Squirrel

Have you ever taken the time to watch a squirrel.  Those little guys are seriously pretty funny.  And can be entertaining.  Although, I do know that they are somewhat hazardous to drivers when they attempt to run across the road and then suddenly change their minds midway through the street.  :-P  Been there and done that!  I always liked the story of Squirrel Nutkin by Beatrix Potter too.  It was cute.  Anyway, here is my poem about a squirrel.  Which, I think is pretty accurate of what they are like.  Let me know what you think!  :-)

Squirrel

A squirrel is a creature

With a feature

Where he chitters

And he chatters

Proclaiming to all

What is the matter

With tail shaking

And tree top quaking

This squirrel is making

Sure no one forgets

That he’s upset

More Ogden Nash

Did you enjoy my previous Ogden Nash Post?  I really like his poems.  He's so clever and is definitely one of my favorites.  :-)  I found this other poem by him when i was looking for something to share on Poem In Your Pocket Day.  You guys should look into doing that next year if you didn't this year.  Or just spread poetry to others any day of the year.  Whatever works for you.  Now, back to Ogden Nash. I really liked this poem that I discovered.  It made me laugh and I can certainly relate to it.  Have any of you lived in a dorm or apartment and your neighbors above you were incredibly loud or had other slightly annoying problems?  I've had some loud neighbors, so this poem made me remember that situation but in a more funny way, I guess.  I hope you enjoy it.  I know I did.

The People Upstairs
By Ogden Nash

The people upstairs all practise ballet.
Their living room is a bowling alley.
Their bedroom is full of conducted tours.
Their radio is louder than yours.
They celebrate week-ends all the week.
When they take a shower, your ceilings leak.
They try to get their parties to mix
By supplying their guests with Pogo sticks,
And when their fun at last abates,
They go to the bathroom on roller skates.
I might love the people upstairs more
If only the lived on another floor.

Don't you love Ogden Nash?  :-)  Oh, and by the way, I will certainly be sharing more of his works.  I hope that you liked it!

Barn Owl

My sister has slowly, over the past few years, grown an obsession for owls.  So, this poem is kind of for her and kind of a fun project for myself.  We also have a barn on our property.  Last summer we had a family of about 5 barn owls living in it.  They were rather entertaining during the evenings.  They had a screeching talk that sounded as if they were saying "rat rat rat" over and over again.  Which, if you think about it, would be appropriate considering that could have been them asking for dinner.  Hopefully those owls will be back again this summer.  :-)  I like to picture the owl in this poem as a grumpy old man in a barn owl's body.  He would much rather be left alone.  And if you bothered him, he would for sure let you know about it.  Hahaha Enjoy.

Barn Owl

Barn owl. Barn owl.

A creature who is fowl.

Do not tease or taunt him

Or upon you he will scowl.

He’ll squawk and screech

And he'll hoot and howl.

So please don't mock

The old barn owl.

He'll fluff up his feathers

And he will click his beak.

He'd probably scold you

If he could, of course, speak.

Barn owl.  Barn owl.

He is a strange old bird.

He has the loudest screeching

That I have ever heard.

So my suggestion to you is

To leave this old owl be,

Unless you want to be shrieked at

By a bird banshee.

Here's an image that my sister did of an owlie.  :-)  I think she did a great job.  Check out her blog here: hannahtuohyillustrator.blogspot
She's got some wonderful drawings that she has done.  Go look and see for yourself!  I know you won't regret it and it won't take but a moment of your time.  :-)

The Video Game Killed My Boyfriend

I'm sure that there are many couples where the guy plays video games/computer games.  My boyfriend certainly does.  But, how often is it that you see the girl being the better of the two at gaming?  At least it's not normally thought that way.  :-P  I thought that this would be a fun poem and originally I actually had started it to make fun of my own boyfriend and his game playing.  The only thing is that I certainly am NOT is being good at gaming.  That's the only difference.  Plus the games my boyfriend would be playing are Star Wars and Star Trek.  Also, he's corrected me on the fact that the games I listed in the poem actually don't have "high scores" either.  I'm dating a nerd.  But, I'm alright with that.  :-P  Anyway, here is my poem.  I hope you like it.

The Video Game Killed My Boyfriend

I’d like to tell you of my boyfriend who is really a nerd.

He plays all day on his computer.  It’s rather quite absurd.

How can games be so addicting? Tell me, someone, please.

I don’t think he knows the difference of fiction or fantasy.

Halo, Skyrim, Grand Theft Auto, Donkey Kong, Gears of War,

Call of Duty, Assassin’s Creed, Minecraft, and many more.

He’s at his computer all day long as though he is glued.

He’s stuck inside his bedroom unless it’s time for food.

But I do not nag, tease, or complain.  No, not anymore.

Why you ask? Because I feel bad.  He’s trying to beat my high score. 

For now, it is fall.

It was 78 degrees yesterday.  If it weren't for the wind it would have been a little too warm.  Today it is in the low 40s, cold, windy, and wet.  I guess that I shouldn't question nature considering I live in Oklahoma.  I do love winter and the fall, but it's the middle of April.  The warmer spring weather needs to get started.  I thought that since there are winter/fall like conditions today, it would be fine to post this poem.  It is one I wrote last semester during that poetry course.  It's another one without rhyme.  I think that I will have to try some more poems without rhyme.  I feel as though a lot of my newer ones I've been coming up with have mostly been that so I'll try working out of my comfort zone a little more.

For now, it is fall.

Leaves are changing colors, before falling from the trees.

There is a cornucopia of reds, oranges, and yellows.

Nature is modifying its foliage to greet the new season.

The wind blows with a cool, brisk speed.

It is as though it is in a hurry to get here.

Telling us, that summer is over,

And a new phase is beginning.

Nights are longer.

Days are shorter.

Temperatures are declining.

The air is filled with the smells of autumn. 

Soon winter will be on the doorstep,

But for now we will have to be content with nature's current appearance.

For now, it is fall. 

This is going to last.

I have some wonderful friends. Seriously. I am so blessed to have each and every one of them play a part in my life and I wouldn't ever want to change that. I know that some have come and gone over my lifetime, but I believe that the friendships that I've made over the last few years are the ones who will always be there for me if ever I need them. Thank you guys for everything. The memories we share will always be there for me to look back and smile on. This is for you:

This is going to last.

I know that we've shared many things.
Laughter, smiles, and tears.
And I'm certain we will still be friends
After countless years.

I know this poem is short, but I have some other poems that I have been working on that I will share soon!  :-)  Also, I have some more old ones that I've written and some other poems by well known authors that I enjoy to show as well.  Yay for poetry!

I come bearing gifts, human.

We have a stray cat that we adopted this last fall.  We named her Tuna because it was the only thing that we had to feed her at the time.  I like it.  It's a different name and I think it's a cute name for a cat.  Tuna is a very funny kitty.  She's super affectionate and loves to play.  I think a poem about her was bound to happen sooner or later.  She's gotten in to a bad habit of bringing us "gifts" though.  Mice are one thing, because they can get under the house and can be pests, but lately she's been catching birds.  Which aren't necessarily fun to clean up.  Feathers EVERYWHERE.  Anyway, here is a poem that I wrote about my pet cat, Tuna.  :-)

I come bearing gifts, human.

My cat named Tuna

Has a very bad proclivity.

With all other cats

She shares this activity.

She leaves me gifts

Of things that are dead.

                                            Why can’t she play

With her toy mice instead?

Feathers and heads,

Beaks, wings, and tails.

Fur, fuzz, and fluff

And mouse’s entrails.

What is it within

Her little cat mind

That makes her believe

Dead things are just fine

As a gift to present

To the hand that feeds her?

                                    What a strange thing, indeed

My kitty cat creature.

She takes pride

In her offering and present.

She finds it most superb

And rather quite pleasant.

What else can I do?

But just say, “Thank you, kitty.

The dead gift is sweet.

It’s really quite pretty.”

Poem in Your Pocket

So, tomorrow is Poem in Your Pocket Day.  Here's a link with some more in depth information and ideas and what not - www.poets.org.  

Now here's what the basic idea of it is if you're too lazy to click on the link:  The idea is simple.  Simply carry around a poem written on a piece of paper in your pocket and share it with people throughout the day.  You don't necessarily have to have a hard copy, just as long as you are sharing poetry and its greatness with others.  The link I posted gave several ideas too.  Some of them were to add a short poem to your footer in your email, put one on your social networking profile or blog (I guess I should be excluded from this one :-P), or simply text a poem to one of your friends.  The link also gives you poem ideas, which are shorter poems, if you can't think of anything to put in your pocket.  

Anyway, the main goal is to share poetry with others.  Maybe you can discover some fun/creative way of how to share poetry on your own.  I've already got an idea for what I will do tomorrow.  The only thing I need is some poetry.  I hope, if anyone is reading this, that you take part in it.  It could be fun, and I'm sure you most likely won't know of anyone else who is doing it, it's still an interesting concept of spreading poetry.  Now post poetry in honor of National Poem in Your Pocket Day, people!  :-)

Pirate and Polly

Time for a new poem!  This one was inspired by a picture that my sister had done.  She posted it on her blog, hannahtuohyillustrator.blogspot.com, and I thought it was humorous.  Obviously the parrot is winning the game of checkers.  And, for some reason, I had to write a poem about it.  I thought that it would be an interesting idea.  :-)  So enjoy my new poem, Pirate and Polly!

Pirate and Polly

There once was a pirate

With his pet parrot named Polly.

The two are together

Are both quite jolly.

The pirate and parrot.

What a wonderful pair!

With Polly's blue feathers

And the pirate's chest hairs.

The pirate and parrot.

How marvelous!  How grand!

The swashiest swashbucklers 

In all the land.

The duo was wonderful

At boat and ship attacking,

But there was something

This friendship was lacking.

The pirate and parrot

Were constantly in battle.

In a game of checkers

with a rattling brattle.

In this simple board game

The two would fight

For hours and hours

Deep into the night.

The pieces would move

With clicks and clacks.

Polly was much better

Where the pirate would lack.

Polly moved his piece 

And let out a squawk

Saying "King me!  King me!"

Because he could talk.

The pirate glanced up

And proclaimed, "No!  You cheated!"

But he knew that by Polly

He'd been defeated.

Do not worry

About these two.

By tomorrow morning

They'll start anew.

It'll be as though 

The game never occurred

Between the pirate 

And his parroty bird.

New idea...

I saw this on Pinterest.  I think that I will have to give it a try sometime.  It's a matter of finding a page of a book or something that I don't mind destroying to make new in my own way.  This picture isn't mine, but it's the example that I saw on Pinterest.  I really like the idea of taking a page of a book and making a poem out of it.  From something old, you create something new.  Definitely interesting, that's for sure.  I will try it out though and then post on here to share how it goes.  Maybe try it out for yourselves!  Be creative!

Snake Bird

When I was in Florida, there was a bird by the pond at my boyfriend's house.  It was apparently called the snake bird.  At least, that is a nickname that this species is given.  Here's the link to Wikipedia about it - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anhinga.  The bird gets its nickname because of the way it swims in the water.  It swims with only it's neck showing which makes it appear as though it is a snake ready to strike.  While we were on Spring Break though, the bird had a strange habit of swimming and then simply drying itself off in the sun.  It would do this over and over and over.  It was definitely a strange looking animal when it would dry itself.  He sat with an awkward posture and of course, when he was swimming he looked just as odd.  It was very true to the "snakelike" appearance he was said to have.  Anyway, all day, for some reason, I've been thinking about this odd bird and I made up a poem about him while sitting at my desk at work.  Fortunately, I wrote it down once work was done so that I wouldn't forget it and I would be able to share it here with all of you.  

Snake Bird

I think that it's a tad absurd
That there's a creature called the snake bird.
He acts like a snake, yet he's really not.
Why, it's a strange thing to think.  Is it not?
He swims and swims and then dries his feathers
In any and every type of weathers.
In rain, sunshine, or in both togethers.
It doesn't matter if it's wet or dry
He'll keep standing there.  Do not ask him why.
As long as he can spread his wings' feathers
And once again dive to the pond's nethers.
But here is one thing of which I'm assured
I'll for sure steer clear of the weird snake bird.

 

I do think that this could use some work, but it was just something random that I had in my head.  I didn't have much time to fiddle with meter and what not, but I was more concerned with making sure that I didn't forget to share it.  I hope you enjoyed the poem!  Hooray for new poetry!

JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE!

I am OBSESSED with Justin Timberlake's newest album.  Seriously.  My boyfriend went out and bought me a copy and I probably listened to the thing at least three or four times this last weekend alone.  Thanks again, babe!  :-)  A few of my favorite songs on it are "Pusher Lover Girl", "Mirrors", "Tunnel Vision", and "Dress On".  But I basically LOVE the whole album.  Who wouldn't?  Song lyrics are like a poem, right?  So, for this post I'm going to share the lyrics for "Mirrors"  Enjoy the epicness that is Justin Timberlake and watch the music video for this song here - Mirrors Music Video.  Gotta love him.  <3

"Mirrors"

Aren't you somethin' to admire?
Cause your shine is somethin' like a mirror
And I can't help but notice
You reflect in this heart of mine
If you ever feel alone and
The glare makes me hard to find
Just know that I'm always
Parallel on the other side

Cause with your hand in my hand and a pocket full of soul
I can tell you there's no place we couldn't go
Just put your hand on the glass
I'm here tryin' to pull you through
You just gotta be strong

I don't wanna lose you now
I'm lookin' right at the other half of me
The vacancy that sat in my heart
Is a space that now you hold
Show me how to fight for now
And I'll tell you, baby, it was easy
Comin' back here to you once I figured it out
You were right here all along

It's like you're my mirror
My mirror staring back at me
I couldn't get any bigger
With anyone else beside of me
And now it's clear as this promise
That we're making
Two reflections into one
Cause it's like you're my mirror
My mirror staring back at me, staring back at me

Aren't you somethin', an original
Cause it doesn't seem merely assembled
And I can't help but stare, cause
I see truth somewhere in your eyes
I can't ever change without you
You reflect me, I love that about you
And if I could, I
Would look at us all the time

Cause with your hand in my hand and a pocket full of soul
I can tell you there's no place we couldn't go
Just put your hand on the glass
I'm here tryin' to pull you through
You just gotta be strong

I don't wanna lose you now
I'm lookin' right at the other half of me
The vacancy that sat in my heart
Is a space that now you hold
Show me how to fight for now
And I'll tell you, baby, it was easy
Comin' back here to you once I figured it out
You were right here all along

It's like you're my mirror
My mirror staring back at me
I couldn't get any bigger
With anyone else beside of me
And now it's clear as this promise
That we're making
Two reflections into one
Cause it's like you're my mirror
My mirror staring back at me, staring back at me

Yesterday is history
Tomorrow's a mystery
I can see you lookin' back at me
Keep your eyes on me
Baby, keep your eyes on me

I don't wanna lose you now
I'm lookin' right at the other half of me
The vacancy that sat in my heart
Is a space that now you hold
Show me how to fight for now
And I'll tell you, baby, it was easy
Comin' back here to you once I figured it out
You were right here all along

It's like you're my mirror
My mirror staring back at me
I couldn't get any bigger
With anyone else beside of me
And now it's clear as this promise
That we're making
Two reflections into one
Cause it's like you're my mirror
My mirror staring back at me, staring back at me

You are, you are the love of my life [x10]

Now you're the inspiration for this precious song
And I just wanna see your face light up since you put me on
So now I say goodbye to the old me, it's already gone
And I can't wait wait wait wait wait to get you home
Just to let you know, you are

You are, you are the love of my life [x8]

Girl you're my reflection, all I see is you
My reflection, in everything I do
You're my reflection and all I see is you
My reflection, in everything I do

You are, you are the love of my life [x16]