I Am Otter -- loving reviewing for SLJ!

Sometimes being a book reviewer is simply marvelous. Thank you, Otter!

Snowing for Days

It’s elegant the way snow settles

On the branches: as if the dawn sequoia nestles

A woman in a white kimono. Below the city bustles

But here I can recall a Chinese cherry, its petals

Once covered the ground before a wooden chapel,

Still as the bird house topped with a snow white steeple;

The snowbird, junco, nuthatch, kindly fed by people,

Disappear at day’s end, to wonder where they go unsettles,

But we too retreat and sleep and in the morning warm the kettle.

REVISION (okay, this one really isn't written for children.)
 (my note from last year reads that this one still needs lots of work, but I think this revision stands.)

It’s elegant the way snow settles

On the branches: as if the dawn sequoia

Nestles a woman in a white kimono.

the city bustles despite the cold.

Once a Chinese cherry’s petals

covered the ground before a wooden chapel,

The bird house is empty with a snow white steeple;

The snowbird, junco, nuthatch, kindly fed by people,

Disappear at day’s end, to wonder where just unsettles,

We sleep and in the morning light the kettle.

2/17/2014

 

Mouse Within a Wood Pile

Wikimedia photo by Forest Wander

Verses Inspired by an old Appalachian song, "Mole in the Ground," sung by Bascom Lamar Lunsford for Smithsonian Folkways.




I wish I were a parrot beside a lazy fountain

for if I were a parrot beside a lazy fountain,

I'd sing to you from down low and head right up the mountain.

I wish I were a firefly darting in the open field,

for if I were a firefly darting in the open field,

I'd speak my love for you, my lips no longer sealed.

I wish I were a lonesome frog beside a verdant pond,

for if I were a lonesome frog beside a verdant pond,

I'd dream of you and a changling make of a magic wand.

I wish I were a wee mouse within a snug wood pile

for if I were a wee mouse within a snug wood pile,

I'd hum a little winter's tune for you to pass the while.

I wish I were a warm cat purring in a sunny window,

for if I were a warm cat purring in a sunny window,

I'd peer out below at your perfect angel in the snow.

I wish I were a long-tailed lizard in a sunlit spot

for if I were a long-tailed lizard in a sunlit spot,

I'd curl my tail up giddy with you and make a happy knot.

I wish I were a winter's bear asleep in my dark den,

for if I were a winter's bear asleep in my dark den,

I'd dream of how you'd wait for me to visit half past ten.

I wish I were a raccoon a-sitting in my hollow,

for if I were a raccoon a-sitting in my hollow,

I'd scatter all manner of nuts and seeds for you to follow.

I wish I were a pelican flying by the wide blue sea,

for if I were a pelican flying by the wide blue sea,

I'd swoop down your muck boots and drop within my key.