Inchworms, Poems

Inchworms

Inchworms was one of my first poems. I wrote for a class assignment back in elementary school. It has changed over the years. It went from being published in a a book that was a mere few pieces of paper spiral bound and decorated with crayon, to being published in a professionally bound and printed book called "Clouds Across the Stars". It also went from being only six lines to twenty. Check out the changes for yourself. Both the current version and elementary version are showed on this page.

Inchworms

The spicy hot sun
Inprisoned the summer's inchworms
Leaving them lost in the sunlight
A flaming bird flew overhead squawking
"Beware. The frozen moon is soon to come.
Happiness will soon be over."

© Crystal Abeel

I was so proud of this poem. I loved the metaphor of the moon to death and how it was subtle to some people and very obvious to others. After a short time, I began to think that it was a little gloomy. I started to think of ways I could change it, yet still keep the moon. A little later I entered a poetry contest with Inchworm. Totally changed and more than twice as long. Here it is.

Inchworm

The spicy hot sun imprisoned the summer's inchworm.
A flaming red bird flew overhead.
It squawked, "Summer is soon to be over.
The icy blue moon is to come.
Find earth to shelter you,
For the moon is not forgiving of the small.
From sleep you shall not awaken,
But mother will give you a white blanket,
Which will give you peace and quiet."
In silence the bird flew away,
Leaving the inchworm amazed and wondering,
"Summer is beautiful, and winter is full of peace.
Life is so short to enjoy every wonder,
So seize every day!"
With this in mind, the inchworm made for himself a lovely cocoon,
And a magnificent butterfly he soon became!

© Crystal Abeel

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