Friday, April 26, 2013

THINGS TO DO IF YOU ARE A BUS: An Original List Poem



So sorry that I didn’t announce the winner of David Harrison’s book COWBOYS last Sunday. We lost Internet connectivity here Sunday night. Then I left for my daughter’s house where I played fulltime nanny granny for a few days while my daughter and son-in-law went on a three-day vacation. I returned home yesterday afternoon and still had a problem connecting to the Internet. It happens here every now and again. I don't know why.

My husband and I are in the process of selling our house—so my life is a bit hectic at the moment. I spend much of my time when I’m at home emptying bookcases, drawers, and clothes closets—and also throwing away things that I will probably never need or use again. Although I plan to keep most of my children’s books, I have neighbors who have three daughters who LOVE to read so I’ve given them some of my novels /novels in verse for middle and older readers. It’s good to know those books will be read and valued.

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Today, I’m posting another of my “things to do” list poems.

THINGS TO DO IF YOU ARE A BUS

Roll along
on big black feet.
Stop and go
up and down the street.
Open your door.
Let people in.
Take your passengers
for a spin.
When you’re thirsty,
guzzle gas.
At night,
light up
your eyes of glass.

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Book Winner Announcement
I am happy to announce that Bridget R. Wilson is the winner of COWBOYS. Congratulations, Bridget! Email me your address and I’ll send the book to you.




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BOOK GIVEAWAY REMINDER
As in past years, I’ll be giving away a children’s poetry book at Wild Rose Reader every week during the month of April. If you leave a comment at one of my poetry posts during the last week and final days of National Poetry Month (April 21-30), I’ll enter your name into the drawing for a poetry book. If you leave comments at two posts, I'll enter your name twice...and so on. I’ll announce the winner of my last book giveaway on Wednesday, May 1st.

My book giveaway for the fourth week and final days of National Poetry Month will be Puddle Wonderful: Poems to Welcome Spring with poems selected by Bobbi Katz and illustrations by Mary Morgan.

NOTE: Puddle Wonderful is a Random House PICTUREBACK®. It was published in 1992 and is now out of print. It includes many wonderful poems about the spring season—including works by Eve Merriam, Bobbi Katz, Elizabeth Coatsworth, Charlotte Zolotow, J. Patrick Lewis, e.e. cummings, Dennis Lee, Lilian Moore, Langston Hughes, Karla Kuskin, and John Updike. It would be a great book to share with a young child and would make an excellent addition to an elementary classroom collection.

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Laura Purdie Salas has the Poetry Friday Roundup at Writing the World for Kids.



5 comments:

Tabatha said...

Sorry about your Internet connection problems, Elaine. Like your poem -- you are a master of the genre!

Linda B said...

I just shared your 'mountain' poem yesterday with a class of young students. We've been writing different poems together, & it was a perfect 'new' idea for them to hear & see. This one will be another good one to share! I love the 'roll along on big black feet'

Bridget Magee said...

I won't be able to look at my daughter's school bus the same again. Such fun! Thanks for sharing. =)

Mary Lee said...

I love your "Things to do if you are a..." poems!

laurasalas said...

I did Things To Do If You Are... poems with kids recently (and shared your pencil one). I love this rhyming one--especially the ending!