When my issue of The Horn Book arrives in the mail I first turn to the last page. I know I should save it for last, but it's one of my favorite things about the magazine. In the January/February 2008 issue is an Ad Hoc page by Alicia Potter that reads like the want ads. There are sections on Services Rendered, For Sale, Real Estate, and Personals. These are all perfect little puzzles that beg the reader to determine the books and characters alluded to by the writer. Here's an example.
FRENCH TWIST. Me, you, Paris? Contact Madeline at (011) 33-494-55-87-24.
Now just imagine how much fun this would be if it were written as poetry.
I gave it a try and here's what I came up with.
NOT LOOKING FOR A TOAD
Winter sleeper, spring peeper.
Champion hopper, eyes copper.
Log squatter, loves water.
Eats flies, swimming prize
WINNER.
It needs work, but you get the picture. I tried to write it like the example above, but the lack of line breaks bothered me.
So, there's your challenge, to write a little personal ad poetry. Extra points to you if you can write about a character from children's literature. Leave me a note about your poem and I'll share the results in time for Poetry Friday. Have fun!
Make Me an Offer
ReplyDeleteSelling cheap: one tower,
slightly used, good
for singing practice
and rappelling; one
packet of bramble seeds
like the dark ends
of all sentences
(sorry no rampion)
and one very long
ungrateful yellow braid.
—Kate Coombs, 2012
all rights reserved
I love the Missed Connections ads in the back of the alternative weeklies. Here's one of my own.
ReplyDeleteMissed Connections: You, on the Horse
Last solstice,
During the great snow,
You stopped by my woods.
I heard your horse’s bells,
Caught their silver glint beneath
The moon, discerned your snow-lit
Cheek. I saw you there, I did.
These woods are lonely.
Come back soon.
Come back soon.
(c) Stephanie Parsley
http://sparble.blogspot.com/
Ooh, love the two already shared! Snow-lit cheek. packet of bramble seeds like the dark ends of all sentences... Wow.
ReplyDeleteWanted:
One lifeboat
more
Flat, functional
Free of chandeliers
But sturdy
Inured to wishful thinking
and icebergs
--Laura Purdie Salas (all rights reserved)
I just finished reading The Watch That Ends the Night: Voices from the Titanic!
Hi Tricia ~ this was a fun stretch...loved all the previous offerings.
ReplyDeleteDYE JOB.
Need red hair
to be raven black.
I've tried
but just can't
imagine it away.
Call Anne.
Immediately.
If not sooner.
© Carol Weis 2012, all rights reserved
WANTED:
ReplyDeleteOne rabbit hole,
not too muddy, not too deep,
suitable for a young girl
slipping, sliding, falling
d
o
w
n
to another world
where all is whimsical, wild
and wonderful—
and she herself
is magic.
(c) jgk, 2012
http://www.facebook.com/juliekrantzbooks
USED SLIPPERS
ReplyDeleteA few dings in the glass,
a chip at the heel,
only used once,
a pretty good steal
at the price.
Ask for prince.
©2012 Jane Yolen all rights reserved
WANTED
ReplyDeleteA dog.
Mine died in a race.
(I miss Searchlight
on my bed.
I miss the way
he licked my face.)
I need a dog
(not to replace)
a dog to love
a dog to play.
If you have
an extra dog
Please call Willy.
Call today.
© Amy Ludwig VanDerwater
WANTED:
ReplyDeleteOne rabbit hole,
not too muddy, not too deep,
suitable for a young girl’s
slipping, sliding, falling
d
o
w
n
to another world
where all is whimsical, wild
and wonderful—
and she herself
is magic.
(c)jgk, 2012
http://www.facebook.com/juliekrantzbooks
WANTED:
ReplyDeleteOne rabbit hole,
not too muddy, not too deep,
suitable for a young girl’s
slipping, sliding, falling
d
o
w
n
to another world
where all is whimsical, wild
and wonderful—
and she herself
is magic.
(c) jgk, 2012
http://www.facebook.com/juliekrantzbooks
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteWANT AD
ReplyDeleteWanted:
Floppy eared companion
To accompany me for
Long walks on sugar sand,
Gazing at Mulberry sky with
Shafts of phosphorescence
While munching on vegan treats.
Early riser preferred.
Leash and scratching behind ears?
Free of charge.
Call now.
Ask for Lonely Heart.
(c) Charles Waters 2012 all rights reserved.