November 2011 – Elizabeth Steinglass

adults, older kids, sonnet

Wolves in the Woods

I know there are no wolves in these cold woods,

no bears, no foxes, no wolves, but I see

the hiding places, fallen trees, small mounds

of dirt, and branches just above my head.

I see the darkness here, but I can’t see

what’s hiding there. I hear the leaves erupt.

I know it is the sound of busy squirrels,

but still my heart suspects it might be wolves.

I’ve heard the stories about wolves and woods,

and children walking far from home alone,

the stories grown-ups told me before bed,

before they said the stories were not true.

I know there are no wolves in these cold woods,

But I am here, and I am full of thoughts.

November 29, 2011/by lsteinglass

adults, older kids

Small Mammal

holding the creature

in his hand the boy feels

its eager heartbeat

just as others have grasped

his pulse in their larger hands

November 26, 2011/by lsteinglass

older kids, sonnet

Iambic Lament

I hear iambic thumping in my head.

Each time I part my lips I feel some dread.

I wonder if the words that I will speak

Will make me sound like some obnoxious geek.

I cannot seem to quit, though it’s my hope

To speak in prose just like a normal dope.

Perhaps if I can hold my breath inside,

The hiccups in my words will soon subside.

I wonder if this happened to the bard.

He did it once and learned it wasn’t hard,

Then found he didn’t have the will to stop,

Despite his father’s shabby leather strop.

You say you have a great idea for me?

Something called a trochee?

November 23, 2011/by lsteinglass

older kids

S. Mutens

Clinging to the walls

Of the hot, dark cave,

We eat every sweet

That you might crave,

Turning the sugars

To acids that file

The rocky walls

Of your cragged smile.

November 18, 2011/by lsteinglass

older kids, plants

Spore Launch

Mosses growing sporophytes to launch their spores

She built a sodden capsule

High above the din,

Relying on the sunshine

To shrink the rocket’s skin,

Squeezing all the contents

Until they must explode,

Sending all her babies

To find a new abode.

November 14, 2011/1 Comment/by lsteinglass

all ages, haiku, plants

Mine

shiny red tulip
in the tired daffodils
my sweet lollipop

November 7, 2011/4 Comments/by lsteinglass

older kids

Insulin Shock

I heard her call my name.

Her voice was high and far away.

She only said it once,

So I went to her in the kitchen

Where she worked every night.

Her smile had fallen.

Her light brown skin looked yellow.

She was holding the counter,

But her arms were shaking

Like she was having her own earthquake.

“My purse,” she said.

I ran by her, grabbed the leather bag,

and ran it back. She dumped it.

Wallet, change, lipstick, tissues,

hard candies clattered on the counter.

She clutched a purple ball and tried to open it,

But her hands were shaking too much.

I took it from her and twisted the ends.

I dropped the candy in her hand.

She rushed it to her mouth,

Then sat down hard on the floor.

Sweat beaded by her ear.

I opened another and another and another.

I gave her every piece of candy I could find

Until she could stand.

November 6, 2011/1 Comment/by lsteinglass

Uncategorized

Dance!

When I hear music, I jump to my feet.

I twirl. I whirl. I bop to the beat.

When I dance, my body sings.

I love to dance more than anything!

When I hear music, I ditch my seat.

I shimmy like a snake that has no feet.

I soar like a hawk on open wings.

My body needs to dance more than anything.

Come on! Get up! Get off your seat.

Listen to the music. Move to the beat.

Shake and sway! Spin and swing!

Wriggle your hips like a shimmering spring!

When I’m dancing, my body sings.

I love to dance more than anything!

November 2, 2011/by lsteinglass

Elizabeth Steinglass

Poetry for Children and their Grownups