Photo: Laura Purdie Salas
Wake up your poetry brains with 15 Words or Less (guidelines here)!
Here’s a ginormous snowman I saw on my way home from a school visit a few weeks ago. It was huge–10–15 feet tall!?It makes me think of:
1)?What would a snowman carry in her purse?
2)?What if the Great Lakes were formed by a melting snowfamily?
3) What would it be like to be the little brother of a perfect snowman?
And here’s my poem first draft:
A Little Snowbro’s Lament
All-state center.
Recess snowboard hill.
Donator of Sno-cones off his back.Who can compete?
–by Laura Purdie Salas, all rights reserved
What do you think of when you look at this snowman? Take any quick idea and jot down a 15 Words or Less poem. It doesn’t have to rhyme or describe this picture. Just?look at this picture and say, “This makes me think of _________.” Fill in the blank and write about THAT!
Please note: I’m finishing a weeklong school visit today and presenting at a parent night at the school tonight. So I won’t be able to comment on your poems. I’ve loved how much feedback you’ve been giving each other recently–please keep it up:>)
118 Responses
Come celebrate
Sit a while
They we will
go out in style
One giant wave !
- Anne McKenna
Come celebrate
Sit a while
Then we will go
Out in style
One giant wave !
Anne McKenna
(Knew it wasn’t quite right)
Come celebrate
Sit a while
They we will
go out in style
One giant wave !
- Anne McKenna
Come celebrate
Sit a while
Then we will go
Out in style
One giant wave !
Anne McKenna
(Knew it wasn’t quite right)
Stack and layer
Freeze, don’t bake!
Voila!
A giant snow girl cake!
Congratulations and good luck on your March Madness! Love your poem- you perfectly captured that feeling of overshadowment to the little sibling. Also loved the description of what the big brother does.
Ha! Love ice cream cakes! Loved this poem!
Love this, the rhythm & the rhyme!
This is one of my favorites of yours, Amelia!!! I love that she’s a snowgirl, too!!!
Stack and layer
Freeze, don’t bake!
Voila!
A giant snow girl cake!
Congratulations and good luck on your March Madness! Love your poem- you perfectly captured that feeling of overshadowment to the little sibling. Also loved the description of what the big brother does.
Ha! Love ice cream cakes! Loved this poem!
Love this, the rhythm & the rhyme!
This is one of my favorites of yours, Amelia!!! I love that she’s a snowgirl, too!!!
Big, bold
heart, cold
Stood guard
in yard.
Sun’s heat:
complete defeat.
I like your rhymes.
me too!
This is for the oldsters in the crows.….reminds me of how they used to rate songs on American Bandstand. It went something like I give it a 95 because I like the beat. I give yours 100. Clever!! A story in measured words.
Big, bold
heart, cold
Stood guard
in yard.
Sun’s heat:
complete defeat.
I like your rhymes.
me too!
This is for the oldsters in the crows.….reminds me of how they used to rate songs on American Bandstand. It went something like I give it a 95 because I like the beat. I give yours 100. Clever!! A story in measured words.
Ha- like how wave can mean two different things.
(I read it better with go on the third line.)
Oops, I thought I was commenting on Anna’s poem.
Ha- like how wave can mean two different things.
(I read it better with go on the third line.)
Oops, I thought I was commenting on Anna’s poem.
Summer Church
Dressed in my
Sunday best
hat and tie.
Add jacket -
start to melt.
Sorry guys. This might have been a bit obscure. The dressed up snowman made me think of my father who always said he might melt once he put on that jacket and tie for work or church in the summer.
Summer Church
Dressed in my
Sunday best
hat and tie.
Add jacket -
start to melt.
Sorry guys. This might have been a bit obscure. The dressed up snowman made me think of my father who always said he might melt once he put on that jacket and tie for work or church in the summer.
Snowlady?s Lament
Too fat, such
wide white hips.
New friend
March wind
recommends
a diet of sun.
–Kate Coombs (Book Aunt)
I love “diet of sun.” I need one too after a long winter.
Ha! This one made me laugh. Love the March wind recommending the sun diet.
Me, too. I was thinking about the whole “big” snowman and how to work it in. Love this, Kate.
Our March winds can be warm or cold. You’ve got it just right, that the wind will bring a diet.
Thanks, you guys! (As my New Year’s resolutions melt…)
Snowlady?s Lament
Too fat, such
wide white hips.
New friend
March wind
recommends
a diet of sun.
–Kate Coombs (Book Aunt)
I love “diet of sun.” I need one too after a long winter.
Ha! This one made me laugh. Love the March wind recommending the sun diet.
Me, too. I was thinking about the whole “big” snowman and how to work it in. Love this, Kate.
Our March winds can be warm or cold. You’ve got it just right, that the wind will bring a diet.
Thanks, you guys! (As my New Year’s resolutions melt…)
When you’re made of snow
and grow and grow,
folks say “Oh–whoa!”
Yes they do-just as we did today with this picture. I wonder how it was made.
My thoughts, exactly!!! Whoa.…how did this happen???? And where?
Lots of fun, Cynthia. And indeed, I’m sure this snowguy/gal got plenty of oh whoas!
When you’re made of snow
and grow and grow,
folks say “Oh–whoa!”
Yes they do-just as we did today with this picture. I wonder how it was made.
My thoughts, exactly!!! Whoa.…how did this happen???? And where?
Lots of fun, Cynthia. And indeed, I’m sure this snowguy/gal got plenty of oh whoas!
She threw boulders of snow at the cars below,
But when the drivers looked, she froze!
I love this! The rhythm is great and it’s cheeky :0)
Oh your snowwoman has such an air of innocence…love that “she froze.”
Ah, the cheeky snowgirl. (Great description, Catherine!) Love how you found a way to include the innocence of a snowman and the potential power of the giant in something so totally real ie kids who throw snowballs at car and hide!!!
And looked completely innocent, didn’t he? I like the imagining of what happened “before”.
She threw boulders of snow at the cars below,
But when the drivers looked, she froze!
I love this! The rhythm is great and it’s cheeky :0)
Oh your snowwoman has such an air of innocence…love that “she froze.”
Ah, the cheeky snowgirl. (Great description, Catherine!) Love how you found a way to include the innocence of a snowman and the potential power of the giant in something so totally real ie kids who throw snowballs at car and hide!!!
And looked completely innocent, didn’t he? I like the imagining of what happened “before”.
early March…
a pair of snowmen
in decline
© Diane Mayr
I love the layered meanings of “in decline.”
I agree with Liz–such melancholy in so few words. (But we’ve had enough winter in Michigan, so I welcome their decline!)
They do decline don’t they? It’s rather sad to see the melting.
Ah!! We in the snowbelt long for that melting in March!!! The greyness, the dirty snowbanks and piles and no sunshine.…not fun. And we rarely get snowman making snow!!! Too cold…lake effect snow is puffy and not “packable” !!! So to see the bright blue sky and a beyond huge snowman is a signt for snowsore eyes here in central NY!!!! Though the people, the summer, autumn and the beauty of our region makes up for the snowy and cold and long winters and too short spring!! Come visit!!!
early March…
a pair of snowmen
in decline
© Diane Mayr
I love the layered meanings of “in decline.”
I agree with Liz–such melancholy in so few words. (But we’ve had enough winter in Michigan, so I welcome their decline!)
They do decline don’t they? It’s rather sad to see the melting.
Ah!! We in the snowbelt long for that melting in March!!! The greyness, the dirty snowbanks and piles and no sunshine.…not fun. And we rarely get snowman making snow!!! Too cold…lake effect snow is puffy and not “packable” !!! So to see the bright blue sky and a beyond huge snowman is a signt for snowsore eyes here in central NY!!!! Though the people, the summer, autumn and the beauty of our region makes up for the snowy and cold and long winters and too short spring!! Come visit!!!
I like “go out in style.” It’s not how we usually think of melting.
Oops. That was for Anne. I’m not sure how it got over here…
I like “go out in style.” It’s not how we usually think of melting.
Oops. That was for Anne. I’m not sure how it got over here…
RED by Jeanne Poland
love winter’s red accent:
berries,
birds
and bows.
wets my tongue
eyeballs
and eardrums.
Lovely!
Very visual, Jeanne. You’ve painted a lovely scene and mood.
Oh, yes, the focus on all that red and the blue sky, white contrast, picturesque and reminds us that winter is not all that grey!!! The soft sounds of winter do bathe our eardrums!!! Lovely.
I like that ‘berries, birds and bows”.
RED by Jeanne Poland
love winter’s red accent:
berries,
birds
and bows.
wets my tongue
eyeballs
and eardrums.
Lovely!
Very visual, Jeanne. You’ve painted a lovely scene and mood.
Oh, yes, the focus on all that red and the blue sky, white contrast, picturesque and reminds us that winter is not all that grey!!! The soft sounds of winter do bathe our eardrums!!! Lovely.
I like that ‘berries, birds and bows”.
Love that idea of the competition between them-younger siblings feel that often enough, don’t they? Here’s mine, another lament! It always seems sad that those snow people must stay outside, and especially this one, although he does have a companion.
Snow Giant?s Lament
Dressed up,
ready to play.
No house big enough,
even cold enough–
(Guess here I?ll stay!)
Love how you made it sound sad and lonely. Awww.
I used to play dress up as a kid.…loved it.…dressed up and no place to go except in my imagination.….poor snowmen.…..capture the moments of our lives, right? Fun poem despite the lament!
Love that idea of the competition between them-younger siblings feel that often enough, don’t they? Here’s mine, another lament! It always seems sad that those snow people must stay outside, and especially this one, although he does have a companion.
Snow Giant?s Lament
Dressed up,
ready to play.
No house big enough,
even cold enough–
(Guess here I?ll stay!)
Love how you made it sound sad and lonely. Awww.
I used to play dress up as a kid.…loved it.…dressed up and no place to go except in my imagination.….poor snowmen.…..capture the moments of our lives, right? Fun poem despite the lament!
Stamp! Stomp! Where’s my cake?
How dare you, could you, snowman make?
I can imagine kids in boots, stamping around the snowman, chanting this. Very nice!
Thanks!
Very funny!!! I did think.…wow, it looks like giant marshmallows on steroids!!!
Perfect description, Janet!
Stamp! Stomp! Where’s my cake?
How dare you, could you, snowman make?
I can imagine kids in boots, stamping around the snowman, chanting this. Very nice!
Thanks!
Very funny!!! I did think.…wow, it looks like giant marshmallows on steroids!!!
Perfect description, Janet!
Dressed for Success
Red tie,
Red purse.
Snow-banker?
Snow-nurse?
I’m built to succeed,
Cold comfort, indeed.
Love the confident voice and your rhyme, Buffy. Your poems are always impressive!
Isn’t red a power color? Love it with white!!! Love your poem.
Dressed for Success
Red tie,
Red purse.
Snow-banker?
Snow-nurse?
I’m built to succeed,
Cold comfort, indeed.
Love the confident voice and your rhyme, Buffy. Your poems are always impressive!
Isn’t red a power color? Love it with white!!! Love your poem.
33 Degrees of seperation
Guardian on the hill,
bearer of good news.
Spring is on the way.
separation
Long time no see!
time goes by so quickly lately.…the days are over before I get to everything.
33 Degrees of seperation
Guardian on the hill,
bearer of good news.
Spring is on the way.
separation
Long time no see!
time goes by so quickly lately.…the days are over before I get to everything.
Race frozen snowflakes,
Scoop up some cloud,
Climb the snowman staircase,
Share your poem outloud!
Race frozen snowflakes,
Scoop up some cloud,
Climb the snowman staircase,
Share your poem outloud!
What Goes Around, Snows Around
or Snow Man Is an Island
Karma?
Watching you
watching me, wondering
what you’d look like
frozen, frumpy, naked, fat.
Cold!
–Pamela Ross
What Goes Around, Snows Around
or Snow Man Is an Island
Karma?
Watching you
watching me, wondering
what you’d look like
frozen, frumpy, naked, fat.
Cold!
–Pamela Ross
SNOWMAN’S KRYPTONITE
3‑tiered mountain
Of frozen fury
Will never withstand
Sunshine’s glare.
© Charles Waters 2013 all rights reserved.
SNOWMAN’S KRYPTONITE
3‑tiered mountain
Of frozen fury
Will never withstand
Sunshine’s glare.
© Charles Waters 2013 all rights reserved.