Scrolling through Twitter earlier this week, I came across this:
Sounds intriguing, right? So I checked it out. Susanna Leonard Hill is the author of several picture books, including Punxsutawny Phyllis (Holiday House, 2005). The contest, which ends at midnight, is to:
“Write a children’s story (children here defined as approximately age 12 and under) beginning with any version of ‘Rocking around the Christmas tree at the Christmas party hop.'”
Immediately, the wheels started turning. After several false starts and many revisions, here’s my entry:
“Pouncing Around the Christmas Tree”
Pouncing around the Christmas tree,
while the humans are away.
Such a happy, joyous spree,
It’s a feline holiday.
Pouncing around the Christmas tree,
now the garland’s in a heap.
Spying an angel on the crown,
I can reach her if I leap.
Shiny tinsel dangles,
It’s a sight I do adore.
Candy canes and twinkling lights.
Look at that angel soar!
Pouncing around the Christmas tree,
ribbons to frazzle and fling.
Batting at ornaments with glee,
watching them sway and swing.
No more tinsel dangles,
and the ornaments are smashed.
All the lights are in a tangle,
Oops, the tree toppled and crashed!
Yowling under the Christmas tree,
Now my fun is at an end.
Through bent branches I try to flee,
before they catch me and I’m penned!
© Catherine Flynn, 2015
Be sure to visit Tara Smith at A Teaching Life for the Poetry Friday Roundup.
Reading to the Core 
This is a hilarious image of my cat in her dreams. She was found in a tree as a kitten, so she has a fondness for trees. Not so much a kitten anymore, she has resigned herself to just lying beneath it. But I imagine her dream is this poem. Rhyming and rhythm are such a challenge for me. I admire your work here.
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You have certainly captured the chaos a cat can create with a Christmas tree. And I sang my way through it too.
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This is fabulous, Catherine, brings back memories of having to tie the tree securely because our cat kept knocking it over. Beautiful rhythm, too. Best of luck in the contest!
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Wonderful rhythm. This entry is a joy to read aloud. And you’ve beautifully captured the humorous “feline holiday” that wreaks havoc!
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Wow, a purrrrrfect poem. Good luck on the contest!! This is a winner in my book. 🙂
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All stories involving cats are great. =) Meowy Christmas!
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Nice job. I can see it now!
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I’m sure this is destined to be a feline classic.
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Great imagery!
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What fun! Both for the poet and the Cat. You had me singing.
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Wonderful and TRUE!!!
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This brings back memories of my cat. I never knew where I might find him when I got home!
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I can picture the chaos perfectly and I love the repetition of pouncing!
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Ha! So much fun! I bet by the time you were finished that song was well and truly stuck in your head!
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Oh myyyy! This is so funny and I can see many a kitty doing this!
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So funny and cute – and I have totally seen this happen 🙂 Enjoyed this very much!
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This is so beautiful, Catherine! I’m glad you shared it with us tonight!
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This is wonderful, Catherine! Anyone whose ever shared Christmas with a cat knows just how perfect this is! Thanks for a delightful entry and Happy Holidays!
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This is hilarious and wonderful… I thought you should have been on the Finalists list.
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