Poetry Stretch Results - Beat the Heat

The challenge this week was to write about ways to keep cool and beat the heat. Here are the results.

Mad Kane shared an AC-related limerick she wrote last year entitled Hot Limerick.


Steven Withrow shared a poem he and his five-year-old daughter wrote based on one of her drawings.

ELEPHANT’S OASIS
By Steven and Marin Withrow

One morning on his way to school
The elephant stopped for a shower.
He dipped his trunk into a pool
And siphoned up with sucking power
Liquid through the tubelike tool

His nose became that scorching hour
Sun shone slant—a cruel jewel—
Then held aloft his water tower
And drenched his bulk in drops of cool
Refreshment, like a nourished flower.

©2011 Steven Withrow, all rights reserved

Diane Mayr of Random Noodling shared this poem.

a tanka

wrists thrust under
a cold running faucet
sweat drips
into eyes always looking
forward to the next season

Recipe for Cool
by Jane Yolen

Here's a recipe for cool.
1. Dip body into pool

Haven't got a pool, you say?
Move to Scotland, no delay.

2. Ice cream can be a treat

Lactose you are loathe to eat?
Scotland then, don't miss a beat.

3. Air conditioner on the fritz?
Bits of water now it spits?

Come to Scotland, no delay.
We had summer yesterday.


Ice Cream Cone
by Kate Coombs of Book Aunt

Chocolate,
vanilla,
chocolate chip,
run through the sun
with a drip, drip, drip!

Strawberry,
bubble gum,
peppermint stick,
run through the sun
with a lick, lick, lick!

Neapolitan,
butterscotch,
caramel gold,
run through the sun
with a mouthful of cold!

--Kate Coombs, 2011, all rights reserved


How to Beat the Heat?
by Julie Larios of The Drift Record

Tube it -
tied together
floating down the river.

Cube it -
lemonade
with ice and shivers.

Popsicle it -
guaranteed
to keep you cool.

Cannonball it -
off the high board
at the City Pool.

It's not too late if you still want to play. Leave me a note about your poem and I'll add it to the list.