Monday, January 3, 2011

Gifts

Gifts
By Auntie B 12/9/09

Look at the sunrise
And you will see
A gift wrapped up
For you and me
In wrapping paper
Of pink and gold
With the sun as a bow,
So bright and bold.
The beautiful gift
Of a brand new day
For you to learn
And laugh and play.

Then when the long
Long day is done,
There’s another
Gift for everyone.

Nighttime is a gift--
It’s true!
Wrapped in sunset
Of orange and blue.
And the thing about this gift
That’s best?
You get to dream sweet dreams
And rest.

Treasure Trees

Treasure Trees
By Auntie B 12/11/09

A house, a desk, a baseball bat
Once lived in trees.
Now think of that!
The pencil that you use to write
Held sleeping birds
In nests at night.
The table where you eat each day
Was home to happy squirrels at play.
Even the chair you're sitting on
Has served as shelter
For a fawn.

Yet there are many other reasons
Trees are treasures
For all seasons.

Apple, cherry, plum, or pear--
Fruits are another
Gift they share.

Their roots drink water,
Preventing flood.
Without them,
We'd be stuck in mud.

There's even more!
Would you believe
They give us pure, fresh air
To breathe?
To be a little more specific,
Trees make oxygen--
Terrific!

And it just would not be right
To forget the sheer delight
Of simply looking at a tree.
But when you look,
Make sure you see
The wonder that a tree can be!

P.S. Remember this
(You should):
A Tree is so much more
Than wood.

A Grain of Sand

Perspective 
By Auntie B 11/11/10

A grain of sand upon the beach
Is like nothing at all
Who notices one in a billion things
So very, very small?

But a grain of sand can be quite huge
And even make you cry
At any given moment when
It's sitting in your eye

Bears

Bears
By Auntie B 11/2/10

Bears can be extremely scary
And more than just a little hairy
With very sharp claws
At the ends of their paws
And teeth oh so big
They could eat a whole pig
To meet a bear,
I'm just not ready
Unless of course,
His name is Teddy.

Fashion

Fashion
By Auntie B 10/2/10

Some folks wear stripes with polka dots
Or pants too short or long
If someone wears clothes you don't like
It's easy to say they're wrong

When friends wear clashing colors
Or you just can't stand their style
Or they buy clothes at the thrift store
Out of fashion for a while

If you're inclined to criticize
And call that a mistake
Stop looking at what's outside
See their souls for goodness' sake

Fashion really doesn't matter
Even in the least amounts
I swear, my friend,
That in the end
It's what's inside that counts

Liar

Liar
By Auntie B 10/12/10

Most people really don't like school
Unless they are like me
And have so very many friends
Great popularity

Everyone wants to sit near me
They offer to carry my books
No one would ever insult me
Or give me those mean, dirty looks

No, people all treat me so nicely
They tell me that I'm really cool
Is it any wonder I love it
Coming here every day to this school?

They tell me I'm sweet and I'm clever
And I couldn't look bad if I'd try
But the best thing 'bout me is I'd never
Tell even the teeniest lie.

Run

Run
By Auntie B 10/5/10

Run to the city
Run to the town
Run to the country
Run all around
Run to the mountains
Run to the sea
Run from a robber
Run from a bee
Run in a race or
Run in the wood
Run anywhere
That you think you should
It doesn't matter if you run
Nearby or very far
There's never any way to run
Away from who you are

Do Not Argue with the Rain

Do Not Argue with the Rain
By Auntie B 9/20/10

Do not argue with the rain
There's really not a thing to gain
The rain will fall
Despite it all
So if you want to be a clever fella
Don't argue with the rain
Use an umbrella

Success

Success
By Auntie B 9/19/10

A person isn't "A success"
That's not something you are
For we all have wins and losses
No one doesn't bear a scar

Success is something to achieve
A goal for which to strive
It's earned in bits and pieces
Just as long as we're alive

It's not about your money
Or your prestige or power
It's about the way you live your life
Each day and every hour

Are you honest?
Are you loyal
And persistent?
Are you kind?
Are you grateful and hard-working?
Do you make up your own mind?

If life gives you a challenge
And you accept it
With a, "Yes!"
Then you can proudly smile
Knowing you've achieved success

Blabbering Beth

Blabbering Beth
By Auntie B 9/5/10

Blabbering Beth
Could talk you to death
She could talk about most anything
She could talk about milk
Or how they make silk
Or the tones of a telephone's ring
She could talk about candy
Or whatever's handy
She could talk 'til your ears were sore
Yes, her mouth was her ruin
Then one day a bird flew in
Now Beth's not blabbering anymore

Chalk Pictures

Chalk Pictures
By Auntie B 9/14/10

Draw pictures on the sidewalk
In brightly colored chalk
The neighbors will enjoy it
When they're out taking a walk

Don't worry that the rain will come
To wash your work away
Chalk pictures aren't meant to last
Draw more another day

Raining Cats and Dogs

Raining Cats and Dogs
By Auntie B 8/13/10

It's raining cats and dogs
That's better than bats and logs
And it could have been rats and hogs
I much prefer cats and dogs

Screen Time

Screen Time
By Auntie B 8/15/10

Do you spend all your time
In front of a screen?
How much of your world
Have you not really seen?

Are you so very crazy
About your TV shows
That you never even notice
When it storms and when it snows?

Or is it the computer
Or the smartphone that's your thing?
Do you ever smell the flowers
When they're blooming in the spring?

I'll bet you it's those games
That you always love to play
Do they let you learn life's secrets
Or are they in the way?

Amazing things are happening
And I'd hate to think you missed 'em
Just because you were so focused
On a silly gaming system

Stuffed Animals

Stuffed Animals
By Auntie B 8/23/10

How many stuffed animals
Do you have in your room?
They keep you cozy in the dark
And snuggle 'way the gloom

But do you need a kangaroo,
A monkey, and a horse,
Two frogs, four dogs, a penguin,
And six teddy bears, of course?

Do you need seven rabbits?
The elephant? The sheep?
And does that purple hippo
Really, truly help you sleep?

You might want to give some away
For when the day is done
You have so many animals
And there are kids
With none.

Pretty

Pretty
By Auntie B 8/25/10

So and so's a pretty girl
You hear it all the time
It doesn't really mean much
Not achievement nor a crime

If someone is born pretty
Then all that really means
Is that she's very lucky
Fate gave her pretty genes

But pretty cannot ever make
The world a better place
No matter how much people like
To see a pretty face

So if you think you're pretty
Then I say good for you
You've been blessed with being pretty
Now, let's see what you can do

Mobile Phones

Phones
By Auntie B 8/21/10

Tell me, what can your phone do?
Can yours take a picture?
Mine can too!
Does it have lots of games
With fancy frames?
And super cool apps
Like puzzles and maps?
Can it tell you exactly
Where you should go
If you're looking for pizza
And maybe a show?
Can your phone go online?
That really is fine
But mine can do the coolest
Thing of all
It actually lets me make
A telephone call!

Equal

Equal
by Auntie B 8/9/10

2 + 2 equals 4
5 + 5 equals 10
But if you and I are equal,
What does that mean, again?
Equal means the same, I think,
6 + 3 is the same as 9
But people aren't all the same
We're different and that's fine
Then how can folks be equal?
If you circle the whole earth
You won't find any two the same. . .
Except in what we're worth
Ah, that must be the secret
It's our value that's the same
No matter your country or color
No matter your age or your name
No one is worth more than another
No father or sister or brother
And here is one last bit of niceness
The worth of each person
Is priceless

Whales

Whales
By Auntie B 8/8/10

A blue whale can weigh
300,000 pounds
And I have to say
That's as big as it sounds
But imagination fails
When I wonder
Where do they get the scales
For weighing whales?

Radishes

Radishes
By Auntie B 7/31/10

Radishes come in many a shape
Some long like your forearm
Some small as a grape
Many folks like them
(Though some don't a bit)
And they're easy to eat
With no rind, core, or pit
But there's one funny thing
About this healthy snack
At the moment you bite it
It really bites back!

Silly Dream

Silly Dream
By Auntie B 7/9/10

Last night I had a silly dream
The grass was blue
And the sky was green
The shore made waves
While the sea stood still
And the birdies were silent
As butterflies trilled
Kitty cats barked
While dogs meowed
And the men all curtsied
While little girls bowed
Cows all whinnied
As horses mooed
Losing fans cheered
And winning fans booed

And everything actually seemed to me
Exactly as it was supposed to be
And if that makes you wonder why. . . .

I said it was a silly dream
Didn't I?

Apples (A true story)

Apples
By Auntie B 7/16/10

Some boys I used to teach
Played with the apples in their lunch.
Tossed them 'round like baseballs--
They were quite a rowdy bunch.

I asked them why they did that
And they replied, "Well, duh!
We hate them. We won't eat them,
So what else should we do? Huh?"

I said, "Give me your apples,
And I'll take them away.
But you may all change your minds."
They said, "That'll be the day!"

The next day I returned
With their apples in a pan,
But I hid them from the boys
You see, I had a little plan.

When lunchtime came around
I asked, "Now who would like to eat
The apples you got yesterday
As an extra special treat?"

Well, no one raised their hands.
They laughed and joked instead,
"If we didn't want them yesterday,
Why would we now?" They said.

"'Cause you never know how things can change
With a little bit of work.
Let's make a bet," I offered,
As I tried to hide my smirk.

"When you look at your apples,
I'll bet you'll want a taste
But if you do, first you must promise
That from now on, you won't waste.

The boys all laughed and said, "Yeah sure!"
They couldn't stop their jeering
Until I brought out my surprise
And jeering turned to cheering!

I took a knife and cut a slice
And said, "You see, right there?
Those are all your apples!
"For real?" They asked
"I swear."

Right away they realized
That I hadn't told a lie
Yes, you should have seen their faces
As they ate their apple pie!

What You Know

What You Know
By Auntie B 7/24/10

What you know is very little
But it's also quite a lot
It's gotten you to where you are
A truly special spot

And if you feel you're ready
To move on to some place new
What you know will help you get there
But you'll still have more to do

See, you never can stop learning
If you want to move ahead
And your brain's a hungry fellow
Always needing to be fed

But I promise you that you'll succeed
No matter where you go
As long as you're a learner
Who keeps growing what you know

Noah's Ark Revisited

Noah's Ark Revisited
By Auntie B 7/10/10

They say Noah took two creatures
Of every shape and kind
Onto his ark
Yes, so they say
At least those he could find

But he didn't take the fishies
The dolphins or the whales
Turtles, squid or octopi
Nothing with shells or scales

'Cause the flood was one big party
For our water-dwelling friends
No punishment, apologies
Or need to make amends

All those sweet land-critters died
Except each Noah-pair
But all the water-dwellers lived
It hardly seems quite fair

A question you may want to ask
(At least I think you could)
Is what about the fishies?
Were they really all that good?

Fireflies

Fireflies
By Auntie B 7/6/10

Fireflies
Don't bite or sting
Or buzz
Build webs
Or hum
The worst they'll do
Is tickle you
If they land on your thumb
No
Fireflies do not annoy
Instead
They bring delight and joy
Dark summer nights
They gleam and glow
As they perform
Their twinkling show

They rarely take
But gladly give
These fireflies
Know how to live

Sleep

Sleep
By Auntie B 6/29/10

Some people do not like to sleep
Some sleep most of the time
Some folks think sleep is just a waste
While some think it's sublime

Some folks use lots of pillows
And some use none at all
Some people need a snooze alarm
Some rise at rooster's call

Some folks remember all their dreams
And some remember none
Some must sleep in total dark
While some sleep in the sun

Some have nasty nightmares
And wake to their own screams
While other folks are blessed
With only sweet and pleasant dreams

But whatever your sleep story
I promise this is true:
If you get the right amount of sleep
You'll be a better you!

New Moon

New Moon
By Auntie B 6/27/10

I'm not sure why they call it, "New"
I don't see anything
Do you?
The sky is black
'Cept for the stars
And maybe Jupiter or Mars
But there's no moon
That I can see
Not new
Not old
Where could it be?

They say it's there
But there's no trace
Almost as if
It's been erased
But I believe it will return
With one good lesson
We can learn
That when there's nothing
Left in view
That's the time
To start anew

Yum!

Yum!
By Auntie B and The Kiddo 6/7/10

Little Ms. Frog
Sat on a log
Eating her bugs all day.
Along came a spider
And sat down beside her.
So she ate him up right away!

Fat Cat

Fat Cat
By Auntie B 5/18/10

A big fat cat
Ate a giant rat.
What happened next,
Do you suppose?
Well, that's easy,
Goodness knows.
Though it really
Doesn't matter--
The cat got fatter.

Sweet Orange

Sweet Orange
By Auntie B 5/1/10

Creamsicle
Dreamsicle
Sweet
Sticky fruit
Popsicle
Sherbet
And candy
To boot
Even the veggies
Like yams
And like carrots
Still carry
Sweetness
As one of their merits

The orange in sunset
And in sunrise too
Is the sweetest of light
The most beautiful view

So if you find you're feeling
Too bitter or sour
Seek out some orange
It's sweet's finest hour

Yellow

Yellow
By Auntie B 4/30/10

Yellow's such a happy fellow
Sunshine bright
And butter mellow

Green may be jealous
While blue's sometimes sad
Red is romantic
Or boiling mad

Pink is quite girlie
Purple is royal
Brown can be earthy
The color of soil

But yellow is cheerful
Anywhere, any time
To make yellow sad's
An impossible crime

Some say it's a coward
But that's just not right
I think yellow's simply
Too happy to fight

Think!

Think!
By Auntie B 4/7/10

One bright sunny morning,
Young Mikey McKay
Was told by his teacher,
"This is quite hard to say,

But Mikey, I don't think
You're thinking enough.
You're answering questions
That aren't too tough,

And you're getting them wrong,
Which is really a shame.
But I do not think
That your brain is to blame.

No, your thinker is fine,
As I'm sure you'll agree.
You simply don't use it enough.
Don't you see?

You just have to focus.
Read every direction.
And please, Mikey, please,
Please just pay attention."

Mikey took her advice.
Or at least he tried to.
He went home that day,
And he thought some things through.

He thought and he thought
'Til his thinker was sore,
And he thought he could not
Think at all anymore.

Said young Mikey McKay,
"I'm done thinking today.
I'd really much rather
Go outside and play."

Then he turned off his thinker!
He shut it right down,
And he went out to play
At the park in his town.

But poor Mike never got there.
Never got through the door.
He tripped and he slipped.
Then his head hit the floor.

For your thinker's a thing
To be on all the time.
If you turn off your brain,
Well, that's really a crime.

You need it to know what is
Left and what's right,
To avoid all the bumps
In the dark or the light.

So young Mikey McKay
Learned a lesson that day.
Attention is something
You always must pay.

You need not think hard
Every second, each day.
But to be on your guard,
You must think all the way.

If you learn Mikey's lesson,
Your life will not stink
No, your life will be great--
Just remember
To think!

The Bark Park

The Bark Park
By Auntie B 4/18/10

Spaniels
And Huskies
With eyes of blue
Terriers
Pinschers
Shepherds too
Basengis
And Bassets
Chihuahuas
And Mastiffs
Poodles and
Oodles of
Mongrels--
It's true!

They're all at
The Dog Park
On a bright
Sunny Sunday
To run, sniff
And bark
And just have
A fun day

Akitas
As sweet as
Can be
Need to play
And even
The bull dogs
They must have their day
Each lab and each setter
Can find nothing better
Than to play and to run
In the fresh air and sun

Yes, they play
With their friends
And make lots of noise
It should be the same
For girls and for boys

Fresh air and warm sun
Can make you feel fine
They're for everyone
Not just the canine!

Manners

Manners
By Auntie B 4/5/10

Please and thank you
Pardon me
One more big one
I'm sorry

Try hard not to burp
At the table
Cover your yawn
If you're able

Sneeze in your elbow
Not in the air
Show other people
That you care

Manners may not be
Much fun
But they can help
To get things done

For folks will want to
Treat you right
When they see
That you're polite

The Cat and the Bat

The Cat and the Bat
By Auntie B 4/24/10

A cat and a bat
Had a fight.
Said the cat,
I don't think that it's right
That you're able to fly,
But never am I.
It seems you just fly
Out of spite.

Said the bat,
I don't fly
Out of spite
You have nothing to do
With my flight.
I fly 'cause I must
If I didn't,
I'd bust
I just have to fly
Every night

Answered cat,
It is still
Quite unfair
That you're able
To fly through the air
While I'm stuck
On the ground
No wings to be found
If only I could
Have a pair

Said the bat,
I can fly.
Yes, it's true.
But still,
I would rather be you.
You have people to pet you,
To feed you, and let you
Sleep in their bed,
As you mew.

Cat replied,
Are you out
Of your mind?
Yes it's fine
To have servants
I find.
But to soar through the trees
On a warm summer breeze?
Now that is a life
Unconfined!

Said the bat
Maybe we
Should agree
What we are is
What we must be
Let's be glad
For our gifts
And not create rifts
For friends do not need
Jealousy

Seasons

Seasons
By Auntie B 4/9/10

Every season has its gifts
Winter, summer
Spring and fall
But of the four
I do adore
The spring the best of all

Winter's cold
Though snow is nice
I am not such a fan
Of ice
Plus winter's almost colorless
And color is a thing I miss

Summertime is full of heat
And warm humidity
But when it comes to color
Mostly forest green I see

Now autumn, also known as fall
Has color by the ton
But sadly it can be a time
We rarely see the sun.
With wind and rain
The leaves all drop
And they do not ever stop
Until they've fallen
Every one
And then the color
Is all done

But spring, ah spring!
So full of surprise
Each moment's a treat
To delight the eyes
First it's cool
Then it's warm
But it's never too hot
Spring's temperatures
Hit a perfect spot
And the color!
Spring takes you
From winter's grays
To the sweetest pastels
To brighten your days
Pinks, reds, and yellows
The lavenders blue
Any color you like,
Spring has it for you!
Especially the green
It's like nothing you've seen
The splendor of tender
Leaves--precious spring green!

If you ask about seasons
I'll say they're all fine
But now you will know
The true favorite of mine!

Dinner

Dinner
By Auntie B 4/1/10

My dinner's a plate
Of bloody worms
Which I will eat
On my own terms

So if you want me
To finish already
Don't tell me that
It's just spaghetti

Forgetful Fern

Forgetful Fern
By Auntie B 4/23/10

Forgetful Fern
Got out of bed
And forgot to brush her teeth
So all day long
Each time she spoke
She smelled beyond belief

Forgetful Fern
Went to school
But she forgot her books
So through the day
Her teachers all
Were giving her mean looks

Forgetful Fern
Walked home from school
But she forgot her jacket
'Twas such a cold and windy day
Poor Fern could hardly hack it.

Then back at home
Forgetful Fern
Forgot to eat her dinner
She did this rather often
So she kept on getting thinner

Forgetful Fern
Forgot to learn
A lesson 'bout forgetting
And so poor dear Forgetful Fern
Spent her whole life regretting
All the things that she forgot
Which really were an awful lot

Well, Fern's over a hundred now
(And this part is a lie)
Some folks say
Forgetful Fern
She just forgot to die

Ice Cream Dream

Ice Cream Dream
By Auntie B 4/12/10

Last night I had
The most frightening dream
I was trapped in a giant room
Full of ice cream

A room ten yards high
And nearly as wide
With different flavors
On every side

Fudge swirl to my left
Chocolate mint to my right
With vanilla and strawberry
Above in my sight

At first I was frightened
And terribly cold
But it wasn't so bad
If the truth be told

Trapped in that ice cream
'Twas scary, no doubt
Til the moment I found
I could eat my way out!

Good Enough

Good Enough
By Auntie B 3/14/10

Sometimes it can be quite tough
When someone says,
"That's not good enough"
Especially if you've done your best
And you're tired
And want to rest
But the thing you must remember
From January through December
Is that you're the one
Who should decide
What's good enough
To suit your pride
No other opinion matters
So tear "Not-good-enoughs" in tatters
Unless they come from your own soul
Then let them help you
Reach your goal
For you're the only person who
Knows just what's good enough
For you

Did Anyone Ever Tell You?

Did Anyone Ever Tell You?
By Auntie B 3/13/10

Did anyone ever tell you
That you matter?
Did anyone ever tell you
That you're smart?
Did anyone ever tell you
That you really can succeed
If you do your best
And you believe
With all your heart?

Did anyone ever tell you
You're a wonder?
Did anyone ever tell you
That you're good?
Did anyone ever tell you
That you truly are a gift?
Because if no one's ever told you
Someone should.

Did anyone ever tell you
You have choices
And that what you make of life
Is up to you?
Did anyone ever tell you
That each moment of each day
Is a chance
To recreate yourself anew?

Did anyone ever tell you
That you're loved
And that hatred
Is nothing but a sham?

If no one's ever told you
Any of these things before
You can't say that anymore
Because I am.

Underpants

Underpants
By Auntie B 3/16/10

If you decide
To do a dance
While wearing only
Underpants

Please listen to
This word of caution
Make sure that no one else
Is watchin'!

Purple Turtle

Purple Turtle
By Auntie B 3/9/10

A purple turtle
In a tree
How could such
A strange thing be?
Strange to me
And strange to you
And stranger still
To the turtle who
Never thought that
He would be there
Wondering if
Someone would care
Enough to kindly
Help him down
(For turtles should be
On the ground)
And maybe wash
The paint away
(A turtle shouldn't
Purple stay)

So someday if you
Happen to see
A purple turtle
In a tree
I hope you'll know
Just what to do
'Cause purple turtles
Need friends too!

The Dark

The Dark
By Auntie B 3/24/10

OK, I admit it
I'm afraid of the dark.
I'm scared of my bad dreams too.
What's that?
It looks like a great white shark!
Oh, it's just my toybox. Whew!
And there's a creature
By the closet door!
In the light
It's my jacket on the floor.

And then when I do
Fall asleep,
The monsters into dreams
All creep.
Although I know
When I'm awake
They aren't real,
They make me quake
When I'm alone
In the dark at night.
They give me such
An awful fright.

But morning comes
The sun will shine
And in the light
I feel just fine.
So I'll just keep
My nightlight on
To keep the dark away
Till dawn.

Cheese

Cheese
By Auntie B 3/8/10

Yummy chewy
Tasty gooey
I'll have some
Melted cheese
If you please

Real cheddar melted
On macaroni
Will always beat
That powdered phony
Or slap a slice
Upon some toast
That's the way
I like it most

I know some bubbly
Mozzarella
Makes you quite
A happy fella
Especially if it's
On pizza
Everybody's
Favorite treat-za!

Photographers
From Nome to Dover
Know how to turn
A frown right over
It really is a breeze
You don't have to say it
Just think of cheese

One Hundred

One Hundred
By Auntie B 3/11/10

There's an amazing number
That comes after ninety-nine
You'll find it if you're looking
Far on down the number line

It's a one with two big zeros
That's "One hundred," as we say
When you count one hundred anythings
It's quite a special day

"Of one hundred's" what we mean
When we say the word, "Percent"
In case you didn't know
Just exactly what that meant

And that's the reason why
One dollar is one hundred cents
While overseas in England
One pound's one hundred pence

One hundred is ten tens
And it's also twenty fives
If you live to be one hundred
Then you'll probably be wise

In good old Roman numerals
One hundred is a "C"
I think that means
One hundred's "Cool"
Now, wouldn't you agree?

Purple

Purple
By Auntie B 3/3/10

Purple's made of blue and red
And right this minute
In my head
I can think of rhymes
For red or blue
So many rhymes
It's true--can't you?
But purple,
Well, that's very tough
For a rhymer
Purple's rough
I'll have to make one up
I guess
Which is a challenge
I confess
But I'll just say
I think it's turple
That nothing wants
To rhyme with purple!

Realization

Realization
By Auntie B 2/4/10

Once there was a little cat
Who wished to be a star at bat
Until he learned
Once and for all
Kittens cannot play baseball

A la Carte

A la Carte
By Auntie B 2/11/10

At first I decided
To have a few chips
But then that required
A number of dips
And quickly I added
Just a few crackers
Because, as you know,
I'm just one of those snackers
Then shortly I munched
A few handfuls of nuts
Since they're full of protein
No ifs ands or buts
Next thing I crunched
Was a big bunch of carrots
Because of raw veggies
We all know the merits
But that got me craving
Something yummy and sweet
So I baked up some cookies
And had a nice treat
But could I stop at one
Once it went down the hatch?
Nope, I kept going back
Till I ate the whole batch!
Then for dinner, I made
A burrito, quite loaded. . .
And what happened next?
Can you guess?
I exploded!

Drops

Drops
By Auntie B 2/22/10

The majestic column of ice
That reached from the roof
To the ground
Is nowhere to be found

It seems almost a tragic case
To say that in its shining place
Is a puddle
My thoughts are a muddle

Perhaps it was the perfect crime
It left exactly as it came
One
Drop
At
A
Time

Superlative

Superlative
By Auntie B 2/13/10

I'm not the cool kid
The breaks-every-rule kid
I'm not the bright kid
The she's-always-right kid
I'm not the slow kid
Not the fast kid
Not the first kid
Nor the last kid
Not the cute kid
Not the gross kid
Not humble
Nor a one-to-boast kid
Not the most talented
Nor the most lame
Not best or worst
At any game

No, there's only one thing
That I seem to be
The absolute greatest at--
That's being me!

Somebody

Somebody
By Auntie B 2/24/10

"When you grow up,
What will you be?"

Grown-ups are always
Asking me.

"Do you want to be famous
Like folks on TV?
Or maybe a doctor's
What you'd like to be?

What do you like most in school?
'Cause that could be a clue
To help us figure out
Exactly what you'd like to do."

They ask and ask,
"We want to know
So could you tell us please?"

And I'm nice, so
I do my best
To answer all of these.

But late at night
When I'm in bed,
I whisper to my teddy,
"Sometimes I think that they forget
I'm somebody already!"

Apology

Apology

Apology
By Auntie B 2/13/10

I'm sorry that I didn't do
The thing I said I would
Although when I made the promise
I did believe I could
Hope you're not too disappointed
And that you don't think I lied
For when I realized my mistake
I actually cried
So I hope you can forgive me
It's the kindest thing to do
Because if you can forgive me
Maybe I'll forgive me too

The Meanest Mommy in the World

The Meanest Mommy in the World
By Auntie B 1/30/10

I have the meanest mommy
In the whole entire world
I’m sorry she’s my mommy
And that I’m her little girl

She makes me go to bed at night
When I’m not even tired
She’s just so very mean to me
I wish she could be fired

She makes me eat my real food
When I’d much rather have candy
And I have to do my homework
Even when my toys are handy

She makes me put my things away
And tidy up my room
I’m sure that you can see just why
My life is full of gloom

Sometimes she makes me take a bath
When I feel very clean
And when she makes me do my math
She’s only being mean

She takes away my privileges
If I lie or disrespect her
I really wish there were some way
That I could un-elect her

I know some people say
She does the things a mother should
But even if that’s true
It doesn’t make me feel too good

I know she often reads to me
And cuddles me at night
When it’s dark and I get scared
She lets me have some light

She does cook my favorite foods
She buys me special treats
When she takes me to the movies
She lets me choose the seats

I get to help her in the kitchen
When she decides to bake
And she cleans up without yelling
When a big old mess I make

She helps me with my homework
If I’m having too much trouble
And if I cry because I’m hurt
She’s right there on the double

She plays with me and laughs with me
We do have tons of fun
When I said, “The meanest mommy”. . .
I should have said the nicest one.

It Snot

It Snot
By Auntie B 1/12/10

Grayish, Greenish
Wet and sticky
Always comes
When I feel sicky
You may think
It's very icky
But it's not.

When I sneeze
And need a tissue
You wouldn't like it
If I kissed you
You might think
A cold's the issue
But it's not.

So when my nose
Is very runny
I'm hoping you don't
Think that's funny
Because I have to
Tell you, Honey,
That it's not!

Mad Kid

Mad Kid
By Auntie B 1/27/10

Am I a good kid
Or a bad kid?
Maybe I am just
A mad kid.
If nothing in your life
Went right
Wouldn't you be
Inclined to fight?
And if you tell me
To be cheerful
Please expect
To get an earful
If your whole world
Was going wrong
Would you be happy
Very long?

You think that you'd
Be sad?
Oh my. . .
Well then. . . maybe . . .
So am I

Peel a mad kid's mask
And you might find
A sad kid hiding
Right behind.

Try

Try
By Auntie B 1/28/10

A baby bird leaps
From its nest
For the first time
That's quite a test

It doesn't know
If it can fly
It only knows
It has to try

It doesn't fly
At that first trial
It's more like falling
But with style

Yet still it tries
And will again
And when it flies
(Note: Not, "if";
"When")

Its efforts will
Be well-rewarded
That little bird
Will be afforded
Views
No other creature sees
Soaring high
Above the trees

Yes, soon that chick
Will touch the sky
And all it had to do was
Try.

Best Friend

Best Friend
By Auntie B 1/19/10

If you're looking
For a friend
Who always will be true
A friend who's loving
So sincere
Trusting all you do
A friend who'll give
More than he'll take
And relish everything
You bake
Who'll never judge
Or lie
Or hurt you
Never knowingly
Dessert you
Who'll always listen
Without complaint
Who's basically
A total saint . . . .

And if this friend
Must never be
A conversation hog,
Well then my dear
It's plain to see
You need to get a dog.

Special Ways

Special Ways
By Auntie B 1/26/10

Please don't laugh
At Ms. Giraffe
Because she's very tall.
You wouldn't like it
If she laughed at you
Because you're rather small.
It's true her neck's
Extremely long.
That doesn't mean
That something's wrong.
There's no need to be afraid.
It's just the special way
She's made.

Mr. Penguin's a bird
Who cannot fly.
I tell you this
And it's no lie.
He has feathers
And handsome wings,
But he uses them
For other things.
And I don't think
That he would trade,
Since that's the special way
He's made.

Ms. Elephant's so very fat--
Ten thousand pounds!
Imagine that!
But please don't put her
On a diet.
Don't think of it.
Don't even try it.
She needs her size to stay alive.
It really helps her to survive.
She's not afraid of being weighed.
Big's just the special way
She's made.

Mr. Snail is oh . . . so . . . slow.
Is he moving?
I don't know!
It's hard to tell.
He moves that slowly.
He sure could never be a goalie.
But please don't tease him
Or make fun.
It's all right that he can't run.
He has other gifts, you see,
And nowhere that he needs to be.
For being fast, he won't get paid.
Slow is the special way
He's made.

All creatures in the sun or shade
Have special ways in which they're made.
And this means every person, too.
We're all so different--
Even you!
And no way can be worse or better.
Your specialness is Life's love letter
Telling you that you truly are
A unique, amazing shining star!

Hopping Glad

Hopping Glad
By Auntie B 1/9/10

Bonnie Bunny liked to hop
Frankie Froggy said, "Please stop.
For hopping is my thing, you see.
If you hop too,
What's left for me?"
Then Bonnie said,
"Well, I'm bigger than you,
And hopping's what
I like to do.
So I'll be taking charge
Of hopping,
And you will be the one
Who's stopping."

Well, this made Frankie very sad
And more than just a little mad.
When suddenly from 'round the bend
Came a zookeeper
Who decided to send
The two of them to the local zoo
Where they met Katy Kangaroo!
Beside her they felt very small
And thought they shouldn't hop
At all.
When Katy hopped a giant leap
Bonnie Bunny began to weep
But Katy asked, "What's wrong,
Miss Bunny?"
Then Bonnie said, "That isn't funny!
You know what's wrong
Your hops are great,
And now, I'm only second rate!"
Then Frankie made a little squeal
And said, "Now, Bonnie,
You know how I feel!
Not only that, it seems for sure
Neither of us can hop anymore."
"Nonsense!" Cried Katy Kangaroo,
"I'd never tell you what to do!
You each hop well for who you are
Just be yourselves and you'll go far.
There's room enough for all to hop
And there's no need for you to stop
If hopping is the thing you do,
Then always to yourself be true!
For there's no reason to compare
Yourself to others--that's not fair.
As long as you just do your best
You'll always pass the hopping test."

Now, Frankie had been hopping mad
But Katy made him hopping glad
As finally he understood
That he could hop,
And hop he would.
And Bonnie was no longer blue
Because she saw that it was true
That no one had to be in charge
Of hopping,
Whether small or large.

Puppy Frog

Puppy Frog
By Auntie B 1/7/10

Puppy was a frog
Just living in a bog,
But since his name was Puppy
He thought he was a dog!
So every day
Upon a log,
He'd bark and bark
To all the bog
He'd only bark
He'd never croak
Now isn't that a funny joke
To think that somewhere
In a bog
There's a barking puppy frog?

Two Eggs

Two Eggs
By Auntie B 1/24/10

Two eggs in a nest
One brown
One white
Each one perfect
In the other one’s sight

When White said to Brown
“How ya doin’, Caramel?”
Brown answered White,
“Hey, Vanilla, just swell.”

Two better friends
There could never be
Than these two different-colored
Eggs, you see

Then one fine day
The farmer came by
Took a look at the eggs
And said, "Oh my!
I think these eggs
Will be hatching soon."
And that's just what they did
That very afternoon.

Now the farmer had figured
That one chick would be brown
And the other one white
But that's not what she found.
No, those two different eggs
One brown, one white
Each one perfect
In the other one’s sight
Cracked right open
And the farmer spied
The chicks were exactly
The same
Inside.

Into the Snow

Into the Snow
By Auntie B 1/4/10

Snow
Snow
Falling
Falling
With silent voice
Each flake is calling
Put on your boots
Come out and play
The hills are ripe
For sleds today
Where every snowball
At its core
Is a snowman waiting
To be born
And nowhere else
Can there be found
Winged angels flying
On the ground

Please come build forts
Have snowball fights
And watch the snow
Reflect the lights
The smell of snow
So cold so new
Just take a whiff
It's calling you

So put on your boots
Your hat and gloves
For this is the weather
That each child loves

Falling
Falling
Calling
Calling
Put on your boots
And go
Into the snow

Grumpy

The Grumpy Dumps
By Auntie B. 1/11/10

Do you ever feel
Completely grumpy
Shlumpy
Flumpy
Down-in-the-dumpy?
Don't hit the dog
Or kick the cat
There's no need
For acts like that
There are plenty of other
Things you can do
Or so I've heard,
And think it's true
They say that exercise
Is wise
So go out for a walk
Or phone a friend
With an ear to bend
And have a nice long talk
You could read a book
Or take a look
At something funny on TV
Or build a castle
Then knock it down
As meanly as can be

So when you're in the
Grumpy dumps,
Just find something to do. . .
Oh, me?
I write a poem.
Now, tell me, how about you?