Ding Ling-er

                                         There was an old man from Ding Ling,
                                               who never approved of a thing;
                                                   he turned up his nose at even a rose.
                                                           He had a sad life in Ding Ling.

Fairy tale

                                 There are fairies down at the fountain, mama,
                                         they must have come down to play.
                                          Come with me, mama, and see them,
                                                come quick or they'll fly away!

Leaf's legacy

                                   As part of my tree, I was never just me,
                                          just another "book on the shelf ";
                                                but now that I've left the old home for good,
                                                     I can finally be seen for myself!

Street sweet

                                   I was crossing the street  when I first saw her face,
                                        beguiled by those bewitching eyes;
                                             but I had to give way when a car came my way,
                                                  so I left her on Riverside Drive.

Fountain's frets

 

                                        I like being a fountain,
                                            cuz I get to make bubbles all day;
                                               but bubblings no fun, if it's only for one,
                                                      won't someone come over to play?

Future pet?

    

                                    Is this what our Rover will look like,
                                        thanks to those with the robotic maps?
                                           ..and then do we get to become their pet,
                                                  and end up asleep in their laps?

Thistle's whistle

                                  We thistles are proud of our offspring,
                                      they're born and shot off like missiles;
                                       at the rate they are growing and the distance they're going,
                                           we'll cover the world with thistles!

Brief beliefs

                                  When I see a statement like this one,
                                         I know some will scoff it as brittle;
                                      but for me, what I saw. fills me with awe, -
                                           that so much can be said with so little!

Sun-kissed

                                      When the sun strikes the surf at the seashore,
                                                  it sets off a sequence inside;
                                             my voice starts to cheer, my eyes start to tear,
                                                    and my heart roars in with the tide.

Too much?

  

                                         Mostly I keep my eyes open,
                                              to see what the world's all about;
                                                  but when the whole rigamarole's out of control,
                                                       I just have to shut it all out!

Invitation?

                                   This car is proud to be purple, it seems, -
                                              is that what he wants us to see?
                                        Or does he just wish us to join him in kind, -
                                               and that's a tough challenge for me!

Dancer?

  

                                            Most dancers you see are young and alert,
                                                  with sinuous movements and drive;
                                                but some of us come from the frond of a tree,
                                                       just trying to look still alive.

Patience

                                    Dora's my favorite dove because
                                        she has such a patient hauteur;
                                     she sits at the foot of the feeder and waits
                                         for the seeds to drop down on her.

Who am I?

  

   
                                             It's always appealing to change how we look,
                                                     into angels or devils or elves.
                                              Do you think there's a time we could ever resign
                                                        ourselves to just be ourselves?

Vigil

                                       She stands there and waits, alert and awake,
                                             for the gift she will get from the sea;
                                           no get-up-and-go, no dash to and fro,
                                                         my model of dignity!

Passions

                                              I value all kinds of creative juices
                                                     that give an artist a passion;
                                                  but sometimes I'm not sure I can share their allure
                                                      when they turn their passion to fashion.

Buttoned up

                                                    I'll betcha you never before did see
                                                            a man that's all covered with buttons.
                                                     But I'll bet my hat  you'd rather see that,
                                                          than a man that's all covered with nothin'!


                                                                                  artwork by Marie Bergstedt

Envy

 

                                                  I'm just a wee little turtle down  here,
                                                        envying you on high;
                                                      but I've always wanted to ask you,
                                                               "how does it feel to fly?"

Private pond

   

                                         My Molly was tired of the mob scene,
                                                    they never would leave us alone;
                                               so I flew up and down, and looked all round,
                                                         and found us a pond all our own.

Queen

    

                                     When a body attracts your attention,
                                          the moment they walk on a scene,
                                             it's like something inside has filled them with pride, -
                                                 they just know they were born to be queen!

Freedom

  

                                       What a rich artistic depiction
                                              of someone who's truly free;
                                                  whatever is coming.......then let it come, -
                                                          whatever will be, will be.

                                                                           
                                                                               art work by Mari Andrews

Feather fantasy

                                              How lovely to lie down in feathers,
                                                      as many and deep as you please;
                                                 but with my luck I"d get nicely settled
                                                       then spoil the whole thing with a sneeze!

Water ways

 

                                    I love all the moods of the water, -
                                          you can think it's all calm and serene;
                                      then the next thing you know, it puts on a show,
                                                that looks like a horror scene!

Evolution

                                    It's delightful to see little angels,
                                           in a charming domestic scene;
                                                but where do they go, little angels,
                                                      when they hit the turbulent teens?

Watchman

  

                                              I've been sitting right here for forever, it seems,
                                                  just  looking out to the sea;
                                                        but day after day no one passes this way,-
                                                              is nobody looking for me?

Fashion statement

   

                                         Fashion's a fickle companion,
                                                it changes from day to day;
                                           for some it's a ruthless dictator,
                                               but "each to his own", I say.

Paper piper

                                                 Some artists are marvels with paper.
                                                     This piper's all paper, no bluff.
                                                 ....and we all know we must pay the piper,  but
                                                          if the piper is paper, then what?

                                                                              Art work by Zwanda

Growing up

                                            I know I was 'sposed to grow straighter
                                                   but you know how it is with a pup.
                                                 I had so much fun growing 'round and around
                                                         I just didn't want to grow up!

Ford's fantasy

                                    If you ever have wanted to turn things around,
                                           and alter the world in its course, -
                                            what if that Ford man had never conceived
                                                    of a carriage without a horse?

Blue Berry

                                          I've always been a blue berry
                                                But I haven't a claim to fame,
                                          I wanted to be a blueberry,
                                               but some upstart has stolen the name.

Fence feelings

                                           I've been watching the world from my piece of fence,
                                                  for what seems like a long long, while;
                                               but the people  I see are all up-tight and tense, -
                                                          can't any one spare a smile?