A Billion

If I had a billion bucks
I'd spend them all on books,
Big books, small books,
Arms stacked high,
Despite the funny looks.

If I had a billion hours
I'd while them all away,
Reading in my garden
'Neath the branches
Gentle sway.

If I had a billion nights
I'd spend them in my bed
With a flashlight under
Grandma's quilt,
'Til Mother came and said:

"Little one, it's really time
To please switch out the light
And let me tuck you in once more,
And once more say 'Goodnight.'"

Copyright Jacquelyn Bytyqi 2012

Into

Plink plink plink
the little pebbles say.

Plunk plunk plunk,
the bigger rocks say.

Ploonk ploonk kerploosh!
The biggest stones sound.

And Splash! is what I say
when I jump into the pond!

Copyright Jacquelyn Bytyqi 2012

At River's Edge

If you ask me where
is my favorite place to be,
"The river's edge!" Is what I'd say,
if you asked that to me.

The sunlight sparkle on the water,
glinting gold and bright,
the chatter of a flock of geese
just settling from flight.

The skipping of the water bugs
that glide like little boats,
the muddy banks and frothing foam
that look like root beer floats.

Whether stirred with tiny white-caps,
or calm and smooth as glass,
don't matter what the weather,
I like to crouch and watch it pass.

A beaver lazily swims by,
then gives his tail a flick,
and dives down underwater
with his newly gnawed off stick.

Deer and coyote,
duck and hare
all come here to drink,
I come here to play around
or just to sit and think.

There's rocks to throw,
there's mud to squish,
-if I had a pole,
I'd fish-
There's frogs to catch,
boats to watch,
and lots of flies to swat.
There's plenty of cool water
For the days that get too hot.

Just listen to the way the leaves,
from trees along the shore,
crackle underneath my feet,
how could a kid need more?
Shh! And hear the cooing
of a dove up in that tree?
Yes I'm sure the river's edge
is the bestest place for me.

Copyright Jacquelyn Bytyqi 2012