Friday, January 24, 2014

Perhaps, We Are Better Off

I felt like writing something whimsical today and came up with this children's poem.


Perhaps, We Are Better Off

Imagine if you were a giraffe,
so tall you couldn't see your own feet,
with your neck stuck up, way up, in the sky,
smacking your head on the lights by the street.

And what if you were an alligator
living in a muddy, old bog.
With your biggest fashion statement being,
that if you hold very still, you can look like a log.

Would you like to be a porcupine--
all sharp and pointy and prickled?
You'd never be loved, never be hugged,
and never be tickled.

How about the jellyfish?
Just a floppy, floating bubble of squish.
A ball of goo with nothing better to do
than to sting beach goers who swim with the fish.

What if you were a caterpillar?
Think how much it would cost to buy shoes!
Sneakers, pumps, boots, and slippers!
You'd be singing the too-many-shoes blues.

Given all of that, perhaps, we are better off
just being who we were meant to be.
Besides, longing to be something we're not,
we all know, is just an exercise in futility.

34 comments:

  1. Awe, I love this Daisy. You sure have a way with words. I hope you have a nice weekend and stay warm.

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  2. So CUTE!! With pictures, this could be published as a children's book! I can just see it!

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  3. My boys would really like this.

    Thematically, it reminds me of "I Wish That I Had Duck Feet," an early one by Dr. Seuss (not illustrated by him). But yours rhymes, that one doesn't!!

    If you need somebody to illustrate it, I'm game!

    When I saw the post title, "Perhaps We Are Better Off," I thought it was going to be a dark-ish poem for us big people about breakups or discontent or something. Would have liked that too. :-)

    Thanks for stopping by my blog, I always appreciate the visit.

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  4. written perfectly perfect for any kid to enjoy...the little ones and even the big ones. Hope you have a great weekend Daisy.

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  5. Cute one.... It would be kinda neat to be one of Mildred's precious kitties.. She takes SUCH good care of them --and they have a tremendous life... Now--that might be fun!!!! ha

    NAH---think I'll just be ME...
    Have a great weekend.
    Hugs,
    Betsy

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  6. Well, I would certainly not want to be a jellyfish! A giraffe is the best of the lot, IMHO.

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  7. Anonymous1/25/2014

    This is cute as can be! Love the caterpillar's shoes!
    Have a great Sat.

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  8. This is a wonderful poem Daisy, one that reminds us to be grateful of who we are... not wishing we were others... :) Have a great weekend Daisy :)

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  9. Daisy- this is a wonderful poem for a child!~

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  10. "floppy, floating bubble of squish " ! Love that line....

    Does your mind think on these things and word-play all the time ? Have you ever thought of sending some of these poems in to musicians, they would be great songs if accompanied by the right music.

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  11. Daisy, consider submitting this to HIGHLIGHTS for Children magazine. It is so visual, metered and cute!

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  12. How nice to take the whimsical approach now and then. I like the too-many-shoes blues.

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  13. This is wonderful! I love your poems and this one really brightened my day!

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  14. Thank you so much everyone! Your words mean a great deal to me. I really appreciate them.

    I think I'd have to add more to this and rework it to make it into a book, but I like that idea. Thanks for the offer to illustrate, Jen! I will give that some thought. :-)

    Betsy, I agree. Mildred's cats live a very good life! Haha! :D

    Kathy B., I do turn words around in my head a lot. I like to play with the sounds they make and the pictures they bring to mind. I had never thought about my poems being turned into lyrics for children's songs, but I like that idea, too!

    Linda O'Connell, thank you. I will give it some thought. I would love to have something published by HIGHLIGHTS. That's a favorite from my own childhood. :)

    Hope you all have a good week ahead.

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  15. I love the way your mind works, Daisy!!!

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  16. Love the image of a caterpillar with all those shoes. This is a wonderfully playful poem. I can see it in a children's book with fun illustrations.

    Be well, Daisy.
    xoRobyn

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  17. How fun this is! You should write a children's book! They would love it and so would their parents!

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  18. Betty, Robyn, and Kathleen, thank you all for the kind words. They are much appreciated. :)

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  19. Just bringing you your extra butter, ma'am. It sounded urgent.

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    1. Hahahaha! Thanks, Betty! Just in the nick of time. :D

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  20. Daisy, add myself to the list of those who feel you should consider doing more children's poems or a story around some poems. I know your followers would be very supportive.

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    1. Thank you so much for the encouraging words, Beatrice! :)

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  21. A nice poem that I enjoyed reading. Well done.

    Thank you. Love love, Andrew. Bye.

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    1. Hello, Andrew. Thank you for visiting here and taking the time to comment. :)

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  22. Popped by and read your poem again. Made me smile. Happy Weekend Daisy.....hope it's an awesome one for you. And BTW, hope you're settled in the new place and loving it.

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  23. You have a gift.

    And yes, maybe we would be better off. :-)

    Pearl

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  24. That is a cutely adorably wonderfully poem!! loved it - (i think i made up a word "cutely)...

    Hope all is well with your world.

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  25. Nikki, thank you! We are settled in, and things are going very well. :)
    Aw, thanks, Pearl! :D
    Haha! Thank you, Sandy. Made up words are A-OK with me. Things are good here. :-)

    Happy weekend to you all!

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  26. I've never read this before, but I love it Daisy!

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  27. This made me smile, Connie. "The too-many-shoes blues" -- I think my wife has those.

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    Replies
    1. Thanks, Cary! I'm glad it made you smile. :D

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