Charles Henderson Poet Free verse

Fields of Spaghetti

That’s not my elephant, my granddaughter said,
as we came upon them at the zoo. 
I asked her how she liked them. She misunderstood.
Why, Paw Paw, I don’t need another one,
I have one already.  
Her name is Ella.
Ella what?
Ella phant silly.
Where do you keep her?
In my ‘magination, but she likes my dreams better.
She likes to walk through fields of spaghetti
and toss meatballs with the monkeys.
Fields of spaghetti?
Paw Paw…she drug out, exasperated.
You know it grows on a farm.
How do you know that?
The second graders told us…. 
They saw it.  
I hushed then, thinking as we strolled.
How wonderful it is to grow old
with such imagination and the bill of rights
strengthening our “pursuit of happiness”,
no matter what it may be.

©  10 Jan 2011 For Matt Caliri's
     That's not my elephant, contest.

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Nick Bagnall January 21, 2011 at 5:42 AM Nice insight into the minds of children, you made me laugh out loud (and I'm at work).

Robert Pettit January 17, 2011 at 8:18 PM You made all the pieces of the puzzle fit together nicely in this presentation.

Deb Radke January 11, 2011 at 6:00 PM Another wonderful, wonderful write. Charles, this is excellent. Succinct, readable, enjoyable and incorporating all the details of the contest. Very good, sir. Love, Deb

Sara Kendrick January 11, 2011 at 3:33 PM Good luck in the contest with this great work that reads like a Grandpaw's winner...Sara

Deirdre Omaidin January 11, 2011 at 5:59 AM Fine piece of imaginative writing here, you could be writing children's books. Thanks for comments on the piano piece. DÉirdre

Harry Horsman January 10, 2011 at 11:38 PM This is sure an excellent contest entry, Charles, enjoyed reading this wonderful poem. Harry

Andrea Dietrich January 10, 2011 at 10:13 PM Charles, this is just wonderful!! I am astonished by the number of great poems I saw that came out of this Elephant topic!! HOpe you get on the list. LUv, Andrea

Poet Destroyer A January 10, 2011 at 8:13 PM Hello, Charles.. how are yuo.. the best of luck in the contest,..p.d.