Poetry, Theme Prompt, Waltmarie, Writing Challenge, Writing Prompts

Goodbye, Captain Kangaroo: A Waltmarie

Nancy's Notes 🖊️♬

Written for Wea’ve Written Weekly.
Our PoW, Nigel, challenges us to
choose a specific aspect of our
life and write about the moment
it began to feel different.

Image by Me & ChatGPT

I watch Mr. Moose count acorns, call it only

kid stuff

I yawn through Bunny Rabbit’s tricks and feel

so bored

I smooth my skirt the way my mother does, then rise to

stand tall

My fingers find the dial and turn it slowly till it clicks

off now

I leave the blanket fort behind, throw wide the door….

goodbye

NAR©2026
#W3

Nancy’s Notes: A Waltmarie is a poem of exactly ten lines. The odd lines are longer with no fixed syllable count; the even lines are exactly two syllables each. The result is two separate poems: one comprised of the odd lines while the even lines form a complete secondary mini-poem. The Waltmarie was created by poet Candace Kubinec and named in honor of fellow poets Marie Elena Good and Walter J. Wojtanik.

This is “Flowers on the Wall” by The Statler Brothers

W3 Prompt #227: Wea’ve Written Weekly

Everything on The Elephant’s Trunk was created by me, except where otherwise indicated, and may not be used without permission. Thanks for your consideration. NAR©2017-present.

40 thoughts on “Goodbye, Captain Kangaroo: A Waltmarie”

    1. As children, we are always looking to our parents as role models and examples we can imitate …. until we reach a certain age and want nothing to do with our parents! It’s a universal stage of adolescence! David, I’m so pleased to know you enjoyed my poem, and could relate to that line in particular. Thank you very much. ☺️

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  9. Hi Nancy. Thank you for introducing me to a new form. I loved your poem. I love how you mimicked your mother’s behavior as the transition to adulthood happened.. smoothing your skirt the way your mother did…
    And the last two lines, 👌

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    1. And Mr. Greenjeans, too! I didn’t learn any of this stuff in school, Lois. Our son is the town librarian; he told me about a poetry writing course being offered at the library which I attended and brought home a nifty book on poetry forms. I can’t draw or sew or build something but I can put words together and that makes me very happy. Thanks much, my friend. 😍

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  17. I love this Nance and the form is so effective- emphasising the split between childhood and young adulthood. The ending is wonderful- ‘I leave the blanket fort behind, throw wide the door….’ ❤️🙌

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