Raggedy Ann and Friends Attempt a Poem

An Enchanted-by-the-Book contest memento for Ramona Grigg

This post is a bonus written to fulfill a whimsical agreement.

As regular readers of this publication know, we’ve been having a little friendly contest. It ended Monday with the announcement of extravagant titles and prizes. The prompt was, “When were you enchanted by a book, poem, or story?” In the distribution of prizes, two people assigned me a book to discuss in a future post (coming in August). To another winner I promised a custom poem.

This poem for

Ramona Grigg

honors her essay, “The Enchantment of Raggedy Ann.” 😊

Photo of an ageless Raggedy Ann doll by Nong on Unsplash. Imagine her with ears under that red mop of yarn. She’ll need them in this poem.

Raggedy Ann and Friends Attempt a Poem

'Twas brillig in Ramona's room
   and, aye, throughout the home
When Raggedy Ann proclaimed it time
   for dolls to write a po'm.

She set the rocking chair a-go,
   a pen behind her ear
And called on Teddy Bear to start.
   Ted grunted, "Po'ms are queer."

"Well, yeah!" Ann answered, "over" Ted.
   She looked at lop-ear next.
Raquel the rabbit shyly sniffed
   and said she'd do her best.

So all the dolls -- yes, even Ted -- 
   worked bravely through the night
Until Ramona rubbed her eyes
   and all ceased to indite.

"Spot, read the po'm!" they urged as one,
   the co-creative crowd.
The wag-tail on the pillow spoke
   the masterpiece aloud:

"We love you, human child," sighed Spot.
   Just five words pleased them all.

Then Andy -- quick -- held up a hand
   At mom's step in the hall.

🙈
© Tara Penry, 2023

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Many thanks to everyone who took part in the friendly competition. 🏆 Feel free to share or cross-post this (see the three buttons at the top) with anyone you know who was following the Enchanted-by-the-Book action.