Two and Two

Two and Two:
 one pair says hello,
the other says miew.
Wooden shoes,
and billowing skirts,
a mouse to amuse,
can turn to dessert.
One pair wears a bonnet.
In truth, this is no sonnet.

Thank you, Monday's Child : Illustration by: G. Shepeard

Mrs. Mallard's "I Stand Here Ironing"

Illustrator Elizabeth Webbe (Thank you MONDAY'S CHILD)

As I stand here ironing
I imagine what you'll say
when you return from Boston Gardens
at the end of the day:
Our field trip had treats:
sweet bread with a spread;
the cars made strange honks
that scared Tonkie who fled.
The teacher took wing,
his expression was red,
"Tonkie,  as always, alongside me instead."
Then we waddled onto the cobblestone
where the proud bronze ducklings in their glory shone.
"We aren't daffy ducks," our teacher said,
"but wondrous, just have a look, we are
like those in Mr. McCloskey's book."

Nuestras Tias in the Antilles. Prospero Ano Nuevo/ Happy New Year

A Visit to the Aunts in the Antilles (Ghazal)

(see Monday's Child)

Tia Rosa is very chilly even though she stays in the Antilles.

Tia Ana cooks arroz con habichuelas to amaze in the Antilles.

When the New Year comes the Flames of fire--

 like a dragon's tongue-- lick the bay in a blaze in the Antilles.

Leave your corn, your nuts, and dried apricots;

plantanas y empanadillas are all the craze in the Antilles.

Swim on a moonless night in Mosquito Bay and

 your limbs will alight as bright as days in the Antilles.

Wrap your shawl tight, listen to the coqui sing. 

Papa comes home tonight, but-- o!-- such delays in the Antilles.

Prompt from Monday's Child, a Miriam Dixon illustration

From Monday's Child

The Kiddle Kittens

Wake up Kiddle Mixie, Mama's little pixie;
time to find your dinner, first one up's a winner.

Hey Kiddle Wink, what do you think?
Someone's made a tuna salad but put it down the sink!


Get up Kiddle Snore, do you want to eat some more?
There's mice inside the walls, and one's peeking 'round the door.

composed by Tess

Pelican Bay -- Did I write this poem already? Sure feels like it.

This poem is written as a response to the prompt at Monday's Child.

illustration by Jessie Wilcox Smith , 1863-1935

Pelican Bay

It was always Sunday

when we would romp and play

splashing the water of Pelican Bay

And at the close of the day

we'd sigh a long sigh as if to say

oh! if only we could forever stay

here at Pelican Bay!

Need Inspiration?

I just discovered a site that's really lovely (thank you Marinela!) and I think it will be a great help. Monday's Child at http://childrensverse.blogspot.com/.

Check it out!  Although this work has been mis-attributed to Bernhard Oberdieck, his work is well worth checking out at: http://www.bernhard-oberdieck.com/en/home.php

The Moon and Me

We are happy, the bright- faced moon and me,

Gazing past the fluffy clouds to an ocean blue.

The sailboats rocking themselves dream the open sea.....

If you were told to go to sleep what would you do?

My calico cat purrs at the foot of my bed.

Mother hears me scribbling and calls up the stairs, "Remember what I said!"

She promised we'd ride to the white sandy beach

and pack in our basket juicy plums, cherries, and peaches for each.