Writer's Celebration

Today we had our writers celebration (Poetry edition) in my Teaching Elementary Language Arts class. We drank cappuccino and shared our poems. Here are mine

Kissing Frog

My grandma gave me this frog to kiss
On the side it says “Fairy Tales Can Come True”
The implications of this gift were hard to miss
But just in case, my cousin said "Kristin has already kissed a frog or two"

Now mind you, I am not the superstitious sort
But the little charmer won me over
I took him home and placed my sweet heart in his froggy court
Surely, he would be my love’s four leaf clover

Before leaving for a date I would give the little guy a peck
I deserved a happily ever after too
My reader, I am sure even you can respect
My search for the man with that fabled shoe

After many trollish suitors,
I realized that
My little friend was better at attracting frogs than a charming prince
That’s when I decided,
That when it comes to love,
good luck charms are no match for a little, good old, common sense


Afraid of the Dark

Fall chill stings my nose
Warm cinnamon and pumpkin spice soothe
I clutch the grainy red brick stoop and look to the sky
White washed façade reaches above me

Gnarled oak branches sway in the breeze
Clear silver moon peaks through the rustling leaves
The pillars of the old southern porch wrap around me
Through the windows the red hearth flames leap begging for my attention
Imploring me to come sit in their warm presence

I linger in the night
Watching the tiny winged field mice
Darting around the oak fingers
Catching their gossamer clad dinner

It is not the warm, caramel glow,
But the dark serenity of night that washes through me

She is deep and hypnotic
Like a panther’s purr

She is mystery and adventure
I wish to go with her

Long to discover her secrets
What might the night hold in store for me?

I stay on the step

Border between the familiar and unknown

Maybe, someday, I will no longer fear the dark
And then
Only then, will I truly embrace the night


Pastoral Poem on Passing a Pasture

Grassy fields and wooden fences
Stretch out in all directions

This provincial scene is not what draws my mind
The brilliant colors are what I can not leave behind

Dusty lavender skies
Patch work blue clouds, make me question my eyes

Grass emitting lime rays from deep within
Slowly sinking sun melting over the horizon

Obligations can fall to triviality
I must bear witness to this surreal reality