Bill and Buzz are outside cats. They have been living outside for almost a year now, but they still think they can come inside, especially Bill. He’s the most affectionate and wants to rub and be rubbed. So Bill became the subject of my blues poem.
I patterned the poem after an AABa pattern from the 12 Bar Blues pattern. The first and second line repeat. The third line is a response, not rhyming. Then line 4 rhymes with 1. I struggled with this for a while. I hope my students don’t have too much trouble with this form. They will be posting their blues poems today at their kidblog (Slice of Life Challenge) which will remain open until the end of the school year.
Tomcat Bill comes to sing the blues.
My grey cat Bill sings blues.
Whether winter or spring, that cat will sing.
Crying in high-pitched mews.Meow, Me-oo, let me come in.
Meow, Me-oo, let me in.
Cat food’s on the windowsill; your song’s too shrill.
Who knows where you’ve been.Come on, Mama, don’t you hear.
Mama, don’t you hear.
I want to get the lovin’, some simple human cuddlin’
Open the door, let me near.Stop your whining at the door.
Cat, stop your whining at the door.
Go climb a tree, nip at a flea
I don’t want to hear you no more.
Greg has a poem a day “3o Days, 30 Poets” on his site GottaBook.
I love the Tom cat poem. Loving the line about needing human cuddlin’…don’t we all? 🙂
Love IT! and will you sing it for us?
Bonnie
That should be fun for kids to try.
Fun to read the process then the result. You should be sure to send it to Pooh Hodges!
Go climb a tree & nip a flea, indeed! Proof that blues can be fun. Thanks for sharing!
I can hear the rythm of your words and the cats meowing at the door( I have 2 who are in/out door cats). I will be sharing this with my children who are quick to let them in. I on the other hand have the sentiments of your last stanza. Thank you for sharing.
The last stanza is wonderful.The change in the voice is very effective and memorable.
Now my brain is whirring. Will have to think on this. Thanks for the inspiration.