Friday, April 30, 2010

Dedication

I had this idea,
that I could write a poem,
and give it as a gift.

And I knew that
nobody else
would appreciate it more
than kids,
and teachers,
readers and writers,
who live and work and teach and learn,
together.

So this is my gift to you.



* Day 30 (the final day!) of the KidLitosphere Poem-A-Day Challenge for National Poetry Month. Dedicated to NYC teachers, administrators, literacy coaches, and most importantly, KIDS in the amazing schools where I work. I wrote a poem-a-day this month for YOU!

Wednesday, April 28, 2010

Readers' Best Friends

Biscuit,
Mudge,
Clifford and Harry.

Walter, Benji, Willie,
Buck,
Shiloh,

and of course,
Lassie.


* Day 28 of the KidLitosphere Poem-A-Day Challenge for National Poetry Month.

Tuesday, April 27, 2010

Poetry

Drenched in butter and
Bubbling
Salty, crispy edges


* Day 27 of the KidLitosphere Poem-A-Day Challenge for National Poetry Month.

Monday, April 26, 2010

Multiple Choices

What would you like to do today?

A) Take a test
B) Take a test
C) Take a test
D) Take a test


* Day 26 of the KidLitosphere Poem-A-Day Challenge for National Poetry Month.

Sunday, April 25, 2010

Baby Testing

There isn't a test for drooling skills.
Or an assessment for how well she can roll from side to side.
There isn't a quiz on thumb sucking-- that I'm aware of.
Or any evaluation on how well she can
coo, or gurgle, or screetch with delight.

Maybe we ought to start cramming, though.
Just in case.
Start preparing.

We could practice sitting up.
Maybe teach some strategies for choosing the best teether,
when presented with three choices.
Or maybe give her points for each nap she takes,
Or bite of peas she eats,
Or on the quality (and quantity) of poosplosions per day?


* Day 25 of the KidLitosphere Poem-A-Day Challenge for National Poetry Month, with thoughts of tomorrow's New York State ELA Test on my mind.

Saturday, April 24, 2010

Different Kinds of Cries

There's the
fire engine,
you know,
the five alarm fire?

Sometimes it's a
grouchy
yelling-at-mama,
"Hey!" type of cry.

There's the rolling,
sort of lazy cry,
not really crying,
just complaining.

Sometimes there are syllables
"Ning ning ning," or "Raa raa raa,"
a tiny lion roaring in her den.

Then there's the
real cry.
The scared, truly hurt, in pain cry.
That one
makes me cry too.

* Day 24 of the KidLitosphere Poem-A-Day Challenge for National Poetry Month.

Friday, April 23, 2010

Baby L. Looks In The Mirror

Her eyes meet her own eyes
Her hand meets her own hand

She flashes a smile and giggles.
Hey, I know that person!

We move in and out of the picture frame,
Playing peek-a-boo with ourselves.

Who's that looking in the mirror?
It's you!
It's me!
It's us!


* Day 23 of the KidLitosphere Poem-A-Day Challenge for National Poetry Month.

Thursday, April 22, 2010

A Poem For Earth Day

Dear New York,

If it isn't too much trouble,
would you please
put your litter in the trash cans?
Also, it would be much appreciated
if you recycled a bit more.

And while you are thinking of it,
would you mind taking the subway
instead of driving?
Or at least carpooling?

It would also be nice
if you could bring
your own bags to the grocery store.

And could you please
bring a reusable mug to Starbucks?
And maybe, just maybe,
stop buying bottled water.

Sincerely,
The Earth


* Day 22 of the KidLitosphere Poem-A-Day Challenge for National Poetry Month.

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

How To Read At Six Months Old

Look at the pictures.
Take your time, if you can.

Touch the pages.
Scritchy scratch across the pages.
Try to pick the pictures right off,
and discover that they are stuck.

Maybe drool a little on a page or two,
Maybe chew on a corner, or two.

Giggle with delight at the sight
of a familiar book--

Brown Bear Brown Bear,
Or Goodnight Moon,
Or The Peace Book,
Or Where's Baby's Belly Button?

Help mama turn the pages.
Put your hands on top of hers.
You can even close the book,
before mama's ready...

That's how to read at six months old.


* Day 21 of the KidLitosphere Poem-A-Day Challenge for National Poetry Month.

Tuesday, April 20, 2010

Coffee and Writing

Sweet
Drips
Of java

Bitter and chocolaty,
Smooth
Comfort

Coffee
And writing
Go hand in hand.



* Day 20 of the KidLitosphere Poem-A-Day Challenge for National Poetry Month.

Monday, April 19, 2010

So Much To Read, So Little Time

Racing through pages,
Running across chapters,
Flying through texts of all kinds,

There's smoke coming out of my ears,
I'm reading so much,

I've got articles and books,
Websites and blogs,
Poems and stories,

So much to read, so little time.


* Day 19 of the KidLitosphere Poem-A-Day Challenge for National Poetry Month.

Sunday, April 18, 2010

Favorite Foods

Bean
and
cheese
burrito
with
guacamole
on the
side,

Gooey
brownies
with
walnuts,

Grilled cheese
with
french fries
and a
chocolate
shake,

Peppermint
patties,

Homemade
sesame
noodles,

Strawberry
shortcake,

Juicy pork bun
from
M. Shanghai,

Jelly
beans,

Gnocci
with
tomato
sauce,

Molten
chocolate
cake,

Potato
salad
and a
glass of
lemonade,

Ben
and
Jerry's
ice
cream,

Popcorn
with
lots of
butter,

Creme
brulee,

Chicken
and
biscuits,

Chocolate
chip
cookies
fresh
out of the
oven.



* Day 18 of the KidLitosphere Poem-A-Day Challenge for National Poetry Month.

Saturday, April 17, 2010

Overheard in a Kindergarten Classroom

I can make my stars shine
See
Falling, here on my paper
See
They shine

Look
I can make the stars shine
Look, here
The stars are shining
Here
On my paper


* Day 17 of the KidLitosphere Poem-A-Day Challenge for National Poetry Month.

Friday, April 16, 2010

In love with...

the sound of a page turning,
the way fonts have personalities all their own,
the smell of ink,

fancy paper,
my extensive pencil collection,
starting a new notebook,

highlighters,
pens,
glue,
paperclips,
scissors,
staples,

bookmarks of all kinds,
reading lamps that attach to your book,
and of course,
last but certainly not least,

post its.



* Day 16 of the KidLitosphere Poem-A-Day Challenge for National Poetry Month.

Thursday, April 15, 2010

Babies Love Reading: A Google Poem



Babies
Love
Books
Love
Poetry
Love
READING!


I made this myself using Google Search Stories!
* Day 15 of the KidLitosphere Poem-A-Day Challenge for National Poetry Month.

Wednesday, April 14, 2010

Stubbed Toes and Other Minor Ailments

trip
and
fall

nosedive
headache

charlie horse
paper cut
black and blue

pins and needles
thorn in my side
pain in the neck
burden to bare

* Day 14 of the KidLitosphere Poem-A-Day Challenge for National Poetry Month.

Tuesday, April 13, 2010

Test Prep Haiku II

Develop answer
before you see all choices
Elimination.

* Day 13 of the KidLitosphere Poem-A-Day Challenge for National Poetry Month.

Monday, April 12, 2010

Test Prep Haiku I

Keep an eye on time.
Leave no bubble unshaded.
Read all the choices.


* Day 12 of the KidLitosphere Poem-A-Day Challenge for National Poetry Month.

Sunday, April 11, 2010

Adaptation on a Fairy Tale

My sweet baby, what sparkling eyes you have!

All the better to charm you with.

Babygirl, what delicious chubby little legs you have!

All the better to wiggle and bounce and kicky-kick at my toys with!

My little dumpling, what teeny tiny tiny fingers you have!

All the better for tickling you with.

Little tiger, where did you get that magical smile?

It's my specialty. All the better to love you with.



* Day 11 of the KidLitosphere Poem-A-Day Challenge for National Poetry Month.


Saturday, April 10, 2010

Car Ride With A Screaming Baby: A Poem in Two Voices

Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!
Waaaaa! Waaaaaaaaa! ...Don't cry sweet baby.
Waaa! Waaaaaaaaaaa! ...It's okay sweet pea.
Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa! ...We're almost there, I promise.
WaaaaaaaaaaaaAAAA! ...Don't cry honey.
WAAAAAAAAAaaaaaa! ...Shhhhh...
Waaaaaa! Waaaaaaaa! ...Shhhhh...
Waa! Waa! Waa! Waa! ...Shhhhh...
Waa! Waa! Waaaaaaa! ...Okay baby, it's okay.
Waaaaaaaaaaa! WAA! ...Oh honey, don't cry!
Waaaa! Waaaaaaaaaa! ...I love you sweet little baby.
WAAA! Waaaaaaaaaa! ...You're my little sweetheart, yes you are.
Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa! ...Don't cry, sweety pie.
Waaaaaaaaa! WaaAA! ...Mommy loves you!
Waaa! Waaaaaaaaaaa! ...Babygirl, mama loves you!
Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa! ...Mommy loves you, baby. Mommy loves you.


* Day 10 of the KidLitosphere Poem-A-Day Challenge for National Poetry Month.

Friday, April 9, 2010

Tiny Reader

Tiny toes
Wiggle wiggle

Tiny feet
Kicky kicky

Tiny belly-button
Pop pop!

Tiny heart
I loooooove you

Tiny fingers
Scritchy scratch

Tiny chin
Tickle tickle

Tiny nose
Sniff sniff

Tiny eyes
Peek-a-boo!

Tiny reader
One more book

Tiny dreams
Night night


* Day 9 of the KidLitosphere Poem-A-Day Challenge for National Poetry Month.

Thursday, April 8, 2010

What I Was Thinking About At The Office Today

Someday L. will fall down
And get scrapes on the heels of her hands
The kind of scrapes with little pieces of gravel stuck inside

And I might not be there to give her a kiss
Or hold her tight when she cries


* Day 8 of the KidLitosphere Poem-A-Day Challenge for National Poetry Month.

Wednesday, April 7, 2010

Baby Magic

Your eyes must have magic powers,
How else would they sparkle like they do?

Your smile is an incantation,
A spell for melting even the coldest heart.


Doggy Haiku III

Baby moves. Cries, then coos.
Doggy stands up. Stands guard.
Furry protector.


* Day 7 of the KidLitosphere Poem-A-Day Challenge for National Poetry Month.

Tuesday, April 6, 2010

Doggy Haiku II

He rests, chin on paws,
Puppy-dog eyes are alert,
Always on the watch.


* Day 6 of the KidLitosphere Poem-A-Day Challenge for National Poetry Month.

Monday, April 5, 2010

Doggy Haiku I

A furry soldier
stands guard just outside the crib.
Waits... Listens... Sniffs…Wags.


* Day 5 of the KidLitosphere Poem-A-Day Challenge for National Poetry Month.

Sunday, April 4, 2010

Baby L.

The day before you were born I was burning up,
Wearing flip flops and skirts,
T-shirts stretched tight around my belly and drenched with sweat,
More than ready for you to arrive.

The day we left the hospital the leaves began to turn,
Bright oranges and rubies with a breeze tickling them, making them sparkle.
I put on my coziest, softest sweater,
And snuggled in for winter.

* Day 4 of the KidLitosphere Poem-A-Day Challenge for National Poetry Month.

Saturday, April 3, 2010

Tooth Pulled

Good riddance
One less tooth to worry about
Didn’t really hurt that much
Hardly even notice it’s missing
No one will even notice it’s gone


* Day 3 of the KidLitosphere Poem-A-Day Challenge for National Poetry Month.

Friday, April 2, 2010

Spring

Heart born in autumn
Smile born in winter
Shadow born in summer


* Day 2 of the KidLitosphere Poem-A-Day Challenge for National Poetry Month.

Thursday, April 1, 2010

When It Rains

Good thing
I've got your smile
to be my sunshine.
And your hands
to hold
and keep me warm and dry.


* Day 1 of the KidLitosphere Poem-A-Day Challenge for National Poetry Month.