Challenging Poetry

To Do: Nature Walk with Niece, age 3 years

Let her lead.

See everything again as though
seeing with her eyes.

Notice again the vividness
of a tulip shouting RED! at the world.

Watch a turtle make its slow way
across the lawn.

Pause there for five minutes,
ten minutes, twenty-seven minutes
and then pick it up
to carry it closer to the pond so
she won't worry anymore.

Throw the puppy a ball.

Let her throw the puppy a ball.

Take turns throwing balls
until arms are tired and
puppy eyes look hopefully up
from where he lies, panting.

Think about cutting the lawn.

Abandon the thought as unworthy.

Let shoes gather the rain
from the grass.

Follow her unerring instinct for puddles.

Acknowledge that mud is inevitable.

Pick her up as she tires, letting
her head settle on a shoulder
as she cuddles closer and
drifts into nap time.



April 5—List poem w/no repetition—write a list of things where the title signals what it’s a list of