6. Write a poem about something that made you leap.
I originally wrote this poem to capture the rhythm of a jump rope rhyme, but this week I want to revisit it in response to prompt #6. I used to write poems all the time, but they’re so Dr. Seussy in their predictable rhyming patterns that I’ve sort of strayed from them. I wish I would get over that because I really enjoy going back to re-read them and I like the challenge of capturing a message while limited to stanzas and rhymes.
Jump For Heart
One jump in and two for sure,
Push your sister out the door.
She can’t tell on you no more.
Eat your pancakes, touch the floor.
Three jumps four you’re doing well.
Daddy died and mother fell.
You saw hell but you can’t tell
Two quick turns, now don’t you bail
Five and six a spin and leap,
Be sure to land on your two feet.
Life is rough but you’re too deep,
Think of heaven when you sleep.
Pick up speed skip seven, eight
Best friends waiting at your gate.
Tie your shoes now don’t be late,
It’s time to learn to lose the hate
Double jump through nine and ten
Write it down with your blue pen.
Life is tough but you will win,
Your sister’s cold now let her in.
Andrea says
Love that! I was never good at poetry, neither writing nor reading. I like the *idea* of poetry, but my mind just doesn’t work that way. Some people make it look easy, like you did here, and I can’t help to be a little envious!
Kimberly says
It’s beautiful and heartbreaking.
You did wonderful. Love.
Betsy says
That is a pretty good poem.
Jerralea says
Love that poem – and yes, you could totally jump rope to it.
I went and read your tribute to your mom. Awesome! Although, I think I’d be like you – liking her best with furrowed brow and motherly smiles.
Adrienne says
I love this! I enjoy the sing-song of the rhymes…always easier than it looks! I wrote a little five line limerick and it took me way too long…sigh! I hope that one of the things I get back to once we’ve moved and settled in is more writing. My blog has been more about pics than words of late….and though I enjoy every stage of blogging, I miss what the writing does for me and my heart.So glad you are a faithful host … I continue to want to invest more and more into writing that’s worthy of all the time you invest to hosting and prompting us!
Mama Kat says
Thank you, it’s my pleasure! And believe me I know exactly how you feel. Sometimes I think my commitment to Writer’s Workshop is the only thing that keeps me blogging! I find that as my kids get older and as the blogging world shifts, my desire to dig deep in writing has been waning. I do sometimes miss those honest writing sessions though.
Erin white says
It’s weird but in my head I heard square dance music to this! I don’t usually hear square dance music.. This is not a thing for me but something about the rhyme reminded me of it :-) lol!
Lori says
Oh, this is so good! I can hear little girls’ voices singing it as they jump. “Your sisters cold now let her in” at the end. So cute. My poems are all rhymey and predictable too, but they’re fun to write. I read your posts about your dad and mom. So touching. And you wrote about it so beautifully.
Elaine A. says
That poem is awesome, Kat! I used to write poetry a lot too and I’ve gotten away from it. I miss it. Seems it is not that “popular” of a way to write anymore… but perhaps I am not writing the right circles. ;)
REALLY think this is GREAT!!
Monica says
I am so glad you shared this–I love it! Predictable rhyming doesn’t have to be Seussian (look at me creating words–unleashing my inner English-major) and honestly, it works so well in this poem! It feels like a really deliberate choice to use a simplistic rhyme scheme while the theme of the poem itself actually delves quite dark at times. That second stanza hits so hard. Beautiful.
May says
I missed the party last week and didn’t read this until today. Be still my heart. That is tremendous. A perfect way to capture a child’s grief. But more than grief, the conscious choice to heal. Wow. I love it.