Today's challenge at Poetry Jam is to write a "how to" poem...
and so here is my "How to Write a Poem"...and my "How to Be Six" poem embedded in it.
How to Write a Poem
first write down a bunch of things
all the zany little zings
that just wing
into your
brain
your fenced in frame
of mind.
when your fingers stop and linger
on a gritty, grainy zinger
let it sing
out of your
brain
unfettered frame
of mind.
How to be
How to stop a cat
How to pat a dog
how to clean the refrigerator
how to stuff a turkey
how to make coffee
how to climb a hill
how to try on shoes
how to comb your hair
how to brush a cat/dog
how to open a door
how to close a door
how to calm fears
how to eat a lobster
how to drive
how to crack an egg
how to watch a deer
how to talk to a cat
how to talk to a dog
how to be six
How to Be Six
take away your many years
put aside your grown up fears
look for silly where you are
make a vroom sound for a car
grin and make a funny face
start a rousing game of chase
put an olive on your finger
when its bedtime whine and linger
throw a rock that goes too far
almost hitting someone’s car;
lick your finger, rub your shoe
till it looks as good as new;
put your backpack on your belly,
stick your finger in the jelly;
put on shoes, left on right -
try to tie the laces tight;
put your toys and clothes away,
toss them where the monsters play;
ride a bike, swing on swings,
think of scary, funny things;
ask one question, then another,
when you’re finished, hit your brother;
use a sheet to build a tent
ask just what “inquis'tive” meant;
find a tree to climb real high,
sitting there, become a spy;
watch for strangers and for danger,
then become a forest ranger;
ride your bike so fast you crash,
dig to find a pirate’s stash;
see how deep a puddle is
shake a soda, watch it fizz;
muddy feet and dirty clothes,
clean them off with garden hose;
then
when
you’ve become your best at six
another number has some tricks;
time to see how you will handle
another year, another candle;
grab the next list of “How to...”
seven’s here to challenge you.
©Donna JT Smith, 2014, all rights reserved
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I enjoyed both the clever construction of your poem and the tone. You have really captured the six year old through the little images you share. I particularly like the olive on the finger!
ReplyDeleteVery clever! I can see your mental processes as you worked through "how to" ideas. That is how my mind works sometime too. Smiles. Since I have a granddaughter who JUST turns seven years old today, I am very familiar with the 'six-year-old.' Smles. You have really captured the imagination that comes with the age.
ReplyDeletethis is an amazing capture...lots of how to's.."ask one question, then another, / when you’re finished, hit your brother"...love it..
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful stream of consciousness meander through the process of writing a poem. Well done!
ReplyDeletethis is so delightful (◕‿◕｡)
ReplyDeletemuch love...
Loved 'how to be a six'..well written..& nice rhyming too..!!!
ReplyDeleteI became six again whilst reading the poem - excellent.
ReplyDeletebeautiful
ReplyDeleteDear Weaver
ha. i like the creativeness in this....six was a good age...one we can revisit at times....before responsibility...life seemed so much easier.....and i agree as well on writing a poem...you just have to let go and let it flow....
ReplyDeleteLovely. Being six is so much fun
ReplyDeleteLoved reading this, Donna! You have really captured the magic of that age.
ReplyDelete