[15 Words or Less Poems] Seedhead

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

    1. 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.

    1. 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.

  1. 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!

    1. 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!

  2. 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!

    1. 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!

  3. Flower of youth -
    faded.
    Dry as a withered-woman’s
    voice.
    Progeny windblown,
    scattered.

    Rebirth each
    spring!

      1. And I love rebirth each spring!! Hope I can always find that rebirth in spring!!!

  4. Flower of youth -
    faded.
    Dry as a withered-woman’s
    voice.
    Progeny windblown,
    scattered.

    Rebirth each
    spring!

      1. And I love rebirth each spring!! Hope I can always find that rebirth in spring!!!

  5. Concealer cannot
    fill the holes
    that nature’s wrought;
    render them pools
    of everlasting life!

    Jeanne Poland

    1. I have never had much luck with concealer myself. And would not try Botox either.

  6. Concealer cannot
    fill the holes
    that nature’s wrought;
    render them pools
    of everlasting life!

    Jeanne Poland

    1. I have never had much luck with concealer myself. And would not try Botox either.

  7. 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!)

    1. Isn’t that what poetic license is all about????
      I, too, like sepia. And your last few lines. The untrained eye.….telling.

  8. 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!)

    1. Isn’t that what poetic license is all about????
      I, too, like sepia. And your last few lines. The untrained eye.….telling.

  9. nature’s changing face
    crumbles to the touch
    or did my bath sponge dry out?

  10. nature’s changing face
    crumbles to the touch
    or did my bath sponge dry out?

  11. 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

      1. Another pair of winning poems Penny! I like scatter, sow with sprout and grow.

    1. 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.

  12. 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

      1. Another pair of winning poems Penny! I like scatter, sow with sprout and grow.

    1. 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.

    1. I love this feeling of gloom and doom- perfect wording. The ominous sense makes this a spine tingling poem. Great work!

    1. I love this feeling of gloom and doom- perfect wording. The ominous sense makes this a spine tingling poem. Great work!

    1. Love this! Perfect bolstering first few lines, then a funny ending to finish it. Good one!

    2. 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.

    1. Love this! Perfect bolstering first few lines, then a funny ending to finish it. Good one!

    2. 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.

  13. 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.”

    1. 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!

    2. Clever, Cathy. I like the rhyming and fun of yours. Made me wonder: can you imagine ants’ comments on some picnics?

  14. 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.”

    1. 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!

    2. Clever, Cathy. I like the rhyming and fun of yours. Made me wonder: can you imagine ants’ comments on some picnics?

  15. The meteor
    flashes,
    a momentary speck
    crosses the sky.
    Leaves dusty starlight
    whispering
    on branches.

  16. The meteor
    flashes,
    a momentary speck
    crosses the sky.
    Leaves dusty starlight
    whispering
    on branches.

  17. 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.

    1. Love how you’ve put the whole cycle into this catchy rhyme. Flower, bower — well done.

  18. 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.

    1. Love how you’ve put the whole cycle into this catchy rhyme. Flower, bower — well done.

  19. 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)

    1. 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.

  20. 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)

    1. 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.

  21. 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 =)

      1. 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. =)

      1. 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. =)

      1. Ha!! Awesome!! Who would have thought that it has a name!! Thanks for sharing. =)

  22. 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 =)

      1. 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. =)

      1. 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. =)

      1. Ha!! Awesome!! Who would have thought that it has a name!! Thanks for sharing. =)

    1. What a twist in the last five lines! Spite oozes. If this were a story opener, I would have to keep reading.

    1. What a twist in the last five lines! Spite oozes. If this were a story opener, I would have to keep reading.

  23. 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!! 🙂

  24. 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!! 🙂

  25. 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.

  26. 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.

  27. 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.

    1. 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.

  28. 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.

    1. 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.

Subscribe to Blog via Email

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Join 2,546 other subscribers

Are You Looking For?

Poetry Friday posts

Classroom Connections posts

All my poetryactions

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
Tags
#waterpoemproject15 Words or Less Poems20for2030 Painless Classroom Poems50 State Poemsacrosticsactivity pagesactivity sheetALAA Leaf Can Be...Amy Ludwig VanDerwaterA Need to FeedanthologiesanthologyA Rock Can Be...art projectsaudiopoemsawardsbad newsBarbara Juster EsbensenBilly Collinsbiopoemsblog tourbookalikesbook festivalsBookSpeak!book spine poemsbook trailersbop poembyr a thoddaidcafepresscalendar poemsCamp Read-a-LotCan Be... bookscan be... poemsCapstoneCarol Varsalonacascade poemsCatherine FlynnccbcCCRA.W.3CCRA.W.4CCRA.W.5centoschapter booksCharles Waterschoral compositionschristina rossetticinquainsCLAclassified ad poemsclassroom connectionclassroom connectionsClover Kittyconferences and conventionscrown sonnetscybilsdansaDare to DreamDavid Elliottdeeper wisdom poemdefinitosdiamantesdiversitydizaindodoitsuDot DayDouglas Floriandownloadablesdrum corpse.e. cummingsekphrastic poemsepistolary poemsequation poemsessentialethereeseventsexquisite corpseFairy Tale Garage Salefamilyfibonaccifiction picture booksfinding familyfirefightersforeign editionsfound poemsfree author zoomsfree versefrom studentsgeesegeorgia heardghazalGift Taggiveawaygolden shovelgoldilocksgratitudehaikuheart of aheart of a teacherHeidi MordhorstHelen FrostHighlightshow-to poemshow to make a rainbowI Am FromI Am poemsidiomsif you want to knit some mittensIf You Were the MoonILAimagepoemsinterviewin the middle of the nightIRAIrelandIrene LathamJ. Patrick LewisJanet WongJoyce SidmanKendraKerlanKidlit Comboslailaura's board booksLaura's booksLaura's poemsLaura's readingsLaura ShovanLee Bennett HopkinsLilian MoorelimericksLinda Booth SweeneyLine Leads the WayLion of the Skylist poemslittle free librarylive writingLullaby and Kisses Sweetlyricsmadness poetrymagnipoemsmargaret simonMarilyn Singermary lee hahnmask poemsMatt Forrest EsenwineMeet My FamilyMelissa StewartMentors for Rentmentor textsmetaphorMichelle Myers LacknerMillbrookMinnesota Book Awardsmoneymoonmy reading lifemy writing processN+7naaninarrative poemsNational Poetry Month 2012 (haiku a day)National Poetry Month 2014 (riddle-ku)National Poetry Month 2015National Poetry Month 2016National Poetry Month 2017 (#wonderbreak)national poetry month 2018 (haiku a day)National Poetry Month 2020National Poetry Month 2021 (#EquationPoem)national poetry month 2022 (sticky-note poems)National Poetry Month 2023 (Digging for Poems)National Poetry Month 2024 (magnipoems)ncteNerdy Book Clubnifty newsnifty stuffNikki Grimesnonfictionnonfiction booksNonfiction Writers Dig Deepnovelsnovels in verseodesOne Minute Till BedtimeoppositifyOskar's VoyagepadletpantoumsparodiesPatreonpeacepersonalpet poemsphotopoetryphrase acrosticspicture booksplagiarismpoempicspoemspoems for two voicespoemsketchpoetic pursuitsPoetry 7poetryactionspoetry activitiesPoetry Blastpoetry booksPoetry FridayPoetry Friday AnthologiesPoetry Princessespoetry promptspoetry sistersPoetry Tips for Teachersprogressive poempublishing processpuddle songPutridquotationsraccontinosRandy Salasread-aloudreadaloudreading poetry in the classroomRebecca Kai Dotlichrecipe poemsrefugeesresearchreview copiesreviewsrevisionrhyming booksrhyming nonfictionrhyming picture booksRhyming Picture Books the Write Wayrhyming poemsRiddle-kuriddle poemsRock Can Be...Rock the Blogrondeau redoublesRudyard Kiplingsalas snippetsSCBWIschool visitsScotlandseasonssecrets of the loonSELsestinasshrinking daysskinnyskypeslice of lifesmall readssnack snooze skedaddlesnowman-coldsonnetsStampede!storm poemstorytimestorywalkstudent poemsstudent workSylvia VardellTanita Davistankatautogramteachableteacher resourcesteen/adult poemsterza rimasthankfulthank yous and referencesthe business sidethings to do iftracy nelson maurertrioletstunie munson-bensonvideosVikram MadanvillanellevillanellesWater Can Be...wealthy elementaryWe BelongWhat's InsideWhy-kuwinterwonderwonderbreakword of the yearwordplaywordsmithswork for hirewritingwriting bookswriting processwriting promptswriting the life poeticyoung authors conferencesYouTubeZapZap Clap Boomzenozentangle
Show More Show Less

Discover more from Laura Purdie Salas

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading

Join Laura's monthly newsletter for eductators

Get three of Laura's favorite poetry activities when you subscribe to "Small Reads."