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!