I am knee-deep in tic writing, and sometimes I just need a break.
Before my mammoth adventure into book writing, I had started a collection of poems — “just because” poems based on my kids and my zany family and fueled by love of anything Seuss and Shel Silverstein.
I don’t purport to have the talent of either of these brilliant writers, but I hope to finish my collection of work nonetheless.
Here’s one I wrote. Would love to know what you are doing to keep yourself busy. Send me to your websites if you have one, even if it’s a business. I’d love know you more.
The following poem was inspired by Stink. It’s a true story about something that happened to him in first grade. He still has his pink Scooby Doo umbrella (or as we like to call it, his “parasol”), and our family couldn’t find him more weird and charming for it God bless the independent thinkers of this earth!
Pink Umbrella
Mom said kids might laugh at me
And even cause a scuffle
If I took this umbrella to school with me
It’s pink (and it has a ruffle)
“Honey,” she said, “You know I don’t care
But since you’re a boy… some kids might stare
So here’s a tip that I have for you:
Be prepared for an answer that works for you.”
My mom’s pretty sharp so I thought of an answer
‘Bout why boys could wear pink and could sing and be dancers
So when Markus asked, “Dude, why are you carrying THAT?”
I said, “Friend, can’t you see that some girls don’t have hats?
“I don’t want their hair-do’s to get wet in the rain
So I’ll walk them to class and they’ll never complain.”
And then while he stood there, kind of biting his lips
I decided to get one more thing in real quick
“My papa says girls like boys who can groove
So if I save their hair then one day you’ll see, Dude,
That I’ll have a date to any dance that I please”
And then something happened that you wouldn’t believe
At school the next day… under those rainy day showers
Marcus brought an umbrella – it was purple… with flowers
This is so sweet and a real testament to familial support. Thanks for sharing!