Photo: Laura Purdie Salas
Wake up your poetry brains with 15 Words or Less (guidelines here)!
Here’s a seedhead from fall. I love how odd and prickly they look!?Here’s what this image?makes me think of:
1)?Brillo pad
2) Spiderweb
3) Hair going grey
And here’s my poem first draft:
Cinderella’s Beauty?
Cracked skin
red, rough…
Looking princesslike
is tough,
until she dons
a dress of fluff
–by Laura Purdie Salas, all rights reserved
What do you think of when you look at this picture? Take any quick idea and jot down a 15 Words or Less poem. It doesn’t have to rhyme or describe this picture. It’s just about whatever you think of when you look at it.
Please note: I’m at school visits this week and won’t be able to reply to your poems, but I’ll be back next week. Have fun!
198 Responses
RUDE AWAKENING
Woke up gray,
my ends bone dry.
It surely is
a good day to dye.
[Sorry. Couldn’t help it!]
Laughing at your pun at the end. This is hilarious.
Hahaha. Love it.
LOL!
Oh Renee you punny girl!
I am enjoying your humor, Renee!!
Brilliant, Renee.
Well done.
Such fun.
You crackle me up, Renee.
This described me a day ago! Ah spring.….so refreshing and without that, the hair dresser and her magic formulae. Very funny. Agree with all the other witty comments.
Too funny!
RUDE AWAKENING
Woke up gray,
my ends bone dry.
It surely is
a good day to dye.
[Sorry. Couldn’t help it!]
Laughing at your pun at the end. This is hilarious.
Hahaha. Love it.
LOL!
Oh Renee you punny girl!
I am enjoying your humor, Renee!!
Brilliant, Renee.
Well done.
Such fun.
You crackle me up, Renee.
This described me a day ago! Ah spring.….so refreshing and without that, the hair dresser and her magic formulae. Very funny. Agree with all the other witty comments.
Too funny!
Wake up,
OH NO!
Hair is frizzy and dry
Not today!
It’s picture day!
UGH!
I absolutely love your poem, Ms. Salas! Fun and funny. Great imagery and wording! I especially like lines 3 and 4. Great picture!
Picture day — how funny!
My hair always looks worst on picture day! LOL
Oh those bad hair days, Amelia. We see so many different things in an image. It is always amazing to me to see the ways different people travel in their poems. Love frizzy and dry!
It happens every time.… 🙂
Wake up,
OH NO!
Hair is frizzy and dry
Not today!
It’s picture day!
UGH!
I absolutely love your poem, Ms. Salas! Fun and funny. Great imagery and wording! I especially like lines 3 and 4. Great picture!
Picture day — how funny!
My hair always looks worst on picture day! LOL
Oh those bad hair days, Amelia. We see so many different things in an image. It is always amazing to me to see the ways different people travel in their poems. Love frizzy and dry!
It happens every time.… 🙂
Flower of youth -
faded.
Dry as a withered-woman’s
voice.
Progeny windblown,
scattered.
Rebirth each
spring!
I love the line dry as a withered woman’s voice!
And I love rebirth each spring!! Hope I can always find that rebirth in spring!!!
I really like “windblown/scattered”!
Flower of youth -
faded.
Dry as a withered-woman’s
voice.
Progeny windblown,
scattered.
Rebirth each
spring!
I love the line dry as a withered woman’s voice!
And I love rebirth each spring!! Hope I can always find that rebirth in spring!!!
I really like “windblown/scattered”!
Concealer cannot
fill the holes
that nature’s wrought;
render them pools
of everlasting life!
Jeanne Poland
I love the words wrought and render, Jeanne. Great poem!
I was going to say almost the exact same thing! 🙂
I like this focus on the “negative space” in the image! And as I just celebrated a milestone Bday, I appreciate this ending. ;0)
I have never had much luck with concealer myself. And would not try Botox either.
Concealer cannot
fill the holes
that nature’s wrought;
render them pools
of everlasting life!
Jeanne Poland
I love the words wrought and render, Jeanne. Great poem!
I was going to say almost the exact same thing! 🙂
I like this focus on the “negative space” in the image! And as I just celebrated a milestone Bday, I appreciate this ending. ;0)
I have never had much luck with concealer myself. And would not try Botox either.
Lots of fun here today! We’re lucky—being able to laugh gets us through those bad hair days.
Old Gardener
In autumn she fills
brownbags with
sepia. Desiccation
can be deceptive to
the untrained eye.
© Diane Mayr
(Yes, I cheated, I made brown bags into one word!)
Love the colors of autumn–sepia is such a great word.
Makes me think of Miss Rumphius!
Isn’t that what poetic license is all about????
I, too, like sepia. And your last few lines. The untrained eye.….telling.
Another fan of sepia here. I also like how you used “desiccation”.
Thanks, everyone! Sepia is such a better word than plain old brown!
Lots of fun here today! We’re lucky—being able to laugh gets us through those bad hair days.
Old Gardener
In autumn she fills
brownbags with
sepia. Desiccation
can be deceptive to
the untrained eye.
© Diane Mayr
(Yes, I cheated, I made brown bags into one word!)
Love the colors of autumn–sepia is such a great word.
Makes me think of Miss Rumphius!
Isn’t that what poetic license is all about????
I, too, like sepia. And your last few lines. The untrained eye.….telling.
Another fan of sepia here. I also like how you used “desiccation”.
Thanks, everyone! Sepia is such a better word than plain old brown!
nature’s changing face
crumbles to the touch
or did my bath sponge dry out?
Ha! Funny, Catherine!
I “loofah” it Catherine — so funny!
*snerk* Fun stuff, Catherine (and Cathy!)
(Chuckle, chuckle!)
See… I’m not the only one who thought of a sponge. 🙂 Love that second line.
nature’s changing face
crumbles to the touch
or did my bath sponge dry out?
Ha! Funny, Catherine!
I “loofah” it Catherine — so funny!
*snerk* Fun stuff, Catherine (and Cathy!)
(Chuckle, chuckle!)
See… I’m not the only one who thought of a sponge. 🙂 Love that second line.
Welcome Sign
Autumn ends
winter begins.
After a time
spring comes
hopping
on feet of
a robin.
Love your last four lines.
Thank you!
Me, too!
Welcome Sign
Autumn ends
winter begins.
After a time
spring comes
hopping
on feet of
a robin.
Love your last four lines.
Thank you!
Me, too!
Hi Laura,
I missed last week. I read poems, but didn’t add one. I was traveling and enjoying being a bit lazy. So, today, can I be bold enough to add two? I have one of my own, but I loved your Cinderella and wanted to give her a little fairytale-type closure…Ha!! So, your Cindrella’s Beauty inspired me to write Cinderella’s Duty. Hope that’s OK.
And, since it’s a day to break rules…my other one is 18 (eeekkk!) words, but I just couldn’t refrain 🙂
Cinderella’s Duty
Midnight strikes,
back to rough?
leaving prince
mighty tough.
But…
slipper fits?
life of fluff.
~Penny Klostermann
Refrain
Seed,
wind,
scatter, sow.
Wet,
warmth,
sprout and grow.
Bud,
bloom?
wither, wane.
Seed
wind…
crop refrain.
~Penny Klostermann
Like your life of fluff! Nice contrast to “back to rough.”
Another pair of winning poems Penny! I like scatter, sow with sprout and grow.
“Crop refrain” — mi piace! (I like it!)
Sort of reminds me of “Frog”, Penny. I like the spareness of describing the life cycle and how the words roll of your tongue!! Kids will like this one, too.
*off
Oh, I really love Refrain!
And Cinderella’s Duty is a fun one. 🙂
Hi Laura,
I missed last week. I read poems, but didn’t add one. I was traveling and enjoying being a bit lazy. So, today, can I be bold enough to add two? I have one of my own, but I loved your Cinderella and wanted to give her a little fairytale-type closure…Ha!! So, your Cindrella’s Beauty inspired me to write Cinderella’s Duty. Hope that’s OK.
And, since it’s a day to break rules…my other one is 18 (eeekkk!) words, but I just couldn’t refrain 🙂
Cinderella’s Duty
Midnight strikes,
back to rough?
leaving prince
mighty tough.
But…
slipper fits?
life of fluff.
~Penny Klostermann
Refrain
Seed,
wind,
scatter, sow.
Wet,
warmth,
sprout and grow.
Bud,
bloom?
wither, wane.
Seed
wind…
crop refrain.
~Penny Klostermann
Like your life of fluff! Nice contrast to “back to rough.”
Another pair of winning poems Penny! I like scatter, sow with sprout and grow.
“Crop refrain” — mi piace! (I like it!)
Sort of reminds me of “Frog”, Penny. I like the spareness of describing the life cycle and how the words roll of your tongue!! Kids will like this one, too.
*off
Oh, I really love Refrain!
And Cinderella’s Duty is a fun one. 🙂
Scraggly seedheads
cling to
bare stalks,
capped with
tangled webs
and winter’s white:
waiting.
I love this feeling of gloom and doom- perfect wording. The ominous sense makes this a spine tingling poem. Great work!
Like the tangled web and winter white. 🙂
I like “scraggly” and “tangled”… and also all of your “s” and “w” sounds.
Scraggly seedheads
cling to
bare stalks,
capped with
tangled webs
and winter’s white:
waiting.
I love this feeling of gloom and doom- perfect wording. The ominous sense makes this a spine tingling poem. Great work!
Like the tangled web and winter white. 🙂
I like “scraggly” and “tangled”… and also all of your “s” and “w” sounds.
Grey in my hair?
No despair.
I look beyond
(and pretend it’s blond.)
Love this! Perfect bolstering first few lines, then a funny ending to finish it. Good one!
I love your funny ending, Cindy. And how you used those strands of white. It generally intrigues me the way everyone’s minds “fly” in different directions.
Your ending made me chuckle. 🙂
Grey in my hair?
No despair.
I look beyond
(and pretend it’s blond.)
Love this! Perfect bolstering first few lines, then a funny ending to finish it. Good one!
I love your funny ending, Cindy. And how you used those strands of white. It generally intrigues me the way everyone’s minds “fly” in different directions.
Your ending made me chuckle. 🙂
Oh gosh…went way over today but lack the fortitude to edit!
The blossom of the hedgehog flower
makes dainty-footed insects cower.
They turn away and grimly mutter
“I’m sure that nectar’s spiked and sour.”
We all need to spill over sometimes- and I love the way this turned out! Love the point of of view here. I really like your imagery- I feel like this could go on, become something bigger. Great job!
I’ll have to look for a picture of a hedgehog flower–I’m intrigued.
Aw, those poor dainty-footed insects (love that!) will have to go hungry.
Clever, Cathy. I like the rhyming and fun of yours. Made me wonder: can you imagine ants’ comments on some picnics?
The rhythm and the rhyme almost compensate for the effluence!
Jeanne
Ha ha. You are funny, Jeanne!!!!
Love all the rhymes!
Oh gosh…went way over today but lack the fortitude to edit!
The blossom of the hedgehog flower
makes dainty-footed insects cower.
They turn away and grimly mutter
“I’m sure that nectar’s spiked and sour.”
We all need to spill over sometimes- and I love the way this turned out! Love the point of of view here. I really like your imagery- I feel like this could go on, become something bigger. Great job!
I’ll have to look for a picture of a hedgehog flower–I’m intrigued.
Aw, those poor dainty-footed insects (love that!) will have to go hungry.
Clever, Cathy. I like the rhyming and fun of yours. Made me wonder: can you imagine ants’ comments on some picnics?
The rhythm and the rhyme almost compensate for the effluence!
Jeanne
Ha ha. You are funny, Jeanne!!!!
Love all the rhymes!
The meteor
flashes,
a momentary speck
crosses the sky.
Leaves dusty starlight
whispering
on branches.
Ooh, dusty starlight whispering on branches is a really nice image. 🙂
Thanks, Renee.
Lovely image. The last 3 lines are my favorite.
The meteor
flashes,
a momentary speck
crosses the sky.
Leaves dusty starlight
whispering
on branches.
Ooh, dusty starlight whispering on branches is a really nice image. 🙂
Thanks, Renee.
Lovely image. The last 3 lines are my favorite.
SEED HEAD
Deceased flower sadness
Held in winter cold
Springtime bower gladness
Flowers bright and bold.
Took some doing but I did keep it under 15 words.
Love how you’ve put the whole cycle into this catchy rhyme. Flower, bower — well done.
Great rhymes and rhythm!
SEED HEAD
Deceased flower sadness
Held in winter cold
Springtime bower gladness
Flowers bright and bold.
Took some doing but I did keep it under 15 words.
Love how you’ve put the whole cycle into this catchy rhyme. Flower, bower — well done.
Great rhymes and rhythm!
Thank-you for all your poems today. I really needed them.
Thank-you for all your poems today. I really needed them.
Oops! Wrote this before work this morning and forgot to post it…
Seedpod
The seeds have all flown
like bees swarming in spring.
I?m hard. Dry. Alone.
?Kate Coombs (Book Aunt)
Seeds/bees — great comparison.
Your poem makes me think of what it was like when my son left for college and we were truly empty-nesters. I allowed myself to wallow in self-pity for a brief while, but it was hard to feel so alone. So dry. So empty. Your poem captures that. Glad to say it was brief.
I love the wistfulness of this poem.
Oops! Wrote this before work this morning and forgot to post it…
Seedpod
The seeds have all flown
like bees swarming in spring.
I?m hard. Dry. Alone.
?Kate Coombs (Book Aunt)
Seeds/bees — great comparison.
Your poem makes me think of what it was like when my son left for college and we were truly empty-nesters. I allowed myself to wallow in self-pity for a brief while, but it was hard to feel so alone. So dry. So empty. Your poem captures that. Glad to say it was brief.
I love the wistfulness of this poem.
Hello again Laura!! =)
The image makes me think of:
1. Honeycomb
2. Coral reef
Want to know a secret? That kind of pattern gives me goosebumps, and I don’t know why. I’m having some as we speak. Yikes. Haha.
You had me at “Cinderella.” Love the imagery in your poem. Here is mine, inspired by Neil Gaiman and his Sandman series:
Morpheus
You hail from
The Dreaming,
governing all
that aren’t real.
Please
take me away
tonight.
— Fats =)
This gives me chills. Sounds like there could be a longer story here.
Hi Ellie!!
There is always a longer story when the King of Dreams is involved. *wink wink* Glad the poem had that effect on you. =)
I haven’t read that series yet, but your poem intrigues me and makes me want to go check it out.…
Hello Janelle!!
I’ve only read a few chapters, and have not finished the series in its entirety but The Sandman series definitely makes for an interesting read. =)
Speaking of pattern goosebumps, this article might be of interest: http://www.npr.org/blogs/thesalt/2013/02/07/171383429/fear-of-cantalopes-and-crumpets-a-phobia-rises-from-the-web.
Ha!! Awesome!! Who would have thought that it has a name!! Thanks for sharing. =)
Hello again Laura!! =)
The image makes me think of:
1. Honeycomb
2. Coral reef
Want to know a secret? That kind of pattern gives me goosebumps, and I don’t know why. I’m having some as we speak. Yikes. Haha.
You had me at “Cinderella.” Love the imagery in your poem. Here is mine, inspired by Neil Gaiman and his Sandman series:
Morpheus
You hail from
The Dreaming,
governing all
that aren’t real.
Please
take me away
tonight.
— Fats =)
This gives me chills. Sounds like there could be a longer story here.
Hi Ellie!!
There is always a longer story when the King of Dreams is involved. *wink wink* Glad the poem had that effect on you. =)
I haven’t read that series yet, but your poem intrigues me and makes me want to go check it out.…
Hello Janelle!!
I’ve only read a few chapters, and have not finished the series in its entirety but The Sandman series definitely makes for an interesting read. =)
Speaking of pattern goosebumps, this article might be of interest: http://www.npr.org/blogs/thesalt/2013/02/07/171383429/fear-of-cantalopes-and-crumpets-a-phobia-rises-from-the-web.
Ha!! Awesome!! Who would have thought that it has a name!! Thanks for sharing. =)
Mean Thumb
I
pick
the runt of the garden.
My mother
will hate you
because
I
don’t
-Pamela Ross
What a twist in the last five lines! Spite oozes. If this were a story opener, I would have to keep reading.
Wow. So nice of you to say, Ellie. I thank you. Love these 15 Word Challenges.
p.s. And I gasped when I read your response. I was originally going to title the poem SPITE until the play on the gardening phrase bloomed in my mind. ;>
Love your title!
Mean Thumb
I
pick
the runt of the garden.
My mother
will hate you
because
I
don’t
-Pamela Ross
What a twist in the last five lines! Spite oozes. If this were a story opener, I would have to keep reading.
Wow. So nice of you to say, Ellie. I thank you. Love these 15 Word Challenges.
p.s. And I gasped when I read your response. I was originally going to title the poem SPITE until the play on the gardening phrase bloomed in my mind. ;>
Love your title!
Love your turn at the Cinderella re-telling, Laura! Funny! Snarky! Charming! No Prince needed for a happy ending here. {}
-Pamela
Love your turn at the Cinderella re-telling, Laura! Funny! Snarky! Charming! No Prince needed for a happy ending here. {}
-Pamela
Cotton-candy covered in chocolate,
leaving only a stroke of my sugary cloud.
Hi my name is Sophia and I am in 4th grade. I would like to try this because I like to write and I LOVE POETRY!! 🙂
Your poem makes me hungry… mmmm.… 🙂 I like all the “c” sounds you used.
Thanks Janelle do you no if Mrs.Salas is on this week?
She mentioned above that she is doing school visits this week, so won’t be on to reply to poems.
Cotton-candy covered in chocolate,
leaving only a stroke of my sugary cloud.
Hi my name is Sophia and I am in 4th grade. I would like to try this because I like to write and I LOVE POETRY!! 🙂
Your poem makes me hungry… mmmm.… 🙂 I like all the “c” sounds you used.
Thanks Janelle do you no if Mrs.Salas is on this week?
She mentioned above that she is doing school visits this week, so won’t be on to reply to poems.
Old, withered
Woe is me
Dreaming I was
A lush green tree
Too late now
I especially like lines 3 and 4!
Old, withered
Woe is me
Dreaming I was
A lush green tree
Too late now
I especially like lines 3 and 4!
Great poem, Laura ~ it made me smile!
I was looking at the picture on my phone yesterday and on there the seedhead looked like a sponge. (I was also returning from Shedd Aquarium, so I guess I had marine life on my mind.)
The “fabulous realities” part of my poem came from one of my favorite teachers back in high school, an English teacher, who was always brimming with joy and encouraging her students to look for fabulous realities in our lives every day.
LIKE A SPONGE
Fabulous realities,
moments of joy–
drink them in,
soak them up.
Live,
breathe,
be.
I love it! Great sound, I especially like the last 3 lines.
Thank you!
Great poem, Laura ~ it made me smile!
I was looking at the picture on my phone yesterday and on there the seedhead looked like a sponge. (I was also returning from Shedd Aquarium, so I guess I had marine life on my mind.)
The “fabulous realities” part of my poem came from one of my favorite teachers back in high school, an English teacher, who was always brimming with joy and encouraging her students to look for fabulous realities in our lives every day.
LIKE A SPONGE
Fabulous realities,
moments of joy–
drink them in,
soak them up.
Live,
breathe,
be.
I love it! Great sound, I especially like the last 3 lines.
Thank you!
I couldn’t figure out which one to use so I’m showing you all 3. Enjoy!
By the way, just like Amy Ludwig Vanderwater (among others) you inspire me so much Laura. SALAS POWER!
TUESDAY ON THE FARM
As seeds grow in rows
A lightening strike scares away
Multitudes of crows.
A FARMERS PRAYER
Lord, hear my plea,
Protect these crops
From Nature’s
Temper tantrums.
Thank you,
Walter Lee.
CROPS
Cabbages lined up in
Rows of hundreds
Prepare for graduation after
Starting out as seeds.
© Charles Waters 2013 all rights reserved.
Yes! Salas power!!
I particularly like the last one.….seeds and graduation…being a teacher and all. Often thought of myself as a gardener. Tried not to over-water or let things get too wild. And the “graduation” was always bittersweet.
I couldn’t figure out which one to use so I’m showing you all 3. Enjoy!
By the way, just like Amy Ludwig Vanderwater (among others) you inspire me so much Laura. SALAS POWER!
TUESDAY ON THE FARM
As seeds grow in rows
A lightening strike scares away
Multitudes of crows.
A FARMERS PRAYER
Lord, hear my plea,
Protect these crops
From Nature’s
Temper tantrums.
Thank you,
Walter Lee.
CROPS
Cabbages lined up in
Rows of hundreds
Prepare for graduation after
Starting out as seeds.
© Charles Waters 2013 all rights reserved.
Yes! Salas power!!
I particularly like the last one.….seeds and graduation…being a teacher and all. Often thought of myself as a gardener. Tried not to over-water or let things get too wild. And the “graduation” was always bittersweet.