When I first met my husband, he listened willingly to many lyrical lines and one day he presented me with a very special pen:

    You gave to me a golden pen
   To write some poems now and then . . .
   Some poems filled with words of gold
   To share with you as we grow old.     

We're definitely growing older and he still listens. He agrees that being a poet is a gift that should be shared with others and we have published and given away several volumes of my poetry. I'm excited about using this website to share with a larger group of people who may enjoy reading poetry as much as I enjoy writing it!

My Teddy Bear

Sometimes when I'm all alone and don't know what to do,
I look for my friend who's old, not new.
He's missing an eye and one ear is gone,
And his leg looks like it's been chewed upon.

His tummy's in stitches and his smile is worn.
His red bow tie is ragged and torn,
But he'll dress for parties and eat mud pie,
And never say a word when I want to cry.

He's always there, even sleeping with me.
Sharing and caring, he's my company!
Sometimes, at night, when we're ready for bed,
He pulls up the covers to hide his old head.

But I would know him anywhere.
He's my very best friend, my teddy bear.

Sheet music for My Teddy Bear.
It's an original, lively tune that my cousin, Mark Williams,
wrote and recorded to go with my lyrics!

Happy Bear Day!
Cherry Carl

       Who knows when teddy bears are born . . .
       Is it afternoon or in the morn?
       Is it when they give us two black eyes,
       Or wrap our necks in red bow ties?

       Or just perhaps, do you suppose,
       It's when we get our big black nose?
       I just don't know when we were born,
       But there's no need to look forlorn.

        Cuz it doesn't matter, my little friends,
       We'll start a brand new birthday trend!
       We'll celebrate each teddy bear's worth,
       Instead of remembering his moment of birth.

       But there's one more thing we must define . . .
       Is it your bear day . . . or is it mine?!

Mama Bear

When I remember Mama Bear
I think of all her loving care,
Of the walks we took on sunny days
To see and smell the wood's bouquets.

Of giggles and laughs when things were funny,
And when they weren't . . . of sugar and honey
To sweeten the life of a growing bear
With the knowledge that "Mama Bear" was there.

Although sometimes she'd box my ears,
She soothed my hurts and wiped my tear,
And of all the mothers everywhere
I've loved the best my Mama Bear!

Unbearable Woe!

      There you lie upon your bed.
    You have the twirlies in your head.
    Your stomach hurts, your face is hot.
    I guess you'd say you're feeling shot.

Hug A Bear!

      Do you have a moment please
      To give this bear just one small squeeze?
      Cuz teddy bears need hugs to live . . .
      So don't you have just one to give?

Grin and Bear It!

When I was just a wee little bear
My owner dragged me everywhere,
Filled me up with cold mud pie,
Bit my nose and lost my tie,
Left me outside in the rain,
Spilled her juice and left this stain.
But I didn't whine or even scold,
Cuz she was only two years old!
And what's a faithful bear to do
When his little girl is only two!?

Teddy Bear Paws

All teddy bears are wonderful things
To hold and hug . . . to cuddle and cling.
But we're important to children, because
We're the only ones with teddy bear paws,
And everyone knows that they're in demand
For holding on to the tiniest hand!

   
Teddy Bear Picnic

 I went for a walk in the woods one day
And I met some nice folks on my way.
They were having a  picnic that bears adore,
With berries and buns and goodies galore,
Jams and jellies and strawberry pies,
And a chocolate cake that was just the right size.

When I went for a walk in the woods that day,
I asked those folks if I could stay,
To taste those things that looked so yummy
And help to fill my empty tummy.
But when I spoke, to my dismay,
I scared those friendly folks away!

And even though I didn't ask it . . .
They left behind their picnic basket!

The following song was written in honor of one of childhood's favorite bears, Corduroy. Don Freeman has written a delightful story that captures the imagination of young readers and now they can sing about him, too! Enjoy!
  

A Song for Corduroy
Cherry Carl
(To the Tune of "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star")

Corduroy sings:
    I'm a bear named Corduroy,
    Just a fluffy, funny toy.
    Walking through this great big store,
    Looking all around the floor,
    Lost my button; now it's gone,
    Someone come and sew it on.

Lisa sings:
    I'm a girl who wants to share
    Everyday with such a bear.
    Yes, I know your button's gone.
    I shall sew a new one on.
    If you come and live with me,
    Best of friends we'll always be!

Silly Saurus
Music and Lyrics by Cherry Carl

Oh, I’m glad I’m not a dinosaur,
‘Cause all they do is growl and roar.
They wave their tails and fume and fight
And now and then they take a bite . . .
Of other beastly, brainless guys
And I don’t think that’s very wise,
So let’s pretend that we can be
Dinosaurs, just you and me.

Silly, silly, saurus,
Mr. (student name) saurus,
Though you growl and roarus,
Be a dinosaurus!

It's a Bird! It's a Plane!
It's Super Dino!
(Tune: The Daring Young Men on the Flying Trapeze)

They fly through the air with the greatest of ease,
These daring young dinos can go where they please,
Sailing and soaring on a soft summer breeze
That takes them way up to the tops of the trees.

They take off and land with their powerful wings,
Gliding and riding like magical things,
Flying so high they make circles and rings,
Ruling the sky like aerokings!

A Walking Tank

Some dinosaurs are built like tanks.
They'll charge a trachodon point blank.
They wear a helmet on their heads,
Their thorny tail is one to dread!

If they give a mighty whack,
I guarantee he won't come back!
'Cause if he does, those thorny spikes
Will make him holler, "Yow!" and "Yikes!"
 

The King of All the Dinosaurs

Watch out for Tyrannosaurus Rex
'Cause he bites others on their necks!
His teeth are as sharp as sharp can be
To nibble on neck and nose and knee.
His hind legs make him very tall
But his tiny front legs are just too small
To help him when he wants to eat.
But there's nobody else who dares compete
With the king of all the dinosaurs . . .
He'll bite them all with a deadly roar!

Vicious  Vegetarians

Vegetarians are mighty vicious!
Unless they always get their wishes
For carrots, corn and cucumbers, too,
These herbivores will growl at you!
Peas, parsley, and baked potatoes,
Turnips and tender green tomatoes
Should follow a great big cabbage pie,
But even that won't satisfy
The need for food that grows up green.
I hope you know just what I mean.
'Cause if you forget to fill their dishes
With vegetables . . . look out, they're vicious!
 

Henry!

I had a little dinosaur and Henry was his name,
Until I found that he was she,
And now it's not the same!

With all those baby dinosaurs a-running here and there,
Don't you really think I'd better
Call her Henrietta?!
 

Allosaurus Afternoon!
 

Let's ask someone to come and play,
Someone who'll change a boring day.
Why don't we ask an Allosaurus?
I'm very sure he wouldn't bore us!
He has strong legs with heavy claws,
And have you seen his wicked jaws?
He's such a fierce, ferocious beast,
Let's hope he's had his daily feast.
And if we play with Allosaurus,
We'd better hope he'll just ignore us!

The following poem was inspired by a group of boys who were really into watching wrestling on T.V. They walked and talked wrestling and challenged me to write a wrestling poem for dinosaurs!

Dinomania!
 

I've seen a wrestling match before,

But not between two dinosaurs!

I wonder who will win the fight . . .

The one who roars with every bite?

Or maybe the one who waves his tail

Will make the other whine and wail.

Who'll be the winner to stand before us?

Big Johnodon or Hulkasaurus?

   
Carrots

We love to eat carrots.
They're crunchy and sweet.
We love to eat carrots . . .
Our favorite treat!

Munchy Carrots

Munchy carrots in the summer,
Munchy carrots, orange and sweet,
Munchy carrots for my lunch,
Munchy carrots . . . crunch, crunch, crunch!

Munchy carrots, munchy carrots,
That is all I want to eat.
Munchy carrots, munchy carrots,
Munchy carrots can't be beat!

Crunch! Crunch! Crunch!

Let’s have some tacos!

Crunch! Crunch! Crunch!

Crunchy, munchy tacos

For our lunch!

Fill it up with cooked meat.

Tomatoes, if you please.

Sprinkle in some lettuce.

And toss on the cheese.

Now, when you eat your tacos,

You’ll crunch, crunch, crunch.

But if you are not careful,

You will spill your lunch!

www.countryclipart.com

   
My Mother, My Friend

She wants me to be especially good,
And sometimes I am, but not when I should.
She wants me to grow to be healthy and strong.
But I can eat junk food all day long!
She wants me to learn to be friendly and sweet.
So sometimes I smile at the people I meet.
She wants me to be so clean and so tidy,
So I make up my bed every Tuesday and Friday!
She wants my respect and says to be kind,
But it's not always easy to keep that in mind.
This person is special. She's not like another.
She always loves me . . .
           She's my friend and my mother!

 Friends

You Are My Good Friends

(Tune: You Are My Sunshine)
Cherry Carl

You are my good friends,

My new and fun friends.

You make me happy when I’m with you.

We work together and help each other

‘Cause that’s what every good friend should do.

We learn to share stuff,

But we don’t play rough.

The teacher says we’re doing fine!

We play together and help each other

You’re my good friends, come rain or come shine!

Fancy Feet!

Cherry Carl

Fancy feet, oh, fancy feet,

I hear you running down the street!

But now and then you stop to greet

All the other feet you meet.

Some are big and some are small,

But, fancy feet, we hear them all!

Some come tapping, some tiptoe,

Jumping, leaping high and low!

Others skip and twirl around,

And hardly ever touch the ground!

Some are young and some are new,

But, fancy feet, we hear each shoe!

Kick a ball, climb a wall,

Fancy feet can do it all!

Run the bases, swim with fins,

Play hopscotch and twirl and spin!

Fancy feet, oh, fancy feet,

From heel to toe, you can’t be beat!

Tenderfoot

Cherry Carl

Corny toes, and ingrown nails

Make a person whine and wail!

Bulbous bunions and wicked warts

Can put a person out of sorts!

Stub that toe!

There you go!

Hop on one foot, to and fro!

Blazing blisters, athletes foot,

Call that person “tenderfoot!”

Mixed up muscles, tender toes,

What a whopping tale of woes!

Stub that toe!

There you go!

Hop on one foot, to and fro!

Puppies are family, too, even though they drive us nuts sometimes! I tried to use visual imagery in this one about our rose eating rottweilers.

The Puppies Are Tearing Up the Garden
Cherry Carl

One by one,
        Those lovely ladies fall prey
                To the frisky frolics of Fritz and Gretchen.

Powerful paws gut the earth,
        Flinging thorny skirted beauties
                To the ground.

   
Scratch

Poetry can be used to communicate feelings for friends and the pleasure we derive from shared interests. "Julee's Gems" is an example of a tribute to a good friend.

Julee's Gems

Bake up a batch of pleasure filled days.
Start with your warmth and wonderful ways.
Blend in your sweetness as well as your spice,
And add all the caring that makes them so nice.
Fill them with newness and wonder and light,
And stir in the patience until they feel right.
Throw in a book or a new lovely song,
And sprinkle with love so they never taste wrong.
Bake them at once at home or afar,
And share them with loved ones wherever you are.

Do you have a teenager who is driving you nuts? When one of your adolescents gets too mouthy and hurts your feelings, try leaving the following poem on their pillow, or in their lunch. Sometimes one of my teenage girls and I found it easier to communicate via the pen.

Why?
Cherry Carl

          Why do you say the things you do,
        The things that hurt and tear in two?
        When words are better left unsaid,
        Your wrath and anger are left unfed.
        They cannot grow unspoken, you see.
        So please don't say those things to me.

   
Winter's Snow

          There's nothing quite such fun, I know,
        As playing in the winter's snow,
        Having races with my friend,
        We're up the hill and down again,
        Building snowmen, tall and fat,
        And even falling down . . . kersplat!
        With frosty snowflakes in my hair,
        For winter's snow is everywhere!

This one is dedicated to Mary Montiel. We were staying in Julian, California, in a rustic stone house in February. She had never seen a snowfall and watched from the window in total amazement as the first flakes fell. I was so moved by her childlike sense of delight that I just had to write about the experience. 
   

 
    First Snow

The night is dark, clouds fill the sky.
We listen to the wind with its wail and its cry
As the raging storm of rain and sleet
Pounds on the roof with its giant feet.

As we watch from the windows, the sleet turns to slush.
The wailing winds have been told to hush.

We watch as a change comes over the sky . . .
Listen to the wind, now a whispery sigh.
As the silent storm, with its flakes of snow,
Walks on the roof with an angel's toe.

   
Thunderstorm
(An example of Haiku)

Black clouds overhead

Thunder roars. Begin to count.

See how far away.   
  
             

Spring Song

          In the hush of a soft gentle breeze,
        You can almost hear butterflies sneeze.
        While the bumblebees buzz
                        And the grasshoppers spring,
        A chorus of critters will sing.
                                            (Kazoo Song)

         There's a feeling of spring in the air.
        Set aside all your worry and care.
        When the birds and the bugs
                        Get together in song,
        Join in and come sing long!
                                 (Kazoo Song)
 

Just discovered this one in my files. I wrote it several years ago for a group of first graders. I typed each verse on a half sheet, added a cover, copied it for each student, and they illustrated it with pictures that only first graders can do. They were delighted to have their own copy.  Hope you are, too!
   

The Hungry Farmer
(To the Tune of: Did You Ever See a Lassie?)

If you see the hungry farmer,
Who's hunting for dinner,
Won't you tell him Ducky Lucky
Is hiding today?

His feathers are shaking.
His red bill is quaking.
'Cause the hungry farmer's hunting
For dinner today.

If you see the hungry farmer,
Who's hunting for dinner,
Won't you tell him Goosey Loosey
Is hiding today?

Her feathers are shaking.
Her long neck is quaking.
'Cause the hungry farmer's hunting
For dinner today.

If you see the hungry farmer,
Who's hunting for dinner,
Won't you tell him Porky Piggy
Is hiding today?

Her short tail is shaking.
Her pink nose is quaking.
'Cause the hungry farmer's hunting
For dinner today.

If you see the hungry farmer,
Who's hunting for dinner,
Won't you tell him Tubby Turkey
Is hiding today?

His feathers are shaking.
His wattle is quaking.
'Cause the hungry farmer's hunting
For dinner today.

If you see the hungry farmer,
Who's hunting for dinner,
Won't you tell him Chubby Chicken
Is hiding today?

Her feathers are shaking.
Her red beak is quaking.
'Cause the hungry farmer's hunting
For dinner today.

Turkey Talk
Lyrics: Cherry Carl   Tune: Lucy Jensen

How do you do, Mister Turkey? How do you do today?
I'm getting fat, with pretty feathers that,
Make me want to say . . . See my 'turkey- walk,"
Hear my "turkey-talk, but don't catch me, I pray!

What do you say, Mr. Turkey? What do you say today?
Gibble-gobble this, and Gibble-gobble that,
Gibble-gobble all the day! See my "turkey-walk";
Hear my "turkey-talk"; but don't catch me, I pray!

How do you walk, Mr. Turkey? How do you walk today?
Wibble-wobble here, and Wibble-wobble there,
Wibble-wobble all the way! See my "turkey-walk";
Hear my "turkey-talk"; and now I'll run away!
                                                    (Ha! Ha!)

The sheet music and/or guitar chords are available for this turkey tune. If you'd like to have it, please send me an e-mail and I'll mail it to you.

The Turkey Trot

Cherry Carl and Lucy Jensen
(Sung to the Tune: "Farmer in the Dell")

Do the turkey-trot (clap); Do the turkey-trot (clap);
Hi, ho, Thanksgiving Day! Do the turkey trot! (clap)
Gobble to the right (clap); Wobble to the left (clap);
Hi, ho Thanksgiving Day! Do the turkey-trot! (clap)

The Turkey Trot Line Dance Directions

These are the directions and guitar chords for a Singing-Clapping Line Dance for The Turkey Trot for Grades 2-4. There is also an adaptation for K-1 that is easier.

The Farmer and the Turkeys
Cherry Carl
(Sung to the Tune: "Down by the Station")

Down in the barnyard early in the morning,
See the fattened turkeys all in a row,
See the hungry farmer coming for his dinner,
Gobble, gobble! Whoof, whoof! Off they go!

Singing Game

These are the directions for a singing game to go with The Farmer and the Turkeys. You can use it with or without puppets.

Thanksgiving Dinner

(Sung To the Tune: "Billy Boy")

Shall we bake a turkey roast,                 dear,               dear?
Shall we bake a turkey roast for our dinner?
With the stuffing tucked inside,    
       and the drumsticks tightly tied,
Yes, we'll bake a turkey roast for our dinner.

Shall we mash potatoes soon,              dear,               dear?
Shall we mash potatoes soon for our dinner?
We will whip them through and through,
        with some milk and butter, too,
Yes, we'll mash potatoes soon for our dinner.

Shall we bake a pumpkin pie,               dear,               dear?
Shall we bake a pumpkin pie for our dinner?
We will measure, mix and pour,
        Then we'll stir and stir some more,
Yes, we'll bake a pumpkin pie for our dinner.

Shall we have somebody come,               dear,               dear?
Shall we have somebody come for to our dinner?
Ask our family and friends,
        There's a list that never ends,
Yes, we'll have somebody come to our dinner.

Thanksgiving Round
Cherry Carl
(Sung to the Tune: "Are You Sleeping?)

Turkey dinner, turkey dinner,
Pumpkin pie, pumpkin pie,
All the family gathers, all the family gathers,
Me, oh my! Me, oh my!

The Twelve Days of Christmas
Adapted by Cherry Carl

On the first day of Christmas, my good friend gave to me 
the angel on top of my tree.
On the second day of Christmas, . . . two jolly Santas and . . .
On the third day of Christmas . . . three candy canes . . .
On the fourth day of Christmas . . . four velvet bows . . .
On the fifth day of Christmas . . . five teddy bears, four velvet bows, three candy canes, two jolly Santas and the angel on top my tree.
On the sixth day of Christmas . . . six elves a-dancing . . .
On the seventh day of Christmas . . . seven stockings hanging . . .
On the eighth day of Christmas . . . eight candles glowing . . .
On the ninth day of Christmas . . . nine birds a-singing . . .
On the tenth day of Christmas . . . ten lights a-twinkling . . .
On the eleventh day of Christmas . . . eleven bells a-ringing . . .
On the twelfth day of Christmas . . . twelve stars a-shining . . .

The following poems/songs are some of many that I wrote several years ago as part of a school-wide Christmas play that soon became a musical called "Toyshop Revolt." This is just a sample. More to be posted soon. If you'd like, I can put the play on this site or e-mail it to you. Anyone interested?

My Favorite Stuffed Things
(To the tune of My Favorite Things)
Cherry Carl

Black and white pandas with fuzzy round tummies,
Soft, fluffy lambs and brown baby bunnies,
Pudgy pink pigs and Pegasus wings . . .
These are a few of my favorite stuffed things.

Brown teddy bears and Winnie the Pooh,
Whiskery kittens and Mickey Mouse, too.
Wild are my monkey, my lions are king . . .
These are a few of my favorite stuffed things.

Cute, cuddly duckling and Kermit the frog,
Garfield the cat and Snoopy the dog,
Elegant elephants, kangaroo springs . . .
These are a few of my favorite stuffed things.

When I'm yelled at, when the tears sting,
When I'm feeling sad,
I simply hug tightly my favorite stuffed things . . .
And then I don't feel so bad.

(For the musical, I changed the last line of each verse to: We are a few of her favorite stuffed things. The kids were dressed as stuffed animals. Most wore soft pajamas along with ears and blackened noses and whiskers. They looked and sounded great!)

Christmas Doll
Cherry Carl

Christmas comes just once a year,
Bringing toys we love so dear . . .
Boats and balls and baseball bats,
Skates and kites and kitty cats.
But all I want is just one thing,
Dear Santa, please bring
The toy I love the most of all . . .
A brand new special Christmas Doll.
I'll sing to her this lullaby:
"Mother's near, so don't you cry.
Go to sleep, now hushaby."

Toy Soldiers
Cherry Carl

        Toy Soldiers! Toy Soldiers! Toy Soldiers!

Refrain: Here they come, here they come,
             Marching tall to the sounds of drum.

          Ever faithful, ever true,
        Soldiers dressed in red and blue,
        Facing battles without fear,
        Every man a musketeer.

Refrain

          Oh, these tiny wooden toys
        Bring such joy to little boys,
        Ever marching in a line . . .
        Oh, I wish that they were mine!

Refrain

        Toy Soldiers! Toy Soldiers! Toy Soldiers!

In the musical, Polly asks for one thing . . . the repair of her precious dolly. Her letter to Santa reads:

Dear Santa,
    Christmas is coming and I've been very good,
    But not as careful as I think I should.
    For I left my dolly outside in the rain,
   And I thought I'd never see her again.
   But I looked and looked all over the place
   And finally found her with mud on her face.
   Her dress is torn and she's lost her shoe.
   That's why, dear Santa, I'm writing to you.
   Her legs won't work, so she cannot walk.
   But worst of all yet, she doesn't talk!

. . . which leads to the following song

                    There once was a dolly who could not talk.
                She'd lost her shoes and her legs would not walk.
                For she had been left outside in a storm
                And her pretty dress was tattered and torn.

                 Dear Santa, please don't bring me anything    
               Just fix my dolly so she can talk,
              And give her some shoes that can make her walk.

                    (There's more to this song . . .)

The Peter Rabbit Scrunch
(Under the Gate, That is . . .)
Lyrics: Cherry Carl and Lucy Jensen
(To the tune of: "Down in the Meadow in an Itty Bitty Pool")

Down in the garden where the veggies are so green,
Was Little Peter Rabbit munching on a lima bean,
Run, Peter Rabbit, don't you know it's getting late?
But he ate, and he ate, 
    'Til he had a tummyache!

Hop, hop, nibble, nibble, hear that bunny crunch,
Little Peter Rabbit wants a carrot for his lunch,
Run, Peter Rabbit, don't you know it's getting late?
So he ran, and he ran,
    "Til he reached the garden gate!

Stop, stop, wiggle, wiggle, do the bunny squeeze,
Little Peter Rabbit knows he ate too many peas,
Run, Peter Rabbit, don't you know it's getting late?
So he scrunched, and he scrunched,
      Right under the gate!
 

Where is Peter?
Lyrics: Cherry Carl and Lucy Jensen
(Sung to the tune of "Skip to My Lou")

Flopsy - Mopsy - Cottontail,
Putting berries in a pail,
Being good, just like they should,
Flopsy - Mopsy - Cottontail.


    Where is Peter? Do you know?
    Eating lettuce in a row,
    Chant: Ohhhhh, Nooooo! Ohhhhh, Nooooo! (no music)
    To the garden he did go!

Flopsy - Mopsy - Cottontail,
Took the berries in their pail,
Home to make a pie to bake,
Flopsy - Mopsy - Cottontail.

    
    Where is Peter? Do tell me.
    Home in bed where he should be!
    Chant: Ohhhhh, Nooooo! Ohhhhh, Nooooo! (no music)
    All he gets is camomile* tea!

After the last verse, everyone can say together sorrowfully:

    Poooooooor Peter Rabbit . . .

Note: camomile*  tea comes from a plant with a daisy-like flower and it is brewed as a medicine, in this case for Peter Rabbit's upset tummy!

An instructor at UCSD's Writing Project once told me that he always wrote a "first day" poem. I guess that I did things in a backward fashion when I wrote a "last day" poem:

Summer's Sun
Cherry Carl

You've worked and toiled this year at school
To master every task and tool . . .
Trying to give your every best
To every teacher, every test.
But have you found that lovely thing
That makes you want to laugh and sing,
To run and leap in joyous fun
And feel the warmth of summer's sun?
This feeling comes when school days end
And summertime's around the bend . . .
The ticklish joy of barefoot toes,
Ice cream cones, a sprinkler hose!
No more spelling or math for you,
Just lovely days to think and do.
Enjoy those days, but fill each one
With caring and sharing in summer's sun.

Veterans Day/Patriotic
 

Who is Your Hero?
by Cherry Carl

 Who are the heroes we honor today,

The ones who are near and far away?

They’re grandpas and fathers and brothers, too,

Sisters and mothers, so brave and true.

They’ve done their duty, to serve and protect,

So we honor them all with love and respect.

 Salute the Soldiers
by Cherry Carl

 We hope for all a world of peace,

And wish that every war would cease.

We hope for all sweet liberty

And wish each man security.
 

 We hope for all a life of friends,

And wish for courage to defend

Our right to freedom, one and all,

As we walk with pride and stand up tall.
 

Our soldiers make the sacrifice

And often pay a painful price

To protect and serve the USA

So we can be here on this day.

 
We salute those men and women, too,

Who serve the red and white and blue.

We honor them, the proud and brave,

As we raise the flag and watch it wave.

Here in America
(Tune: Down in the Meadow)
Written by Cherry Carl

 Here in America, the land of the free,

Live little bitty kids like you and me.

We’re free to learn at school every day.

And that’s because it’s the USA!

We can work and wiggle and play all day

Or sing and laugh and talk and pray.

That’s why we’re here on this special day:

‘Cause we’re proud to live in the USA!

 
Sweet Land of Liberty

Faded Photograph

              I study your picture in my kitchen every day,

             Mourning your aging appearance,

                  So weathered and gray.

       Your sagging frame leans into the prairie wind

             As you stand there alone,

                  Like some long forgotten friend.

        You’re like a window to my childhood,

              With its secrets and sorrows

                   Framed in wood.

         What is it about you that draws me to the farm?

              You’re just a building,

                   But you’re filled with charm.

Will you still be standing there to greet me when I come home?

Note from Cherry: My husband grew up on a working farm in North Dakota, ten miles from the closest town. He and his brother spent countless hours playing and working together in and around their enormous barn. We have a framed picture of it in our kitchen in southern California. This was written during the summer of 1996 after many evenings spent together in the kitchen. I was taking a three week writers workshop at the university and looking for writing material, not realizing what a wonderful storyteller I had in my own kitchen!  Here's another that I wrote after he related a story about the spring thaw when he was about 4 years old. His parents loaded a picnic into the fence wagon that was pulled by Pete and Dinah, the family's chore horses and headed for a picnic by the frozen creek. He says that it was the first time he felt real fear . . . the creek water was trying to escape its winter coat of ice and the ice began to break. They escaped, but learned the next day that the bridge over the creek had been washed away once again.

The Birth of Spring

Peaceful picnic,

A cathedral of pines,

Last of the rhubarb in a pie.

Prairie whispers sing a song . . .

"Spring is comin', won't be long."

Pete and Dinah,

Nibbling nubs of green,

Promising pictures in the snow.

Message of the melting ice,

Winter's watery foe.

Tiny Footprints

Cherry Carl

       When a newborn child is tiny and pink,
His footprints are saved with paper and ink.
They're recorded for all the world to see
How small and fragile and precious are we.

But I need no paper to record the day
When my special son first came my way.
For this tiny child has made me whole
By leaving his footprints upon my soul.

Written for Chasity, 3/2/99, to commemorate
the birth of her firstborn son.

Frog Song
Cherry Carl

        Have you ever seen the big green frog
       Sitting on the old dead tree,
       Or heard his voice throughout the bog,
       As he sings his song for me?

        Galump, diddle, diddle, galump, diddle, diddle.
                Listen to the big green frog.
       Galump, diddle, diddle, galump, diddle, diddle.
                Sitting in the diddle, diddle bog!

       He looks for things that taste so yummy.
       He does it all day long.
       He catches bugs to fill his tummy,
       And then he sings his song.

                    (Repeat frog song)

        He jumps around and takes a swim
       Whenever I get near,
       But let's be still and look for him,
       And then perhaps we'll hear . . .

                   (Repeat frog song)

Silly Goose

Cherry Carl

There's a long-necked silly on Grandma's farm!
Better watch out - she'll sound the alarm,
As she honks and she squawks and she makes such noise,
And struts around with little poise.

This bossy, bothersome, biddy old bird
Has never said a single word
But she flutters and flops while on the loose.
She's nothing but a silly goose!

Won't you come along with me,
To follow the flight of the bumblebee?
She'd been asleep through winter's snow,
But then she wakes when flowers grow.

It's time to find a brand new spot
To build a nest for honey pots.
A hole in the ground will surely do
To build a home so snug and new.

She'll be a busy bee today.
She'll work and work the day away,
As she forms her nest with lots of fuzz,
So soft and warm it makes her buzz.

And then she's off to gather food,
To feed her ever growing brood.
She'll carry the pollen for her eggs
In tiny pockets on her legs.

Now, if you look, you'll surely see
A very busy Mama Bee.
Her baby bees are all around,
In her happy home beneath the ground.

Ants! Ants! Ants!
(To the tune: “Three Blind Mice”)

Ants! Ants! Ants!
Ants in my pants!
Ants! Ants! Ants!
I dance and prance!

Now I know there’s a chance that I never will
Sit right down on a red anthill.
My bottom feels like a fire drill
From ants, ants, ants!

The “A” Song
(Tune: ”Down by the Station”)

“A” can make two sounds, and the first one is the short sound.
“A” can make two sounds, just imagine that!
Open up your mouth and say /a/  /a/  /a/  /a/  /a/  /a/.
Alligator, actress, and acrobat.

“A” can make two sounds, and the first one is the short sound.
“A” can make two sounds, just imagine that!
See if you can find some to share with one another.
Look for apple, ant, and astronaut!

Say My Name!
(Tune: Polly, Wolly, Doodle)

Oh, I go to school and I learn my letters,
Sing the ABC’s every day!
But some of the letters have more than one sound,
And you have to learn to say them each way!

Say his name! Say his name!
Say it: a, a, a, a, a!
Now he has a funny friend named Silent e,
And together they make words all day!

The “B” Song
(Tune: ”My Bonnie Lies Over the Ocean”)

Our classroom has pictures with b’s sound.
/b/  /b/  /b/  /b/  /b/  /b/  /b/  /b/.
You’ll find them by looking a-round.
/b/  /b/  /b/  /b/  /b/  /b/  /b/  /b/.

Bring back, bring back,
Bring back “b” pictures to me, to me.
Bring back, bring back,
Oh, bring back “b” pictures to me!

The “C” Song
(Tune: ”Oats, Peas, Beans”)
 
There‘s a letter we all know.
A copycat from head to toe.
It borrows the sounds of s and k.
What do you think the others say?

Poor little c, you have no sound,
Better check the lost and found!
Does anyone know the sound of c?
I wonder what its sound could be!

Blow That Sound! 

(Tune: Do Your Ears Hang Low?)

Do you know the sound that Mr. F makes?

We can make it now, for goodness sakes!

We just bite our bottom lips, and we blow with all our might,

And that is how we make Mr. F’s sound right!
 

We can blow big words and some that are small,

Like friendly and face and free and fall!

We just bite our bottom lips, and we blow with all our might,

And we make some words like freeze and fright!

Laugh, Little Letter!
(Tune: “Over in the Meadow”)

Down in the classroom, where the children go to school,
Is a funny phonics teacher who can teach them every rule.
“Laugh, boys and girls, when you want to hear an h.
So they laughed and they laughed ‘til they had a tummy ache

Ha! Ha! Hee! Hee! Hear the letter laugh!
Little letter h, may we have your autograph?
“Laugh, boys and girls,” said the little letter h.”
So they laughed and they laughed ‘til they had a tummy ache!

A Jolly Good Letter
(Tune: For He’s a Jolly Good Fellow)

The J’s a jolly good letter.
It makes the alphabet better.
The J’s a jolly good letter.
And now I’ll tell you why!

Without the J, we’d say uly,
Oy and elly and ustify,
Uggle and iffy just make me cry,
And so I’ll say good-bye!

The “K” Song
(Tune: “K-K-K, Katie”)

/K/, /K/, /K/, K’s sound, /K/, /K/, /K/, K’s sound.
It is one that’s copied by the letter c.
/K/, /K/, /K/, K’s sound, /K/, /K/, /K/, K’s sound.
When I write, I am confused as I can be!

/K/, /K/, /K/, K’s sound, /K/, /K/, /K/, K’s sound.
Why, oh, why, do you play silly tricks on me?
Why do we spell cat, using your friend, c,
But we use a k to write the word kitty?

/K/, /K/, /K/, K’s sound, /K/, /K/, /K/, K’s sound.
Sometimes you never make a single sound at all!
/K/, /K/, /K/, K’s sound, /K/, /K/, /K/, K’s sound.
Am I confused because I am so young and small?!

The L Song
(Tune: “She’ll Be Coming Around the Mountain”)
 

He’ll be singing in the classroom when he comes: la, la, la!
He’ll be singing ‘cause he never, ever hums: la, la, la!
He will sing his song so proudly,
(Though sometimes he sings it loudly.)
He’s a tongue tapping singer, Little L: la, la, la!

Be a singer in the classroom when you come: la, la, la!
You can sing like Little L if you don’t hum: la, la, la!
Be a tongue tapping singer.
You can be a real humdinger!
If you sing like Little L when you come: la, la, la

The “M” Song
(Tune: “If You’re Happy and You Know It”)

We put our lips together for the m: /m/ /m/.
Yes, we put our lips together for the m: /m/  /m/.
We put our lips together, and we make a humming noise,
I can hear the humming girls and humming boys.

If you know the sound of m, show me how.
If you know the sound of m, show me now.
If you know the sound of m, make it once and then again.
If you know the sound of m, give me ten! (clap, clap)

If you know a word for m, tell a friend. (assorted responses)
If you know a word for m, tell a friend. (assorted responses)
If you know a word for m, turn around and tell a friend.
If you know a word for m, that’s the end!

Monster Munch
Cherry Carl
(to the tune: Clementine)

In the mountains, in a meadow,
All the monsters met for lunch.
They didn't have a menu,
So they made some Monster Munch.
In went Mars Bars, marshmallows, M and M's, and Milky Way.
They mixed them all together.
Now they make more every day.

Monster Munch
(the recipe)

1 stick of butter or margarine
5 cups of marshmallows
1 tsp. vanilla
1 Milky Way bar
1 Mars Bar
1 Three Musketeer bar
1 Mounds bar
12 malted milk balls
2 cups of M and M's
4 cups cereal (we chose Disney's Magic Mix)

Put the margarine, marshmallows, vanilla, and candy bars in a medium sized pan. Melt on low heat, stirring constantly. Remove from heat and stir in the cereal. Add M and M candies. Drop by the spoonful on waxed paper. Chill and eat!

Such a Silly Sound!
(Tune: London Bridge is Falling Down)
 

O has such a silly sound!
It makes your mouth
Small and round.
O has such a silly sound!
What a letter!

Pucker up for letter O,
There you go,
Now you know.
Make a face and you’re a pro
To name this letter.

The “P” Song
(P is for Pizza)
(to the tune of “Down By the Station”)

P is for pizza with lots of pepperoni,
Plenty of peppers, prepared by Pizza Pete.
Put it in the pizza pan and pop it in the oven.
Plates out, pop poured . . . now let’s eat!

Q is for Quilt

Cherry Carl

My grandma built a quilt for me
With everything from A to Z!
My favorite square is the letter Q 
Because it always comes with U!

  Queen, and quarter, quilt and quit
Are four of the words that Grandma fit
Into that square for the letter Q,
That always comes along with U!

Q and U: Best Friends  ¯¯

(Tune: On Top of Old Smoky)

There once was a letter.
We knew him as “Q.”
That bored little letter
Had nothing to do.

Along came another,
Who said, “Let’s be friends.”
And now they’re together
To spell and to blend.

That shy little letter
That we know as “Q,”
Now stands and speaks proudly,
But always with “u!”

The Old Red Rooster
(Tune: “The Old Gray Mare”)

The old red rooster isn’t what he used to be, 
No cock-a-doodle-dee,
In the morning, waking me!
The old red rooster doesn’t even make me stir,
With his /r/  /r/  /r/!

The old red rooster isn’t what he used to be,
I think he ate a bumblebee!
Perhaps I’ll make him drink some tea.
The old red rooster doesn’t say a single word,
Except his /r/  /r/  /r/!

Sassy S
(Tune: Polly Wolly Doodle)

Oh, I went to school and I got a new letter,
And s is the letter I learned.
That s is such a sassy letter,
Singing /s/ /s/ /s/ /s/ /s/ /s/ all day!

Sassy s! Sassy s!
Sassy s makes a hissing sound.
If you want to use a letter that sounds like a snake,
Sassy s is the letter I found!

I’m a Tongue Tapping Letter!
(Tune: She’ll Be Comin’ Around the Mountain)

I’m a tongue tapping letter, yeah, that’s me!
I’m a tongue tapping letter, Mr. T!
I speak softly, but another speaks quite loudly.
He’s my brother!
He’s the tongue tapping letter, Mr. D!
 

I say “tip” and “talk” and play another tune.
He says “dip” and “dock” and dances on the dune.
I speak softly. He speaks loudly.
But we make our sounds quite proudly!
We’re the tongue tapping letters, D and T!

The “Z” Song
(Tune: “Zippity Doo Dah”)

Zippity letter, zippity Z.
You’re as busy as a letter can be!
Zooming around from zebra to zoo,
Tickling my tongue is just what you do!

I can buzz when I’m a singer.
Try zucchini and zinger.
Every word is such a stinger!
Zippity letter, zippity Z.
Wonderful letter, /z/  /z/  /z/  Z!

   
Prairie Song

"Shape Song"
(Tune: Solomon Levi*)

I know what is a rectangle. I'll tell you in a song.
Two of its sides are short and two of them are long.
Now I'll tell about a square; it has four sides the same.
Turn it anyway you wish. That doesn't change its name!

A tri-an-gle has three sharp points. The sides are straight, all three.
Tri means three and so you see, that's what it has to be!
A diamond is a straight line shape, the four sides are the same.
The corners, though, are different; the rhombus is its name.

A circle is the shape that's next, with no straight sides at all.
It just goes round and round and round, and looks just like a ball.
An ellipse is an oval shape. The ends of it are round.
It might have been a circle once that got itself squashed down!

I look around me everywhere and I see shapes galore.
Cylinders and spheres and cubes, and oh so many more!

Chorus:
Oh, aren't you proud of me? Tra, la, la, la, la, la!
I've learned a lot, you see. Tra, la, la, la, la, la!

Notes from Cherry: I have no idea who wrote the lyrics to this delightful song! I found this in my kindergarten files from the late sixties or early seventies (I know, some of you weren't even born then! Let's not go there!). I'm sorry to omit credit where credit is due. Hopefully, the author of this ditty will forgive me for sharing it here.

If you make a song chart or poster out of this song, add colorful shapes next to the appropriate lines or replace the shape words with actual shapes. You may also want to use actual numerals instead of number words in the song.

Shapes
 

Round goes the circle, round goes the bear.
Round and around with colors everywhere.

Four sides to a square, four sides to a door.
Open it up and look for some more!

Three sided triangle, three sided slide.
Down go the bears for a slippery ride!

Here's a sparkly diamond, shiny and bright.
It twinkles like the stars that shine through the night.

Is this an Easter Egg for two little bears?
No, it's just an oval, but it's fun to share!

Two sides short, and two sides long.
This rectangle looks so tall and strong.

Can you find a tiny bear to play with you?
He's right behind the hexagon, Peek-a-Boo!

An octagon has eight sides in all.
Watch out little bear, now don't you fall!

Pull the tab and there will be
A cylinder for you to see.

A cube is like your wooden blocks,
And sometimes like a paper box.

Add hand motions. Hold out your thumb and finger for the first, second and fifth lines to indicate an inch. Act like you’re counting inches on a ruler for line four and then tap your temple to show understanding. Talk about what kinds of things would fit the “small” category.

Bring on a Thingamajig!

(Tune: Camptown Races)

Thirty-six inches to a yard,

We’ll measure your treasure!

Thirty-six inches to a yard,

So, what do you say!?

We’re goin’ to measure small!

We’re goin’ to measure big!

Our class is ready for short or tall,

So bring on a thingamajig!

Twelve inches to a foot,

We’ll measure with pleasure!

Twelve inches to a foot,

So, what do you say!?

We’re goin’ to measure small!

We’re goin’ to measure big!

Our class is ready for short or tall,

So bring on a thingamajig!