POEMS
Jen's working hard on an illustrated book of children's poetry she's calling Please Don't Pet The Cactus. All her poems are inspired (and sometimes flat-out suggested!) by her kids, and other kids she knows, too. Maybe you'll recognize yourself in one of these poems!
WIPEOUT!
Mama said to wipe my chin
now there's nothin' 'neath my grin!
Mama said to wipe my mouth
I wiped so much, I wiped it out!
Mama said to wipe my nose
I wiped it good, now there it goes!
What happened next? Surprise, surprise:
my next wipe wiped away my eyes!
I wiped my hand across my brow
and I might have a problem, now
'cause when I went to wipe my face
there was nothing in its place
and now my hair hangs out
in space!
Jen's note: Wipeout! was featured on the KIDS CAST Weekly Podcast, Season 1, Episode 7, August 6, 2020. Thanks for having me and Wipeout! on your awesome podcast, Katie! I highly recommend this fun and informative podcast just for kids! Wipeout! was 100% inspired by my daughter Pippa, who once tried to wipe her nose all the way off ...
Cookie No
Can I have some cookie dough?
– That would be a cookie “No.”
Just one teeny tiny pinch?
– I’m not giving in one inch.
How ‘bout a chocolate chip… or two?
– They’re for the cookies, not for you.
C’mon, Mom, please? Just one taste?
– Sounds to me like a dough-waste.
Will you let me lick the spoon?
– That will not be happ’ning soon.
Can I “clean” the bowl at least?
– I’m not leaving you a feast!
MOM! Did you just sneak a bite?
– (*gulp*) –
– Just checking if it tastes alright!
Cotton Candy: A Puff Piece
Cotton Candy (A Puff Piece)
It’s pink or blue or yellow,
like finally, a rainbow you can touch!
Tastes of sweet, sweet nothing-ness,
berry jewel-drops and bright sugar rush;
It’s a personal, edible tornado,
a twisty-twirled tangle of cloud
relentlessly pulling the sweet-toothed in!
(Happily, we munch our way out).
It’s a toss-up of air and fun-at-the-fair
in a package that begs to be licked,
improbable puff of kaleidoscope stuff,
wafted softly, loftily, ‘round a stick.
Can it have magical powers?
One glimpse transforms kids -- here’s how:
they start pleading, “Please, please, PLEASE,”
and promising, “I’ll be good, now!”
It’s a not-so-secret cache of carried treasure.
Proof positive that alchemy exists:
threads shimmering in tapestry together,
simple crystal spun to silken bliss.
It’s innocence, unsullied life-pleasure,
sweet shorthand for joy and good fun;
last pinch meets fingers, stickily lingers,
a final, meltaway dazzle – and done.
Jen’s note: This is the first poem I ever published! Cotton Candy: A Puff Piece was rejected at first, but the editor kindly offer to work with me to improve it. Under her guidance I began to learn how to wrestle my poem-ideas into better-scanning poetry-formats. I’ll always be grateful to Seretta Martin for seeing the potential in my work, and for generously offering to help a poet she didn’t know (yet).
You Are A Genius At Just Being You
Shayna’s a leader, Philippa plays fair
Gavin writes stories, you feel like you’re there
Ranbir’s a cuddler, Zaney is fun
Aria, peacemaker, loves everyone;
Dylan can kayak, Levi’s polite
Sage is up reading like half of the night;
Owen is growin’, Clark’s learned to crawl,
soon he’ll keep up with the rest of you all!
Delilah does ballet, Ben’s truly kind,
he’s making sure Clark doesn’t fall too behind;
Maya bakes cupcakes, Mila can sing,
Jake is a surfer, Brooke remembers... everything!
Hayden’s a joker, Heath’s great at math,
Sarina’s a poet, like Angelou or Plath;
Jane is a princess, ‘least that’s how she plays
Zack is breakdancing while Mia crochets!
Will’s super-witty, Adam’s a ham,
Got a trivia question? The answer’s in Sam!
Connor’s a daredevil, Judah’s just cute
Johnny likes space and he’d love a spacesuit;
Astrid does accents, like British or French
Benji plays guitar; plus, he’s a mensch;
Lukas likes sushi, Emily’s funny –
like this one time, she dressed her cat up like a bunny!
Maggie’s determined; Trey is trés cool;
Leah’s learned words like "colossal" and "joule";
Oliver’s thoughtful, Jayce follows his heart
Olivia listens; Aliya’s all art.
No one can do everything,
but everyone can do something:
from the moment you’re born,
you’re an expert at one thing
and I’ve met enough kids now
to know this is true:
you are a genius at
just being you.
Goodnight Moonlight
Good night, bookshelf
good night, books
night-night, knick-knacks
in their nooks
Good night, moonlight
good night, stars
good night, neighbors
near and far
Good night, window
good night, desk
good night, clean and
good night, mess
Good night, nightlight
rest up, walls
good night, pictures
of loved ones-and-all
Good night, toys
‘til tomorrow, lots of fun
good night, stuffed animals
good night, everyone
Good night to you, love
from your head
to your toes
good night to everything
as eyes start to close.
Good night, darkness
good night, space
good night, quiet
all over the place.
Good night, moonlight.
Good night, stars above.
I’ll see you in the morning.
Good night, my love.
Good night, pillow
sleep tight, bed
good night, blanket
tucked ‘round you,
sleepyhead.