DMC: "Hello Mr. Snail" by Jan Gars

Many of you will recognize Jan's name as a regular DMC participant. I'm sorry to say, this is the last month he will be contributing to these challenges as he passed away last Friday from a massive heart attack. From his obituary:

Jan was a jack of all trades and a true renaissance man/ MacGyver as he was called by his children. He was a lover of both plants and animals, owned a working farm and was cultivating his own orchard. His veterinary practice, Oak Ridge Animal Hospital, served the Ocala, Florida community for 35 years.  He has always been a lover of the arts. In the 1990s he hand-made dolls and sold them at art shows. He has always been a painter and poet and in recent years he also started writing children's books including The Enchanted Rocking Horse: A Collection of Childhood Dreams.  

Jan was a good friend. I will surely miss his kind spirit, lively sense of humor, and beautiful way with words.  Please keep his family in your thoughts and prayers.  ~Michelle


Hello Mr. Snail,

Are you hiding in your shell?
Or, dwelling in the garden
The place you love so well.

Your skin is very slimy,
Antennae on your head.
Gliding ‘cross the mucous
On leaves of green and red.

Beware the lurking robin
Or a feast you’ll be.
Stay tucked within the foliage
Deep within the tree.

But if you choose to crawl,
Please hurry as you go.
Advice from your good friend.

Sincerely,
U.R. Slowe

© 2015 Jan Gars. All rights reserved.


David Elliott has challenged us to write a letter poem this month.  Click HERE for details.

RSVP with 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 February 27th, and one lucky participant will win a personalized copy of David's delightful new collection of bird poetry:

Limerick Alley: Elizabeth Steinglass

I've got whales on my mind.  They've been there for the last several weeks.  You can find me reading about whales, writing about whales, watching movies about whales, and generally immersing myself in all things whale.  Why?  I'm not really sure... it just feels right. 

So I suppose I shouldn't have been surprised when today's guest poet, Elizabeth Steinglass, without even an inkling of my latest obsession, blessed me with a whale in today's limerick.  Is it also coincidence that I recently witnessed a 5-inch (!) snail crossing the sidewalk in front of me?  I'll let you be the judge.
 

                     There once was a boy with a whale
                     Who traveled by sea on its tail.
                     Back home he decided
                     His choice was misguided.
                     He now sticks to land on a snail.

                     © 2013 Elizabeth Steinglass. All rights reserved.

I love the whimsy of this little ditty and thought some cute artwork might enhance its playfulness.  Not being an artist, myself, I asked my 10-year-old daughter if she would give it a go:

Artwork by Miranda Barnes, 2013

Don't they complement each other beautifully?
 
Thanks so much, Liz, for bringing such fun to Limerick Alley!

For those of you who don't regularly frequent Poetry Friday, please be sure to check out Liz's blog.  Her talents extend well beyond limericks, and I often find myself stunned by her descriptive imagery. 

If you would like to share a limerick on Today's Little Ditty in the future, please contact me at michelle (at) MichelleHBarnes (dot) com, or by commenting below.  I look forward to featuring you and your blog!