[15 words or less] Elmo in Trouble

15WOLs

Elmo Oops

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Photo: Laura Salas

Wake up your poetry brains with 15 Words or Less (guidelines are here)!

Three things this photo makes me think of:

  1. Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
  2. Elmo escaping Sesame Street
  3. A kid in time-out having to watch a fun class party go on without him

And here’s my first draft–which did not come out very poemlike.

Elmo’s Lament

“Elmo–no sharp branches!”
He paid no attention,
until he got his punishment:
after-school descention.

–Laura Purdie Salas, all rights reserved

I’m in Boston at NCTE–and meeting up with some of my online friends today! I will read your poems, but I probably won’t be commenting. I hope you’ll play anyway:>) Have fun? and stick to? 15 WORDS OR LESS!??(Title doesn’t count toward word count:>)?

80 Responses

  1. Woe is me
    can’t get free
    Stuck in a tree
    for all to see

    Maybe!

    - Anne McKenna

    1. I like the catchy rhythm of this — like a jump-rope chant.
      The “Maybe” really sets it off.

  2. Woe is me
    can’t get free
    Stuck in a tree
    for all to see

    Maybe!

    - Anne McKenna

    1. I like the catchy rhythm of this — like a jump-rope chant.
      The “Maybe” really sets it off.

  3. Helium lost
    Squirrley friends found
    Stuck on a branch
    Far from the ground
    HELP!

    Your poem was so cute, Ms. Salas! Cool (and a little sad) picture!

  4. Helium lost
    Squirrley friends found
    Stuck on a branch
    Far from the ground
    HELP!

    Your poem was so cute, Ms. Salas! Cool (and a little sad) picture!

  5. Here’s mine:

    Partier’s long gone.
    Confetti’s turning brown.
    Look to the trees–
    Elmo’s smile is upside down.

    1. Cute Margaret. I suppose that’s Elmo’s version of “hanging from the chandelier, post-party.

  6. Here’s mine:

    Partier’s long gone.
    Confetti’s turning brown.
    Look to the trees–
    Elmo’s smile is upside down.

    1. Cute Margaret. I suppose that’s Elmo’s version of “hanging from the chandelier, post-party.

  7. I love Elmo. Does anyone know how to compose a backward “R” on a keyboard? 😉 I’m sure there’s a way.

    Red Flag Alert

    Toys “R” Us holiday bag
    snagged by a tree
    sends morning warning
    of hungry hawk!

    1. Martha, this poem shows your sense of humor. I like that and I also like your internal rhyme.

  8. I love Elmo. Does anyone know how to compose a backward “R” on a keyboard? 😉 I’m sure there’s a way.

    Red Flag Alert

    Toys “R” Us holiday bag
    snagged by a tree
    sends morning warning
    of hungry hawk!

    1. Martha, this poem shows your sense of humor. I like that and I also like your internal rhyme.

  9. Love the pun, Laura! Hope to see you in Boston!

    fall in the park…
    the reappearance of
    his lost balloon

    Diane Mayr, all rights reserved.

  10. Love the pun, Laura! Hope to see you in Boston!

    fall in the park…
    the reappearance of
    his lost balloon

    Diane Mayr, all rights reserved.

  11. MAROONED BALLOON

    Upside me,
    stuck in tree.
    Tangled, torn,
    empty, worn.
    What to do?
    B‑r-e-a-t-h‑e t‑h-e v‑i-e‑w…

    Andria W. Rosenbaum/ all rights reserved

  12. MAROONED BALLOON

    Upside me,
    stuck in tree.
    Tangled, torn,
    empty, worn.
    What to do?
    B‑r-e-a-t-h‑e t‑h-e v‑i-e‑w…

    Andria W. Rosenbaum/ all rights reserved

  13. Kite flying
    cut short -
    caught in
    clutching branches.

    My first thought was of the time I lost a kite to a tree, and how forlorn it looked hanging up there until a storm brought it down.

  14. Kite flying
    cut short -
    caught in
    clutching branches.

    My first thought was of the time I lost a kite to a tree, and how forlorn it looked hanging up there until a storm brought it down.

  15. All I could think about was the aftermath of those storms.
    Sorry.

    After the Storm

    Remnants of life
    scattered and tossed,
    forever lost except
    a child’s toy dangles
    from tree.

  16. All I could think about was the aftermath of those storms.
    Sorry.

    After the Storm

    Remnants of life
    scattered and tossed,
    forever lost except
    a child’s toy dangles
    from tree.

  17. Wow, fab last line, Laura!

    Will my loud annoying voice
    carry me to safety
    Help! Help!

  18. Wow, fab last line, Laura!

    Will my loud annoying voice
    carry me to safety
    Help! Help!

  19. Police Blotter

    A tragic, plastic demise
    Pierced by the point
    Of a naughty pine
    Tree was apprehended

  20. Police Blotter

    A tragic, plastic demise
    Pierced by the point
    Of a naughty pine
    Tree was apprehended

  21. BIRTHDAY BALLOON BLUES (WISH UN-FILFILLED)

    My balloon was found crumpled
    In Mrs. Smith?s skeletal branches.
    This year?s birthday wish ? punctured.

    © Charles Waters 2013 all rights reserved.

  22. BIRTHDAY BALLOON BLUES (WISH UN-FILFILLED)

    My balloon was found crumpled
    In Mrs. Smith?s skeletal branches.
    This year?s birthday wish ? punctured.

    © Charles Waters 2013 all rights reserved.

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