I am trying to write a poem for this contest so I thought I'd put the idea out to the group too. I'm listing the requirements of the actual contest, but for our purposes, the poem does NOT HAVE TO BE FOR CHILDREN. It can if you want, and maybe even enter it here.
Lost & Found!
All kids lose things. Sometimes they're found and sometimes they're not. Tell us about a lost person, place, or thing in poetry.
This contest is your chance to write a poem for children around the theme lost and found.
It can be any style of poem.
It can be written in prose*; your poem does not have to rhyme, but if it does, it better be top notch. (Check out this post on rhyme mistakes to avoid.)
Use your imagination to craft a poem aimed at children ages four to eight, suitable for publication in a magazine or children's poetry anthology. Poems must be previously unpublished and no more than 500 words.
I do already have one kid poem on this topic, and have posted it here before, but it's aimed more at middle school. I'd appreciate any input on making the language appeal more to 4-8 year olds.
ReplyDeleteEMERSON ELEMENTARY LOST AND FOUND BOX
42 sweat shirts.
24 hats.
Two hoodies.
18 jackets.
Two dozen single gloves
plus two pairs.
Third-grader Joe Silver
took a blue knit
Power Rangers glove.
It's mine, he said.
I have one just like it,
but for the other hand.
17 barrettes, none that match.
Three Babysitter Club
books, numbers 12,
42 and 131.
One pink and white
My Little Pony umbrella.
Kindergartner
Priscilla Anne Hawking
stopped by to find her
lost Hello Kitty lunchbox.
We searched but sadly,
could not find it.
21 lunch boxes.
One water bottle.
One Star Wars back pack.
Four balls–white whiffle,
orange nerf, blue bouncy,
brown plastic football.
To avoid losing items,
parents should clearly label
all personal belongings
with your child’s name
so that lost items
may be returned.
Four pairs of shoes.
One pair of boots.
Three single socks
plus one pair of Spiderman socks.
One pair of red tights.
One flip flop.
Items not picked
up by the last day
of school will be
washed and donated
to St. Andrew’s Church
Family Outreach.
Miss Lombard, music teacher
and Lost and Found keeper,
sang out her list, then asked,
You wonder, how
did they go home
without their shoes?
this is so true and well written. the only thing I could suggest to make it for younger children is change some of the lost items. different books for children rather than teens.
Deleteheeyyy, i've got spider man socks. sssshhhh it's my secret identity ha ha. nice one. it was on the train announcement that a false leg had been handed in to lost property....how do you lose a leg? - love paul.
DeleteThis brought back some memories of my lost items that never made it back home. Great job Someday I will be able to write as good as this is written.
DeleteGood poem. My only comment would be that for young children it seems a bit long. Maybe you could reduce the lists of items somewhat?
DeleteWhere did I go?
ReplyDeleteDid I lose you
Or did I never have you
Reasoning abandons me
Reality doesn't know me
Did I lose you
Or did I never have you
Patience mocks me
People I knew became strangers to me
Did I lose you
Or did I never have you
Silence laughs at me
Understanding abused me
I can so relate to this. sometimes I feel I get lost in a relationship. well expressed! good job!
DeleteI like this a lot and welcome back to our poetry page!
DeleteThank you!
Deletereality is overrated mate - paul.
DeleteI really like this poem. The repetition of lines added to the story...even though you didn't say anything different, each time you repeated the line, another scene appears in the readers imagination...
DeleteI would give this one 5 stars out of 5. Great Job It related to the prompt without saying it.
DeleteThe two lines of the 2md verse are wonderful! Good Job. Please do keep posting.
DeleteNEW SHOES
ReplyDeletelost my soul to the girl with big brown eyes
found it again with blue hair ribbon ties
what is lost and what is found
or do we just go round and round
been lost in so many times
sometimes life isn't lemonade, it's limes
the thing that gets you
is the petty little crimes
and the morning dew
on your brand new shoe.
You did your poem as a comment on someone else's again. I was feeling generous and moved it but PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU DON'T DO THAT. It is truly an insult to the person who posted the poem, to hijack their response thread.
Deleteif somebody said i understood technology victoria, they would be lying. if i've hit the right button, it's a fricken miracle - love paul.
DeleteTHere's a difference between understanding technology and being able to look at what you've posted and seeing it's in the wrong place. You CAN do that. And move it if it is. Once again, for you to take the privilege of doing whatever the hell you please while disrupting another's comments is not respectful. Please have enough respect for the rest of the group to proof what you do.
Deletei wouldn't have the first idea how to move it. cut and paste is just something that happens to other people. i mean really, does it matter? it's just a fun poetry site for friends. i'm not bill gates - paul.
DeleteQuit arguing and just listen and try to do it because it is a system that works for all of us and yes , really, it does matter because there is order and sanity and respect which I am sure you would rather have than chaos just like the rest of us. Thanks Paul
DeleteOK and I like your poem. The last stanza is a gem. It flows like river water on a smooth day.
Deletei'll try vic. not a lot of order and sanity going on today. crazy flute player in my band doesn't want to go on stage tonight, 'cos she has bitten her nails down to the bone...sigh!..chaos can be good for writing - love paul.
DeleteRemember: Go to the bottom of the page! That doesn't require any great intelligence or even memory. Simple: Bottom of the Page!!! Best of luck. Cute poem.
Deletebottom of the page. got it tash. that's the opposite of the top, right? ha ha - love paul.
DeleteI'm posting this for my brother, Vincent Rivas, while he figures out how to get his name up as the poster...
ReplyDeleteLost in Time
Lost is a expression of someone’s mind
Found is happy, lost is sad
Or is found sad and lost happy.
You will only know if you are
Lost and found.
You can be lost in time
But feel happy.
You can be fine if you are found
When you are lost in time
It can be another dimension of time
Or you can find your soul and feel fine
It’s all in a state of mind
Or is it another dimension of time.
this is quite deep and profound. a lot to think about and well said and written. I hope you will continue to write and join us.
Deletethis is nice. an interesting rytham. still think vinnie rivas sounds like a gangsters name from the 1940's ha ha - love paul.
DeleteI really love this one!! I love thinking about dimensional living and how it's probably very possible that we could be in different dimensions at any time and not even realize it. By the way. I posted your other poem, the Annie poem in last weeks poems. I just went in where it says my name and changed the name to yours and it posted under your name. I used Vinnie instead of Vincent. Is that ok?
DeleteHey Everybody, This poem and last week's poem by Vinnie (Vincent) Rivas is our introduction to our brother, making 4 out of 5 of our siblings in this club. I really hope everyone will go back and check out his first poem. Thank you
DeleteAwesome to see another sibling out here. Now we have to start working on Joe. Great effort, Vinnie. Love the first line.
DeleteThanks I new at this I will get better.
DeleteWelcome, Vinnie. I really liked your poem, it's a geat collection of questions and thoughts. My favorite kind of poem! Please stay with us, it's wonderful to see new poets.
DeleteNatasha
ReplyDeleteFor you I've searched what seems like a lifetime
Your face I can't remember
Time and time again I fall short
Your embrace a distant memory
For you I've searched what seems like a lifetime
Many tears I shed for you
Hidden from me you remain
Many times I plead for you
For you I've searched what seems like a lifetime
I didn't get to know you
I hope you are doing okay
For now I'll cherish your name
Very powerful. I like this a lot. As Linda said about your other poem, I think your use of repetition works very well.
DeleteI agree with Victoria. very powerful. so glad to see you writing again.
DeleteA very lovely poem with so much feeling in so few lines. Great job of writing.
DeleteVery deep and yes I also agree with Victoria powerful stuff
DeleteG'DAY MIA SKYE
ReplyDeletesome roads once you are on them.....to the end
even though all you see up ahead is the edge of a cliff
and some ladies all you get is a kiss on the hand and a sniff
but that's the twist of destiny's trend
i'm not writing to warn you
sometimes it's too late to be
just want to give you a little boooo!!!
sometimes the cobwebs of the past
make it difficult to see
sometimes memories don't last.
I moved it for your again, since you asked. At least it's a start. However, if you always make sure you're ALL THE WAY AT THE BOTTOM OF THE PAGE, there is already a box. You do not have to hit [Reply]. In fact, if you need to hit reply in order to get a box to write in, YOU'RE IN THE WRONG PLACE.
DeleteI have to admit, it's such a pain in the ass to deal with this shit, that I rarely have time to actually think about the actual poem. I realized I'm not sure how it fits the prompt, but I'll give you the benefit of the doubt.
A very sweet poem and I loved the lines about the cobwebs of the past, Neat metaphor, nicely done.
Deletelike Victoria I'm not sure how it fits the prompt, but as Tasha said it is a sweet poem and enjoyable to read.
Deletewell ladies, it's sort of lost on lonely roads and lost relationships, then found after a boooo! to rip the cobwebs of the past asunder and find yourself. mia skye was a friend of mine on gotpoetry. does anyone else remember her? her poetry was....eeerrr difficult - love and peace - paul.
Deleteall the way to the bottom vic....i've been there - love -paul.
DeleteI realized I already have a 2nd poem that fits the contest. If I can only enter one, which one do you think I should submit?
ReplyDeleteSPRING LOVE
I look for love, some kind of sign,
a love for me, a love that's mine.
I look in every place I know
but only see my brother Joe
out on the porch swing with a book.
He pets Miss Kitty as I look
out in the yard. I look above,
a goldfinch sings. I don't find love
or anything. Some flowers bloom.
The roses smell like mom’s perfume.
I look again, and then I see
that love is here, a love for me.
I love the flowers, love the trees.
I love the goldfinch and the breeze.
I love to watch Miss Kitty play.
I love her colors, white, orange, gray.
I love the porch and love the swing
I love the warmth that comes with spring.
I love my mom and dad. Y'know,
I even love my brother Joe.
I feel the love that's in the air
and find that love is everywhere.
awwwww! love the way it changes tone as it moves along. I know it's one of your older ones but it fits the prompt beautifully.
Deletelove can be elusive, but found in many things. like a book, or a garden. " love is all you need " the beatles - love paul.
DeleteNice, even cute,seems kind of complicated for a kid poem in my estimation, though the language is kid-like
DeleteLost: Tears, Found: Happiness
ReplyDeleteOnce upon a time
there was a Sadness called Tears
who lived in the silence.
Tears was sad
because she was all alone in the silence.
It was so lonely that she began to cry,
and she cried for a long, long time.
She cried for such a long time
that a big pool of water formed around her.
Pretty soon she was floating.
As she floated she began to feel somewhat better,
but she was lonely because no one else was there.
She began to feel light
and wanted to feel even lighter,
so she kicked off her shoes
and began to dance in the water.
As she began to dance,
she noticed many other beings had gathered there.
They were all playing in the beautiful pool of tears.
They smiled at the Sadness and sang as they played,
splishing and splashing about.
The Sadness began to play too.
Then as they played in the water,
a song rose up in each of them
and they all began to sing.
As she joined in,
the singing grew louder and more joyous.
Soon Tears was so happy
she couldn’t even be called a Sadness any more.
The being that had once been a Sadness
truly came a Happiness,
and her new name was Smiles.
Even after the pool had dried up
and all had returned to their homes,
Smiles remained a Happiness.
Although she was back in the silence,
she was still happy.
For somehow now that she was a Happiness,
even the silence was friendly,
and Smiles the Happiness sang to herself all day long.
a lovely story and with a twist that finds happiness from sadness. nicely done.
DeleteMore prosy that your usual style but a wonderful story and I think it would be a good entry for the Lost and Found contest.
Deletethis would make a good childrens illustrated book tash. could see the drawings in my mind. nice one - love paul.
DeleteThis is a story that I arranged as a poem and it's not new however I wanted to share it and I trust it fits the prompt.
ReplyDeleteI put them on the table beside my chair
ReplyDeletelined up neatly some with blue ink
some with black and occasionally red
I need them to write letters
make my grocery and to do lists
write the checks to pay the bills
so I place them carefully.
Yet when I need one not a pen is in sight
gone! lost in a vortex! or perhaps
stolen by a mischievous cat
used as a toy during the night
One day I will find a hidden pile
of pens - black, blue and red
somewhere in this house
and once again place them carefully
on the table beside my chair
until then I will search for the lost ones
and replace them with new ones
that will also disappear into the unknown vortex.
Cute poem! I like the unknown vortex, that might great a great prompt! I have another poem to post when I finish editing it. fun! I have enjoyed the variety of the responses.
Deletewhere do all the fricken pens and lighters go to!!! do they migrate south for the winter....or is that ducks? i buy coloured glittery pens in packs of twenty and i can still never find the buggers. as for lighters...running out of gas, when you have one cigarette left grrrrrr - love and glow in the dark pens - paul.
DeleteLOL. I have so many cups full of pens and still can never find one. Yes, I think there is a vortex where they all go!!
DeleteLost and Found
ReplyDeleteI thought i lost a friend today,
He went away and didn't write.
He sat and ate lunch with someone else.
He said i was wrong about something i said.
I thought i lost a friend today -
He sent me a letter and explained to me
He sat with someone else because they were sad and needed comforting.
He still disagrees with what i said, but thats okay
We can have different opinions and still be friends.
I thought i lost a friend today.
It was just a misunderstanding.
UGH!!! I found it challenging to say the least to write to a child's perspective. I dont think this is a good poem at all. But its my contribution for this week!
DeleteI love it... very telling of how we can misinterpret another persons action by jumping to conclusions. well written and fun!
Deleteinteresting millificent 3000. not your usual style. was just e - mailing you about sending a letter. if everybody agreed all the time, it would get very boring ha ha - love and peace - paul.
DeleteNice thought in poetic form.
DeleteI think you did a great job on the prompt, even from a child's voice, which wasn't a requirement, but yes, made it more challenging.
DeleteThe Gift
ReplyDelete"Lo and behold!" The magician said--He wore a robe and a pointed hat,
and he waved his wand with a smile and a wink, then disappeared, so that was that,
except for the gift he left behind wrapped in stars and a sky blue cloud of soft material spidersilk fine.
As I unwrapped it, I was glad to think that it was mine.
As I unwrapped it layer by layer, the package grew smaller, smaller still,
the clouds of silk piled all around, surrounding me, a sky blue hill.
The stars fell off, lay here and there, each one twinkling silently,
each one somehow seeming to say, "We know what the gift may be."
At last the mystery was all unwound; I held in my hands a small red box,
the gift at last! What was inside? I opened it up, it had no locks.
I thought it empty, then, I saw it held a card with instructions for me:
"Put in this box what you wish to lose, it will be gone, whatever you choose."
I simply could not make up my mind; I clung to everything I had.
What to lose? How to decide, I needed it all both good and bad!
But I have the box still on a shelf, if ever I need it, I know it's there,
and I comfort myself with the thought that I can erase what I want with never a care!
The stars and the silk hang over my bed, making a curtain of bright and blue
And I sleep content in the wrappings of the Magician's gift I did not use.
But as I grow older strange to say, there are things I no longer want that I lose
and who knows about a small red box that sits on a shelf and has no locks.
sometimes the wrapping can be more exiting than what's inside the package. yes. that does have two meanings tash. nicely written - love - paul.
DeleteAwesome poem. I love the imagery of the constant unwrapping.
DeleteHere's the oher poem, Might this be a good one to enter?
ReplyDeleteI think it would be a great entry if you worked on the language. I think, like mine, some of it is above an 8-year-old's understanding.
DeleteI lost my good friend recently
ReplyDeletedevastating my soul indecently
squashing my heart, it's hard to believe
that this pain will dim and I'll get a reprieve
there's a time between loss and hope
where you attempt to adjust, learn to cope
love creeps back in it's typical fashion
reminding us of life and our need for passion
I found new loves needing my devotion
calling to the emptiness starving for emotion
I continue down the road of life ever looking
never really knowing what might be cooking
I found the knowledge that we must accept
at preventing our deaths we are quite inept
the cycle of life must run on its way
embrace it wholly, this could be your last day
A very beautiful and very moving poem.
Deletelove is always creeping around. it's when it catches you, that you have a problem - paul.
DeleteWow. What a sad poem but very well done.
Delete"I once was lost,
ReplyDeletebut now am found"
she sang to herself
while she worked
she felt the middle of winter
on a beautiful Spring day
roiling through her veins
as the screen door screeched open
and warned her of torment to come
The sinister dread creeped in as
her step-dad walked into her bubble
with whiskey in his hand
and a wild look in his eyes
she lowered her lids
and added a smirk because
since the last time
she'd made herself a plan
she continued her song
she sang it every day
she was lost
and needed to be found
as she sang, she thought
she was ready with the potion
she'd purchased from the witch
way back in the middle of the woods
well, he made his move
and she ducked around
and pulled the vial
from her pocket
he didn't look scared
because he didn't have a clue
what was happening
he laughed and grabbed
as she threw powder in his face
he got in closer
as he started to shrink
down, down to the floor
and he morphed
as confusion took over his eyes
his thoughts turned to survival
as squirrel thinking took over
his brain...
Oh wonderful!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! good job great story, loved the ending!
DeleteVery interesting poem. A sadistic imagination to solve a real problem that happens everyday and no one talks about it. Well done Sis.
Deletenice one wolfie. i know a few squirrels....witches too - love paul.
DeleteLOL. Love it. I'm reading "Practical Magic" right now too so it even fit my mood.
Delete