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Putrid Poetry: Day 29: Poetry Heals: A Get Well Poem for Miss Sweetmallow
The kids all looked bored. Then it was my turn. “I’ve been writing interesting poems in Miss Sweetmallow’s class. She said we could write about whatever we wanted, and that made poetry a lot more fun.” Bran and Marty cheered. “But then she challenged me to write a nice poem. I wasn’t planning to do
Play(ne)ground [15 Words or Less Poems]
Hello, and welcome! Poetry Month is almost over, but we celebrate poetry year-round here:>) I’m happy you’re here for 15 Words or Less Poems, a low-pressure way to wake up your poetry brain (guidelines here)! Here’s my final pic taken in March on the way home from South Bend, IN to Minneapolis, MN. Next week,
Putrid Poetry: Day 28: Family Recipe
“This next one,” said Goldie, “is about my family. We had a family reunion last summer, and it was so much fun. So I tried to capture that here, and I wrote it like it was a recipe.” Family Recipe Take a three-legged dash for a dusting of fun Run through the sprinklers then roast
Putrid Poetry: Day 27: Bats on the Move
Goldie writes poems so nice and sweet,like chocolate fudge, or some other treat. Goldie smiled at me as she came on stage. She obviously didn’t know I hate chocolate fudge. She stood right beside me, and she looked at me like, “Move it, Louis.” Then she whispered, “Move it, Louis.” That was my job. Introduce
Putrid Poetry: Day 26: Attacking Bubble Gum
I had tried to think of some way to improve this, but I couldn’t. So, I stepped up to the microphone (the best part of this MC job) and said: You’ve seen the good. You’ve seen the best.Now listen and let your eyelids rest. OK, not my best introduction. Mr. Jones didn’t think so, either.
Putrid Poetry: Day 25: Talent Share Day
It was Ridgeway Talent Share Day. Miss S still hadn’t been back to school, but there she was in the audience. She looked a little greenish, but she smiled when I caught her eye.The lights dimmed.It was time.Marty was first. I had written a little poem to introduce each person. He juggles tomatoes round and
Putrid Poetry: Day 24: Class Is a Gas
Dr. Louis Pasternak Skullstench: Stealth Poet Poetry Assignment #24: Free Verse Class Is a Gas My science teacher squirts perfume. “Every smell is particles. Smell that? You have tiny perfume particles in your nose and mouth.” Sharp perfume stings our tongues. Then Farty Marty rips one and smiles at me. Particles from his intestines
Putrid Poetry: Day 23: Value Foods’ Hot Dog-Eating Contest
Dr. Louis Pasternak Skullstench: Stealth Poet Poetry Assignment #23: The Narrative Poem Value Foods’ Hot Dog-Eating Contest Hot dogs Slog down Land in stomach Pound by pound SlickSlidy Go down easy Now I’m feeling Kind of queasy Going down They’re fine but then– Here they come Back up again Trust me, they’re
Putrid Poetry: Day 22: Rules from Mom and Dad [Poetry Friday]
Dr. Louis Pasternak Skullstench: Stealth Poet Poetry Assignment #22: An Opposites Poem Rules from Mom and Dad Chew with your mouth closed Always say please Sit still in your chair It’s not nice to tease Rules I Wish I Could Give Mom and Dad Don’t kiss me in public Don’t ruffle my hair Don’t beat
Neon Sky [15 Words or Less Poems]
Hello! We’re more than halfway through National Poetry Month, and I hope you’re having a splendid celebration! I’m happy you’re here — this is 15 Words or Less Poems, a low-pressure way to wake up your poetry brain (guidelines here)! Here’s my next pic taken in March on the way home from South Bend, IN
Putrid Poetry: Day 21: Rabbits Recycle!
Dr. Louis Pasternak Skullstench: Stealth Poet Poetry Assignment #21: A Poem Based on Research Rabbits Recycle! They sniff hay They chew it They poop it and then They sniff at their poop and start over again I made you queasy? Excellent! Here’s a rabbit poem for you! They really eat their poop. Don’t you have
Putrid Poetry: Day 20: This Really Happened!
Dr. Louis Pasternak Skullstench: Stealth Poet Poetry Assignment #20: Poem Inspired by a Photograph This Really Happened! A Burmese python told the waiter, “I will try the alligator!” He opened wide to eat headfirst but got so full he felt he’d burst He ached and cramped, began to shout, as gator clawed and SPLATTED
Putrid Poetry: Day 19: One Fine Spine–For Now
Dr. Louis Pasternak Skullstench: Stealth Poet Poetry Assignment #19: The Persona Poem One Fine Spine–For Now I’m the spine of the book, the backbone, the side. I stand like a soldier and act like a guide. But as soon as you buy me, I’ll split, crack, and ache when you warp and deform me and
Putrid Poetry: Day 18: Lamar Didn’t Listen
Dr. Louis Pasternak Skullstench: Stealth Poet Poetry Assignment #18: The Limerick Lamar Didn’t Listen There once was a pig named Lamar Whose mom said, “Don’t mosey too far.” But he wandered away on that sad, tragic day. Now his feet are for sale in a jar. I went
Putrid Poetry: Day 17: Bloody Memory
Dr. Louis Pasternak Skullstench: Stealth Poet Poetry Assignment #17: Concrete Poem Bloody Memory After math a velvet valentine as red as the blood from the famous 2nd-grade pencil sharpener accident waits on my desk like a bomb. My name is written on the front in flowery letters. There is lace all around the
Are You Looking For?
Go to my Poetry page for:
- National Poetry Month projects through the years
- Small Reads Roundups (poems grouped by topic)
- Introductions to several favorite poetry forms