Poetry Month, Day 24 - Skype

Tonight I had a school visit on Skype - with an international school in Xiamen, China!  It was my fourth time Skyping with classes and it's so much fun!  The other three schools were in Iowa, Texas and England!  I wrote today's poem using the word, Skype.

Skype

I've learned I can skype

with schools of all types.

No matter how distant,

I'm there in an instant. 

We talk about writing -

it's really exciting!

They ask lots of questions.

I offer suggestions.

I'm building relations

with kids of all nations

I visit in China 

or North Carolina

and travel to Rome

without leaving home!

 

 Connect with me on Twitter and Facebook.  Plus, sign up for free

email updates from this blog (in the upper right hand side of the page). 

Poetry Month, Day 23 - Plotz

Today's word, Plotz, was given to me by an old grade school friend, Brad!  Apparently the word Phlox made him think of Plotz.  For those of you who don't know Yiddish, Plotz means to burst or explode or to be more aggravated than you can bear.  Here we go . . .

Plotz

I went to Las Vegas; I played all the slots.

I lost all my money - my husband will plotz!*

And when I get home, he'll do nothing but kvetch!*

But I can distract him (the dirty old letch)!

My Bubbe* had warned me, "A fool and her money 

soon will be parted - and that isn't funny!"

She said, "You need Chutzpah* if you're gonna gamble.

'Know when to fold them' should be your preamble!"

My Zaide* joined in with his usual spiel*,

"Watch out for Roulette - it's a dangerous wheel!"

I'll promise them all, "In the future, I'll pass.

Have I learned my lesson?  You bet your tuches!"*

~~~~~~~

*Yiddish Translations:

Plotz - to burst or explode

Kvetch - complain, fret

Bubbe - Grandmother

Chutzpah - nerve, guts

Zaide - Grandfather 

Spiel - a long involved sales pitch

Tuches - rear end, butt 

 

 Connect with me on Twitter and Facebook.  Plus, sign up for free

email updates from this blog (in the upper right hand side of the page). 

Poetry Month, Day 22 - Earth Day!

Last week, I presented at George Lieb School's Literacy Night.  

  


Because the event was in April, I asked if we could do a tie-in with Authors for Earth Day - and they enthusiastically agreed!  As part of the A4ED program, I chose five non-profit conservation organizations and the students at Lieb School researched each and voted for their favorite.  The winning group will receive the stipend I received for presenting at the school. 

The organizations I chose are: 
~ American Cetacean Society 
~ Bat Conservation International 
~ The Humane Society of the US    
~ Rainforest Action Network 
~ Wildlife Conservation Society

The organization that received the most votes was The Wildlife Conservation Society (personally, I was pulling for the bats).

Earth Day
 Today we focus on the earth.
Its conservation brings me mirth.

There's so much that we can do;
here are just a few for you:

Drink your water from a glass.

Plastic bottle?  Take a pass!

Build a compost in your yard. 
Start a garden - grow swiss chard.

Take a walk or ride a bike.
Don't throw out - reuse, recike.

Drive a hybrid - use less fuel.
Bring cloth bags to shop at Jewel*

Power up with wind or sun.
Please don't let your water run.

These few things are just a start.
Let's help the earth and do our part.


* Chicago area grocery store

 Connect with me on Twitter and Facebook.  Plus, sign up for free

email updates from this blog (in the upper right hand side of the page). 

Poetry Month, Day 21 - Phlox

Today's word, Phlox, was given to me by Samuel Kent - the guy who beat me in the second round of March Madness and went on to win the whole thing!!  It's a bit nerve wracking writing a poem for a skilled poet!! 

http://www.superstock.com

Phlox

I have to write another poem? Really?  What the phlox?!
I haven't any fresh ideas - I'll never beat the clocks.

My weakened brain's in need of rest - and just a little time.
It's taking everything I have to think of one more rhyme!

So now this poem has reached its end.  I'll just write one more line.
And I'll forgive your "not great" poems, if you'll forgive me mine!

 Connect with me on Twitter and Facebook.  Plus, sign up for free

email updates from this blog (in the upper right hand side of the page). 

Poetry Month, Day 20 - Perfection

My old grade school friend, Sally, gave me the word Perfection.  I'm sitting here, writing this while watching the TV show Resurrection.  Perfection - Resurrection - they rhyme!  Coincidence - I don't think so!  So, here's my Perfection poem.

http://bemorewithless.com/punch/

Perfection

The program, Resurrection,

is so far from perfection.

The plot holes are gigantic.

The story line pedantic.

The dialogue's not great.

The acting's second rate.

The roles are all portrayed

in a way that's so cliched.

It's a show I suspect
they will not resurrect.

So mark the words I've said:

This show's as good as dead!! 
 

 Connect with me on Twitter and Facebook.  Plus, sign up for free

email updates from this blog (in the upper right hand side of the page).