Woody the Small Viking Warrior
For the Munchkins
Memo From a Teddy Bear I'm just a fuzzy ole teddy bear Sitting on this shelf... But my owner hugged me and kissed me 'Fore he put me here, himself. He told me he had to leave me While he was off to school... But I'm so lonely when he's gone! Whoever made that rule? Teddies like two little arms Folded 'round them tight, And I miss my owner very much When he is out of sight. I'm good at hugs, and hold-me-tights, And at times security... Just take me off this dusty shelf And hug me - then you'll see! Is there a human out there With a heart so big and warm To let me come to school to Keep my owner safe from harm? I'll be so good and quiet, And I'll help my owner play... Please, can I? May I come to school? Maybe for just one day? Published Jan. 1987 Jack and Jill magazine Dedicated to teddy bears, especially DJ, 2-1 and Bear, and to Rick Kemppainen, who is one.
Lullaby for a Princess
Once there was a princess fair
With golden flowers in her hair.
She rode upon a unicorn,
And called her knights with a silver horn.
A handsome prince lived in the land
Who strove to win the princess1 hand.
They fell in love in days of yore,
And they lived happily ever more.
So close your eyes, my little one,
And see the princess fair...
Gallant knights on dashing steeds
And castles in the air.
Nod your way to dreamland,
Where dreams sometimes come true,
Dream of happy endings,
And remember I love you.
If someday you're a princess
In a castle in the air,
You won1t need dreams of unicorns,
For they will live right there.
Maybe you'll dream of childhood,
And songs I sang for you,
But whate1er you dream of...
Remember I love you.
Sung for three year old Jessica. June 1987
Frederick the Frog Frederick Frog sat thinking, Alongside the pond one fine day, That he surely would like to eat The fly that was over that way. But the fly saw the gleam in his eyes And, before you could say "magic wand," The fly flew across the bright blue sky And down to the other side of the pond. Well, Frederick had a master plan To cross the pond before dinner. By hopping across seven lily pads, He would catch the fly and be the winner! He hopped from the shore to pad number one, Delighted with such a great plan, But he dropped a shoe when he tried for pad two, Which made it harder to stand. Distracted by a flea on pad number three, Frederick paused a bit more, Then he stopped mid-air trying to follow its jump And he almost missed pad number four. He listened to the jive as he reached pad five... Man, those crickets could wail! But the sun was fading fast, and the day would soon be past And his quest for food would fail. He stopped to pick up sticks on pad number six, Playing while the sun went down, Then, remembering the fly, he hopped right on by Number seven, and looked all around. Well, as you have probably guessed, Frederick Frog's quest... Failed because he didn't do it. He had a great plan, but he didn't understand That, to get there, you must hop to it! For Daniel 3.97
Goblins and Ghosties
There's goblins and ghosties and witches galore
There's groaning and moaning and a knock on the door
There's a ghostly hand that drifts out of sight
There's a black cat stalking in the dead of the night
There's old village victins and Salem witch trials
There's mad scientists with glowing green vials
There's Frankies and mummies to give you a fright
If you want to have fun on Halloween Night!
smc 98
Halvard the Educated Dragon Halvard was tired of people-talk. He was all fired up, so he took a walk To just cool down, and let off steam. They said he only existed in dreams! He said: "I'm tangible, touchable, and teachable. Reality is always reachable! Wake up, people - I am not a myth! I am someone to be reckoned with! What can I do for a demonstration To negate that scientific explanation That we (the dragons, young and old) Exist only in old stories told? My examples may confound you... But the truth is all around you." "In autumn, the many varied hues Have probably been explained to you As a result of changing chemistry. It's how they explain the mystery Of changing leaves...but dragons know That the annual leaf color show Is simply a metamorphosis Brought about by a dragon's hiss." "The flowers of spring...suddenly appear After being dormant three-fourths of the year? Are you sure science is not the myth? (A tempting subject to deal with) Their sudden appearance (like winter's dimple) Is not scientific - it's surprisingly simple. Dragons roll in the snow...and, of course, it melts. The little flowers can be felt Pushing up to find their friends, The dragons. The flower season ends When the dragons retire to hibernate. Why can't science and myth relate?" "So I tell you: use your imagination. Don't trust just any evaluation... Any so-called scientific fact Can be explained away like that! (snaps his claws) By any dragon in the vicinity... And that is the reality! -Halvard, the Educated Dragon
Patrick's Quest 'Twas St Paddy's Day and the leprechauns Were hiding things from the elves. the gremlins were putting under the beds What you had put on the shelves! The gnomes and faeries were busy, too. They were hiding in the wood, And the very smallest leprechaun Was trying to be good. His name was Patrick (of course, what else?) And he had once been told That at the end of the rainbow There was a pot of gold. The legend said that the pot of gold Could be found after Paddy's Day But there were some important tests To pass along the way. To the oldest leprechaun Patrick went And asked him what to do. The elder gave him a four leaf clover On which there was a clue: "When seeking the rainbow's end, my friend, If by this rule you1ll measure, You will lack for nothing And you will find a wondrous treasure." Well, Patrick wondered what it meant, But he had no time to waste. He ran right in to pack some things, And forgot it in his haste! He filled his pack with things to eat So he would be well-fed, He tucked a little sunshine in For the dark way ahead. He poured into a bottle Some clear water from a spring, And carefully put on the elder's other gift - A magic emerald ring. The words on it said: "Think ye well! For one wish do I give. And one wish only May you have as long as you may live." Patrick started though the forest And he came across a gnome Who said, "Can you help me, please? For I am far from home. I was attacked; my food was eaten By a huge grizzly bear! I1ve just been lying here for days And there1s no food anywhere!" So Patrick sat beside him And he shared his bit of food. The gnome ate every bit of it... It was hard for Pat to be good! He wanted to say he was hungry, too, But it was to no avail. And when he continued on his quest The gnome followed his trail. As Patrick ventured deeper Into the forest old He chanced upon a leprechaun Dying from the cold. Pat reached into his napsack For the sunshine hidden there, And he wrapped it around the leprechaun, And his smile was warm and fair. The leprechaun grew warmer, And as he regained his health, He said, "How can I repay you, For I haven1t any wealth." Well, Patrick had no answer For the question he had asked, So he told him to just come along And help him with his task. Out of the forest Patrick went, And into barren lands. The gnome and the leprechaun followed him Over the burning sands. In the heat of a day they found a rock and, Exhausted, sat down there... And out popped a little elf to ask If they had water to spare. There wasn't much, but Pat passed it around And each had a little taste. Young Patrick thought, "If it helps us all, I guess it1s not gone to waste." When he got up to resume his journey After a little rest He now had three companions To aid him on his quest. As he came to Thunder Mountain He thought, "I don't have a thing To eat or drink, or keep me warm. But I still have my ring!" They came to a raging river, As wide as the treacherous sea. Patrick knew that with a wish on his ring On the other side he could be. But as his three companions tried To cross that river wide The river roared and leaped! And swallowed them up inside. Patrick knew his quest would end if the river he never crossed. He also knew that, without his help his three friends would be lost. So he took off the ring and through it high As far as he could see, And above the river's roar he wished: "I wish them back to me!" The roaring stopped, the mists dissolved, And right before his eyes There appeared a radiant rainbow Spread across the skies. Patrick and his companions Ran to the rainbow, where Lo and behold! Not a pot of gold! But a four leaf clover there! Patrick picked the clover, then And through the rainbow's light A shimmer of golden words Appeared there in his sight! "When seeking the rainbow's end If by this rule you'll measure You will lack for nothing For you'll have found the treasure. Now you've followed the Golden Rule And at the rainbow's end The greatest treasure you already have -- To find, and be, a friend." March 1984
The Bench Lament I went running up the slide....somebody snitched on me! I pushed my swing from side to side....somebody snitched on me! I tripped someone and then they fell... I always play after the bell... I guess I'll be here quite a spell... Somebody snitched on me! Oh, I have to sit on the bench; Teacher's not happy with me... She won't let me move an inch! When will I ever be free? It's not my fault! I didn't do it! Here's my story... Who'll listen to it? Somebody snitched on me! may 88
Toy Train This evening I am in the den on my little track, which holds me in. My engine's cold, for the little hands Which run me are off to slumber-land. But warmed by the rays of the setting sun, I decide that I will run round and round and off the track, keeping caboose and cars in back. I think I'll go under this little table and across the carpet if I am able Into the kitchen...swoosh! I slip and knock over puppy's water dish. I hide under the dining room chairs, Then one at a time, go up the stairs To the children's rooms. "Can someone play With me?" I quietly say. But the children are all fast asleep. So I just chug into a corner and keep Quiet for the children's sake. I shush shush shush my engine down, Then I hear no other sound but shhhhhhhhhhhh. Written 1/25/89 revised 1/11/97
Cottontail Ranch We found a place called Cottontail Ranch Just off the Malibu shore. We1d all like to stay at Cottontail Ranch Just one or two days more! We hiked in the rain at Cottontail Ranch Lousy and wet we felt Until someone reminded us We surely wouldn't melt. We learned some things at Cottontail Ranch (Learning here is fun!) Stuff about soil and leaves and stars, And crafts for everyone! Leather and lanyards and charcoal sketches... These things they showed us, too. We sang some songs and had some fun; There was so much to do! We saw some stars at Cottontail Ranch Although some say we didn1t... They were playing chase with the clouds, And most of them were hidden. It rained and hailed at Cottontail Ranch, And made some of us frown, But we decided we1re too great To let it get us down. We stayed up late at Cottontail Ranch Until they threatened us... They said the next one who said a word Would get sent home on the bus (right now!) We like this place called Cottontail Ranch Just off the Malibu shore... We1d like to stay at Cottontail Ranch... Just three or four days more? We played some ball at Cottontail Ranch They put us to the test. We were so glad the rain was gone, We really did our best. We liked the food at Cottontail Ranch We really ate our fill! No hot dogs and salty chips for us - It's not run of the mill. But now we're leaving Cottontail Ranch (Much to the staff's relief) We've got to make one more award - We've got to name a chief! We've chosen one who's brought us joy While she threatened us with pain... The chief cottontail of 6th grade camp...goes to Mrs. Layne! May 1987
Copyright s.m.chisam