. Click HERE for more details.

Send your poem 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, February 26th, and one lucky participant will win a copy of his newest collection for children:

For an additional chance to win, write a poem inspired by "leaves" for David's Word of the Month (W.O.M.) challenge HERE.

DMC: "A Friend" by Kristi Dee Veitenheimer

A Friend

Mama scolded me this morning.
I got syrup in my pigtails,
but I didn’t mean to.
Now I can’t have syrup
anymore.
 
Teacher punished me this morning.
I was eating paste,
but it was just a little.
Now I can’t use paste
anymore.
 
Penny ignored me this morning.
She always plays with me at recess,
but she said I couldn’t.
I don’t belong in the club
anymore.
 
You sat beside me on the steps this morning.
I was sad and alone,
but you put your arm around my shoulders.
And I don't feel so bad
anymore.

© 2015 Kristi Dee Veitenheimer. All rights reserved.



Rebecca M. Davis has challenged us to write poems about acts of kindness this month– the more specific and vivid the better.  Click HERE for more details.

Send your poem 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, November 27th, and one lucky participant will win copies of two delightful picture books published by Boyds Mills Press: THIS ORQ. (HE CAVE BOY.) and THIS ORQ. (HE SAY "UGH!") by David Elliott, illustrated by Lori Nichols.

DMC: "Summer Tradition" by Kristi Dee Veitenheimer

SUMMER TRADITION 

Six flags-
summer.

Waiting-
snaking lines.

Log flume-
straddle the seat.

Squealing-
splashing every turn.

Uh Oh-
chains pulling up incline.

Grabbing-
frightened knowing what comes next.

Tensing-
anticipating the freefall.

Screaming-
losing my stomach racing downhill.

Soaking-
running, getting back in line one more time!

© 2015 Kristi Dee Veitenheimer. All rights reserved.

Lee Bennett Hopkins has challenged us to write a "ME poem" this month, based on one simple moment in your childhood that changed you in some way. Click HERE for more details.

Send your poem 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, September 25th, and one lucky participant will win an autographed copy of Lee's gorgeous new anthology:

DMC: "Invasion" by Kristi Veitenheimer

Invasion

"TINK" on the fireplace
lured me to the living room
glass vase overturned
horrified to spy possum
boldly invading my space

When Kristi first sent this in, I told her I needed to know how the story ends.  

How thoughtful of her to send in this tanka sequel:

made a barricade
broom thrust into hissing face
frightful bared teeth
no room here for both of us
trespasser ushered outside

© 2015 Kristi Dee Veitenheimer. All rights reserved.


Margarita Engle has challenged us to write a tanka this month. She suggests we think of it as a five-line travel diary about a subject of our choice. Click HERE for more details.

Send your tanka 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 March 27th. One lucky participant will win an autographed copy of Margarita's delightful new picture book:

DMC: "When My Children Were Young" by K. D. Veitenheimer

When my Children Were Young

The worn edges tell a far great-
er tale than the
one told
in
the book. Quiet
moments
when
they were being
read to
then.

© 2014 Kristi Dee Veitenheimer. All rights reserved.


J. Patrick Lewis has challenged us to write a zeno this month. What's a zeno, you ask? Click HERE for details.

To join in the fun, send yours to TodaysLittleDitty (at) gmail (dot) com, or use the contact form in the sidebar to the right. All zenos will be included in the wrap-up celebration on October 31st, and one lucky participant will win a copy of Pat's gorgeous, new, "best of" collection:

DMC: "Santa had a heaping pack" by Kristi Veitenheimer

 

Sung to the tune of "Mary Had a Little Lamb."

Santa had a heaping pack,
heaping pack, heaping pack,
Santa had a heaping pack 
which was filled up with toys.

He needed to find boys and girls,
boys and girls, boys and girls.
He needed to find boys and girls
who had been good all year.

Santa looked at this year’s list,
this year’s list, this year’s list.
Santa looked at this year’s list
and plotted a fast route.

He loaded the pack on his sled,
on his sled, on his sled.
He loaded the pack on his sled
and called his best reindeer.

Red-nosed Rudolph led the way,
led the way, led the way.
Red-nosed Rudolph led the way
to each and every home.

Christmas morn they all woke up,
all woke up, all woke up.
Christmas morn they all woke up
to see what Santa brought.

All the children laughed and played,
laughed and played, laughed and played.
All the children laughed and played
with Santa's Christmas loot.

Back home Santa took a nap,
took a nap, took a nap.
Back home Santa took a nap
that lasted through the day. 

© 2014 Kristi Dee Veitenheimer. All rights reserved.

Tamera Will Wissinger has challenged us to come up with a parody or tribute poem this month.  (Click HERE for details.)  If you would like to join in the fun, send your poem to TodaysLittleDitty (at) gmail (dot) com or use the contact form in the sidebar to the right. 

All participants will be rounded up on July 25th 

and entered to win a copy of Tamera's delightful new picture book, 

THIS OLD BAND. 

DMC: "Log flume" by Kristi Veitenheimer

Log flume
Straddle the seat
Splashing every turn
Anticipating the freefall...
Soaked!

© 2014 Kristi Dee Veitenheimer. All rights reserved.

Laura Purdie Salas has challenged us to come up with a water-themed cinquain this month.  Click HERE for details.  If you would like to join in the fun, use the contact form in the sidebar to the right to send me your splashtastic poem!