Bill Kirk: "Rhymes For Our Times"
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Bill Kirk: "Rhymes For Our Times"
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MY LIFE AS A RHYMER
Once upon a time I was born.
It happened a long time ago in a far away land. And, since then, I have lived and traveled to many places in the world, from Europe to Thailand; from Yazoo City, Mississippi to La Paz, Bolivia; from North Africa to Sacramento.
In all those places, I found stories just waiting to be written: of children growing up and of parents facing the challenges of every day life, as they try to preserve the spirit and beauty of childhood for their own children.
I grew up in a military family, which meant moving every two-to-four years, changing schools, leaving friends behind and meeting new ones. Every move became an adventure--sometimes easy and sometimes not so easy. But it was a nomadic lifestyle that I grew to love. I later continued it as I also joined the Air Force and roamed the world with my own family for another 20 years before deciding to settle in California in 1989.
Now as a grandparent, I realize wanderlust has been my good fortune. It has given me a lifetime of experiences as grist for my rhymes and other writing. Some of my rhymes are listed in the two sections below with a short copyrighted sample of each.
Stay tuned for more--I will keep you posted via this page as my stories are published either in magazines or as children's picture books. And, if you like what you read here, please drop me an E-mail at:
RnBKirk@aol.com.
Both publisher and reader inquiries welcomed....
CREDITS:
"The Cubs' Last Game" (Boys' Quest Magazine,
Aug-Sep 2004)
"Crystal Rainbows" (Saplings e-zine, January
2005)
"There's A Spider In My Sink!" (e-book
illustrated by Suzy Brown.)
"When Rhyming Gets Slumpy" (Absolute Write, May
2005)
"Dad, Can I Help?" (Grandparents e-zine, June
2005)
"What Happened To My Hotdog?" (Wee Ones e-zine,
July 2005)
"The Cubs' Last Game" (Placed permanently on
the Baseball Almanac web site, August 2007,
http://www.baseball-
almanac.com/poetry/cubs_last_game.shtml)
"Picture Day" (Fun For Kidz Magazine, September
2007)
"Remembering Winter" (North Dakota Horizons,
Winter 2007)
"My Grandma's Kitchen Rules!" (Anticipated
publication by Guardian Angel Publishing, mid-
2008, www.guardianangelpublishing.com)
"A Mid-Summer's Dance" (Anticipated publication
by Guardian Angel Publishing, mid-2008)
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RHYMING STORIES FOR CHILDREN OF ALL AGES
The greatest stories ever told are those which happen to us and around us each day--the sum total of our lives, experienced one story at a time.
1. The Cubs' Last Game (715 words)--It's the last game of the Little League season, the Cubs versus the Giants, filled with drama and excitement to the end.
"Gather 'round, boys," we heard the Coach call!
"Practice is over! It's time to play ball!"
We stood in a circle; our hands we outstretched,
And on our game faces, resolve--firmly etched.
2. Crystal Rainbows (99 words)--Imagine them
dancing around the room as the morning
sunlight shines through the bedroom window.
In my bedroom window
Upstairs and down the hall,
Hang two magic crystals--
A teardrop and a ball.
3. There's A Spider In My Sink (199 words)--
What's a kid to do when a spider takes up
residence in his bathroom sink?
There's a spider in my sink!
Did he drop in from the brink?
Does he want a little drink?
There's a spider in my sink!
4. What Happened To My Hotdog? (149 words)--The
mystery of the missing hotdog, last seen
wearing mustard and ketchup....
What happened to my hotdog?
Dad cooked it just for me.
And while it popped and sizzled,
I waited patiently.
5. Once Upon A Teacup (266 words)--An upside-
down teacup in an old kitchen cupboard
serves as temporary lodging for a small
mouse family.
Inside the kitchen cupboard,
That sometimes is quite bare.
There is a little china cup,
Placed upside down with care.
6. A Mid-Summer's Dance (189 words)--Fireflies
and frogs and other small creatures create a
symphonic ballet one summer's evening.
On a warm summer night,
Just after mid-June,
Two fireflies took flight
In the glow of the moon.
7. There's A Beetle In My Bed (275 words)--
How's a kid to go to sleep with a bug the
size of a cat in his bed?
There's a beetle in my bed!
I just saw him duck his head.
Did you hear what I just said?
There's a beetle in my bed!
8. Picture Day (380 words)--The struggle to
stay neat and clean for school pictures is
more than a boy can stand--untile he wakes
up from his dream...
This morning when my Grandma knocked,
I didn't make a peep.
She'd never find me underneath
These covers in a heap.
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RHYMING STORIES FOR PARENTS (AND OTHER BIG KIDS)
Dedicated to the child in each of us, who are now watching our own children and grandchildren grow up right before our eyes. Do any of these scenes sound familiar?
1. "Dad, Can I Help?" (290 words)--Sometimes
those "important" weekend projects that
fathers want to do, may just have to wait....
The long weekend beckoned--
I'd written my list.
And I was quite sure
There was nothing I'd missed.
2. Heart of Gold (151 words)--A story of one
little boy's shopping trip to the store for
Mother's Day.
Back at home, I wrapped quite neatly,
Taping every corner fold.
Filled inside with love so sweetly,
Mom will find my heart of gold.
3. When Rhyming Gets Slumpy (217 words)--For
you rhymers out there waiting for your muse
to come back from vacation.
Have you ever dealt with
A slump in your brain,
That keeps you from writing,
Come sun or come rain?
4. Thanksgiving Dad (313 words)--Daughter's
first Thanksgiving meal away from home,
without Dad's traditional touch.
Good Morning, daughter!
Is everyone up?
Have you had any coffee?
Atleast your first cup?
5. Numbers Rap (160 words)--A math "rap" for
any of you have been caught in a math trap
sometime in your life....
Numbers, numbers, all around us.
Numbers, numbers, they astound us.
Integers can be quite mental;
Fractions, never transcendental.
6. Flu, Flu, Kerchoo! (249 words)--It's that
time of year. Did you forget your flu shot
again?
Five A.M.? That's my alarm--
Like a rooster on a farm!
Ten more minutes, what's the harm?
Need my latte wake-up charm!
7. When Boys Grow Up (179 words)--One day,
almost without warning, a young lad's good-
bye hugs in front of his school mates to the
way of the dinosaurs....
It happened sometime just last week
When we arrived at school.
For Third Grade boys, a morning hug
Was now no longer cool.
Thanks for stopping by my website. I look forward to hearing from you. Also feel free to drop by my Author's Den web site at: http://www.authorsden.com/billkirk
Bill Kirk
Sacramento, CA
"Rhymes For Our Times"
"Kirk Writes For Kids"
Moderator, Rhyming Critters 2--Critique Group
Member, Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators
Member of the Guardian Angel Publishing family
Last updated: February 15, 2008
RnBKirk@aol.com
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