New Bike Meets Old Man

 

I got a brand new bike today,

Purple hand grips, shiny wheels.

See me speeding down the street,

Hearing, “Oohs and aahs!” and squeals. 

As I go whizzing down the hill,

Dogs are barking. Kitties run.

Grannies jump out of the way.

I’ve never had so much fun.

Until, old man Warner steps out,

Arms crossed, wearing a frown.

And a few seconds later,

I see him from upside down. 

I got a new bell today.

See me pedaling gently by.

I politely smile and “ding.”

Well, at least, I’m going to try.

Poetic Bloomings Prompt --Childhood Home

Where I Grew Up 

Huddled in hills

in western Pennsylvania

sat a little pink house

(sometimes yellow, red or white)

by Charlie the Oak Tree

in a neighborhood where a creek

and a small road ran through,

by the name of Shannon, our name.

Mostly relatives

were scatted about

some longtime friends, too,

My four sisters and I

rarely stayed indoors

climbing trees, sled riding,

exploring the woods,

playing pretend games

after all the old shows,

eating fruits from trees, bushes

and even out of the gardens.

We were mad when

a new neighbor moved in a mobile home

and wiped out the best blackberry patch.  

Pappap sold the land bit by bit

and house poppped up all over

hidden in the summer by the foliage

but in the winter we saw them encroaching.

The little road became busier

until kids no longer played on it like we did

when we needed a smooth, flat place.

We grew up and left and the pine trees

took over the yard, hiding the little house

until it was abused by renters and torn down.

But still standing tall is the Oak Tree, Charlie.

Haiku

Jumping in puddles

Shouting and splashing about

Joy after the storm

Childrens Poems

Peach Pie Race 

At the fair I stuffed my face,

just because of some dumb race.

I shoved them all in my mouth—

great peachy pies from the south. 

Freshly-swallowed south peach pies

piled up inside to my eyes.

Peachy snot came out my nose

and dribbled down to my toes. 

As peach goo poured out my ears,

all around me I heard cheers.

Then the last fell from my chin.

Who ever thought I would win?

After that, I don’t know why,
I never ate another pie.

Box House

My mom gave me a cardboard box

As big as Daddy’s backyard shed

It’s now my clubhouse without locks

An old couch cushion is my bed

A board—a table, chairs are blocks

At first, I banned my brother Fred

But it was boring as can be

When just my dollies came to tea

PA Prompt Change famous title

Anna Can Run, Uh Huh
(Anna Karenina)

They lined up at the starting gate,

Determined in their stance.

But just as the gun sounded off

Poor Anna lost her pants. 

She swiftly pulled them up again,

Although her face was red.

Her sneakers gripped the Astroturf

As down the track she sped.

Anna passed those lagging behind

Then zipped up to the front.
So all the hecklers watching there
Just had to bite their tongues.

When Anna crossed the finish line
Folks all agreed as one,
“She may be such a skinny thing,
But Anna sure can run!”

Writing to God

Creative God

 I praise You God of Creation

for being, well, creative.

The sheer variety astounds me,

not to mention the cleverness

in the way You provide

for each living creature.

You are extravagant

and superlative. You go to

the Nth degree.

Infinite

Eternal

Abundant

You never run out of anything.

Lord, by Your Holy Spirit,

help me tap into Your supply

of creativity, mercy and grace

to Your praise, honor and glory.