Green Peas

Illustration by Daphne Rathbone (2011)

Green peas,

Roll down my knees!

Chasing peas

That are green

And round

Is fun.

I poke them

They slip

I jab them

They slide

I load them

They roll

And from me

They hide.

Green peas

Fall off my plate!

Chasing peas

That slip

Everywhere

Makes me hungry.

Illustration by Daphne Rathbone (2011)

“Help me!

Help me!”

They shout

As I chase

“I got you!

I got you!”

I yell

In their face.

But out

They jump

Away they roll.

Till I stand,

Toss my fork

And attack them

By hand.

MMMM.   

Mmmm.

MMMMMm

I like green peas.

Corn on the Cob

Illustrations by Daphne Rathbone (2011)

I feel like a typewriter

When I’m chewing on my cob

Biting off the yellow bits

With tiny milky teeth.

I start at the beginning

And I finish at the end

I hardly stop to take a breath

Till everything is gone.

“Just look at you,” my Mama says

She points and points, and laughs

Everywhere there’s yellow bits:

My plate, the floor, my hair.

Carrots

Illustrations by Daphne Rathbone (2011)

Carrots, carrots

Everywhere!

I don’t like carrots

Doesn’t anyone care?

Mommy says

“Eat them”

Daddy does too

I don’t like carrots

What am I to do?

I look at my plate

They’re on it again

They’re weird and orange

And chopped

Into squares

I don’t like carrots

I shut my mouth

I cross my arms

And I start

To pout.

Illustrations by Daphne Rathbone (2011)

Mommy is laughing

Daddy is too

Now I’m angry

And shouting; well

Wouldn’t you?

Just as I yell again

Dad pops one in

And I’m eating

A carrot, Uh Oh,

I’m starting to grin!

I chewing, I’m chomping

I’m asking for more,

I really like carrots now
Who'd've thought it before?

Avocado

Illustrated by Daphne Rathbone (2011)

AVOCADO

Ah - voe - car - doe

That’s the way my Mommy says it;

A - ver - cah - dah

That’s the way my Daddy says it;

A - doe - ta - doe

That’s the way my inside says it;

Then I put it in my mouth

And say “Mmmm – Mmmm - Mmmmm!”

Mum

DEDICATION

In the last two years Mum has has lived through some of the darkest days of her life.  Yet she's fought like a champion, smiled like a princess and made the most of every possible moment.

Alzheimer's and loss are not good partners, in fact they're arch-enemies.

In the middle of it all she even agreed to illustrate my book of kiddie's poems we'd enjoyed so much and she produced some extraordinary sketches.  We went ahead and published a limited edition of the book to celebrate her 80th birthday last year.  She couldn't believe it.

My heart bursts with pride every day I think about her and I love her to bits - so I'm sharing this because I think it's important for her to see that she still has so much to give, so much to share and for all of you out there, who may have a loved one with Alzheimer's so you can see what can be accomplished with a little nudging.

I love you Mummy

The great Equalizer

Down at the beach

We’re all equal, the same,

Fat ones and thin ones,

The bald and the vain.

The backdrop is blue

And the water azure,

The laughter of children

Bad tempers can cure.

The waves thunder in

Any they leave with a sigh …

The ocean’s great breath

Gives us all such delight.

The rich and the poor,

The strong and the weak,

Get even amounts of

Sun, sand, waves, and heat.

The great Equalizer

Has made this by hand

At the beach we’re all equal

Just like he’d planned.

She did it ...

Click image to view

What can I say?  She's brilliant.  She touches things in the graphic and creative world and they become amazing.  See for yourself and see what you think (get it?).  Watch here or mouse over the image and click it.  Nuf said.

Jessi has just won over a half dozen awards for her work.  CONGRATULATIONS!!

The top award 

                  of the night, the only 

                      Judge's Choice Award went to:

"See!"

Self Promotion/Interactive

by Jessi Miller - Little Black Mask

&

"See!"

Gold ADDY for:

Self Promotion/Interactive

by Jessi Miller - Little Black Mask

Jessi Miller - mother, graphic designer, magician, friend ...