Poetry Challenge #134-Your Inner Animal
Zoologically speaking, I’m a huge fan. If you’re response is “Boo to Zoo!” Have you been to a zoo lately?
Of the ones I’ve visited, and we seem to visit a lot, nowadays, most recently The San Diego Zoo, here’s what I’ve noticed: the animals in the zoo have not been captured ruthlessly. for the most part they are rescues. (Don’t believe me, read the signs.)
FYI: “The first modern zoo was established in the beauty of Vienna, Austria with the order of Emperor Francis I in 1752. It was created to viewing pleasure of the imperial family, but in 1765 it was extended to the public.”—via https://happydays365.org/zoo-lovers-day/national-zoo-lovers-day-april-8/.
While on the subject of the San Diego Zoo, one of the most interesting “Road Trip” books I’ve read is Lynda Rutledge’s West With Giraffe, non-fiction that reads like a novel.
What’s more animals are gorgeous, fascinating, interesting…all the ings.
Poetry Challenge #134
Access Your Inner Animal
Imagine you’re an animal at the zoo. (If you’re not a fan of the zoo, then for purposes of this prompt, channel Dr. Dolittle.)
Write a poem from that animal’s point-of-view. What does it see, think, feel? Who are its friends/enemies? When is dinner?
How would you describe the people looking at you?
What would you think they love based on the people they’re with or what they’re wearing or eating?
If you spoke the same language, what would you say to them?
For extra fun, see if you can’t use words that sound like your animal. Ssssay for instance, you are a python…
Set your timer for 7 minutes
Start writing!
Don’t think about it too much; just do it!
*This photo links to an article about the trip from NY to San Diego with the giraffes. Click: “How A Gift of Giraffes in 1938 Helped Make the San Diego Zoo.”
Cindy Faughnan and I began this 7-Minute Poetry Challenge MORE THAN 3600 days ago! We now take turns creating our own prompts to share with you. If you join us in the Challenge, let us know by posting the title, a note, or if you want, the whole poem in the comments.
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Poetry Challenge #132-Little Red Wagons Get Rolling!
What movie was it where the kids took off in a Radio Flyer? I’ve been wracking my brain trying to remember…. Of course I could GTS but I choose not to. (Besides, I have you….) Besides, that’s not the point. The point is that that little red wagon gave those kids them freedom. And it’s that what summer vacation is about? Being Free! Flying under ones own power? Summer Break aside, they even have a national holiday for doing just that. The last Wednesday each March is Little Red Wagon Day, a holiday established by Radio Flyer in honor of their Little Red Wagon “to encourage kids to get outside, get active and go wherever their imaginations take them.”
Let’s take it for a spin around the old noggin maze—with words!
Poetry Challenge #132
Little Red Wagons Get Rolling!
Norman has a little red wagon—that’s how he rolls! Bennett had one too. How about you?
Do you remember bumping along the street pulling a little red wagon? Or maybe, as my brother and his friends did, attaching the wagon to your dog’s leash and trying to get him/her to tow you?
If you had a Little Red Wagon who or what would you fill it with? Or, if you’re the passenger, who’d be pulling the wagon? And where would your adventuring take you? Imagine the rhythm of the wheels rolling along. What does it sound like? What does it feel like?
Create a rhythmic Little Red Wagon poem by first creating a refrain evoking the sound and feel of the ride. See if you can use the refrain three times in your poem. *
Set your timer for 7 minutes
Start writing!
Don’t think about it too much; just do it!
Cindy Faughnan and I began this 7-Minute Poetry Challenge 3000+++ days ago. We now take turns creating our own prompts to share with you. If you join us in the Challenge, let us know by posting the title, a note, or if you want, the whole poem in the comments.
Click on Fishbowl link below and sign up to receive email notifications from Kelly's blog (aka The Fishbowl):
SUBSCRIBE TO THE FISHBOWL
Fin Pals Ask Norman T Goldfish "How Do I Wake Wanda the Crawfish?"
Norman T. Goldfish answers letters from readers. Click on the link to read his reply.
Say kids, Norman had never even heard of a crawfish before receiving Scarlett’s letter. So, we looked it up in our go-to encyclopedia Kiddle. Here are some fun crayfish facts! and more about molting from Acuriopets. Click below for a closeup of a crawfish in action.
Some friends write letters, some ask questions, some send pictures. Norman glugs them all! Do you think Scarlett looks as worried as Norman’s human does in this drawing?
Do you have a question for Norman the Goldfish—about friends, school, pets, family, life in and outside the fishbowl? Send him a letter! He’d love to hear from you!
Mail your questions to Norman at:
Norman the Goldfish
PO Box 1094
WHB, NY 11978
Be sure to include your return address if you want Norman to write back.
E-Mail questions to Norman:
Snap a photo of your handwritten question and email it to Norman using the handy-dandy form: Click Here for E-Mail Form. (Don’t forget to sign it!)
And!!!!! Everyone who sends Norman a question will be entered to WIN a prize in Kelly’s Giveaway!
Pen Pals ask Kelly, "Did You Ever Do Something Else?"
Norman T. Goldfish answers letters from readers. Click on the link to read his reply.
Norman T. Goldfish doesn’t get all the mail; sometimes Pen Pals write to Kelly too. In this letter, Jada asks the question lots of friends ask:
What do you think? Has Kelly had other jobs? Should she get one now? Or should she keep writing stories?
Scroll down for Kelly’s response:
Do you have a question for Norman the Goldfish—about friends, school, pets, family, life in and outside the fishbowl? Send him a letter! Click Here for Details!
And!!!!! Everyone who sends Norman a question will be entered to WIN a prize in Kelly’s Giveaway!
Fin Pals Ask Norman T Goldfish: What's Your Favorite Frosting?
Norman T. Goldfish answers letters from readers. Click on the link to read his reply.
“Hurrah-hooray! It’s my birthday!”
What kind of frosting do you think Norman wants on his cake? If you were a goldfish what kind would you like? Scroll down to read Norman’s answer.
Glug
Glug
Glug . . .
And check out these fishbowl cake pops our friend, Jamie Golden at Sweet Revenge made:
Do you have a question for Norman the Goldfish—about friends, school, pets, family, life in and outside the fishbowl? Send him a letter! Click Here for Details!
And!!!!! Everyone who sends Norman a question will be entered to WIN a prize in Kelly’s Giveaway!
Fin Pals Ask Norman T Goldfish: What if a Friend is Mean?
Norman T. Goldfish answers letters from readers. Click on the link to read his reply.
Have you ever told someone “Go away!”? Or “I don’t want to play with you?” Norman has. And school friends said mean things to him, too. What do you think Norman did afterwards?
Scroll down to read Norman’s answer.
Glug
Glug
Glug . . .
“Give a friend some time and then say “Hi! Let’s talk.”
For more about friends not being friendly, you and your adult can read “Three Ways to Deal with a Mean Friend.”
Do you have a question for Norman the Goldfish—about friends, school, pets, family, life in and outside the fishbowl? Send him a letter! Click Here for Details!
And!!!!! Everyone who sends Norman a question will be entered to WIN a prize in Kelly’s Giveaway!
Fin Pals Ask Norman T Goldfish about Vacations . . .
Norman T. Goldfish answers letters from readers. Click on the link to read his reply.
The picture below, another Fin Pal drew, shows exactly how I felt riding riding riding in the car…
Do you have a question for Norman the Goldfish—about friends, school, pets, family, life in and outside the fishbowl? Send him a letter! He’d love to hear from you!
Mail your questions to Norman at:
Norman the Goldfish
PO Box 1094
WHB, NY 11978
Be sure to include your return address if you want Norman to write back.
E-Mail questions to Norman:
Snap a photo of your handwritten question and email it to Norman using the handy-dandy form: Click Here for E-Mail Form. (Don’t forget to sign it!)
And!!!!! Everyone who sends Norman a question will be entered to WIN a prize in Kelly’s Giveaway!
Ask Norman T Goldfish...Anything You Want!
Norman T. Goldfish answers letters from readers. Click on the link to read his reply.
I have good news and good-good news. First, the good news:
Norman won’t be answering any mail this week because he’s on Vacation!
Bahamas, Baby!
The Good-Good News: Norman loves hearing from Fin Pals!
Do you have a question for Norman the Goldfish—about friends, school, pets, family, life in and outside the fishbowl? Send him a letter! He’d love to hear from you!
Mail your questions to Norman at:
Norman the Goldfish
PO Box 1094
WHB, NY 11978
Be sure to include your return address if you want Norman to write back.
E-Mail questions to Norman:
Snap a photo of your handwritten question and email it to Norman using the handy-dandy form: Click Here for E-Mail Form. (Don’t forget to sign it!)
And!!!!! Everyone who sends Norman a question will be entered to WIN a prize in Kelly’s Giveaway!