Happy Poetry Friday!
I’m not one to sidestep bad news, however there’s so much out there I’m taking a break and offering a light post on our one in every four year occurrence of Leap Year…
My Leap Year poem was inspired by Buffy Silverman’s prompt that she gave all of us earlier this month, appearing on Michelle Heidenrich Barnes’ site Today’s Little Ditty, and her post: Spotlight on Buffy Silverman + DMC Challenge. Thanks to both Michelle and Buffy!
BTW Buffy’s challenge comes from her terrific new book, ON A SNOW-MELTING DAY: SEEKING SIGNS OF SPRING. For the prompt we were to write a poem using “combined or invented words,” she also encouraged us to take a nature walk. I love taking nature walks, and I’ve been missing our neighborhood’s mischievous cottontails…
Though I have to admit I did double duty on this poem, for I was jumping at the opportunity to write a Leap Year poem and include a rabbit in it. Buffy’s prompt provided the perfect marriage for both of these poem ponderings…
LEAP YEAR-LEAPING
Rabbit-stirring started early
on Valentine-loving day…
Spring-creeping curled up by
Cottontail-sleepy eyes.
Wake-up-slumbering rabbit
get those whiskers-whisking about.
Leap Year-calling has come
Leap Year-singing has begun–
Shake those big feet-stompers
wake those big feet-leapers,
are you ready with your
feet-parachuting pounce…
© 2020 Michelle Kogan
Here’s an old familiar Leap Year Ditty…
LEAP YEAR POEM
By Mother Goose
Is it just me, or does anyone else recite that fourth line as:
Except for quite contrary February…
Visit Renée LaTulippe’s site No Water River to find out more about what Poetry Friday is.
Michelle Kogan Illustration, Painting, & Writing 
I couldn’t find the leap year poem on the Poetry Foundation, but I know it as; 30 days has September, April, June and November. All the rest have 31, except February, which has 28 days clear and 29 each leap year. Is the bunny a leap year icon in America? I don’t think we have anything especially symbolic of it – but I confess, I almost posted a frog poem today – because of that ‘leap’. So many great word combinations in your poem, Michelle; Cottontail-sleepy eyes – and I love the sound of that parachuting pounce!
And I do love your leaping rabbit art!
Thanks Kat! I don’t know if we have a single icon for Leap Year, but a rabbit came to mind… I like the rhyme in the ending lines of your Leap Year ditty.
Thanks for sharing your leap frog illustration and word play poem. Love whiskers-whisking.
Thanks Carol!
What a fun poem! I never thought of animal whiskers as *whisking* before, but of course they do.
Ah, what fun we can have playing with words… Thanks Laura!
Happy Leap Year! I love how you capture celebration in your art and poetry.
Thanks Margaret—It’s a nice and needed diversion from the state of things.
Lovely! I haven’t encountered any bunnies yet, but last night when I took the dog out we were greeted by a fat ole’ possum who slowly waddled away.
Fun Kay—bring the critters out of their winter lairs!
I love what you did with Buffy Silverman’s prompt. And I enjoyed learning about Mother Goose, who ever she is, whose rhymes I know, but not her history.
Thanks Janice, nice to find out it was a woman too!
Love your sprightly leap into this month’s challenge, Michelle, and especially that “feet-parachuting pounce”! Your rabbit and frog drawings are fantastic as well. I don’t see nearly enough rabbits around here. Except for squirrels, it’s mostly waddlers, like armadillos and possums, most of whom I discover as road kill. 😦
I‘d love to see an armadillo-what fun, but a breathing one. Thanks Michelle!
Hop Hop jump jump! What a fun rabbity poem. This post is a welcome respite from the bad news of the day. Thanks for the smiles and whiskers . . . 🙂
Glad it takes you away for a few fun-filled moments—much needed for me. Thanks Jama!
I always watch for leaping critters! Thanks for this post and poem. I especially connected with that frog! What a talent you have! Wow.
Happy Leap Year – Leaping Day, Michelle. I love the rabbity poem and your beautiful painting of one, am assuming it’s from those who say “Rabbit, rabbit” at the beginning of something.Buffy’s challenge this month was so much fun. For those who read her book and the post, I think we’ll be looking for more word-playing poems or phrases for a long time!
Yes, I like using combined word-play words, Buffy created a beautifully rich book. Thanks Linda!
“Feet parachuting pounce” is my favorite line. I watch a bunny do just that the other day. Happy leap day!
You’re right – better to look away from the news sometimes. I love your feet-parachuting bunny. Ruth, thereisnosuchthingasagodforsakentown.blogspot.com
Thanks Ruth, taking breaks help in so many ways.
Love the spring-y (in every way!) nature of this poem! 🙂
Thanks Karne!
Love your leaping bunny and those big-feet stompers, big-feet leapers!
Ooh, that feet-parachuting pounce! Love it!