The Writing Forum Members Present Our Poetry for Children POEMS AND CONTRIBUTORS Click on the button next to any title in the list below to be linked directly to that poem. You can also access the author’s regular pages here at the website by clicking on their underlined name below any poem.   “Timmy’s Parade” by: Jacqueline Ann Piech   “Princess Rose Feather” by: Mary Etta Metcalf   “I Had a Little Friend” by: Jacqueline Ann Piech   “Cutie” by: Betty Lou Hebert   “Going to the Zoo” by: Betty Lou Hebert   “Feeding Wild Geese by: Betty Lou Hebert   “Cyclone Bill and the Doll’s Eyes” by: Betty Lou Hebert   “Bubble” by: Jacqueline Ann Piech   “When Unicorns Will Want To Stay” by: Jacqueline Ann Piech   “Garden Mystery” by: Jacqueline Ann Piech   “The Hamster's Secret” by: Jacqueline Ann Piech   “Halloween Hammie” by: Jacqueline Ann Piech   “The Hen House Caper” by: Betty Lou Hebert   “The Humming Tree” by: Betty Lou Hebert   “The Old Red Barn” by: Betty Lou Hebert   “A Fairy’s Kiss” by: Jacqueline Ann Piech   “Hurray For Spring” by: Jacqueline Ann Piech   “Liking What I See” by: Mary Etta Metcalf   “Gingerbread Dreams” by: Betty Lou Hebert   “Dear Cricket” by: Betty Lou Hebert   “King Cat” by: Betty Lou Hebert   “Binky Biggle” by: Annabel Sheila   “Tyrone’s Dragon Tail” by: Annabel Sheila   “Harley’s Dragon Wagon” by: Annabel Sheila   “Xena” by: Joyce Johnson   “Some Little Boys” by: Joyce Johnson   “A Happy Dog” by: Joyce Johnson   “Angel’s Eyes” by: Betty Lou Hebert   “Berry Buddies” by: Betty Lou Hebert   “Bear Facts” by: Betty Lou Hebert   “Once Upon a Time” by: D.S. Mullis   “Tales of Elfin Ways” by: Mary Etta Metcalf   “The Dragon and the Unicorn” by: Mary Etta Metcalf   “My Other Name” by: Jacqueline Ann Piech   “My Magical Ship” by: Jacqueline Ann Piech   Timmy's Parade Looking out the window as the heavy rain poured down, a very disappointed four-year-old Timmy began to frown. The big parade was canceled due to it storming in town. He was bored with coloring but his mood finally did change, what a great idea he had as his room he began to rearrange. His old teddy bear would help so Timmy wasn't shortchanged! On teddy's furry head, he placed a hat with a feathery plume, Tim's toy soldiers would march with a tiny cannon to kaboom. A battery operated police car to clear the way in his room. A monkey with drums to bang, the clown a whistle to blow, a red fire engine with a siren and T-Rex's loud roar to show, that no rain could dampen this parade, folks would surely know. Old teddy held a baton, a CD with marching music began its score. To Timmy's surprise, teddy began to thump that baton on the floor,  his police car drove ahead, leading everyone out the bedroom door! He watched in amazement as his animals paraded down the hall, they marched to the music from room to room, Timmy was enthralled. To the den where his parents were, the toys gathered one and all. Mom was asleep in her easy chair while Dad the paper read. In marched the parade of toys when the music stopped dead. "Time to brush your teeth and get ready for bed," his dad said.  As they entered the den when the music stopped so did his toys! Knowing what happened, who would ever believe a four year old boy? It was bedtime and Timmy hoped for a sunny tomorrow to enjoy. The toys were all put away and old teddy lay beside him in bed. Sleep overcame Timmy as he pondered the day's events in his head. Snuggling up to his boy, the secret safe, Teddy's stitched grin spread! Jacqueline Ann Piech ©05/10/2011   Princess Rose Feather there once lived a beautiful little fairy princess her name equaled her demure as princess rose feather she was small and dainty and loved by all around fluttering from rose to rose she floated as a feather her parents the king and queen took great pride in her showing her off as the times allowed and there were many times there was so much love all around her happiness followed her fluttering from rose to rose she floated as a feather the day came when she saw her prince from afar his sturdy wings showing his strength love began to bloom when he looked her way her beauty stunned him so fluttering from rose to rose she floated as a feather their love blossomed the kings and queens glowing over them the couple were united the valleys combined for the future theyknew their future children would need plenty of space fluttering from rose to rose she floated as a feather Mary Etta Metcalf ©Copyright   I Had A Little Friend I had a little friend, a bundle of energy and joy. He wasn't very big rather the size of a small toy. Tiny and brave on his hind feet he would stand. And take food very gently from my giant hand. Darting through tubes or from nesting he would peek. Or just quietly sit next to my heart gentle and sweet. Couldn't bark to protect me nor purr, fly or sing. But every day into my life a smile he would bring. Though his packaging may have been very small. His love and trust for me was over ten feet tall! I had a little hamster friend who now forever sleeps. His love and memory in my heart I will always keep. ©Jacqueline Ann Piech 12/08/2005   Cutie Cutie is a black and white Keg of feline dynamite! She cavorts from room to room, Unless she sees me with the broom! Or when I vacuum, off she goes. Where she hides, nobody knows. When all is quiet, she appears. All recovered from her fears. She looks at me as if to say "Since I was so brave today, Don't you see I need a treat? Tell me, don't you think I'm sweet?" Betty Lou Hebert ©Copyright   Going to the Zoo “Oh, let’s go to the zoo today.” My children always used to say, When Saturday would roll around And soon we would be zooward bound. When we arrived with eager pace, A random pattern we would trace From pen to pen and back again And then we’d board the little train, To ride where roses used to grow; The city spread out down below. I don’t know if it’s still that way. I like to think that it will stay The same enchanting spot I knew, For grown-ups and children too. Betty Lou Hebert ©Copyright   Feeding Wild Geese They waddle up on leathery feet. Their long necks craned, their black eyes shine. They eat my offering of wheat. I sit and watch them as they dine They hang around awhile to show They have good manners and they stay Until it’s nearly dark to go Down to the lake, at end of day. They call and others join their band And cluster close. A feathered isle. I watch them drift away from land Their muted mutters make me smile Betty Lou Hebert ©Copyright   Cyclone Bill and the Doll's Eyes We had a bent old gard'ning man, When I was just a child, Who’d lost his home and memory Within a cyclone, wild. But who he was before that day No one would ever know And he came to live at our place To help the flowers grow. My father called him Cyclone Bill And that became his name. He never had too much to do To join me in some game. One day, my Grandpa came to stay And brought me a surprise. A doll, with curly, golden hair And lovely, sky-blue eyes. I ran outside, to show her to Cyclone Bill, my friend. I fell and broke the pretty head There was no way to mend. Bill helped me up and dried my tears. The doll’s eyes he retrieved And told me then this fairytale That I unquestioning, believed. “You know potato eyes will grow Potato plants,” said he. Now doll’s eyes grow the nicest dolls That ever you did see.” So underneath a rose bush, fair, We planted those blue eyes And every day I watered them To help the doll plant rise And then one glorious morning, Upon the precious spot, There stood a doll as beautiful As one that grandpa got! Betty Lou Hebert ©Copyright   Bubble Gently blowing through a ring, crystal-clear globe takes wing. Dancing on warm Spring breezes, tiny shimmering orb that pleases. Will it journey past the zoo, or beyond the great lake blue? Across the meadow, over the creek floating above the mountain peak. Soon more friends join the flight, sky full of bubbles, what a sight! ©Jacqueline Ann Piech 04/27/2010   When Unicorns Will Want To Stay One Child skipped and then began to race. Hoping to see a unicorn's beautiful face. A creek in magic forest, the perfect place. Turtle lounging on rocks, leathery with years. Sadly One Child saw turtle shedding tears. Old turtle spoke softly of a story to hear. God's sacred creatures with healing golden horns. Prancing, singing in forests, the joyful unicorns. Until Mankind's cruelty left them all forlorn. Mercifully, God took them to His heavenly throne. Youngest unicorn asked to stay on earth alone. Hoping that children of Man would willingly atone. But soon unicorn witnessed a horrible blight. Children teasing and yelling in selfish fights! Unicorn's heart and soul dimmed at the sight. An angel changed unicorn at God's command. Now a beautiful white flower, no unicorn on land. Only kindness on earth could alter that plan. Some days the flower, unicorn size blooms. Other times only tiny white petals loom. How much kindness or cruelty is its doom. One Child watched turtle slowly swim away. Ancient turtle stopped and turned to say. Kindness to each other is the only way. Then blessed unicorns will want to stay. ©Jacqueline Ann Piech 04/28/2009   Garden Mystery When I was a child something wonderful did occur. No one ever could explain what exactly did I hear. Asking me to go weed around the garden flowers. A boring task, Mom knew it would take me hours. So I started weeding where the red roses grew. Thinking of thousands of things I'd rather do. Hearing several giggles, I looked all around. But nothing in sight matched the tiny sound. Back to weeding the garden, was that a sneeze? It was so clear I jumped up off both my knees. Slowly I parted daisy bunches with my hand. Amongst pansy clusters, petite flowers grand. Two small dolls, golden curls and cherubic faces. Porcelain beauties hiding in the garden oasis. Carefully I picked them up and gave each a hug. Not one sound from either, my heart felt a tug. Mom believes I had been hearing things that day. My imagination she said because I wanted to play. I am a grown up now, the mystery still confounds. Did they giggle and sneeze in order to be found? ©Jacqueline Ann Piech 06/07/2008   The Hamster's Secret Settling down for bed I gazed at my hamster's home. Sandy was asleep, tucked safely inside unable to roam. I slept the whole night through but woke with a start. Sandy's lid was pushed off and panic seized my heart! Looking through every nook and cranny of my little room. No hamster to be found, I worried was Sandy doomed? Then I noticed I was missing my right soft plastic shoe. I had left it beside my bed as a pair shiny and new. Were other things missing I wondered, asking myself? Pencils and a sail from a large boat on the desk shelf. Something drew me to the window, slowly I pulled up the shade. Sandy, in the center of the pool, proud of the boat he had made. The missing sail stuck firmly in the shoe I once wore. Pencils I had written with now served as tiny oars. Sandy waved and tipped the captain's hat upon his head. He steered the shoe boat to help the sail and wind wed. A swimming pool was his deep blue ocean, a tiny sailor brave. Touching the snooze button, my ears from the alarm were saved. What a crazy dream I thought as I dressed and put on each shoe. The right one was feeling very wet and from it my foot I withdrew. Picking it up, the small hole in the top flap made me blink. In the hamster's house stood Sandy, giving me a quick wink! ©Jacqueline Ann Piech 03/13/2008   Halloween Hammie There once was a hamster named Sandy. Pretending in costume was just dandy for he loved trick-or-treat and candy! Sitting in his wheel deep in thought, a brain-storming idea he did plot. The perfect costume is what he sought. Should he be a pirate dashing and suave? A dazzling rock star dressed in mauve? How about a kitty's squeak toy (yikes)? Or a rodeo riding, macho cowboy (likes)! Perhaps with a friend, a bride and groom? Maybe even a brave astronaut on the moon! A witch, a pumpkin or a very spooky bat, a baseball player or a debonair aristocrat? Yawning, sleep overcame him it seemed. Knowing just what to wear from his dream, waking up the Halloween hammie beamed. Excited, his nose and whiskers did twitch, delighted he squeaked in a happy pitch. His costume would be a sub-Sandywich! ©Jacqueline Ann Piech 10/17/2009   The Hen House Caper When I was young, one job I'd dread, Was going to the chicken shed, With basket on my arm, to find, Eggs the hens had left behind. Unfortunately, there were a few Contrary ones who always knew When I was coming, so they'd stay And try to keep the eggs they lay. I'd reach a trembling hand and get A wicked peck I'd not forget! I thought about it quite a lot. Decided that the fear I fought, Was most unsuitable, so I Devised a plan that I could try. Next day, I went in waving round Some willow branches that I found And yelling like a mad banshee! Those hens took just one look at me And scattered, clucking, out the door. I had no trouble anymore! But I can still hear my aunt say: "I wonder why those hens don't lay The way they used to? They're well fed. Perhaps I'll get some geese instead!" Betty Lou Hebert ©Copyright   The Humming Tree Our maple tree, with branches spread, Offers many a leafy bed, To hummingbirds who like to hide And watch the feeder hung outside. They come and go all through the day And launch themselves in wild display And when you walk beneath the tree, It hums with birds, quite vibrantly! Betty Lou Hebert ©Copyright   The Old Red Barn A wond'rous place, the old red barn, It's loft piled high with hay, Where pigeons cooed, beneath the eaves And children came to play. Oh, what magic dreams we spun. They carried us away! Dust motes floated in the sun, Shining in each ray, That entered through the big, loft doors And warmed us where we lay. So often there we used to spy On animals and men. If we could keep from giggling, At scenes below us then, They seldom knew that we were there, Watching from above. Like a group of impish angels, But viewing them with love! Betty Lou Hebert ©Copyright   A Fairy's Kiss Drenched from heavy rains the forest was covered in deep gray mist. Rain soaked into the unicorn's soul who longed for a fairy's kiss. Butterflies were grounded with damp wings unable to flutter in bliss. Mice clung to reeds as their homes had become an oceanic abyss. Robins as well as frogs bravely tried to join voices and sing. All hoping their chorus of love a fairy's kiss it would bring. Snails hiding under a flower petal spotted the first beam of light. Breaking through the tree tops a shaft touched the saturated site. Tinier then a whisper, bright hues flying faster then dancing flames. A wish to be granted for the unicorn by sunlight's grande dames. A kiss of orange, a kiss of pink, a kiss of purple done in a blink. Across the now dry and serene forest a magical bow inked. Above the tree tops bending across the cloud free blue sky. A rainbow created from a fairy's kiss to wish the rain goodbye. ©Jacqueline Ann Piech 01/24/2008   Hurray For Spring Cold winter is gone for awhile. Soft showers make flowers smile. No more boots or cold noses. Soon there will be red roses. Big rain puddles to jump over. Bunnies munch on fresh clover. The sun appears on the scene. Birds chirp, grass turns green. Everything new this season brings. We cheer hurrah-hurray for Spring! ©Jacqueline Ann Piech 03/21/2008   Liking What I See i reached into my pocket and withdrew a smile placing it on my face to see if it would fit lookng into the mirror to see how i looked liking what i see i decide to keep my smile as i looked in the mirror i see sparkles in my eyes looking closely to see how good they looked i notice they seem to blend with my smile liking what i see i decide to keep my sparkle there is a glow to my face they say comes from inside i look at it study it feel it it does look rather nice i see how others respond to my sudden glow liking what i see i decide to keep my new found glow all these reflections of my appearance soothe me how people perceive me brings me comfort to be acceptable to everyone makes me happy liking what i see i decide to keep myself Mary Etta Metcalf © Copyright   Gingerbread Dreams I sat and dreamed awhile today About a time of yesterday, When mother would bake gingerbread. I'd take a piece with butter spread And go outside in morning light. With a wiggle of delight To eat it on my swing and stay, With bare feet scuffling away! ©Betty Lou Hebert   Dear Cricket The leaves are dry, the grass is too. I thought by now, I'd hear from you. The autumn birds are mostly flown. It's been a year since I have known The pleasure of your company. Please come here so you can see This season out, or I shall pout! ©Betty Lou Hebert   King Cat I wander far o'er hill and dale. I'm free as I can be, But when the snow begins to fall, My home place calls to me. Soon I'm snug beside the stove. My food dish stands nearby And willing laps are waiting, Where cats like me can lie! ©Betty Lou Hebert   Binky Biggle His fiery eyes and scaly skin Were frightening sights to see. His purple wings, and giant tail, Were as huge as they could be. Dragons should be fearsome, But not so Binky Biggle, He was a dragon well known for, His funny dragon giggle. Binky Biggle loved to laugh, No one ever heard him roar. “I’ll never frighten anyone,” he said, “That’s not what dragons are for.” When Binky Biggle started to hum, His favourite giggling song, The other dragons couldn’t resist, They had to giggle along. Life in the land of dragons, Had never been so much fun. Binky Biggle made everyone laugh, From morning til day was done. But dragons don’t live forever, One day Binky Biggle was gone, Now he makes the angels laugh, As they frolic on heaven’s lawn. ©Annabel Sheila   Tyrone’s Dragon Tail Dragon tails are very long, At least they’re supposed to be. But Tyrone’s little dragon tail Goes only to his knee. Tyrone’s mighty dragon roar, Is as loud as all the rest, But when it comes to Tyrone’s tail, It’s four feet long at best. Tyrone doesn’t mind at all, That his tail is not quite right, Because he’s the fastest of them all, When Tyrone is in flight. His tail doesn’t weigh very much you see, So when he takes to the sky, He’s lighter than his dragon friends, When he begins to fly. One day a nasty ogre came, To catch himself a dragon, He had a giant dragon net, That he carried on his wagon. He knew the dragons couldn’t fly, As fast as he could run, He’d have a pet dragon for himself, Before the day was done. Tyrone saw the nasty ogre, Hiding behind the tree, He knew that it was up to him, To keep the dragons free. “If you can catch me ogre, You can take me to your home, But if you cannot capture me, You must leave dragons alone.” The ogre agreed, because he knew, He could catch this dragon for sure. He was smarter than any dragon, And much faster than they were. Tyrone soared in the sky above, With that ogre he’d have some fun, He flew by very slowly at first, And the ogre began to run. Faster and faster Tyrone flew, With the ogre giving chase, But the ogre was no match for him, And Tyrone won the race. The ogre’s face was sweaty and red, As he went along his way, There’d be no dragon pet for him, Because Tyrone saved the day. ©Annabel Sheila   Harley’s Dragon Wagon A most unusual sight to see, On the road in the land of dragons, A little black kitten riding along, In Harley the dragon’s wagon. The little black cat is special you see, For he’s missing his two back feet. Harley the dragon found him one day All by himself in a heap. Harley felt sorry for the little guy, So he brought him home to his lair, Knowing his new little furry friend, Would need quite a lot of care. The cat grew stronger every day, Much to Harley’s delight! But the little black cat was unable to walk, And Harley was sad for his plight. One day Harley saw the pie man, With a load of pies on his wagon, He asked the man if he would help, Build a wagon for a dragon. They worked together day after day, And when the wagon was done, Harley knew anything was possible, When friends pull together as one. He brought the wagon to his den, And placed the black cat inside. The kitty smiled from ear to ear, As he went for his very first ride. Now the kitty goes for a walk every day, Round every curve and bend, Harley the dragon, and the little black cat, Are the very best of friends. ©Annabel Sheila   Xena Xena is our kitty cat. We raised her from a baby. She was abandoned but survived And lived to drive us crazy. We thought she'd be so sweet and good. We thought she'd love us dearly. But we were wrong and usually She tolerates us merely. But that spoiled cat still has her charms And though she treats us badly We feed her meats and buy her treats And love her truly madly. ©by Joyce Johnson   Some Little Boys Some little boys like dinosaurs. Close the windows, shut the doors. We don't want any dinosaurs Coming into our indoors. Some little boys like Billy goats. Hide your coats and breakfast oats. We don't want any Billy goats Chomping on our nice new coats. Some little boys like pussy cats. Cats hide rats in your hats. We don't want any cats or rats Hiding in our Sunday hats. Some little boys like bubble gum. That's all right. Give me some, If you don't think it's too dumb A grandma who likes bubble gum. ©by Joyce Johnson   A Happy Dog She wouldn't win a beauty prize, My happy little Muffin. She wasn't very much for size, But she could keep me puffin'. We'd play a game of hide and seek. I'd seek and she would run. I'd be so tired I couldn't speak. She'd still be having fun. She watched him hide his pretty wares When the Easter Bunny came, And as the children ran in pairs. She joined into the game. Their short legs were longer than The short ones that she wore. For each egg that went into their pan, She'd find a dozen more. We tried to take them from her and She'd look at us and grin. Her mouth was faster than our hand As another egg went in. I've had dogs that were more faithful And superior in size But when it came to having fun Happy Muffin won the prize. Grandkids love to hear the story Of how Muffin stole their eggs And how God took her up to Glory On her little Dachshund legs. ©by Joyce Johnson   Angel's Eyes The stars that shine so brilliantly Across the nighttime skies, May not be stars at all, you know, But really angel's eyes! They're charged with waching over us By God, who knows that we So often in the darkness need A little company! Betty Lou Hebert © Copyright   Berry Buddies We pick berries, my dog and I. He picks low and I pick high. The only problem with this is He thinks the ones he picks are his. He gobbles them quick as can be. Is not the slightest help to me, Yet when I take my bowl and go Out to the patch, I let him know. For though he eats them greedily, At least he is some company! Betty Lou Hebert © Copyright   Bear Facts Last night, bears roamed these wooded hills And tore at rotted stumps. They buried noses deep inside, Displaying hairy rumps. The moonlight frosted furry shapes And flooded clearings where They congregate to eat the roots That they find hidden there. They growled and sniffed the evening air To see what they might find, Then padded off on leather feet And left their tracks behind Betty Lou Hebert © Copyright   Once Upon a Time Once upon a time, long, long ago, there was a little girl whose name was Emma Jo! She loved to smile and laugh and hardly ever frowned, And never missed a chance to dress up like a clown. She loved to play with dolls, for sure her puppy, too; And read aloud her fairy tales and how sweet dreams came true! Her mother taught her well, and never missed a chance To take her by the hands--together they would dance! Not only did she dance, she loved to sing as well, And when the music box would play The Farmer in the Dell… She sang the words so loud and never missed a beat, Her voice so young and yet so strong each note would sound so sweet! But what she treasured most, it happened every night, Was reading “Once upon a time” to everyone in sight! For sure her mom and dad, and little brother, too, Would listen to the stories as she read them through and through. She never seemed to tire of all the stories found Within her Little Golden books. Each one was so profound! It was such fun to hear the emphasis and tone That Emma Jo would use to make each story known! For sure the pigs it seemed would meet their final doom, But just in time the tide would turn and joy replaced their gloom! One by one she read them and always heaved a sigh, For in the end she knew there’d be no need to cry- For good outweighed the bad in every story read, So sleepily she hugged them all and headed off to bed! ~The purpose of this poem/story: Simply to remind us of the days when children cherished the fantasies and imaginations of CHILDHOOD! As you read this poem/story, for the better part, most of it was in rhythm and rhyme-- To once again remind us of “Once upon a time…” Yes, indeed, each story though different yet similar ended with the same final words: “And they all lived happily ever after”…remember when? D. S. Mullis © Copyright   Tales of Elfin Ways floating above my bed was a little elf wizard with a large book his wizened face long beard and sage smile captivated my mind with a puff on his pipe he began to speak of such tales for me he greeted me with tales of elfin ways each night he came settled himself comfortably then lit his pipe his eyes would begin to twinkle as he opened his book of intrigue the elfin court was always famous for such hilarious misdeeds he greeted me with tales of elfin ways id listen rapturously to his stories laughter following each tale elfin youngsters who always seemed to be in mischief of some kind of their comical ways or their serious side the elfin world intrigues he greeted me with tales of elfin ways hed tell me of the care and love they had for the forest and animals how they balanced each other out how meticulously the elves worked their homes high in the trees sheltered by thick lush branches he greeted me with tales of elfin ways just before id fall asleep hed take his leave with a promise to return the thought of his pending return always seemed to comfort me as he took his leave he turned to me saying dont lose your elven ways he greeted me with tales of elfin ways Mary Etta Metcalf © Copyright   The Dragon and the Unicorn the dragon sat complacently looking at the unicorn as it grazed tell me little unicorn how your golden horn upon your head doth work raising its head chewing thoughtfully he finally turned to the dragon wisdom comes unto the dragon and the unicorn as they talk a good question to ask oh mighty dragon but a harder one to answer the dragon looked confused thought about it for awhile then asked another if it is hard to answer does that infer that you are not sure yourself wisdom comes unto the dragon and the unicorn as they talk yes that is true i know what it can do alas i do not know how it is done totally abashed by the reply again he picked up a bone and began to eat it it amazes me to think that something that is part of you is also unknown to you wisdom comes unto the dragon and the unicorn as they talk it really doesn't bother me for i know it works upon an evil thought and destroys the dragon digested this bit of information than placidly placed the bone down well little unicorn i can see now that i must control my evil thoughts around you wisdom comes unto the dragon and the unicorn as they talk the unicorn once again lowered his head silently began to graze in comfort the dragon mulled this over staring at the sky then slowly picked up his bone never noticing the grin upon the unicorns mouth as he continued to graze wisdom comes unto the dragon and the unicorn as they talk Mary Etta Metcalf © Copyright   My Other Name I was given the title Sparkling Wildfire. To live up to that name is my desire. Sparky a shorter version of my name. I carry it proudly just the same. My human doesn't seem to understand. Expecting me to obey all commands. I love to leap, run, chase and play. I also try to learn to sit and stay. I have long legs to jump for joy. Or pounce upon a new squeak toy. Garbage cans were made to be explored. The great outdoors should be forged. I try to stay off the bed at best. But soft blankets are great for rest. Toilets make good drinking fountains. Rabbits are for chasing up mountains. How can I ever really live up to my name? Sparkling Wildfire doesn't sound very tame. I am a happy dog and love my human so. Oh how I wish that other name would go. For it makes me hang my head in shame. Sparky No No Bad Dog is my other name! Jacqueline Ann Piech © 09/01/2008   My Magical Ship With both my feet I push off earth. Take off is a sweet skyward burst. Momentum builds, wind blows my hair. Sun kisses my face as higher I dare. A magical ship to touch the sky. Soon I'll pass birds flying by! Reaching to clouds with pointed toes. Guessing how high I really can go. Mom calls, it's time to come in. Slowly to earth I softly descend. I have fun pretending whenever I swing. Wonder what tomorrow's trip will bring? Jacqueline Ann Piech © 05/18/2008