Day 366: Chanukah Wishes

See, I told you it wasn't really the end. 2nd night of Chanukah--I posted this on Facebook today and thought I'd share it here. I think I'm going to keep this blog up, even though it probably won't be daily any more.

Chanukah Wishes
By Batsheva 12/2/10

It's Day number one and night number two
And here are my Chanukah wishes for you
May your latkes be tasty
Your doughnuts be sweet
Your luck at the dreidel
Too good to be beat
May you be warm and toasty
May your candles burn long
May you learn some great, happy, new Chanukah song
May you spend the next week
Aglow with the light
Of a holiday joyous and festive and bright.

Day 365: The End

I started this blog on my birthday last year. Tomorrow is my birthday again. It wasn't perfect. Lots of posts wound up being delayed. But I did it. I wrote over 365 poems in 365 days. :-)

The End
By Batsheva 12/1/10

An ending can be sad
If what's ending was quite fun
But it also can be happy
If you're glad something got done

Whenever something ends, you'll find
As you finally close that door
There's newness on the other side
There's always something more

So every single end contains
A precious, grateful seed
Of a brilliant, new beginning
That end was all you'd need

To start your fresh new something
And to see it come to light
Even the saddest endings
Can turn into something bright

And so I hope you'll understand
As I take my leave my friend,
There is no need to say good-bye
For this is not the end

Day 364: Docked

Docked
By Batsheva 11/30/10

A boat sits safely docked at shore
Avoiding storms and ocean's roar
No harm will come to it--that's true
But. . .
That's not what boats are built to do

Day 363: The Boulder

The Boulder
By Batsheva 11/29/10

A giant boulder
Silent, still
Perched atop
A high, high hill
It is no threat
It does not move
So stable
In its earthen groove

And yet
If someone comes along
With a force
Intense and strong
That boulder
Will begin to roll
And maybe take
A heavy toll

But if people
Must move that stone
They need a plan
That's wisely honed
So they'll be able
To control
The rock
When it begins
To roll

Day 362: Reaching for the stars

Reaching for the Stars
By Batsheva 11/28/10

Reaching for the stars is great
But now I think I've learned
It's better not to touch them
For you're liable to get burned

Day 361 (Delayed): Symbiosis

The result of sitting in on a 9th grade biology lecture. Not great poetry, the rhythm and meter stink, but I was bored and had to do something.

Symbiosis
By Batsheva 11/27/10

Symbiosis means two creatures
Of two species live together
Come rain or shine
In every kind
Of good or nasty weather
"Sym" means together
While "Bio" means life
And symbiosis can cause
Great benefits or strife

Parasitism is a symbiosis form
Where a win and a loss
Are always the norm
One creature takes advantage
Of another
To its harm
And if you have a parasite
It's true cause for alarm

But commensalism is a better
Symbiosis type
One creature benefits but the other
Has no gripe

Mutualism means each organism
Only helps the other
Like a trusted friend, a colleague,
Or a sister, or a brother
And I suspect that
If you're on the ball
You'll see this is the best
Symbiotic type of all

And the moral, I think
If I got this right
Is avoid (and don't be)
A parasite

Day 360: Bones

Bones
By Batsheva 11/26/10

I think you'll find a skeleton
Is much harder than gelatin
It doesn't jiggle
Or even wiggle
Unless you want it to
Those bones provide a strong structure for you

Yes, the skeleton has an important job
Just keeping your body
From being a blob

Bones give a stable, sturdy frame
And shape on which to hang a name

Now, aren't you glad that everyone owns
Those very useful things called bones?

Day 359: Thanksgiving Day

Thanksgiving Day
By Batsheva 11/25/10

What do you have to be thankful for
On this Thanksgiving Day?
The ability to think and speak
And the right to have your say
The gift of all your senses
Hearing, vision, taste, touch, smell
Without them you might miss some things
I'm sure that you can tell
The company of family
And friends who hold you dear
On Thanksgiving it's a great time
Just to have your loved ones near

What do you have to be thankful for
On this Thanksgiving Day?
Good health, good food,
A warm, good mood
That's the Thanksgiving way.

Day 358 (Delayed): 50 Years

50 Years
By Batsheva 11/24/10

50 years of herring
50 years of soup
50 years of Zayde
Always hiding in his "Coop"

50 years of puzzles
50 years of pie
50 years of Bubbe
With a gleam in her eye

50 years of learning
50 years of love
50 years of marriage
Made in Heaven above

Day 357: Desserts

Desserts
By Batsheva 11/23/10

Apple, pumpkin, cherry, berry
Banana or key lime
I'll take any flavor pie
At almost any time

Chocolate, vanilla, strawberry,
Mint, pecan praline
I'm accepting any offer
When it comes to--yum--ice cream!

Cakes are great and cookies too
Of every shape and kind
Yes, when it comes to sweet desserts
I can't make up my mind

I have no true, strong preference
To me, each one does call
So when it's time to choose dessert
I guess I'll take them all!

Day 356 (Delayed): Forever

Forever
By Batsheva 11/22/10

Forever is a long, long time
But that's what marriage means
At least it is supposed to
Though that isn't how it seems

So many couples get divorced
It happens all the time
Marriage isn't quite forever
Which is sad, though not a crime

It means two people who once thought
They'd be together 'til they died
Have made the choice to live apart
That doesn't mean they lied

They meant it when they married
Their vows were quite sincere
But sometimes situations change
For reasons not so clear

Still, I prefer forever
When I've found a love so true
And I will work to make it last
Forever, my love, with you.

Day 355: Tickets

Tickets
By Batsheva 11/21/10

You need a ticket to ride a train
You must have a ticket to fly in a plane
To see a movie or even a play
Having a ticket's the only way

A ticket's a pass to some fabulous fun
So why wasn't Mom glad
When the cop gave her one?

Day 354 (Delayed): Pomegranates and Cherries

Pomegranates and Cherries
By Batsheva 11/20/10

Pomegranates and Cherries
Are the base of this drink
Which isn't as odd
As you might think
For those are the two fruits
This couple love best
Much better by far
Than all of the rest
Those fruits come together
To make a great blend
A bit tart, but still sweet
Perfect pair, to the end

Day 353 (Delayed): All Golden

I will be posting several personal poems in honor of my parents upcoming 50th anniversary. This is the first. One of the things I like about this poem is the sound effects. In addition to rhyme, I enjoy playing with sounds in other ways. In this case, the words, "All of" said with a certain accent or tone, can be heard as either, "I love" or "I'll have." I think different pronunciations give these words different layers of meaning.

All Golden
By Batsheva 11/19/10

Bubbe and Zayde
Fifty gold years
All of the laughter
All of the tears
All of the pleasures
All of the pain
All of the sunshine
All of the rain
All of the stories
All of the song
All of the love
That was there
All along

Day 352: Suicide

Suicide (He would have been 56 today.)
By Batsheva 11/18/10

Your bitterness and lies
Never let you keep a wife
We should not have been surprised
When you chose to end your life

You took and took and took
It was all you knew to do
Almost, not quite a crook
And then you took your own life too

You had so many gifts
Why was it so hard to give?
Spent your life creating rifts
I guess that made it hard to live

The goodness deep within your soul
Sometimes it shone quite clear
But loving you did take its toll
Guess you've paid now, my dear

Day 351: Orchestra

Orchestra
By Batsheva 11/17/10

Violins, Cellos,
Pianos, harps, bass
Stringed instruments
Are so full of grace

Piccolos, clarinets
Oboes, bassoons
And flutes
Are called woodwinds
They play lovely tunes

French Horns and trumpets
Tubas, trombones
Brass instruments play
Quite a wide range of tones

Last comes percussion
We call, "Tympani"
When these come together
Play a symphony

Day 350: Body

Body (Not a children's poem!)
By Batsheva 11/16/10

This sack of flesh you see
It really isn't me
Skin and bones and fat and blood
It will someday
Decay
In mud
But that's okay
For now
Its role
Is just a suitcase
For my soul

Day 349: Thankful

Thankful
By Batsheva 11/15/10

I'm thankful for the grape juice
I'm thankful for the cup
I'm thankful for this dinner
Now, come on
Let's eat it up!

Day 348 (Delayed): Stars

Stars
By Batsheva 11/14/10

Movie stars
TV stars
What does it mean?
Are people somehow better
'Cause we see them on a screen?

They're ordinary people
Just like me and just like you
The only way they're different
Is the job they have to do

So if you speak to me of stars
You shouldn't be surprised
If my attention wanders
To the stars up in the skies

Day 347: Worse

Worse
By Batsheva 11/13/10

Whatever your problem or trouble
Whatever your worry or curse
If someone just popped your big bubble
Just know it could always be worse

Day 346: Babies

Babies
By Batsheva 11/12/10

They come wrapped up in bundles
These drippy, squishy things
But they're really tiny people
Just like cherubs without wings

They can be so loud and messy
But they're also awfully cute
And mom doesn't even yell
When baby spits up on her suit

I'd never get away with that
Not me--I'm much too old
But babies always seem to
'Cause they're little--so I'm told

Still, I wish that I could get away
With things that babies do
Though I guess that if I tried
They would call me a baby too

Day 345 (Delayed): A Grain of Sand

A Grain of Sand
By Batsheva 11/11/10

A grain of sand upon the beach
Is like nothing at all
Who notices one in a billion things
So very, very small?

But a grain of sand can be quite huge
And even make you cry
At any given moment when
It's sitting in your eye

Day 344: Black Licorice

Black Licorice
By Batsheva 11/10/10

Black Licorice is delicious
Though some people say that it's gross
Yes, I've heard many say that it's awful
The flavor that I like the most

But just because other kids hate it
That does not mean that it is no good
'Cause taste should not be debated
Though people may say that we should

I'd much rather eat my black candy
Eat your red stuff
I'll leave you alone
Now wouldn't that really be dandy
If we say tastes are to each his own?

Day 343 (Delayed): How Many?

How Many?
By Batsheva 11/9/10

How many stairs will you climb in your life?
How many steps will you take?
How many years with a husband or wife?
How many times will you wake?

You never will know all the answers
Though some you will find on the way
We all have to take our best chances
What matters is life
Day by day

Day 342 (Delayed): The Price of a Rainbow

The Price of a Rainbow
By Batsheva 11/8/10

The price of a rainbow
Is living through the rain
The price of finding inner peace
Is putting up with pain

Day 341: Good Advice

Good Advice
By Batsheva 11/7/10

When you fall off a horse
Get right back on
Advice upon which to rely
For one fact that you can
Depend upon
Success may take many a try

Day 340 (Delayed): Cotton Candy

Cotton Candy
By Batsheva 11/6/10

Cotton Candy
Tastes so dandy
Makes me want to cry
Or maybe
It's just all that sugar
Getting in my eye!

Day 339: Delayed: Everything

Everything
By Batsheva 11/5/10

That guy?
The one you think
Has everything?
Maybe he's tone deaf
And really wishes
He could sing

That rich girl?
With the nannies, drivers
And cooks?
Maybe she wishes she just had
A mom
Who'd read her books

Perhaps there's a price
That we all have to pay
For what we have
With what we don't have
Each day
And if there's a bill
Well, I'm sure we can foot it
'Cause no one has everything
Where would we put it?

Day 338 (Delayed) : Our Solar System

Our Solar System
By Batsheva 11/4/10

In the very center is a fiery
Ball of gas
A star, the sun, whose name
Is Sol
And boy, that Sol has class
It keeps the system moving
Keeps each planet in its place
Their elliptical orbits
Going on with endless grace
Sol's gravity controls them all
Those eight fine planets great
And all the little dwarf ones
On which there's much debate
One fact that's not in question
Is the sun's essential role
Within our solar system
It's old Sol who is the soul

Day 337 (Delayed): Coyotes

Coyotes
By Batsheva 11/3/10

I've heard there are coyotes in my town
It's a fact that really makes me frown
Though they look just like a dog
Coyote'd eat one
Oh how I hope and pray
I never meet one

I wish they'd just go back
From where they came
But the poor coyotes can't
It's humans' shame
We destroyed their habitat
Now our towns are where they're at
And there's no one but ourselves
Whom we can blame

Day 336: Bears

Bears
By Batsheva 11/2/10

Bears can be extremely scary
And more than just a little hairy
With very sharp claws
At the ends of their paws
And teeth oh so big
They could eat a whole pig
To meet a bear,
I'm just not ready
Unless of course,
His name is Teddy.

Day 335: Glasses

Glasses
By Batsheva 11/1/10

Some people have perfect vision
And some folks need glasses to see
While some others live in darkness
They're as blind as blind can be

Blind people simply can't help it
Any more than those with good sight
And it's not your fault you need glasses
To help you to see things all right

But if you need glasses
Then wear them
Don't lose them or leave them behind
For people who won't wear their glasses
Might just as well choose to be blind

Day 334 (Delayed): Maps

Maps
By Batsheva 10/31/10

A map can show you how to get
To where you want to go
But before it can
There are some things that you must know

You have to know just where you are
And then, it's plain to see
You need to have a good idea
Of where you want to be

But once you know both of these things
You'll never go astray
If you have a good, clear map
To help you find your way

Day 333 (Delayed): Basketball

Basketball
By Batsheva 10/30/10

Young Bobby loved his basketball
He really loved it most of all
'Twas his favorite game
Which wasn't a shame
Since Bobby grew seven feet tall!

Day 332 (Delayed): Alphabet Names

Alphabet Names
By Batsheva 10/29/10

Adam
Bonnie
Chase
Danielle
Eric
Farrah
Gabriel
Hannah
Isaac
Julie
Ken
Laura
Max
Nancy
Owen
Paula
Quentin
Rachel
Sheldon
Tara
Ulric
Vicki
Weldon
Xena
Yaroslav
Zanetta
There are names for every letter
None are good and none are bad
Chosen by your Mom and Dad
If you don't like yours
When you're grown
Choose a new name
For your own

Day 331: Growing

Growing
By Batsheva 10/28/10

First you hold your head up
Then you learn to sit
Your body's really growing
Each day, bit by bit

Next thing you know, you're crawling
Then you begin to stand
And soon you start to toddle
When you're holding someone's hand

Then suddenly you're talking
And walking on your own
In just about eighteen short years
You'll be completely grown

But that won't mean that growth stops
You should never cease to learn
That way your mind keeps growing
And true wisdom you will earn

So someday when you're very old
You can look back and smile
Knowing you're still growing
And you're doing it with style

Day 330: Sweet Potato

Sweet Potato
By Batsheva 10/27/10

Sweet potato
Neat potato
Yummy as can be
Sweet potato
Treat potato
Tasty to me

There's one strange thing about it
A detail, rather small
Sweet potato isn't really
A potato, after all.

Day 329 (Delayed): Safety

Safety
By Batsheva 10/26/10

Wear a seatbelt in a car
A helmet on a bike
Elbow pads and knee pads
For skating if you like

Don't answer the door for strangers
Don't walk alone at night
Don't ever run with scissors
Don't disappear out of sight

Don't swim right after eating
And never go by yourself
And don't climb a dresser or bookcase
Or any kind of shelf

Don't talk while you're eating
If you do, then you could choke
And please remember all these rules
'Cause safety is no joke

Day 328: Ode to a Special Pet

Ode to a Special Pet
By Batsheva 10/25/10

I have a very special pet
I keep him by my side
He's never, ever run away
He's never even tried

Some people used to like pet rocks
But I think they're a bore
If my pet isn't living
Least, 'twas living once before

Okay, I'll give you one more clue
My pet's old
Now, Have you guessed?
Yes, my pet is a fossil
And I'll tell you
They're the best!

My pet is a coelenterate
Devonian in age
I know this may sound strange to you
They're surely not the rage

But a fossil is much nicer
Than a dog or cat or bird
It doesn't bark
Or shed
Or molt
Don't think me too absurd

For a fossil is a faithful pet
And very bright
It's true!
If you'd been here .4 billion years
You'd know a few things too.

He knows about the early life
On this ancient, big, blue ball
And the change and growth
This world has seen
Hold on, now that's not all

He can even teach us all those things
It's not really too hard a task
That critter knows the answers
We need only know how to ask

So if you're looking for a pet
That's quiet, clean, and smart
Then, find yourself a fossil,
And I say this from my heart

For if you find a fossil
It won't even cost a dime,
And then you'll have a special pet
Who's stood the test
Of time.

Day 327 (Delayed): Try It

Try It
By Batsheva 10/24/10

The food you see in a restaurant
You do not have to buy it
But if someone prepares food for you
The least to do is try it

It may look funny
It may smell weird
But it probably won't be
As bad as you feared

You do not have to eat it all
But please don't make a face
And eat at least a little bit
You have to have a taste

You may actually like it
If you just give it a try
It could well be delicious
Better than your favorite pie

But even if it isn't
And you'd never, ever buy it
If someone prepares food for you
You really have to try it

Day 326 (Delayed): Utensils

Utensils
By Batsheva 10/23/10

A fork or a knife
Could end a life
If used in a dangerous way
But I have a hunch
They'll just help you eat lunch
When you go to use them today

Day 325 (Delayed): Differently

Differently
By Batsheva 10/22/10

Everyone learns differently
What's easy for you
May not be for me
And subjects that I find a piece of cake
You might find too difficult
Even to fake

Some people have a head for math
And some for language arts
Some are great at music
And some at throwing darts

I find learning easy if I
Hear what's being said
But you may have to see it first
To get it in your head
And many folks are more hands-on
They have to "do" to learn
While other people struggle
All the time
At every turn

The way folks learn is not their fault
It's just the way we are
But every single soul can learn
We all can go so far
And if you are a lucky one
Who learns quite easily
Please don't mock other people
'Cause we all learn differently

Day 324 (Delayed): Crazy

Crazy
By Batsheva 10/21/10

Have you ever seen string beans
Wear a pair of blue jeans?
What's that?
You think that would be weird?
What about a bowling ball
With a beard?
You say that would be very silly?
Then you should see
A house full of chili
But if you'd find that fine and funny
Check out that suit made out of money!
In a world so crazy
I think it's plain
You'd have to be crazy
Just to be sane

Day 323: Stuck in Your Head

Stuck in Your Head
By Batsheva 10/20/10

Do you ever get something stuck in your head
A worry, a wish, a fear, or a dread?
And you just can't think of a thing besides
That spinning wheel in your brain's insides?

You have two choices
Without a doubt
You can ride that wheel
'Til the gas runs out
Or you can find a ride that's new
Something better
To occupy you

Either way
It may help to remember
What's stuck in your head
Won't be there next December

Day 322: Calculus

Calculus
By Batsheva 10/19/10

When you can add
Subtract, divide,
And multiply
You'll feel some pride
But when you get geometry
Algebra
Trigonometry
You'll see you've mastered
Something great
But, friend,
Before you celebrate
You should know
That all of us
Get overwhelmed
By calculus

Day 321: PB&J

PB&J
By Batsheva 10/18/10

Peanut butter and jelly
Gives me a happy belly
It's a meal and it's a treat
It has protein
But it's sweet
So please don't cook me something smelly
I'll take peanut butter and jelly!

Day 320: A Fact

A Fact
By Batsheva 10/17/10

Some girls have diamonds
Some girls have pearls
But that doesn't mean
That they're luckier girls
Than those who have no jewels
Or beads made of wood
It's a fact that I wish
Lots more folks understood

Day 319: Social Studies

Social Studies
By Batsheva 10/16/10

Even if you hate it
Just give it a whirl
At least if your someone
Who lives in this world

'Cause if you're a hermit
Then you won't need it much
But if you spend time
Around people and such
Social studies will help you
To learn about life
How people make friends
And also cause strife
How government works
And communities form
How folks interact
What behavior's the norm

History's secrets
Are useful today
And you'll learn them all
Social studies's the way

Day 318: Goldfish

Goldfish
By Batsheva 10/15/10

Just because it's called a goldfish
Doesn't mean it's made of gold
Though your sandwich is a hero
It's not really all that bold

Names can be very tricky
'Cause they often do not mean
Exactly what they ought to
They're not always what they seem

A hamburger contains no ham
And a gumdrop isn't gum
A buffalo does not have wings
Some names just seem quite dumb

So when you make decisions
Try to do your research well
For there are many qualities
A name just cannot tell

Then you will be quite brainy
And when you're growing old
You won't go buy a goldfish
'Cause you think it's made of gold

Day 317: Lightning Bug

Lightning Bug
By Batsheva 10/14/10

The lightning bug is just a bug
Until it shines its light
Enchanting all who see it
With its brilliant, glowing flight

Lightning bugs are also known
As fireflies, but hey--
What difference does the name make
When you see these critters play?

And yet they're boring little bugs
Until the night arrives
It's only then we notice
Their little, magic lives

That moment when we see them
As they share their treasured gift
Twinkling in the darkness
It gives our hearts a lift

So when you seek something special
Something beautiful and bright
Remember the boring little bug
And the gift it shares at night

Day 316: Advice

Advice
By Batsheva 10/13/10

If you decide you want to get
Yourself a cute and cuddly pet
Take my advice, please, listen, hark!
Do not get a great white shark.

But if you will not take advice
And you insist a shark is nice
Please don't take it to the park
And don't play with it in the dark

Consider first, please, how you'd feel
If you became your pet's next meal
But, oh no, you won't take advice
So there's no need to tell you twice

Instead, I guess you'll wonder why
I very sadly say, "Goodbye."

Day 315: Liar

Liar
By Batsheva 10/12/10

Most people really don't like school
Unless they are like me
And have so very many friends
Great popularity

Everyone wants to sit near me
They offer to carry my books
No one would ever insult me
Or give me those mean, dirty looks

No, people all treat me so nicely
They tell me that I'm really cool
Is it any wonder I love it
Coming here every day to this school?

They tell me I'm sweet and I'm clever
And I couldn't look bad if I'd try
But the best thing 'bout me is I'd never
Tell even the teeniest lie.

Day 314: Tough Guy

Tough Guy
By Batsheva 10/11/10

If you're looking for trouble
You've found it
If you need a tough guy
I'm here
I'm rough and there's
No way around it
You all should be shaking
With fear

It's true when I got hurt
I cried
As I did when my old
Doggie died
And you'd better not think
That is wrong
'Cause tears don't mean someone's
Not strong

So before I must beat up
On you
You should learn tough guys
Have feelings too

Day 313 (Delayed): Fast Food

Fast Food
By Batsheva 10/10/10

Food is healthful
Feeds your brain
As trees are fed
By sun and rain

But greasy fries
And fatty meat
Really aren't
Good to eat

They serve it quickly
This is true
And it may even
Taste good too

'Cause bad things sometimes
Can taste yummy
But make you feel
Extremely crummy

So I hope that you
Won't think me rude
If I say that it's fast
But it's not really food

Day 312 (Delayed): Pebble

Pebble
By Batsheva 10/9/10

If there's a pebble in your sock
It makes it very hard to walk
And so I think without a doubt
It's better if you take it out

Day 311 (Delayed): I'd Rather

I'd Rather
By Batsheva 10/8/10

I'd rather feel cozy than hot
I'd rather be clever than not
I'd rather be healthy than ill
I'd rather eat food than a pill
I'd rather be happy than sad
I'd rather be peaceful than mad
I'd rather be wealthy than poor
I'd rather sleep calmly than snore
I'd rather be here than be lost
I'd rather not pay a high cost
I'd rather be free than a slave
I'd rather stay out of my grave
I'd rather you knew it was true
That I'd rather all this
Wouldn't you?

Day 310: Water

Water
By Batsheva 10/7/10

Our world's mostly covered with water
Your body's made of it, as well
And yet when it comes time for choosing a drink
Plain water is such a hard sell

No matter how our bodies need it
Plain water is simply not sweet
And sometimes we're craving hydration
But our taste buds are craving a treat

So we reach for the juice or the soda
You can buy it wherever you go
But I promise it won't satisfy you
Like good old plain pure H20!

Day 309 (Delayed): Seder Plate

Seder Plate
By Batsheva 10/6/10

A seder plate
Is something great
When Passover
We celebrate
Each of the plate's spots
Brings up many thoughts
A place for an egg
Makes us think of life
And how we get tougher
Through pain and through strife
A place for some karpas
Greens symbolize spring
And good, healthy food
That's fit for a king
There's yummy charoset
Like mortar for bricks
But now it's delicious
That's freedom's fine fix
There's also a spot
Where we may place a bone
To recall sacrifices
Which set prayer's tone
And of course bitter herbs
You must eat, just be brave
They give us a taste
Of life as a slave
Lastly salt water
We've used it for years
To dip karpas in
Tasting slavery's tears
Now Pesach is coming
I hardly can wait
To explore all the treasure
On my seder plate!

Day 308: Run

Run
By Batsheva 10/5/10

Run to the city
Run to the town
Run to the country
Run all around
Run to the mountains
Run to the sea
Run from a robber
Run from a bee
Run in a race or
Run in the wood
Run anywhere
That you think you should
It doesn't matter if you run
Nearby or very far
There's never any way to run
Away from who you are

Day 307: Scared

Scared
By Batsheva 10/4/10

I'm not afraid of boogeymen
Or bugs or worms or snakes
I don't get scared when I'm in a car
And someone slams the brakes
I'm not afraid to sleep at night
Alone in a room that's dark
I don't fear that there are robbers
Lurking in my favorite park
I'm not afraid of spiders, witches
Skeletons, or ghosts
I'm not saying this to brag
I do not like to boast
And one thing does really scare me
Far, far more than all the rest
The thing that terrorizes me
Is when I take a test

Day 306 (Delayed): The Grudge

The Grudge
By Batsheva 10/3/10

There's a nasty little creature
Who calls himself a Grudge
He lives inside your heart
And he never wants to budge

He makes you feel so lousy
And he makes you feel so bad
Truthfully, Grudge makes you feel
A deep down, dreadful sad

He moved into your life
On a day that you were hurt
And took up residence
In your chest, beneath your shirt

And he simply will not leave
No matter how you want him to
But there is a solution
That really isn't hard to do

Just forgive the one who hurt you
Don't be angry anymore
For when forgiveness comes
The Grudge will run right out the door

Day 305 (Delayed): Fashion

Fashion
By Batsheva 10/2/10

Some folks wear stripes with polka dots
Or pants too short or long
If someone wears clothes you don't like
It's easy to say they're wrong

When friends wear clashing colors
Or you just can't stand their style
Or they buy clothes at the thrift store
Out of fashion for a while

If you're inclined to criticize
And call that a mistake
Stop looking at what's outside
See their souls for goodness' sake

Fashion really doesn't matter
Even in the least amounts
I swear, my friend,
That in the end
It's what's inside that counts

Day 304: The Hebrew Calendar

The Hebrew Calendar
By Batsheva 10/1/10

The Hebrew calendar's unusual
Confusing at the worst
For its first month is its seventh
And its seventh is its first!
Nisan, Iyar
Sivan, Tamuz
Av, Elul
Tishrei, Cheshvan
Kislev, Tevet, Shevat, Adar
But wait we aren't done
That's just one way to count the months
You know that there's one more
And I'm not sure that I'd blame you
If you headed for the door
The next way starts with Tishrei
Cheshvan, Kislev,
Tevet, Shevat
(Now, hold on, 'cause I know
That this is really quite a lot)
Then comes Adar, Nisan, Iyar
Sivan, Tamuz, Av, Elul
You have to pay attention
When you go to Hebrew School
For though this is a challenge
Things don't get really rough
Until you have a leap year
That's when this all gets tough
'Cause in the Hebrew Calendar
It's not just one more day
They add in one whole extra month
Since that's the lunar way
It's how we keep our calendar
In cycle with the moon
And still keep stable seasons
So the Jewish year's in tune
For Chanukah in springtime
Just wouldn't be much fun
And Passover in winter
Would annoy most everyone
And so we add that leap month
To keep seasons in their place
Now you see why our calendar's
A very special case!

Day 303: Simchat Torah

Simchat Torah
By Batsheva 9/30/10

The ending of a cycle
Is what we celebrate
On a day called Simchat Torah
A holiday so great

But it isn't just an ending
It's a beginning too
When endings and beginnings
Come together as they do

We read the very last words
That are written in the Torah
And then we read the first words
And we sometimes dance the hora

We march with every Torah
We parade them up and down
They're all dressed up so fancy
Each one shows off its crown

We sing and dance and party
On this very special day
When the Torah comes full circle
We all want to shout hurray!

Day 302: Etrog

Etrog
By Batsheva 9/29/10

On Sukkot we use a special fruit
That's known as an etrog
Though Ashkenazim are inclined
To call it an esrog

But that is just its Hebrew name
It has others as well
In English it's a citron
And its story I will tell

The Torah says that if we take
This very lovely fruit
And hold it with our lulav
That's a sacred pursuit

For it represents the heart
Good deeds and Torah's wisdom too
And to throw away an etrog
Is a naughty thing to do

It looks much like a lemon
But I promise you it's not
For an etrog has a special thing
That no lemon has got

That thing is called a pitom
If it breaks, etrog's not kosher
Which can be quite a problem
You can't buy one from a grocier

Yes, you really need an etrog
If you're doing Sukkot right
Its delicious special fragrance
Is a holiday delight

Day 301: Stars Above

Stars Above
By Batsheva 9/28/10

On Sukkot we are reminded
In a wondrous sort of way
Of the love that God expresses
Every moment of each day

Most of the year we spend our time
In rooms with solid roofs
Which is fine
If all you're looking for
Are scientific proofs

But if you seek the truth
That's in your heart
Then nature is the wisest place
To start

A sukkah is required
To have a "holey" roof
Which may seem very strange
But it's really not a goof

Under solid roofs
Our safety's an illusion
In a sukkah we may reach
A new conclusion

When through a ceiling
We can see the stars
We see that our security's
Not ours

So a good way to remember
God's great love
Is looking through a roof
To see the stars above.

Day 300: Rain in the Sukkah

Rain in the Sukkah
By Batsheva 9/27/10

When it rains in the sukkah
You can't eat or sleep in it
And that can be frustrating
More than just a little bit

But when it rains in the sukkah
The best thing I can say
Is to eat and sleep
Where it's warm and dry
And have fun anyway!

Day 299 (Delayed): My Lulav

My Lulav
By Batsheva 9/26/10

My lulav looks just like a sword
'Til it sways in the breeze
How can my lulav do this?
Because it's made of leaves!

Pieces of a palm tree
Myrtle, willow too
On Sukkot, I wave my lulav
It's the Jewish thing to do

The lulav represents the parts
Of us with which we praise
Acknowledging God's wonders
In very different ways

Palm represents the spine
Myrtle, lips, and willow, eyes
The etrog's like a human heart
(Or a lemon in disguise)

We put them all together
And we wave them all around
We wave in all directions
For that's where God is found

Day 298: Oops?

Oops?
By Batsheva 9/25/10

We built a lovely sukkah
Just as pretty as can be
A warm, inviting sukkah
As anyone can see

The walls are nice and sturdy
The frame is sure and strong
Decorations are delightful
But something does seem wrong

I hate to be a critic
But someone made a goof
For though our sukkah's awesome
It has holes in the roof!

Day 297: Sukkot

Sukkot
By Batsheva 9/24/10

Let's all build a sukkah
It's easy if you try
Let's all build a sukkah
Though you may wonder why

We build them to remember
How our ancestors all moved
For forty years in the desert
They wandered as they grooved

They had no stable homes
For shelter from a storm
They lived in fragile huts
Impermanence was the norm

And even when they settled
Home in the Promised Land
Farmers moved onto their fields
With harvest time at hand

So today we build a sukkah
To remember all these things
The harvest and the wandering
And all the joys life brings

Day 296 (Delayed): Sukkah Pain

Sukkah Pain
By Batsheva 9/23/10

Build your sukkah
Then decorate
Until it looks so very great

Next thing you know
Comes wind and rain
Sometimes life is such a pain!

Day 295 (Delayed): Cliches

Cliches
By Batsheva 9/22/10

You can't teach an old dog new tricks
But it's never too late to learn
Cliches don't have the answers
But they're everywhere you turn
Some folks say that haste makes waste
Others say fish or cut bait
Cliches are inconsistent
And they're open to debate
Which means if honest answers
You should seek
Remember that the truth's
Always unique

Day 294: Fighting Fire

Fighting Fire
By Batsheva 9/21/10

Fight fire with fire
So they say
But that doesn't seem
To be the way
No
In fact, I really think you oughta
(When putting out a fire)
Try using water

Day 293 (Delayed): Do Not Argue with the Rain

Do Not Argue with the Rain
By Batsheva 9/20/10

Do not argue with the rain
There's really not a thing to gain
The rain will fall
Despite it all
So if you want to be a clever fella
Don't argue with the rain
Use an umbrella

Day 292 (Delayed): Success

Success
By Batsheva 9/19/10

A person isn't "A success"
That's not something you are
For we all have wins and losses
No one doesn't bear a scar

Success is something to achieve
A goal for which to strive
It's earned in bits and pieces
Just as long as we're alive

It's not about your money
Or your prestige or power
It's about the way you live your life
Each day and every hour

Are you honest?
Are you loyal
And persistent?
Are you kind?
Are you grateful and hard-working?
Do you make up your own mind?

If life gives you a challenge
And you accept it
With a, "Yes!"
Then you can proudly smile
Knowing you've achieved success

Day 291: Yom Kippur

Yom Kippur
By Batsheva 9/18/10

On Yom Kippur
We apologize
For the bad things that we did
The things that others knew about
And even those we hid
We're sorry for our secret sins
'Cause though it may seem odd
There's nothing in this whole wide world
That's secret from our God
And we are all God's children
So when you hurt your friends
God cannot forgive you
Until you make amends
Which means saying you're sorry
To the people that you hurt
And God will hear your sorries
Since God's always alert
And then on holy Yom Kippur
God's mercy we receive
If humbly we request it
Yes, that's what we believe

Day 290: The World is Always Changing

The World is Always Changing
By Batsheva 9/17/10

The world is always changing
So are you
And so am I
So when I crave consistency
I have to heave a sigh

It's just so rare to find it
On this planet where we live
This ever-changing world of ours
Is so hard to forgive

For we seek what's sure and certain
And we get a question mark
As a baby seeks his mama
But can't find her in the dark

Yet the world is always changing
So perhaps we should accept
That at navigating changes
We should strive to be adept

And whenever a decision
We must make
We should consider just what form
A change might take

For the impact that we make
Upon this earth
Will help determine just how much
Our lives were worth

Day 289: A Pencil

A Pencil
By Batsheva 9/16/10

A pencil's just a piece of wood
With graphite in its middle
But if you think it doesn't matter
Then I think you know quite little

For a pencil is as mighty as a pen
But even more
It can do most of the same things
And it's much less of a chore

Yes, a pencil makes things easy
When you find you must erase
Which can save you from embarrassment
Frustration and disgrace

If your writing must be permanent
Then a pencil's not your choice
But otherwise, a pencil is
A reason to rejoice

Day 288: Salmon Patties

Salmon Patties
By Batsheva 9/15/10

I make my salmon patties
In most every shape and size
But their taste is all that matters
To people who are wise

Some are oval
Some are round
Some are rhomboid
Some are square
Some are thick
And some are thin
But one batter
They all share

My salmon patties really are
My cooking claim to fame
For though each one looks different
They're deliciously the same

Day 287 (Delayed): Chalk pictures

Chalk Pictures
By Batsheva 9/14/10

Draw pictures on the sidewalk
In brightly colored chalk
The neighbors will enjoy it
When they're out taking a walk

Don't worry that the rain will come
To wash your work away
Chalk pictures aren't meant to last
Draw more another day

Day 286 (Delayed): Catching Up

Catching Up
By Batsheva 9/13/10

Catching up can be so hard
And this is why I find
That everything is easier
If you just don't get behind

Day 285 (Delayed): Sorry

Sorry
By Batsheva 9/12/10

"Sorry" is a magic word
I know because I've seen it
Make a world of difference
But only when you mean it

Day 284 (Delayed): Ten Days

Ten Days
By Batsheva 9/11/10

There are ten important days from
Rosh Hashanah to Yom Kippur
We call them the Ten Days of Awe
And they're serious, for sure

They're Ten Days of Repentance
In Hebrew, Teshuvah
We turn from bad and turn towards good
During these Days of Awe

We think about the things we did
Throughout the year that's passed
And how to make this brand new year
Much better than the last

We ask others for forgiveness
If we've ever done them wrong
Getting ready for Yom Kippur
We spend the ten days long

Day 283 (Delayed): Apples and Honey

Apples and Honey
By Batsheva 9/10/10

You know it's Rosh Hashanah
The start of a new year
And I'm hoping for a sweet one
Full of happiness and cheer

So let's cut up some apples
In honey then we'll dip
I can't wait to taste that sweetness
As it lingers on my lip

Such sweetness is a symbol
Of that for which we pray
A year of yummy goodness
In every single way

Day 282 (Delayed): Rosh Hashanah

Rosh Hashanah
By Batsheva 9/9/10

Rosh Hashanah
Means Head of the Year
It's the Jewish New Year
That's very clear
But what do we do
When our year is new?
Do we have blasts at parties
Or paint ourselves blue?
Do we sing Auld Lang Syne
Or watch a ball drop?
Do grown-ups open champagne
With a pop?
No.
We pray a lot
And wouldn't you know
Our New Year's blasts
Come from the shofar blow
The shofar is a horn from a ram
And its blast reminds me
Of who I am
It wakes my mind
Reminding me to
Ask forgiveness
For wrong things I do
The sins of last year
Are over and gone
And now we start fresh
With the New Year's dawn

Day 281 (Delayed): Ice

Ice
By Batsheva 9/8/10

When water gets extremely cold
It turns into ice
So I've been told
And on a hot day
I have to say
(I could even say it twice)
Ice is nice!

Day 280: The Substitute

The Substitute
By Batsheva 9/7/10

Sometimes things are not so cute
For a teacher who's a substitute
You don't know the students
They'll tease you and laugh
Make fun of your name
And attack any gaffe
They won't pay attention
Or do all their work
And even the best one
Can act like a jerk
But. . .
Sometimes they'll listen
And sometimes they'll learn
And he'll be respectful
And she'll wait her turn
In just a few hours
A good class can start
To charmingly work
Their way into your heart
They might draw sweet pictures
Butterfly, rose, or bear cub
And write at the top:
"A gift for my dear sub"
When things like this happen
(It's rare but they do)
Then being a sub is a joy
Through and through
Yes, sometimes things can be so cute
For a teacher who's a substitute

Day 279: Two Waves

Two Waves
By Batsheva 9/6/10

Two waves in the sea
Were rolling peacefully
When suddenly they both
Spotted the shore
They were watching as waves crashed
In the distance
They were dashed
One, frightened, cried
"We won't wave anymore!"

The other said,
"Don't fear
Things are not as they appear."

Said the first,
"Do you not see we'll crash and die?"

"I see waves crash, I cannot lie
But that doesn't mean we'll die
The trouble is you don't know who you are
You think you are a wave
So you are heading toward your grave
But you must know you're so much more than motion
You and I are part of this great ocean
And so my friend, relax, and stop your cries
Because you know
The ocean
Never dies."

Day 278: Blabbering Beth

Blabbering Beth
By Batsheva 9/5/10

Blabbering Beth
Could talk you to death
She could talk about most anything
She could talk about milk
Or how they make silk
Or the tones of a telephone's ring
She could talk about candy
Or whatever's handy
She could talk 'til your ears were sore
Yes, her mouth was her ruin
Then one day a bird flew in
Now Beth's not blabbering anymore

Day 277 (Delayed): Change

Change
By Batsheva 9/4/10

Nothing in life stays exactly the same
Change is always the name of the game
And even if you think
That nothing's changing
It nonetheless
Is subtly rearranging
So when life is feeling static
Like the text within a book
Examine it more closely
With a second or third look
And eventually
You'll see it's true though strange
That we are living in a world
Of constant change

Day 276: For My Husband

For My Husband on our Anniversary
By Batsheva 9/3/10

I never really knew love
'Til you came into my life
But I found a wondrous true love
When you chose me as your wife
And every single day
I love you just a little more
And every day I pray
When you step outside our door
That God will always bring you
Safely back to me
For I treasure every thing
You have allowed my soul to see
And the joy within my heart
That you have planted
I promise not to start
Taking for granted

Though this conclusion
May seem cursory
I just had to add
Happy Anniversary!

Day 275 (Delayed): Praying Mantis

Praying Mantis
By Batsheva 9/2/10

A praying mantis strolled
Across my window yesterday
And it really got me thinking
Why does the mantis pray?

Is it praying for peace?
That our troubles will cease?
Is it praying for money?
Now, that would be funny!

No, I think the mantis
Might decide
To pray about
Some pesticide
But in truth
I really have to say
Praying mantis only
Looks that way

'Cause tell me
Don't you think it would be odd
If an insect like the mantis
Talked to God?

Day 274 (Delayed): Who Uses Math?

Who Uses Math
By Batsheva 9/1/10

Who uses math?
A botanist
A sculptor
A geologist
A nurse
Or a physician
A dentist
Or beautician
An interior designer
An engineer
A miner
An astronaut
A painter
A businessman
A trainer
A mechanic
A bartender
A baker
A defender
A soldier
Or a sailor
An athlete
Or a whaler
A pilot
A zoologist
A chef
Or a biologist
A diver
Oceanographer
A chemist
A cartographer
An architect
A teacher
Some days even a preacher
An accountant
Or a housewife
Math really helps you
Get through life

Who uses math?
I'll tell you
Though you may not
Think it's fun
The answer to the question
"Who uses math?"
Is everyone

Day 273 (Delayed): Punctuation Celebration

Punctuation Celebration
By Batsheva 8/31/10

Periods and commas
You can use in your pajamas
They're common and they're easy
And without them
Folks get queasy
'Cause that makes it hard to know
When to stop and take a breath
And skimping on your breathing
Can simply lead to death
So believe me when I say
It's very serious
If you're forgetting all your commas
And your periods

Now you must know an exclamation point
Will really liven up the joint
When the thing you have to say
Is quite exciting in some way

And when you have a question
Always use a question mark
For if you don't
I'm sure you will be eaten by a shark
Or maybe not
But they'll take you to task
If folks think you're stating something
You should ask

Yes, punctuation is delightful
And without it
Life gets frightful
When writing the shortest note
Or the longest tome
The only place you can escape it
Is a poem

Day 272 (Delayed): Potatoes

Potatoes
By Batsheva 8/30/10

Serve them scalloped or au gratin
As a chip or as a tot
There's really hardly anything
This vegetable is not

You can boil, fry or bake
Make some flour for a cake
Stuff them, mash them
Skin them, hash them
Only promise you won't trash them

You can roast them or shoestring them
Just please don't forget to bring them
Because as Heaven knows
Everybody likes to eat potatoes!

Day 271: Riddle

Riddle
By Batsheva 8/29/10

What has lots of eyes
But never can see?

It's called a potato!
What else could it be?

Day 270 (Delayed): Dolphins

Dolphins
By Batsheva 8/28/10

A dolphin swims and leaps and jumps
It's smooth and sleek
It has no bumps
It lives in water
As it oughta
In the ocean or the sea
Never land like you and me
But a dolphin is a mammal
Like a person, cat, or camel
And they really are quite smart
Dolphins have a lot of heart
Not like a silly fish
Which is just a tasty dish
And this is why it seems to me
Dolphins are a mystery.

Day 269 (Delayed): Moving in Twos

Moving in Twos
By Batsheva 8/27/10

Don't sit there all alone
Like a statue made of stone
You know how to move
So get into the groove
Find a friend
Go for a run
Dance beneath
The midday sun
Or simply just go for a walk
And have a friendly little talk
You can bike
Go for a hike
Or jump some rope
Now, don't say nope!
Exercise is always wise
And moving in twos
Can beat the blues

But if you do not have a friend
Please don't think that is the end
Trust me when I say
That it really is okay
As long as you're awake
A friend is something anyone can make

Day 268: Climbing

By Batsheva 8/26/10

You can climb a tree
Or climb a ladder
You can climb a mountain
But does it matter?

If you enjoy it
Climbing's fine
Though climbing's not
A thing of mine

My sole advice
Is when you get to the top
Try to remember
You have to stop!

Day 267 (Delayed): Pretty

Pretty
By Batsheva 8/25/10

So and so's a pretty girl
You hear it all the time
It doesn't really mean much
Not achievement nor a crime

If someone is born pretty
Then all that really means
Is that she's very lucky
Fate gave her pretty genes

Pretty cannot ever make
The world a better place
No matter how much people like
To see a pretty face

So if you think you're pretty
Then I say good for you
You've been blessed with being pretty
Now, let's see what you can do

Day 266: Recipes

Recipes
By Batsheva 8/24/10

Following a recipe's an easy thing to do
But when you do it carefully
You can't make something new
You'll make a dish exactly
As someone's made it before
And if that's what you want
That's great
But I want something more

I'll read a bunch of recipes
To get ideas and clues
For how to choose ingredients
And different ones to use

I read so many cookbooks
To learn new cooking styles
But when I'm in my kitchen
I must do my own trials

Sometimes it's great
Sometimes it's not
Sometimes it's simply fine
But no matter what I make
I know it's truly mine

Day 265 (Delayed): Stuffed Animals

Stuffed Animals
By Batsheva 8/23/10

How many stuffed animals
Do you have in your room?
They keep you cozy in the dark
And snuggle 'way the gloom

But do you need a kangaroo,
A monkey, and a horse,
Two frogs, four dogs, a penguin,
And six teddy bears, of course?

Do you need seven rabbits?
The elephant? The sheep?
And does that purple hippo
Really, truly help you sleep?

You might want to give some away
For when the day is done
You have so many animals
And there are kids
With none.

Day 264 (Delayed): To Eat a Fig

To Eat a Fig
By Batsheva 8/22/10

You don't have to be very big
To eat a fig
You do not have to know trig
To eat a fig
You need not wear a wig
To eat a fig
Nor do you have to dig
To eat a fig
Just pick one from a tree
Or from a store
I'm certain that it's something
You'll adore
When that sweet, fresh fruit
You try
With pleasure you will sigh
Or maybe do a jig
When you eat a fig
(Just try not to be a pig!)

Day 263 (delayed): Mobile Phones

Mobile Phones
By Batsheva 8/21/10

Tell me, what can your mobile phone do?
Can yours take a picture?
Mine can too!
Does it have lots of games
With fancy frames?
And super cool apps
Like puzzles and maps?
Can it tell you exactly
Where you should go
If you're looking for pizza
And maybe a show?
Can your phone go online?
That really is fine
But mine can do the coolest
Thing of all
It actually lets me make
A telephone call!

Day 262: Coming Home

Coming Home
By Batsheva 8/20/10

When loved ones go and leave you
For a month, a week, a day
It doesn't matter all that much
How long they are away

Whether they're at work, school
Or some "Stately pleasure dome"
It's still a magic feeling
When you know they're coming home

You might not know it
'Til you see them walking in the door
Or at the airport
Maybe on the phone the week before

But in that perfect moment
When you really, truly know
You feel immensely better
'Bout the fact they had to go

Combined with such relief
And joy, and giddiness
It's true
Because you know the one you love
Is coming home to you

Day 261 (Delayed): A Camera

A Camera
By Batsheva 8/19/10

What does a camera see
With its one eye?
It can focus on
A butterfly
Or a plane
Up in the sky
A frilly little flower
Or a gentle summer shower
It can focus on most any face
Any kind of space or place
A house
A tree
Or you
Or me
But what does a camera
See?

When you stop and think
I think you'll find
Without a human eye
A camera's blind.

Day 260: Chicken

Chicken
By Batsheva 8/18/10

Don't be a chicken!
People say
When someone is frightened
And running away

But what does being scared
Have to do
With that delicious bird
We love to chew?

You can eat them roasted
You can eat them fried
You can eat them stewed
Or even pot-pied

Eat chicken soup or chicken wings
As a snack or as a meal
Almost anyone will eat them. . .
Wonder how that makes them feel. . . .

Why are frightened folk called "chicken"?
Now, don't you think it's true
That if you were a chicken
You'd feel like running too?

Day 259 (Delayed): Smoothie

Smoothie
By Batsheva 8/17/10

Throw some sweet fruit in a blender
Yogurt, ice, and then--voila!
You have a most delicious treat
To make you shout, "Hurrah!"

They say smoothies are good for you
I really wish they wouldn't
Somehow it just seems much more fun
When you tell yourself you shouldn't

Day 258: Rodeo

Rodeo
By Batsheva 8/16/10

Broncos and bulls
Calf-roping too
A cool rodeo
Is a fun thing to do
For us anyway
I don't mean to condemn
But somehow I don't think
That it's much fun
For them

Day 257 (Delayed): Screen Time

Screen Time
By Batsheva 8/15/10

Do you spend all your time
In front of a screen?
How much of your world
Have you not really seen?

Are you so very crazy
About your TV shows
That you never even notice
When it storms and when it snows?

Or is it the computer
Or the smartphone that's your thing?
Do you ever smell the flowers
When they're blooming in the spring?

I'll bet you it's those games
That you always love to play
Do they let you learn life's secrets
Or are they in the way?

Amazing things are happening
And I'd hate to think you missed 'em
Just because you were so focused
On a silly gaming system

Day 256: Capybara

Capybara
By Batsheva 7/14/10

Rodents are animals
That include mice
Guinea pigs, hamsters, and
Gerbils are nice
Rats, voles, and muskrats
Chipmunks and squirrels
Are some of rodentia's
Most interesting pearls
Porcupines, ground hogs
Prairie dogs, beavers
Could be called
Rodent over-achievers
But the champion rodent
None larger, none fairer
Is the handsome, majestic,
And sweet capybara
They grow to a size
Near as big as a pig
Though capys are cleaner
'Cause swimming, they dig
Their hair can be prickly
But people don't mind
Since a more unique house pet
You never will find
So if you have land
Where capys can play
And a nice spot to swim
In the heat of the day
Get a capybara
They're loving and fun
The world's greatest rodent
Is second to none!

Day 255: Raining Cats and Dogs

Raining Cats and Dogs
By Batsheva 8/13/10

It's raining cats and dogs
That's better than bats and logs
And it could have been rats and hogs
I much prefer cats and dogs

Day 254 (Delayed): Stripes

Stripes
Or The Tiger and the Skunk
By Batsheva 8/12/10

The tiger and skunk both have stripes
Both creatures have caused many gripes
The skunk does smell bad
But a tiger who's mad
Will really put you in a funk
So if you're choosing stripes
Take the skunk

Day 253 (Delayed): Money

Money
By Batsheva 8/11/10

What is money really?
Just pieces of paper or metal
So why do we all work so hard for it?
That question is easy to settle.

Money is called currency
A matter of some urgency
Each country must arrange
Some thing folks can exchange
In order to get food
And clothes and toys
And all the other things
That one enjoys

So when you have no money
You've got a problem, honey
'Cause you can't get any stuff
Which makes things very tough

And now you can see why
Almost everyone will try
To keep on earning more
Although their backs are sore
And work is sometimes rough
No one ever thinks their money
Is enough

Day 252 (Delayed): To the King and Queen

I wrote this for my brother and SIL on their wedding day (All these poems are delayed because I couldn't post poems while I was out of town.)

To the King and Queen
By Batsheva 8/10/10

How can you write a poem 'bout love
Without sounding trite and cliche?
How can you speak about marriage
When the sages have all had their say?
I can't.
So I think that it's best not to try
(I actually did, but it just made me cry).

Instead I'll just write about Mike
And my new sis.
It's challenging
But I wanted to do this.
**********
My baby brother
I do love him so
He was quite a geek as a kid
You should know
But now that he's grown. . .
He's become. . .
The GEEK KING!
Which really is great
Because geeky's his thing
But every good king
Must have his own queen
So Mike searched for years
With results we have seen.

Tonight Mike crowned Hillary
Queen of his world
Making her my new sister
And one lucky girl!

She's qualified for Jeopardy
More times than a few
But they never choose her
So what could she do?
She had to find some other
Game that she'd like
Now she's having lots more fun
Playing with Mike!

This King and this Queen
Both so smart and so sweet
A more perfect couple
You never will meet

At home, on the town, and at Powertrain
Together these Kotlers will joyfully reign
And though I suppose
It did take some gall
I think I wrote a poem 'bout love
After all.

Day 251 (Delayed): Equal

Equal
by Batsheva 8/9/10

2 + 2 equals 4
5 + 5 equals 10
But if you and I are equal,
What does that mean, again?
Equal means the same, I think,
6 + 3 is the same as 9
But people aren't all the same
We're different and that's fine
Then how can folks be equal?
If you circle the whole earth
You won't find any two the same. . .
Except in what we're worth
Ah, that must be the secret
It's our value that's the same
No matter your country or color
No matter your age or your name
No one is worth more than another
No father or sister or brother
And here is one last bit of niceness
The worth of each person
Is priceless

Day 250 (Delayed): Whales

Whales
By Batsheva 8/8/10

A blue whale can weigh
300,000 pounds
And I have to say
That's as big as it sounds
But imagination fails
When I wonder
Where do they get the scales
For weighing whales?

Day 249: The Ape

The Ape
By Batsheva 8/7/10

Have you ever seen an ape
Eat a grape?
They do not contemplate
The contents of a plate
Or say a blessing
On their fressing
They just pop it in and chew.
That's the ape.
Now, how about you?

Day 248 (Delayed): Worry

Worry (A Limerick)
By Batsheva 8/6/10

There is a young fellow named Dwight
Who worries all day and all night
If he'd conquer his fear
And be of good cheer
His future could really be bright

Day 247: Smile

I'm all caught up and early today! It's amazing what 3 consecutive nights of almost no sleep can do for you. . .glurble blargle dluurrp. . . . Happy birthday, almost married baby brother!

Smile
By Batsheva 8/5/10

If you ever lose your smile
I have plenty to spare
It's all right
Please help yourself
I really like to share

Don't worry that I might run out
For one thing I have found
As I give, I also get
Each smile comes back around

Day 246: Dreams

Dreams
By Batsheva 8/4/10

Where do dreams go
When you're not asleep?
Do they spoil like milk?
Or like honey, keep?
Do they fall from your head
When you get out of bed?
Or hide in your mind
Waiting to be fed?

Day 245: Clouds and Sun

Clouds and Sun
By Batsheva 8/3/10

Stand beneath
A cloudy sky
Ask a question
Wonder why
Why are we here?
What should we do?
What should we believe
And who?
Are there answers?
I don't know
This gray sky
Makes me wonder though

The sun comes out
The sky is blue
And I still
Don't have a clue
But when all
Is said and done
That's fine
Beneath a shining sun

Day 244: Luck

Luck
By Batsheva 8/2/10

If you're feeling down
And really stuck
All you need
Is a little luck

But there's never been
A lucky charm
That can keep you
Safe from harm

No amulet
Will save the day
Just work and study
Plan and pray

Remember this
For goodness sake
The luck that's real
Is the luck you make

Day 243: Sandwich

Sandwich
By Batsheva 8/1/10

Did you ever eat a sandwich
That was bigger than your head?
I wanted to
But wisely chose
The salad plate
Instead.

Day 242 (Delayed): Radishes

Radishes
By Batsheva 7/31/10

Radishes come in many a shape
Some long like your forearm
Some small as a grape
Many folks like them
(Though some don't a bit)
And they're easy to eat
With no rind, core, or pit
But there's one funny thing
About this healthy snack
At the moment you bite it
It really bites back!

Day 241 (Delayed): Jump

Jump
By Batsheva 7/30/10

You can jump for joy
If a jump rope's your toy
You can jump through hoops
Or wear jump-suits
Jump on
Or Jump in
Or jump out of your skin

Could a train jump the track
If I do a jumping jack?

You can jump up and down
Like a jumping bean

Is this the jumpiest poem you've seen?

Day 240: Bananas

Bananas
By Batsheva 7/29/10

Monkeys and apes like bananas
This is a fact I have found
And kids acting silly are told
To please quit "monkeying" around
When people go wild for something
It's said they are going "ape"
And "bananas" can also mean "crazy"
So here's what I cannot escape:

If you're looking for wacky excitement
Don't do any dangerous stuff
Just eat some delicious bananas
'Cause clearly, that's crazy enough!

Day 239: Can You?

Can You?
By Batsheva 7/28/10

Can you take a giant spoon
And ride it to the moon?

Can you sink to the bottom
Of the deep blue sea
And live like a fish
Just swimming free?

Can you take an ice cream cone
And use it as a phone?

Can you gather all the sand
That's on the beach
And put it somewhere
That you cannot reach?

Can you count all the stars
In the sky?

Neither can I.

Day 238 (Delayed): Cleaning

Cleaning, A very brief poem for an endless chore
By Batsheva 7/27/10

The big problem with cleaning is
(This bothers me a lot)
Folks always spot the spots you missed
And miss the spots you got!

Day 237: Onlies

Onlies
By Batsheva 7/26/10

Only children aren't all lonely
They're not spoiled, lost, or sad
They're not self-centered egotists
And no, they aren't bad

Only children are just children
They're the same as any others
The only way they're different is
They've no sisters or brothers

Day 236: Making Friends

Making Friends
By Batsheva 7/25/10

Making friends is easy
You can do it anywhere
At work or play
Or on your way
Or high up in the air

Oh, making friends is easy
You can do it any time
Morning, noon, or evening
And it doesn't cost a dime

Yes, making friends is easy
But still
Be on your guard
Though making friends is easy
It's keeping them that's hard

Day 235 (Delayed): What You Know

What You Know
By Batsheva 7/24/10

What you know is very little
But it's also quite a lot
It's gotten you to where you are
A truly special spot

And if you feel you're ready
To move on to some place new
What you know will help you get there
But you'll still have more to do

See, you never can stop learning
If you want to move ahead
And your brain's a hungry fellow
Always needing to be fed

But I promise you that you'll succeed
No matter where you go
As long as you're a learner
Who keeps growing what you know

Day 234 (Delayed): Turtles and Snakes

Turtles and Snakes
By Batsheva 7/23/10

Turtles and snakes
Live in lakes
Sometimes in desert sand
And it's not our place
To tell them
Whether they belong on land
Those turtles and snakes
Make no mistakes
About where they belong
Just like the birds who sing
But only they can write their song

Day 233: Bubble Gum

Bubble Gum
By Batsheva 7/22/10

I love chewing bubble gum
My favorite gum to chew
I can't imagine anything
That's much more fun
Can you?

It's sweet like yummy candy
When chewing you first start
Then once you get it nice and soft
You know what's the best part?

You can blow a giant bubble
Have contests with a friend
And if you make a giant mess
It's worth it in the end

Because I really have to say
When all is said and done
That when it comes to chewing gum
The bubbles make it fun

Day 232: Laughter

Laughter
By Batsheva 7/21/10

Are you feeling lonely?
Feeling sad?
Feel your life's
Just something bad?

May I suggest
There is a cure
For all the sorrow
You endure. . .

Just find some folks
Who make you laugh
And in their humor
Take a bath
Or swim in it
Or drink it up
Let the laughter
Fill your cup

The only place
There's "Happy ever after"
Is in a heart
That always looks
For laughter

Day 231: Yo-yo Days

Yes, today was one. Seriously.

Yo-yo Days
By Batsheva 7/20/10

One minute you're up
The next you're down
A yo-yo spinning
'Round and 'round

You spot a bluebird
Flying high
But then it poops
Right in your eye

What can you say?
It's a yo-yo day.

You find some money
Then you lose it
A yo-yo day--
No one would choose it

But if you pressed me
I suppose
A yo-yo day
And how it goes
Is better than
A day that's flat
A day just like
An old doormat
A day that's neither
Good nor bad
Yes, doormat days
Are far more sad
No excitement
None at all
But
If you're never up
You'll never fall
So I must give doormat days
Their due
Though they never see
A magnificent view

And isn't some trouble
A pretty fair price
For all life's
Delicious and wonderful spice?

So maybe
There is room for praise
And gratitude
For yo-yo days

Day 230: Know Yourself

Know Yourself
By Batsheva 7/19/10

Study medicine or chemistry
Psychology or law
At the feet of famous gurus
You can sit and learn in awe

Learn literature or language
Physics or philosophy
Electrical engineering
Or choreography

Theology, anthropology
Business, accounting too
Just make your choice and study
What is interesting to you

The single thing that matters most
In what you learn by far
Is does it help you understand
Much better, who you are?

You can know the contents of every book
On every sage's shelf
And it will not make much difference
If you do not know yourself

Day 229: Horror Stories

Horror Stories
By Batsheva 7/18/10

Have you ever watched
A horror movie
When you were all alone
Or read a scary book
When there was
No one else at home?

It doesn't matter if
You know the story isn't real
That doesn't change
How terrified
It's bound to make you feel

So even if you're someone
Who does like getting scared
It's still wise to remember
Horror stories
Should be shared.

Day 228: Hate

Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.
--Martin Luther King, Jr.

Hate
By Batsheva 7/17/10

Light a candle
If you hate the dark
Build a fire
From a tiny spark
With darkness gone
There's nothing left
To hate
For the flame of love
How long
Must our world wait?

Day 227 (delayed): Apples

It's just getting harder and harder for me to post before sunset on Friday. Not sure why, as sunset is later now than it was back when I was managing it! Anyway, the following is a true story, from my days as an alternative-to-school tutor. My take on making lemonade out of lemons.

Apples
By Batsheva 7/16/10

Some boys I used to teach
Played with the apples in their lunch.
Tossed them 'round like baseballs--
They were quite a rowdy bunch.

I asked them why they did that
And they replied, "Well, duh!
We hate them. We won't eat them,
So what else should we do? Huh?"

I said, "Give me your apples,
And I'll take them away.
But you may all change your minds."
They said, "That'll be the day!"

The next day I returned
With their apples in a pan,
But I hid them from the boys
You see, I had a little plan.

When lunchtime came around
I asked, "Now who would like to eat
The apples you got yesterday
As an extra special treat?"

Well, no one raised their hands.
They laughed and joked instead,
"If we didn't want them yesterday,
Why would we now?" They said.

"'Cause you never know how things can change
With a little bit of work.
Let's make a bet," I offered,
As I tried to hide my smirk.

"When you look at your apples,
I'll bet you'll want a taste
But if you do, first you must promise
That from now on, you won't waste.

The boys all laughed and said, "Yeah sure!"
They couldn't stop their jeering
Until I brought out my surprise
And jeering turned to cheering!

I took a knife and cut a slice
And said, "You see, right there?
Those are all your apples!
"For real?" They asked
"I swear."

Right away they realized
That I hadn't told a lie
Yes, you should have seen their faces
As they ate their apple pie!

Day 226: Nothing

Dedicated to the memory of Tuli Kupferberg, a genius who would have loathed my poetry. :-) I wrote this as a reflection on this song of his. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4HmJX11_AQE

Nothing
By Batsheva 7/15/10

Nothing
Nothing
Nothing
Nothing
Nothing anyway

Nothing
Nothing
Nothing
Nothing's all I have to say

Nothing
Nothing
Nothing
Nothing is my only word

Nothing
Nothing
Nothing
Nothing
Nothing is absurd

Day 225: Be the Change

"You must be the change that you wish to see in the world." --Mahatma Gandhi

Be the Change
By Batsheva 7/14/10

The change in the world you wish to see
That's the thing that you must be

If you want an end to war
Then do not fight

If you want to stop the darkness
Be the light

To put an end to hunger
Share your food

To bring an end to sorrow
Cheer your mood

If you seek world peace
Then you at peace must be

To end enslavement
Set your spirit free

If you want no poverty
Then share your wealth

And if you want to heal the Earth
First heal yourself

Day 224: Broccoli

Broccoli (unfinished)
By Batsheva 7/13/10

Eat your broccoli!
Mama said to me
No I won't
I cried
It's stinky
Yucky
Green and gucky
No matter how she tried
My mama couldn't make me
Eat a bit of broccoli

Day 223 (Delayed): Boring

Boring
By Batsheva 7/12/10

Everything gets boring
Once I've done it for a while
No matter how I love it
Anything becomes a trial

It really doesn't matter
The activity at all
Once I've done it for a bit
My interest starts to fall

But the more I think about it
The more I start to see
There's nothing wrong with anything
The boring thing is
Me

Day 222: Doctors

Doctors
By Batsheva 7/11/10

Doctors come in handy
If you're feeling very ill
They look you over
Up and down
Perhaps prescribe a pill
Or even a shot
Though I'd rather not
If they insist I will
Take one in the hip
Or in the arm
If it will keep me
Safe from harm

But on the whole
I have to say
Of Doctors
I'd rather stay away

Day 221: Noah's Ark Revisited

Noah's Ark Revisited
By Batsheva 7/10/10

They say Noah took two
Creatures of every shape and kind
Onto his ark
Yes, so they say
At least those he could find

But he didn't take the fishies
The dolphins or the whales
Turtles, squid or octopi
Nothing with shells or scales

'Cause the flood was one big party
For our water-dwelling friends
No punishment, apologies
Or need to make amends

All those sweet land-critters died
Except each Noah-pair
But all the water-dwellers lived
It hardly seems quite fair

A question you may want to ask
(At least I think you could)
Is what about the fishies?
Were they really all that good?

Day 220 (Delayed): Silly Dream

Silly Dream
By Batsheva 7/9/10

Last night I had a silly dream
The grass was blue
And the sky was green
The shore made waves
While the sea stood still
And the birdies were silent
As butterflies trilled
Kitty cats barked
While dogs meowed
And the men all curtsied
While little girls bowed
Cows all whinnied
As horses mooed
Losing fans cheered
And winning fans booed

And everything actually seemed to me
Exactly as it was supposed to be
And if that makes you wonder why. . . .

I said it was a silly dream
Didn't I?

Day 219 (delayed): Sick in the Summer

Sick in the Summer
By Batsheva 7/8/10

My throat is sore
My snot is thick
It means one thing
I think I'm sick

Being sick in the summer's
A miserable feat
When it's hot and it's humid
A fever adds heat

The thought is enough
To make you weep
When you should be out playing
You're in bed asleep

Yes, it's hard to imagine
A much greater bummer
Than the idea of feeling
So sick in the summer

Day 218: Twilight Pearl

My daughter asked me to sing her a different lullaby tonight. I asked her which one she wanted. She told me to make one up. On the spot. I've done this before, so it wasn't such a surprise, but this time I decided to put her on the spot, and I asked her to give me a title, and then I'd sing the song. So this is the title she came up with, and here are the words I came up with, or a reasonable facsimile thereof. Not much to it, but I will say this, the words "sleep" and "sleepy" had a good effect. We were both unconscious within minutes of my singing this.

Twilight Pearl
By Batsheva (Title by The Kiddo) 7/7/10

Go to sleep
My twilight pearl
Mama's sleepy
Little girl

The stars are peeking
Through the skies
As you are closing
Sleepy eyes

Go to sleep
My twilight pearl
Mama's sleepy
Little girl

Day 217: Fireflies

Fireflies
By Batsheva 7/6/10

Fireflies
Don't bite or sting
Or buzz
Build webs
Or hum
The worst they'll do
Is tickle you
If they land on your thumb
No
Fireflies do not annoy
Instead
They bring delight and joy
Dark summer nights
They gleam and glow
As they perform
Their twinkling show

They rarely take
But gladly give
These fireflies
Know how to live

Day 216: Love and Hate

Love and Hate
By Batsheva 7/5/10

You cannot hate
Someone you love
Although you think you might
It's anger
Not the same as hate
Just feelings from a fight

And if you let the anger pass
You'll find the love's still true
Continuing eternally
The greatest part of you

Day 215: Independence Day

Independence Day
By Batsheva 7/4/10

Barbecue
Picnic
Parade
Fireworks
(Don't be afraid)
Music
Laughter
So much fun
Celebrate
In summer's sun
And then before
You go to sleep
There's still time left
Awestruck
To peep
At a noisy, magic
Sky display
It's all for
Independence Day

Day 214 (Delayed by a few seconds!): The Silly Game

The Silly Game
By Batsheva 7/3/10

It doesn't matter if your name is Billy
Or if your name is Seth
It doesn't matter if your name is Lily
Or if your name is Beth

It doesn't matter what your name
We all must play the silly game

What is the silly game, you ask?
I'll answer, but it's quite a task
'Cause the silly game is anything
You want it to be

Now let me see. . .
It's acting like fools
Dressing up mules
Mocking a mime
Talking in rhyme
Laughing at jokes
That no one else gets
Making up crazy
Nonsensical bets. . .

I could go on, but I think you see
How silly the silly game can be

We all must be serious
Much of the time
But life without the silly game
Would simply be a crime!

Day 213 (delayed): You are Here

You Are Here
By Batsheva 7/2/10

Once upon a time
I came upon a sign
That said, "You are here"
And I asked that sign
In a voice quite clear,
"Are you talking to me?"
The sign said, "You are here"
And I said, "I know I'm here
Where else would I be?"
The sign said, "You are here"

We went on like that
For quite a bit
'Til I started to get
Rather tired of it
So I walked about 10 feet away
And yelled at that sign,
"Now what do you say?"
The sign said, "You are here"
And I ran back, pointing,
"No! I'm over there!"
But I wasn't there
Not anymore
So I sat right down upon the floor
And cried and cried
'Cause no matter how very hard I tried
Even if I stayed all year
I couldn't make it stop
Saying, "You are here"

And even today
Wherever I go
I think of that sign
And wouldn't you know
Somehow it's now mine
And it cheers me to hear
Its constant words
Telling me
I am here

Day 212: July

July
By Batsheva 7/1/10

The month of July
Got its name from a guy
Who was widely known as Julius

And though I really
Don't know why
And you may find it curious
I'm glad they called
This month July
Instead of calling it
Julius

Day 211: Money

Money
By Batsheva 6/30/10

What does money really mean?
It buys cool things
This I have seen
But does it make folks happy?
For a minute or a few
But very soon they're seeking
More exciting things to do

Once you've spent some money
You want to spend some more
And once you've made some money
You can't imagine being poor

But the things that bring true joy
Can't be bought and can't be sold
Love and friendship can't be purchased
With a mountain made of gold

Day 210: Sleep

Sleep
By Batsheva 6/29/10

Some people do not like to sleep
Some sleep most of the time
Some folks think sleep is just a waste
While some think it's sublime

Some folks use lots of pillows
And some use none at all
Some people need a snooze alarm
Some rise at rooster's call

Some folks remember all their dreams
And some remember none
Some must sleep in total dark
While some sleep in the sun

Some have nasty nightmares
And wake to their own screams
While other folks are blessed
With only sweet and pleasant dreams

But whatever your sleep story
I promise this is true:
If you get the right amount of sleep
You'll be a better you!

Day 209: Decisions

Dedicated to my SiL2B, Hillary (Hey, that rhymes!), who, 6 weeks out from the wedding, still hasn't chosen colors for the wedding party yet! Well, technically, that's not true. She chose them, but then had to unchoose, and rechoose. . . . Decisions, decisions. . . .

Decisions
By Batsheva 6/28/10

Sometimes life is so confusing
It's hard to tell
Which choice I'm choosing
What do I want at my core?
Is it A or B or C or
None of the above?
I don't know exactly
Just what it is I love. . . .

But at least I know who
And I guess that will do.

Day 208: New Moon

It's not actually a new moon yet, but my full moon poem really stunk, so I thought maybe this would redeem it.

New Moon
By Batsheva 6/27/10

I'm not sure why they call it, "New"
I don't see anything
Do you?
The sky is black
'Cept for the stars
And maybe Jupiter or Mars
But there's no moon
That I can see
Not new
Not old
Where could it be?

They say it's there
But there's no trace
Almost as if
It's been erased
But I believe it will return
With one good lesson
We can learn
That when there's nothing
Left in view
That's the time
To start anew

Day 207: Flower Garden

This one is for our wonderful neighbors who have a beautiful flower garden and seem to enjoy sharing it!

Flower Garden
By Batsheva 6/26/10

Peonies and pansies
Hyacinths and hollyhocks
Orchids, oleander
And a sea of purple phlox

In my garden I have lilies
Every color, shape and size
Irises and tulips
It should come as no surprise

Buttercups and violets
Roses in every hue
Daffodils and Daisies
But there's always room for you!

Day 206 (Delayed): Full Moon

It was a full moon yesterday. Go figure

Full Moon
By Batsheva 6/25/10

A big white dinner plate
Suspended in the sky
I look at it and wonder
Just how far it is up high

For ages it was a mystery
That big white dish of moon
But astronauts can talk
Long enough to make you swoon

And tell you every single thing
You'd ever want to know
About the moon, that big balloon,
They've been to it, and so. . .

They can tell you that it's
238,000 miles high
And the reasons why they went there
If you've ever wondered why

They can tell you what it's made of
Now there really is no doubt
That cheese was never something
That the moon was all about

But the coolest thing these astronauts
Will tell you, I have found
Is how it feels to look up at Earth
Instead of looking down

Day 205 (Delayed): Thursdays

OK, these last two delays were really unavoidable, if embarrassing. Sorry.

Thursdays
By Batsheva 6/24/10

Thursdays are the worst days
'Cause you know you've got one more
Before the happy weekend comes
A knockin' at your door

But try to force a smile
Since it really won't be long
Less than 48 more hours
'Til you sing the weekend's song!

Day 204: Help!

I wish I could give an attribution for the story in the middle of the poem, it's not original (only the rhyming form of it is), but I can't remember where I heard it. If anyone knows who wrote the original story, please let me know.

Help!
By Batsheva 6/23/10

We all need some help now and then
Every John or Jane or Jen or Ben
No one can do it all themselves
Whether baking cakes or hanging shelves

~~~~

Now let me share a tale quite swell
'Bout places known as Heaven and Hell

In Hell it seems that folks are faced
With banquet tables beautifully graced
With all the most delicious food
But this does not create good mood
For though the delicacies are there
There's a problem with the silverware
Every fork and spoon is five feet long
And this seems really very wrong
They cannot eat food with their hands
As this is one of Hell's demands
But waiters won't be getting tips
When flatware simply can't reach lips

And so they're starving down in Hell
Tormented by treats they see and smell
And yet in Heaven it's quite sunny
Which you'd expect, though this is funny
The circumstances you'll find there
Are the same
Down to the silverware
There's just one difference you'll discover
In Heaven
They all feed each other

~~~

And so I'll say that when you're stuck
Pride will leave you in the muck
First do your best all on your own
But if you can't solve it alone
Don't be ashamed to give a yelp
And (politely) holler
Help!

Day 203: A Boat

A Boat
By Batsheva 6/22/10

A boat can sail
The wide, wide sea
Or down a narrow river
Or speed around
A great, great lake
With items to deliver

A boat can carry people
And all kinds of
Different things
And on the water
Some can fly
Although they have no wings

A boat can be as big
As a sort of floating city
Or small enough
To be a toy
So very itty-bitty

But of boats
One thing is always sure
Although this fact does stink
There's no boat
In the whole wide world
That can never, ever sink

Day 202 (delayed): Silence

OK, I hereby vow to do my absolute best not to delay any more of these. I know it's just crazy at this point.

Silence
By Batsheva 6/21/10

Shh!
I need some quiet here
It sounds just like a riot here

TV's off
Music too
No offense
But how about you?

At last they're gone
I'm all alone
Now to unplug
That ringing phone

And though I know
It may seem dumb
I've even shut off
The AC's hum

And yet something
Is still not right
A buzz is coming
From the light

Now that's off
I'm in the dark
But still I hear
A distant dog bark

Now my heart and breath
Sound like wrestling giants
In a very quiet space
There's no such thing as silence

Day 201: Father's Day

What can I say? My dad is a gardener. The metaphor comes naturally. This is for all the fathers out there, but especially for mine and my daughter's.

Father's Day
By Batsheva 6/20/10

Some men may toss a seed
Onto a piece of fertile ground
And hope that some day on that spot
A thriving tree is found

Other men may cast a seed
Accidentally without care
And by some kind of miracle
A tree takes root right there

But the best of men who plant a seed
With love and patience tend
And nurture it so joyfully
A task that does not end

They watch that little sapling grow
A sturdy trunk and root
And know their loving efforts
Soon will bear the sweetest fruit

Day 200: Two Hundred

Two Hundred
By Batsheva 6/19/10

Two hundred is very nice
It means you have one hundred
Twice!

Day 199 (Delayed): Popsicles

Again, sorry for the delay.

Popsicles
By Batsheva 6/18/10

Ice cold
Sweet and licky
As they melt
You get all sticky
But I think
They're worth the mess
Without them
Summer would be less. . .

Funny
Sunny
Silly
Popsicley

Day 198: Summer Free

Summer Free
By Batsheva 6/17/10

Summertime means I'm free
My summertime is just for me
I'll delight to spend each day
Just to sleep and eat and play
Like a happy butterfly
Or an eagle soaring high
I do exactly what I wish
Even swim just like a fish
Yes, the greatest way to be
Is summer free

Don't get me wrong
I do like school
I'm no anti-learning fool
But if you want the truth
I cannot lie:
My favorite thing 'bout school is called
July

Day 197: Anticipation

Anticipation
By Batsheva 6/16/10

I can't wait!
It'll be great!
I can't wait!
It'll be great!
I can't wait!
It'll be great!
I can't wait!
It'll be great!
I can't wait!
It'll be great!
I can't wait!
It'll be great!

And suddenly it's over
Come and gone, must say goodbye
It's not that it was very bad
Plenty of good times were had
But now they're done
And I may cry
I need someone to hold me
If only they had told me
Anticipation
Is a lie.

Day 196 (delayed): Salad

Salad
By Batsheva 6/15/10

Some people don't like salad
And I've often wondered why
It's really quite delicious
If you just give it a try

Take all your very favorite foods
And toss them in a bowl
And then you'll have a salad
That will satisfy your soul!

Day 195 (Delayed): Heavy Load

Sorry for all the delays. Rough couple of weeks. My friend, Gray, posted a picture of a turtle in a road today, and I've been feeling like I'm carrying my house on my back lately. . . .

Heavy Load
By Batsheva 6/14/10

There's a turtle in the road
And he bears a heavy load
But there really is no way
To lighten it
For if you even try
That turtle might just die
And the least that you would do
Is frighten it

See, that turtle in the road
Really needs his heavy load
Without it he would suffer
Quite a lack
He never said his life was breezy
Do you think it would be easy
If you carried your whole house
Upon your back?