My oldest son, Noah, and I love words. Though he is only 9 years old, I am constantly amazed by his vocabulary and wordplay. As you can imagine, Noah and I have a lot of fun with magnetic poetry. Below is Noah's first 'magnetic poem.' Of course, I thought it was brilliant--but I'm extremely biased.

Below is my attempt. When I showed it to Noah, he said, "I think mine is much better. Yours doesn't make any sense!" As I read my words now--I realize that he's right!

Hugs to everyone--Here is my previous magnetic poetry post.

Out Loud

his voice
makes my
poems cook
like a tin saucepan
on a gas range
his inflection--
feverish, hot

this choice
does satisfy
a brief look
a blink, a scan
moments of change
such perfection
within earshot

true, his voice
like big sky
an unfettered outlook
blue heat, he can
exchange
predilection
for fresh thought

Obvious

• a man who sends roses
• hip hop
• daytime diamonds
• full bodied red wine
• women shopping at victoria's secret
• bottle blondes
• phone sex
• children selling lemonade
• hangovers
• desperate housewives
• may-december coupling
• sequins
• soulmates
• false modesty
• too bright nail polish
• henpecked husbands
• winning in straight sets
• summer lovers
• sore thumbs
• poetry that tries too hard
  
  *the above "poem" is an example of catalog verse which is a form of poetry made by compiling long lists of everyday objects, names, or events, united by a common theme and often didactic in tone. I have posted catalog verse in the past, though I can't seem to locate the link. I do remember several of my readers telling me that catalog verse should not be considered poetry. Though this type of verse is not something I feel strongly about, I still consider the above example to be poetic. No less poetic, I would say, than a Haiku or Limerick. That's just my opinion, though. As always, I love to hear all feedback whether it is complimentary or not.

Fact

a fact:
I'm broken
somewhat cracked
damaged, disillusioned
to be exact
each day seems
abstract
surreal, vague
crowded and packed
the monstrous neuroses
which I attract
at every turn
so difficult to distract
eyes shut
avoiding contact
wishing for seclusion
refusing to react
ensconced, reclusive
ignoring tact
I'm better alone, that's
a fact

Dream

standing
at the top
of a polished
mahogany stairway
I see him
looking at me
twenty steps below
with one elegant hand
on the sturdy bannister
Black Snake Moan plays
somewhere
a soundtrack to something
unknown
he speaks
though I can not hear him
my high heeled foot taps
and though my heavy
undisciplined hair
tumbles over my
polished mahogany
shoulders,and
my heartbeat feels
like heavy footsteps
I can not move....

Slam Dunk

(For him)
I lay it bare
forswear
proper and prim

(To him)
I give promises
continual kisses
my necessary whim

(With him)
I forget all doubt
let myself out
all net--no rim

About him?
it's complicated
instinct--not educated
(What is the chance that I'll elude my illusions?)
s l i m

*technically, readers, this poem would be considered an example of envelope rhyme.' (the rhyme scheme being abba). However, this is not really a textbook model as I took some liberties with sentence structure and composition, especially in the 3rd stanza. But, whatever...right?

Bargain

He describes me
as expensive
and I feel
like a racehorse
or prime real estate

He says I'm money
but he takes, I give
an ideal
refined and coarse
raw and ornate

My smiles are free
I argue--defensive
a bargain, a steal
these words force
a constant debate

A riotous fantasy
labor intensive
he calls me surreal--
advertising, I endorse.
Currency incarnate.

Treehouse

our secret treehouse
is hidden high
built into the branches
of an immortal,
sturdy maple tree

under a canopy
of two toned leaves
our hideaway
is solid, secure
offering confidential sunlight, stealthy shelter

daring squirrels
and curious birds
watch us
keeping company
the treehouse is both
our center and edge

together, we snicker like
naughty children
this liaison confirmed
only by a
community of clouds

Confidential Anagrams

fictional den
of a confident life
confide, confine
incidental
contained dance
enfold--antic
an online fit
indicted, infect
financed toil
ocean tide
focal tied
fated
I can not lie
iconic tonic
inflate, innate
notified
noted factoid
end
finale


The words above are not really a poem--but I don't really know what else to call it. The above "poem" is a collection of anagrams made up from the word 'confidential.'

Predator

Blowdried
gloss applied
wild eyed
I decide
tricky thighed
satisfied
qualified
Me, abide?
Please. Go hide.
What I provide
is true and tried
step aside
I chide with pride
(our worlds are different)
we might collide