If Not For the Cat, written by Jack Prelutsky and illustrated by Ted Rand, is a collection of poetic riddles about members of the animal kingdom. Here's an excerpt.I, the hoverer,For some additional examples, browse inside the book.
Sip the nasturtium's nectar
And sing with my wings.
Poem ©Jack Prelutsky. All rights reserved.
I also rather like this haiku found in A Hippopotamusn't, written by J. Patrick Lewis and illustrated by Victoria Chess.
Suddenly Spring wingsSince we haven't been writing to form in a while, I thought this would be a good time to begin revisiting a few favorites. So, the challenge this week is to write some haiku riddles. Leave me a note about your poem(s) and I'll post the results here later this week.
into the backyard, ready
to play tug-of-worm.
Poem ©J. Patrick Lewis. All rights reserved.
This looks terrific! I'll keep it in mind for my little girl (who is also a Patricia.) :-)
ReplyDeleteSteph
http://starkravingbibliophile.blogspot.com/
I adore haiku but have never tried a riddle before. Here goes...
ReplyDeletegarden buzz alarm
blood sucking helicopter
lands on my fair skin
I wax and I wane,
ReplyDeleteWhen I am all fired up.
Happy birthday, friend.
---A candle
Needless to say, child,
I have lots of Christmas cheer,
Though balsam for yew.
Christmas tree.
I often reflect
On the state of my drinking.
Clarity is best.
--A glass of water
c2009 Jane Yolen
Jane I love all of your but the glass of water is my favorite.
ReplyDeleteJane, fantastic as always. I agree with Susan, the water haiku is my favorite.
ReplyDeleteSusan, love the "blood sucking helicopter."
I have Jack's wonderful book. I've used it with both elementary and middle school students and they love it!
If I come up with anything, I'll post it later in the week.
Green grazing on green,
ReplyDeleteI chomp and I jump. I slurp
bud's heart for dessert.
Brambles saunter through
the garden, sniffing for snails:
shouldn't spheres be smooth?
Hooligan by night,
who-dunnit by day, dropping
bone-and-whisker clues.
Answers: grasshopper, hedgehog, and owl
--Kate Coombs (Book Aunt)
Fun!
ReplyDelete2 Haiku Riddles
1.
Clouds are cradled—safe
In the arms of strong mothers
Still, there will be tears
2.
Soldiers rise early
Green-capped and orderly. Snap!
I’ve captured them all.
(#1 mountains & rain)(#2 asparagus)
Ciao! Shutta
Here's a haiku my pal Paul Janeczko admired and sent along to me. He confessed he did not know its origin, so perhaps a tip o' the cap should go to Mrs. Anonymous:
ReplyDeleteWriting a haiku
in seventeen syllables
is very diffi-
Here are two I wrote this morning.
ReplyDeleteLook at me! BLINK! BLINK!
Do you find me attractive?
I’m the one! BLINK! BLINK!
Powerhouse lifters
An army marching afield
to steal your picnic
Answers: firefly and ant
Oh, these are fun! I love the owl one, especially!
ReplyDeleteHere are my first two:
I’m caught dead center
in summer’s sweaty tug o’ war
with winter’s calm, icy pull
I’m ocean’s dancer,
echoing wind’s rhythms with
my white-caped shoulders
answers: autumn and wave
Here are a couple:
ReplyDeleteInside me you find
A plethora of stories
But not any stairs
-- a book
Darting needle-sharp
A flash of iridescence
Skimming the pond
-- a dragonfly
I love the ones about the firefly, ant, and hedgehog.
ReplyDeleteHere is one:
Coat of many shades
falling softly off my limbs
bare when the snow falls
answer: fall tree
These are so good, I wanted to give it a try.
ReplyDeleteI sit on the porch
Smiling at all who pass by
Knowing life is short
-jack-o'-lantern
One more this morning--the formatting won't stick.
ReplyDeleteRaindrops on demand
fall from bathroom’s popcorn sky
Warm, hot—flush—ICE!
-shower
Late in the game, but here's mine:
ReplyDeleteI was bound to be
beautiful, isn't it true?
Dedicated, too.
[A picture book.]
As usual, Pat Lewis's takes the cake.
Oh, I see Pat's contribution comes via Paul and is anonymous. But it sounds so much like Pat!
ReplyDelete