TOPIC #19 The Eraser on My Pencil

The Eraser on My Pencil

This TOPIC just HAPPENED as I was writing one day.
As I looked out the window and saw it would stay...

On the end of my pencil. It was STUCK RIGHT THERE!
The eraser was alone... there wasn’t a spare.

I wondered who thought to place it at the end.
If it were in the middle, the pencil had to bend...

So the eraser would be ready to do its job.
It would be in the way, but would be a good knob...

That I could turn with my fingers... Turn with a whirl.
The pencil could fly, with a fast enough twirl.

I again wondered who thought about placing it there.
Maybe the first time, it made people stare...

At the tiny eraser that was not big at all...
Stuck on the end of pencil, which stood very tall.

As it stood STRAIGHT UP on my desk that day in my class,
Mrs. Carlson said sternly “PAY ATTENTION, OUR YOU WILL NOT PASS!”

SO...

I abandoned my search for the truth... for the clues
That would answer the question; the SECRET NOT SEEN on the NEWS...

Of WHY the eraser is sitting at the end of the pencil at school.
IF THAT QUESTION’S ON THE TEST, I WILL FEEL... LIKE... A... FOOL!

Random thoughts one day while using a "celluloid encased graphitical communication instrument".

TOPIC #18 My Own Dog

My Own Dog

“THERE... IS... THE... DOOR.

TAKE-THE-DOG-OUT-TO-POOH.

MAKE ABSOLUTELY SURE...

DO... NOT... GET... SOME... ON... YOUR... SHOE!”

She said it so matter-of-factly
I obeyed her so-very-exactly.

This day was not starting as planned.
I looked humbly away as the dog took his stand.

When I first thought of having a dog that day
I never thought it would turn out this way.

I had thought we would go out and run.
We would be pals, we’d have lots of fun.

The plans I made were glorious and BIG.
It actually went well... ‘till he started to DIG...

Up the bushes and chew on the trees.
The damage he does, always HAPPENS... IN... THREES!

He slept like a mouse, that very first night.
He never woke up. It gave me a fright...

Until I went to see him, and opened the door.
To my AMAZEMENT, he’d wet on the floor!

I had to “Take Care Of It”, and make it all clean.
I then noticed he poohed... and it was all GREEN!

I knew what to do, it wasn’t so bad,
But all of this work made me feel sad.

One day Uncle D-M flew here on a plane.
I couldn’t wait ‘till he arrived, so I could explain...

The problem I had.... ask his advice.
He will know what to do, because he is so nice.

It all worked out just fine, we each sat in a chair.
He listened to my story, paused and asked if I’d dare...

Do what was right, and start to have fun.
Take my dog places and play in the sun.

He said if I taught him some really fun tricks;
Like catch... and fetch, he’d give me some licks...

To show how happy he was to play around;
And sometimes he’d trick me and knock me on the ground!

We spent many a day running around.
I have to admit, my uncle’s advice was very sound.

Because when I focused on what was fun
I could whip through the chores until they were done.

I have written this method, and I am so glad.
I have used it a lot, since now I’m a Dad!

TOPIC #17 SWIMMING in JELLO

SWIMMING in JELLO

I coughed and I sputtered. I floundered around!
I could not even breathe! I thought I would drown!

I had just tried to go under, you know…
And opened my eyes… way down below…

The top of the water at the neighborhood pool.
I brought my feet up, but then felt like a fool.

For when I started floating, I sank like a rock!
The way it happened was to me a BIG SHOCK!

I had planned to swim to the waters down under...
The surface, but sinking so fast was now my big blunder.

I had to think quickly in order to survive.
I made a good plan that would keep me alive.

My legs; I stretched them and pointed them down.
If this happened just right, I would certainly not drown.

My legs did just-as-they-were-told.
I felt some confidence, and began to be bold.

The legs were extended just as they should.
I thought if this worked. I certainly could...

Regain my position if I could stand...
Up and get air... now that would be grand!

My toes touched the bottom of the water-filled pool.
My brain said to me “This will be cool!”

The feet at the end of my legs took hold and were steady,
So I knew I would be ok, but my lungs were ready...

To get a breath of air up above the pool so busy.
I stood just in time, because I was getting dizzy.

I took a huge breath of wonderful clean air
And saw the Lifeguard... I had caused her to stare.

She looked ready to jump. She was ready to shout.
If I had not surfaced, she would have yanked me out...

Of the pool. She would have saved my life!
I felt so bad to have caused her so much strife.

Although my miss-adventure only took a second or two,
It seemed to me to have lasted my whole lifetime through.

Things settled down, I... began... to... wonder...
What would help me to FLOAT, and not so quickly sink UNDER???

It would have to be good. It would need to be fun.
If I could invent a good plan... and then get it done.

The idea popped up... They will say “What a clever fellow!”
I thought to myself “Let’s fill the pool with Strawberry Jello!”

I’ll get permission of course, from the Lifeguard you know.

And then when it is hot, I will carefully show...

The kids in my swimming class how it will be done.
Just then the Lifeguard yelled “DO NOT RUN!!!”

We will need ten thousand packets of Jello ready to go.
Twelve strong swimmers... It will set kind of slow.

The mix will be poured into the pool with care.
I am sure that you will want... to... be... there.

All ready... all set... Joey is heavy, so he will be the first to try.
He will stand on the edge... He’ll jump and then fly...

Through the air with his arms waving in the breeze.
We are all so quiet... you could hear a little worm sneeze.

He’ll land on top of the Jello with a quivering FLOP!
His body won’t sink, it will just jiggle on top!

We will all jump in the air and will give a Great Cheer!
So... that is my plan, and just to be clear...

I won’t forget any detail, I’ll keep it alive.
It will go into action... as soon as I turn five.

TOPIC assigned by Laura

TOPIC #16 Tykes and Bikes

Tykes and Bikes

I heard a sound outside one spring day,
And just KNEW my friend Abby was out to play.

The window started so high on the wall
I could not reach it… not…at…all!

The sound of GLEE again came to my ears.
I wanted to see source of the cheers.

My mind thought of a way to get tall…
It was sitting in the bathroom, just down the hall.

I ran there as fast as could be.

When I stand on it, I’ll be as tall as a tree!

Sure enough when I got there, the door… it was closed.
You just cannot know the problem this posed.

It seems, each time my sister goes in,
She stays there so long, my mom’s patience grows thin.

This time I was lucky, ‘cause when I was ready to shout…
The bathroom opened… my sister came dancing right out.

I jumped through the door; it was sitting right there;
Colors Red, Yellow, and Blue; one step of a stair.

Picking it up, and balancing it well
I brought it to the window, “This would be swell!”

I set it down and climbed to the top.
I was so tall, I didn’t need to hop!

Holding on tight, I looked through the screen…
My best friend was not to be seen.

I looked up the street and thought I could see
Abby doing cartwheels near Mrs. Carlson’s tree.

She is good at those you should know.
Does them all the time… a l t h o u g h…

Once after Sunday School she did one in her dress!
Our teacher said “STOP IT, or you will be a MESS!”

It was her for sure, I saw her bike.
I have one too. They are just alike.

Mine is Red; hers has Blues.
Once I rode home, and forgot my shoes…

On Abby’s porch and my mom had a frown,
But I had been careful to arrive before the sun went down.

It was dinner time and I had to go,
But it was great to see Abby… and you should know…

We’re the best friends you will ever see,
And someday I’ll invite you to come climb in our tree.

TOPIC assigned by Amy

TOPIC #15 Scrubby

Scrubby

Scrubby was our little bunny
Who liked to run and play.
We would pick him up and hold him tight,
And care for him each day.

Sometimes we would let him run
And chase him all around.
We would pick him up and sing to him
Then set him on the ground.

He’d often then just stop and stare
Wondering what to do,
Then scamper quickly out of sight
so he could make some pooh.

We would clean it up and
Then chase him down.
He’d run away as-quick-as-that.
When caught he seemed to frown.

Our little friend was lots of fun.
He would listen to all our woes.
He’d not complain, but hop around,
And sniff down at our toes.

His fur was soft as velvet down
We held him all the time.
We are sure that he would tire of us
But we never heard him whine.
-
The love we shared with Scrubby
will never see an end.
As we go hiking through our lives
Our Scrubby will always be…

just

around

the

bend.

Dedicated to Scrubby, the grandchildren's faithful companion

for 7 wonderful years

TOPIC #14 DAISY THE ROCKET DOG

DAISY THE ROCKET DOG

I went to the Jackson’s and it started on the porch,
In a blur.r.r.r of speed, something flashed by like a torch!

The power was intense, my brain wasn’t ready,
I held my ground, I tried to be steady.

It circled around where I stood on the walk.
I was so shocked I could…not…even…talk.

My eyes tried to follow this thing on its flight.
I was certainly glad I had not come over at night!

Not knowing if it was a friend or a foe,
I inched towards the door… going ever…so…slow.

I am sure that it sensed what I had in my mind.
I thought it was going to attack me from behind!

Out of the corner of my eye, I thought it had stopped.
But when I turned and looked, it had only dropped…

To refuel its engines which were silent and strong.
It circled again, judging if I belonged.

It came closer this time, as quick as a flash.
I saw it was the time to escape, and decided to dash…

Up the steps to the porch, where I found some relief.
I reached for the door and said “OH NO” and “GOOD GRIEF!!”

It had beat me in our race right up to the door.
I was so shocked, I stumbled, and almost fell on the floor!

In my confusion, I steadied, and reached for the bell,
With all the excitement, I wasn’t feeling so swell…

Someone was home, the door was swung open wide,
It was Jenna my friend who said “Come right on inside!”

I hesitated to move, remembering the big fear
That I was feeling when I first saw it appear.

Looking down where it landed after its last rocket flight
I spied a furry dog and wondered if it would bite.

Jenna saw the distressed look on my face,
Giggled and said “Come into our place!”

“The dog’s name is Daisy; she’s as kind as a bunny
And she always runs in circles, which is very, very funny.”

“A dog? You say?” I told Jenna that day
“Seemed like a lightning bolt to me, doing ballet.”

We settled down on the couch, it seemed to approve
But The Rocket Dog watched…my…every…move.

So…

Many years have gone by and I’ve told you the tale.
Truth is, I’m still a little worried, I’m old…and…I’m…frail.

BUT…

That little dog is as speedy as can be.
If I see it again, I’m CLIMBING UP A TREE!

Topic inspired by Daisy The Rocket Dog, Jenna, and Breelyn’s first visit

Topic #31 TARANTULA

To my Dear Mother,

From your loving, obedient #2 son... who accepted the Poem TOPIC assignment at 10:30pm and followed through with delivery at 11:00pm... without going to the bathroom first because the dishwater is warm. (lol) With all my love, Dennis

TARANTULA

I saw a spider when I was three.

It was BIG and HAIRY and was climbing a tree.

My big brother said "Let's go take a look!".

I wanted to see it, so I put down my book.

We ran with the speed of a deer in the sun.

If we could catch it, we would then have some fun!

As we approached, we searched on the bark

Of the tree for the spider with long legs and was hairy and dark.

It scurried right up and had climbed very high.

I was so…close, it LOOKED ME IN THE EYE!

I decided not to catch it, and let my brother go ahead.

If he was bitten, he would certainly be DEAD.

He reached out his hand and grabbed… IT WAS HORRIBLE!

Then turned around to me and did something DEPLORABLE!

The Tarantula was on his hand...and NOW IN MY FACE.

It was THEN that I started the GREAT BIG RACE

To get back to the house and go tell DAD

And I'm sure he would be MAD…(which would make me so GLAD!)

I-told-him-all-in-one-breath...

and how my brother was quite-near-his-death.

(pause)

He said ok and looked up to see what my brother retrieved.

What he did then I COULD NOT BELIEVE!

Dad reached out and picked…up…the…thing...

I was ready to cry; I was sure it would STING!

Dad said "They are quite harmless you know, and they will not bite.

You handle them with love, and never hold them tight.

You let them roam where they want to wander…

Pretty soon, they will walk over yonder

And find a rock, or climb up a vine.

Treat them with kindness, and they will be…just…fine”.

(pause)

That was then, and this is now...

So I just hope my brother does not...catch...a...COW!

TOPIC #13 Z..I..P..P..E..R

Z..I..P..P..E..R

My ZIPPER broke the other day.


It would not move...either... way.

It would not go up or down.
This problem surely made me frown!

I had not planned to start my day
With a ZIPPER that wanted to stay…

In one place and refuse to move;
Its mind made up… its strength to prove.

I just stood there looking down,
Wondering if I’d be the talk-of-the-town…

Stuck all day with reason to pout,
Not able to go play… run… and shout.

I thought I WAS DONE… and wanted to cry.
I just stood in my room, and then Grandma walked by.

She looked in the door, and saw me stand there;
She came in, sat down, and started brushing my hair.

She told me I was pretty and looked straight into my eyes.
She said she could fix it…. What a BIG SURPRISE!

She looked at the problem down below.
She studied it carefully. I knew… she’d… know.

My Grandma has been around for a very long time,
And she has fixed stuff… and solved many-a-crime.

I think she is my dad’s mom, and I am very sure
She helped him a lot, gave him a cure…

For his many bumps and bruises he had along the way
And let him solve his mistakes… which got-him to today.

I was looking out the window where I wanted to go and run;
Grandma stood up, kissed me and said “We are all done!”

I stared in amazement, in wonder and awe.
My ZIPPER was working! She’d fixed its BIG FLAW!

I shouted for joy, I gave a big squeeze
Which was so strong, it made Grandma sneeze…

As she wiped a tear which formed in her eye.
I dashed out the door. I thought I could fly!

So… if you have a problem to solve…
You are really stuck and need it resolved…

You can call my dad’s mom, and not worry one bit.
The nick-name we gave her is “Grandma-Fix-It”.

She will run right over and will knock on your door,
Ask “What’s your worry?, What is the chore…

That has you so worried this day?
How can I help you find the right way…

Use the right tool, seek the right tricks?…
We’ll focus on your dilemma. We’ll find the right fix”.

My Grandma is always running around.
She has skills which surely abound.

So...

When you are done with her, please send her my way…

Because I like it when…

Grandma and I...

We… can… just…play.

This poem was caused by a broken zipper in Grandpa’s favorite pants.

TOPIC #12 Kailani

Kailani

OH WOW! I don’t know how
She stays upside down without any frown!

She must be from a planet called SIX,
Where they love to learn all those very clever tricks.

I’ll go there some day.
I’ll hang out and I’ll play.

I’ll learn how to rumble.
I’ll perfect a new tumble.

So when I return,
I’ll help Earth People learn…

That to move in new ways…
to move… very… sly,

All they need do is have courage…
and then give it a TRY!

Topic inspired by an upside down Kailani (age 9)

TOPIC #11 Bees Knees

Bees Knees

They are curious creatures, yes they are.
I’ve been told they can fly very far.

I believe that they make honey,
But I’ve never seen a bee with money.

They would need something to hold it tight,
And pants with pockets so it would fit just right.

Then… soaring through the air, they’d fly with ease.
All would go well, until they SNEEZE!

They would then twirl around and be UP…SIDE… DOWN!
When bees have that happen, they always show a big frown.

But if you look closely, and study for a while,
You will notice that their UP-SIDE-DOWN-FROWN is showing a SMILE!

So along they go, up-side-down on their way.
You would think it would be such a difficult day…

To spend your time flying, six feet in the air;
But bees have a way to do it, with energy to spare.

As you consider their approach to this up-side-down-state,
You will certainly agree that the answer is first rate.

Stop what you are doing and run along with your bees.
Keep a close watch on their movements, and a closer eye… on all the bee’s knees.

It is an old secret from past times of yore.
Bee’s knees hold some magic you will want to explore.

You need to do it quietly, and be patient and sure…
To pay close attention, with motives that are steady and pure.

For people of science have determined once and for all…
That bees… cannot… fly… after taking off, they should fall…

Right out of the air, so fast you would stare.
They should land on the ground, seeing them flying should be rare.

Their bodies are too big, their wings so small.
Their flight power so tiny, they should a l w a y s stall…

And fall on the ground and walk to each flower.
Instead of a minute, it would take them an hour…

To gather the pollen and return to the hive.
Scientists are surprised at how bees stay alive!

So as you watch with your friends, all your bees,
You will discover the answer, which is found...in...their...knees.

Be careful as you observe, don’t rush them around.
Just know that in Bees Knees, the answer is found.

It has as much to do with determination as skill.
It is powered by passion, choosing the right and the will…

To proceed to your goal, a good attitude flowing,
And keep at it… stick to it. Prepare and keep going!

Fly in a good path, be sure not to sneeze,
And you will have the power of… all… six… of… each…
bee’s… knees.

TOPIC assigned by WILL