Today's Little Ditty

Megan Lynnette At the beginning of the month, Elizabeth Steinglass challenged us to write a poem giving instructions to an inanimate ...

INSTRUCTIONS Seed, tucked in soil, freed of hull, weathered shell, slowly swell. Accept your fate. Germinate. Take root. Be firm. Int...

Today I'm delighted to feature two students from Rebekah Hoeft 's 3rd grade classroom. As you can see with these celestial poem...

INSTRUCTIONS FOR CINNAMON TOAST Invite me to breakfast. Begin as a simple slice of bread. Color yourself buttery yellow, staying with...

INSTRUCTIONS FOR A RIVER Acquiesce to the seasons. Satiate yourself on snow melt and spring rain. Rescue runoff from rivulets and str...

[K]ua INSTRUCTIONS FOR MY MIRROR Love what you see Be patient and kind Keep expectations in check Reflect my best self Reject ...

INSTRUCTIONS TO A CAMERA Find good light, perfect angles. Blur your focus, soften scars, furrows of frowns, deep crow’s feet. Catch a d...

INSTRUCTIONS TO A BIRD'S NEST Hold      leaves,          twigs,              snake skins woven into the shape of a bowl perfectly...

INSTRUCTIONS TO NAIL CLIPPERS Be shiny and sharp, Be quick, But not on it. Be smallish to Carry around in a pocket. Hang around feet,...

INSTRUCTIONS FOR A LAWN SPRINKLER Keep your head down and perfectly still. Patience. When you feel the pressure, hold your head up hi...

BINOCULARS Hang light around my neck, ready always on my trek. Zoom quick, and stabilize. Focus sharp before it flies. Don't fog,...

Margaret Simon introduced her gifted students to this month's challenge to show them "how we can write about the most ordinar...

a directive to the tissue box is in order this pollen season always stand at hand ready to face nasal expulsions with three-ply gentle...

INSTRUCTIONS FOR A STOP SIGN In a shifty, Shifting world, Be sincerely Single-minded. Greet everyone You see with Recognizable red— O...

INSTRUCTIONS FOR A PHOTOGRAPH Enjoy your place on the piano top. Offer memories when someone plays a favorite song of whom you show i...

THE GLASS Be half full, Never half empty. Learn to chill, There’s always plenty. Pour your love out, Replenish with goodness. Don’t h...

INSTRUCTIONS TO A TREE Make a branch thick—one that is low but not too low, and keep it parallel to earth. Let it grow strong so it w...

ELIZABETH STEINGLASS Are you excited?                                I sure am! After a busy month of reading, it's about ti...