Kim Douillard lives near San Diego, California. She teaches first graders using art and writing. I’m sure she is a kid at heart after I saw this image on Instagram. A beach snowman? Muddy monster? With a stick as a nose and seashell eyes, I found it/him/her engaging. Today I will introduce Cousin It to my students and hope their imaginations will ignite and find a poem. Where does your imagination go? Write a small poem and share it in the comments. We are a caring community of writers. Respond to others with encouraging words.
I gave myself the challenge of writing a triolet this morning. I find that working in form can draw out something new, maybe even weird, that’s been buried under the surface of my judgement.
Champion
In the shape of soil and mud
Margaret Simon, draft
lives a creature of the night
who transforms as we should
from a shape of soil and mud
to survivors of the flood
holding roots in hope of flight
we bear the shape of soil and mud
living creatures day and night.
Reflections on the Teche 
A bit silly but this came to me and I am glad to be here.
Beach Sentry
Oh creature of the deep
you surface at sunrise some days.
Toss your wavy weed-like hair,
stand guard over a muddy
sea as it settles and waits.
To some your heart may seem too frosty
to love but to children,
your muddied nose and stoney smile
remind them you will come again some day
and so they dance around
and sing your song.
While your friendly heart smiles along.
Your triolet helps answer some questions about the little mud and sand monster. I have never seen one like this on an eastern beach. Often our sand is too fine but this one is captivating and clever.
I can just imagine the children dancing around this creature with the friendly heart.
I love wavy weed-like hair. This creature is quite the character, isn’t it?
Oh my – such a cute little sandman monster. A bit later I will need to write about him. I missed my Tuesday writing due to a busy day of meeting that ran late. So will use you poem to focus me today. Thanks!
I love the repeating “shape of soil and mud” in your triolet, Margaret. I viewed it more as being made out of seaweed for some reason and offer this whimsical haiku:
Beach Buddy
rising from kelp
mermaid eyes and Pinocchio nose
whale of a wonder
This little poem is brilliant. “mermaid eyes and Pinocchio nose” are a perfect description!