Miss Palm and Mr. Bougainvillea

When I was travelling in the desert with my young daughter Cora, we found a way to amuse ourselves that was really fun. We'd pick a plant, or an object and turn it into a character. Then we'd write a poem about it and draw a picture. These two were my favorites: Miss Palm and Mr Bougainvillea.

Dear Miss Palm

is very fond

of waving all her slender fronds

 

She dips and sways

in graceful ways

to tempt the birds to come to stay

 

Mister Bougainvillea bright

tries to smile with all his might

Passerby see not his eye,

but petals blooming thick and tight

 

Someday maybe he will talk

and startle those upon their walk

But he is shy and bats his eye

of petals red upon their stalk.