Michelle Kogan hosts today! You can find her here celebrating the work of Tracy K. Smith, our U.S. Poet Laureate. Thanks for the special post, Michelle and for hosting!
I'm headed for the ocean in a couple of weeks and found a poem I wrote about a shell that I found on a trip to Mexico long ago. Obviously, I don't want to encounter a puffer fish but I am excited to be back on the beach! It also reminds me of that latest challenge at Today's Little Ditty, though the shell is not giving the advice.
Close Encounters - Advice
And if you know a puffer fish
at times, they make a ball.
They float away from danger,
quite the smartest act of all.
Do not imagine meeting
this amazing moon-like puff,
with a prickle that more than tickles
cause you'll soon be feeling rough.
Don’t take a bite or lickle it.
It’ll stop your taste of any dish.
And you certainly cannot tickle it,
the pretty prickle puffer fish.
Linda Baie ©All Rights Reserved
Delightful poem about the puffer fish Linda, but I think after reading it I'll keep my distance from this, "pretty prickle puffer fish." Great ending line.
ReplyDeleteHow lovely to be going to the ocean–bring us back some stories…
Yes, it's going to be a lovely time, and I will avoid those puffers! Thanks, Michelle!
DeleteEnjoy the ocean Linda. I find I am both calmed and exhilarated when I am there. Hopefully you won't run into any puffer fish. Your poem is charming, but like Michelle above, I think I will avoid them too.
ReplyDeleteDelightful poem, love the word play. Enjoy your time at the beach!
ReplyDeleteHave fun and stay away from puffer fish!
ReplyDeleteFun poem! Have a great time at the beach!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Cheriee, Jama, Ruth, and Margaret. I am so ready to go! I spent much of this afternoon messing with a plumbing problem, wishing I could just be reading poetry! The plumber will be coming tomorrow!
ReplyDeleteNice rhythm, Linda! Hope the weather is bright for you at the beach, although I'm sure you will have fun no matter what!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Tabatha, yes, even when it's stormy, it's a delight.
DeletePuffer fish are pretty amazing! I love your poem and these two lines:
ReplyDelete"They float away from danger,
quite the smartest act of all."
Enjoy the beach, Linda!
I didn't include any extra in my post, but found that there are over 100 different species of puffers! Amazing! Thanks, Catherine.
DeleteHow fun! I do love the seuss-like feel of your poem. I wish you many moments of play with your grands? Sun, sand and stars at night. Can't wait to see your memories as poetry.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Linda, hoping to do some writing there for sure!
DeleteSafe travels, and a big huzzah for your -ickle words! Fun poem!!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Mary Lee. much to avoid "lickling", right?
DeleteLove your wordplay, Linda! Have fun at the beach. I'll be watching for pics.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Ramona. I'm sure to post some!
DeleteNow I want to learn more about puffer fish - but not from up close personal experience! Enjoy your time at the beach.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Kay. They are fascinating animals. I am always amazed at the evolution of different kinds of creatures!
DeleteI never saw a puffer fish so thanks for bringing in the shell to admire. This was a fun set of lines, Linda: with a prickle that more than tickles/cause you'll soon be feeling rough. Then, you followed it with lickle. What a great way to bring humor into a poem. Have a marvelous time at the beach. We started the season yesterday with a friends' get-together at a beach that we usually do not go to. What a glorious day!
ReplyDeleteI suspect we should all be glad to never see one in the wild, Carol, but they are fascinating. I'm glad you enjoyed my poem about this one. Thanks!
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