The View [15 words or less poems]

Starting your holiday shopping? If you’re looking for a nonfiction book, click here to see the signed, personalized books? (including a few rhyming ones, alphabet ones, and color-based ones) I sell through Amazon. Great gifts for teachers/classrooms:>) Thanks!

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

15WOLs

National Harbor, MD
National Harbor, MD??? Photo: Laura Purdie Salas

Here’s a picture I took from the 18th floor of the Gaylord Convention Center while I was there for NCTE. I had a great time there (see my post earlier this week), but it was tough being so close to Washington, DC, and having no time to get in to the city. This image makes me think of:

1) kids begging to go to a parking lot carnival
2) the Ferris wheel at the Chicago World’s Fair
3) riding the Wiener Riesenrad huge Ferris wheel (20 or so of us in one tilting car) in Vienna last year

And here’s my?first draft.

 

Splashes of Time

wooden watermill–

old clock–

your slow-spinning hands

steal moments from

river’s endless hours

 

–Laura Purdie Salas, all rights reserved

Now it’s your turn! Have fun and stick to 15 WORDS OR LESS!??(Title doesn’t count toward word count:>)?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

212 Responses

  1. Maybe It’s Nice to

    Stand still,
    Be burdenless,
    Kiss the sky
    Without knowing
    I have to come down

    Wow I love this picture!

    1. During this season of rushing around, I love how your title and first two lines create a moment of stillness and peace.

    2. Oh, my. This is one of your loveliest, Amelia. Lines 2 and 3 give me a breathless feeling.

    3. Your poem is a good example of “Living in the Now.”
      Kiss the sky, enjoy the moment, without thinking of what comes next.

  2. Maybe It’s Nice to

    Stand still,
    Be burdenless,
    Kiss the sky
    Without knowing
    I have to come down

    Wow I love this picture!

    1. During this season of rushing around, I love how your title and first two lines create a moment of stillness and peace.

    2. Oh, my. This is one of your loveliest, Amelia. Lines 2 and 3 give me a breathless feeling.

    3. Your poem is a good example of “Living in the Now.”
      Kiss the sky, enjoy the moment, without thinking of what comes next.

  3. I love your Poem Laura and the pic

    water will
    one will ride
    tick tock
    ships at dock
    caption shouts
    rides cost
    a dime

    Caption

    one line
    circles time
    sky ships sail
    circles rime
    a tail of a wail
    story

    Poems By Jessica Bigi

    1. I like how your poems work together. I get a sense of excitement from tick tock. Love the first three lines of Caption.

  4. I love your Poem Laura and the pic

    water will
    one will ride
    tick tock
    ships at dock
    caption shouts
    rides cost
    a dime

    Caption

    one line
    circles time
    sky ships sail
    circles rime
    a tail of a wail
    story

    Poems By Jessica Bigi

    1. I like how your poems work together. I get a sense of excitement from tick tock. Love the first three lines of Caption.

  5. I love your poem today, Laura, especially the title and last two lines.
    Here’s mine:

    With this paddle wheel
    at my stern,
    I’ll race anyone.

    1. Thanks, ellie:>) I love how stern serves to be informationally correct but also an indication of tone. This feels strong and confident!

    2. I like your take on this.
      I think it’s great to see the different ideas that everyone has on Laura’s picture.
      Your poem brings a smile.

    3. I think even the largest paddle wheel would be intimidated! Good interpretation Ellie.

  6. I love your poem today, Laura, especially the title and last two lines.
    Here’s mine:

    With this paddle wheel
    at my stern,
    I’ll race anyone.

    1. Thanks, ellie:>) I love how stern serves to be informationally correct but also an indication of tone. This feels strong and confident!

    2. I like your take on this.
      I think it’s great to see the different ideas that everyone has on Laura’s picture.
      Your poem brings a smile.

    3. I think even the largest paddle wheel would be intimidated! Good interpretation Ellie.

  7. Gorgeous pic and poem!

    Waves wash away
    footsteps
    of the past,
    Echoes fade,

    A new page.

    1. Thank goodness for some of the high tides in our lives that leave us with a fresh start!

    2. I love the way you expressed this thought.
      Waves washing away footprints from the past.
      Echos fading —- Wow!

  8. Gorgeous pic and poem!

    Waves wash away
    footsteps
    of the past,
    Echoes fade,

    A new page.

    1. Thank goodness for some of the high tides in our lives that leave us with a fresh start!

    2. I love the way you expressed this thought.
      Waves washing away footprints from the past.
      Echos fading —- Wow!

  9. Genesis

    Forever sky
    melds with
    endless sea
    bridged with
    steel for
    you and me.

    Awesome photo, and how convenient for you. We have a local business who uses a real Ferris wheel in front of the building with advertisement boards where the seats would have been. I prefer serenity to distraction.

    1. That bridge does seem to connect sky and water — in addition to two land bodies. I was struck by the bridge, too. (well, not “struck” like hit with it!)

      1. LOL — sometimes life gets in the way and it can feel like being struck as in being hit!

    2. Well, that must be attention-getting! I love your word choices here–melds, bridged–lovely!

  10. Genesis

    Forever sky
    melds with
    endless sea
    bridged with
    steel for
    you and me.

    Awesome photo, and how convenient for you. We have a local business who uses a real Ferris wheel in front of the building with advertisement boards where the seats would have been. I prefer serenity to distraction.

    1. That bridge does seem to connect sky and water — in addition to two land bodies. I was struck by the bridge, too. (well, not “struck” like hit with it!)

      1. LOL — sometimes life gets in the way and it can feel like being struck as in being hit!

    2. Well, that must be attention-getting! I love your word choices here–melds, bridged–lovely!

  11. I love the picture, Laura, & your imagined “slow-spinning hands”. It looks cold in the pic.

    On this windy morning,
    last leaves sail
    with the memory of laughter
    on the ferris wheel.
    Linda Baie ?All Rights Reserved

    1. It was kind of chilly, but balmy compared to the temps back in Mpls, so I was a‑ok:>) Oh, those 2nd and 3rd lines are just lovely.

    2. Ah, yes. The memory of that summer fun on the ferris wheel fades away with autumn’s arrival. Nice.

  12. I love the picture, Laura, & your imagined “slow-spinning hands”. It looks cold in the pic.

    On this windy morning,
    last leaves sail
    with the memory of laughter
    on the ferris wheel.
    Linda Baie ?All Rights Reserved

    1. It was kind of chilly, but balmy compared to the temps back in Mpls, so I was a‑ok:>) Oh, those 2nd and 3rd lines are just lovely.

    2. Ah, yes. The memory of that summer fun on the ferris wheel fades away with autumn’s arrival. Nice.

  13. Ferris Wheel

    Popcorn, cola,
    cotton candy
    suddenly decide
    they don’t want
    to ride
    with me.

    Diane Mayr, all rights reserved

    1. Euuuuuw. Thank you for this understated poem. My mind is filling in all the disgusting details:>)

    2. Amazing Diane. What a quick, creative take on the photo. I’m sure there are legions of kids and adults who can identify.

  14. Ferris Wheel

    Popcorn, cola,
    cotton candy
    suddenly decide
    they don’t want
    to ride
    with me.

    Diane Mayr, all rights reserved

    1. Euuuuuw. Thank you for this understated poem. My mind is filling in all the disgusting details:>)

    2. Amazing Diane. What a quick, creative take on the photo. I’m sure there are legions of kids and adults who can identify.

  15. Laura,
    Love the photo and your poem. I read your NCTE post! It sounded awesome. So glad you had so much fun.

    Here’s mine.

    What am I?

    I?m furry.
    I scurry
    in flurry-hurry
    round and round?
    nowhere bound.

    Penny Parker Klostermann

    1. I do feel sorry for them in that “going nowhere fast” wheel…but they don’t seem to mind that they got off where they started!

    2. Ha! I love it. A riddle poem. I actually had to slow down and read it again.
      Flurry, scurry. Great description of a hamster on a wheel.

    3. Love the riddle–but I got the answer wrong! I was imagining a dog chasing its tail (and wondering how the photo inspired you) until I read other replies.

  16. Laura,
    Love the photo and your poem. I read your NCTE post! It sounded awesome. So glad you had so much fun.

    Here’s mine.

    What am I?

    I?m furry.
    I scurry
    in flurry-hurry
    round and round?
    nowhere bound.

    Penny Parker Klostermann

    1. I do feel sorry for them in that “going nowhere fast” wheel…but they don’t seem to mind that they got off where they started!

    2. Ha! I love it. A riddle poem. I actually had to slow down and read it again.
      Flurry, scurry. Great description of a hamster on a wheel.

    3. Love the riddle–but I got the answer wrong! I was imagining a dog chasing its tail (and wondering how the photo inspired you) until I read other replies.

  17. Interesting picture. But I keep focusing on that bridge.
    It reminds me of some of our road trips.

    Daily Commute

    River’s wide.
    If you reside
    on other side,
    each day you’ll have
    a busy ride.

      1. Thanks, but I wouldn’t like a commute like that, although I have known people who did have long rides like that every day. Ugh!

    1. When we visit Duluth, MN, which has a lift bridge over the canal from Lake Super to Duluth Harbor, I always think about the people who live on the other side of the bridge. Could make their commute into town fairly lengthy, as traffic really backs up when there are one or two freighters going through!

      1. There used to be a lift bridge in Sunset Beach, NC, but now they have built a new magnificent bridge. It may be more convenient, but it has taken away the flavor of your trip to the beach.

        1. Yeah, there’s something about that forced pause, isn’t there? That sense of being out of our own control and on someone else’s (something else’s) timetable.

    2. Your poem makes one think that a commute such as that might be a fun thing. Or NOT. Cute rhyme.

  18. Interesting picture. But I keep focusing on that bridge.
    It reminds me of some of our road trips.

    Daily Commute

    River’s wide.
    If you reside
    on other side,
    each day you’ll have
    a busy ride.

      1. Thanks, but I wouldn’t like a commute like that, although I have known people who did have long rides like that every day. Ugh!

    1. When we visit Duluth, MN, which has a lift bridge over the canal from Lake Super to Duluth Harbor, I always think about the people who live on the other side of the bridge. Could make their commute into town fairly lengthy, as traffic really backs up when there are one or two freighters going through!

      1. There used to be a lift bridge in Sunset Beach, NC, but now they have built a new magnificent bridge. It may be more convenient, but it has taken away the flavor of your trip to the beach.

        1. Yeah, there’s something about that forced pause, isn’t there? That sense of being out of our own control and on someone else’s (something else’s) timetable.

    2. Your poem makes one think that a commute such as that might be a fun thing. Or NOT. Cute rhyme.

  19. The boats all around the ferris wheel was what struck me…though the bridge caught my eye as well. Too bad you couldn’t have stayed an extra week to enjoy your surroundings, but glad you had a good time!

    Molpe

    Drawn by the tingle
    Of alluring jingle -
    Sweet Siren sounds,
    Hypnotic rounds -
    Doomed boats mingle.

    1. Ooh, I hadn’t heard of Molpe specifically, just Sirens in general. What a lovely and foreboding poem!

    2. Thanks for introducing me to a Siren named Molpe.
      I like learning new words.
      I like the three rhyming words you used together — tingle, jingle, mingle.

  20. The boats all around the ferris wheel was what struck me…though the bridge caught my eye as well. Too bad you couldn’t have stayed an extra week to enjoy your surroundings, but glad you had a good time!

    Molpe

    Drawn by the tingle
    Of alluring jingle -
    Sweet Siren sounds,
    Hypnotic rounds -
    Doomed boats mingle.

    1. Ooh, I hadn’t heard of Molpe specifically, just Sirens in general. What a lovely and foreboding poem!

    2. Thanks for introducing me to a Siren named Molpe.
      I like learning new words.
      I like the three rhyming words you used together — tingle, jingle, mingle.

  21. Laura, loved the last two lines of your poem, especially river’s “endless hours.” And I’m loving all the rhyming poems today!

    FERRIS RIDE

    Circle, circle, rise and fall.
    Sights and sounds, all enthrall.

    Then

    jerk-stop.
    Seat swap.

    1. I like the rhythm of the words you used.
      Good implication of the movement of the wheel.

    2. You’ve got the motions down perfectly! And the ending reminds me of my polar bear poem in NEED TO FEED. I’ll be sharing that here eventually, and you’ll see what I mean, I think…

  22. Laura, loved the last two lines of your poem, especially river’s “endless hours.” And I’m loving all the rhyming poems today!

    FERRIS RIDE

    Circle, circle, rise and fall.
    Sights and sounds, all enthrall.

    Then

    jerk-stop.
    Seat swap.

    1. I like the rhythm of the words you used.
      Good implication of the movement of the wheel.

    2. You’ve got the motions down perfectly! And the ending reminds me of my polar bear poem in NEED TO FEED. I’ll be sharing that here eventually, and you’ll see what I mean, I think…

  23. Morning Routine

    spinning my wheels
    throwing up roadblocks
    chasing my tail–

    just write the damn thing

    (maybe I need a new routine? Loved reading about NCTE on your blog, Laura.)

  24. Morning Routine

    spinning my wheels
    throwing up roadblocks
    chasing my tail–

    just write the damn thing

    (maybe I need a new routine? Loved reading about NCTE on your blog, Laura.)

  25. These are my students’ poems.

    “I want to go! i want to go!”
    the children cry as their fun awaits.
    by Vannisa, 5th grade

    Ships and Houses

    Boats like houses,
    a wet neighborhood,
    waiting for a ship
    to move away.
    by Jacob, 1st grade

    Wheel crushing Fun

    A giant wheel
    crushing the road
    causing disasters in disguise
    having fun
    making kids’ laughter.
    by Tyler, 6th grade

    1. Margaret, I enjoy your students’ poetry. In my mind, it’s never to early to expose children to poetry. I encourage expectant parents to read poetry while baby is in the womb. I have witnessed my own grandchildren reacting to something they had heard only before birth. Thanks for sharing.

    2. Love these varied approaches! That repetition in Vannisa’s, the simile/metaphor in Jacob’s, and the imagination in Tyler’s. So much fun!

  26. These are my students’ poems.

    “I want to go! i want to go!”
    the children cry as their fun awaits.
    by Vannisa, 5th grade

    Ships and Houses

    Boats like houses,
    a wet neighborhood,
    waiting for a ship
    to move away.
    by Jacob, 1st grade

    Wheel crushing Fun

    A giant wheel
    crushing the road
    causing disasters in disguise
    having fun
    making kids’ laughter.
    by Tyler, 6th grade

    1. Margaret, I enjoy your students’ poetry. In my mind, it’s never to early to expose children to poetry. I encourage expectant parents to read poetry while baby is in the womb. I have witnessed my own grandchildren reacting to something they had heard only before birth. Thanks for sharing.

    2. Love these varied approaches! That repetition in Vannisa’s, the simile/metaphor in Jacob’s, and the imagination in Tyler’s. So much fun!

  27. MARITIME MERRIMENT

    On the shore
    I lay idle,
    as ships pass by
    Nessie’s unicycle.

    Ellen Vojnovic

    1. Love that! One of the highlights of my trip to Scotland 8 years ago was going to Loch Ness. How I wish she existed AND rode a bicycle!

  28. MARITIME MERRIMENT

    On the shore
    I lay idle,
    as ships pass by
    Nessie’s unicycle.

    Ellen Vojnovic

    1. Love that! One of the highlights of my trip to Scotland 8 years ago was going to Loch Ness. How I wish she existed AND rode a bicycle!

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