Category Archives: Rhymes For Kids

Tony Funderburk’s rhymes and reasons to help you understand the power of God’s love. For kids from 1 to 101.

Tony Funderburk Posted on by

There are a few varying degrees of thought about the act of contemplation. For instance, from a Platonic philosophical view, contemplation might actually be necessary for the soul to ascend to some form of good or other divine form.

In different religions contemplation is synonymous with meditation and/or prayer. There’s even a stone statue by Albert Toft called “The Spirit of Contemplation” where a person appears to be slouching…even on the verge of reclining…in a very fancy chair. And you’ve probably seen the famous “Thinker” statue or at least a copy somewhere. And it seems many have spent hours contemplating what the “Thinker” might be contemplating.

I said all this because once upon a time there was a poet who spent a few brief moments next to a meadow enjoying a blue, spring sky. Taking pen to paper this poet wrote about what he saw and combined it with what he had been mulling over that day. And the result was…

Contemplation

There was nothing but a pretty, blue sky…
But then a redbird joined the high.
Always, there’s nothing that’s alone.
How can there be a heart of stone?
That’s why I contemplate:
Why does anybody hate?
If they would only wait for an answer,
They would find
There are some who are kind.
They’re standing right behind to lend an answer.

There was nothing but a pretty, clear brook…
But then someone wrote about it in a book.
Always, alone shall gather friends
With joy that lasts and never ends.
That’s why I contemplate:
Why does anybody hate?
If they would only wait for an answer,
They would find
There are some who are kind.
They’re standing right behind to lend an answer.

Stay tuned,

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Tony Funderburk Posted on by

If you look up prima donna in a dictionary, the first definition you get is “the chief female singer in an opera or opera company”. These days she might be called a “diva” or “leading lady”. It’s actually a positive description.

The second definition, however,  deals with ego. The dictionary I’m looking at says “a very temperamental person with an inflated view of their own talent or importance”. Wow…that’s not very flattering when you get right down to it. And you know what?

I’ll bet the second definition of prima donna is the one you’ve heard of or heard used most often. Am I right? Yeah, most of the time when you hear it used, someone has a certain look on their face…and their voice gets all nasal…and you hear “she’s SUCH a prima donna”. To really drive home the point, they emphasize “such”.

I wrote a little poem, when I was in college, while I was feeling somewhat literary returning back to my dorm after my English composition class. Once I wrote all the words, I went down to the basement of my dorm where there was a piano in a tiny study room. I sat down and composed a song. I still have the printed words in a small, spiral notebook…complete with chords written out in the phrases. As I read it today, I could actually remember it. I won’t sing it for you, but here are the words. See if you can tell which definition I was using for…

Prima Donna’s Song

Think of the music and me.
I will be the song you hear.
Close your eyes and deeply listen.
For you, the song will be sweet.
Notes will travel in a caravan
Like delicate flowers
Embraced by morning sunshine…
A firmament we’ll lionize in peace.
I will glorify the music
By writing it for you.
It will please the ears of many.
Neither one of us will ask the reason why.
We will taste the sweetest nectar
Of our own satisfaction,
And the feeling will be priceless.
You will be my prima donna.
So I’ll light the scented candles
For our enhanced eyes to see by,
And we’ll write the gentle music.
Neither one of us will ask the reason why.

Stay tuned,

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Tony Funderburk Posted on by

If you’re a writer, maybe you’ve occasionally written stories, or poems, or books with hidden messages. If so, why?

Did you want to see if anyone could mine your lyrical ore and find those nuggets? Or did you want to truly say something so you wouldn’t forget, but you only wanted to remind yourself? Or did you have some hidden reason for your hidden messages?

Today, I’m gonna share a poem I wrote that has hidden messages.

And guess what…I remember that I did that, but I can’t remember all the messages or the reasons why. Has that ever happened to you? But I actually like that I can’t remember because it means I’ve moved on. I’ve allowed those thoughts and feelings to have their place, and now they have their place in the past…where they should be.

So…if you think you can come up with any hidden messages in this poem…and if you can come up with any reasons for them…share your thoughts with me. Here’s a quirky poem called…

For The Love Of Remandee

On a cold and windless morning
With a magical, icy mist…
There flies a raven across a ravine.
The tips of its wings are kissed by the dawning sunlight.
It carries a message to the chateau of Cheron.
The message reads…

There lies a man
In an auburn casket
Whose heart has been stilled by the cold.
His life had its shortcomings…
He wasn’t old.
Ferry him awhile lest, by chance,
He lives again.
Be kind to the poor soul.
He died bleak and penniless.
Death stole his wealthy future.
He was to be a writer
Writing stories for the world,
But it seems apathy was a spear
Aimed at his heart and hurled.
Therefore he died of hunger to be seen.
Pity poor Remandee.

So fly splendid raven,
And end your long journey.
Give Cheron the message
For the love of Remandee.

Stay tuned,

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Tony Funderburk Posted on by

On Monday morning, moms all around America get out of bed, go to the kitchen, and start making breakfast for kids, dads, and even a little something for themselves.

This isn’t earth-shattering news. In fact, it isn’t even all that newsworthy. Especially when you consider these moms go through that same routine every other day of the week, too. But what makes it worth talking about, to me, is that these ladies never seem to get the appreciation they deserve. And I’m not talking about setting aside a day to honor mothers. I’ve never been a fan of calling one day a year “mother’s day”. (same with father’s day, but that’s another story)

When you consider how many days a mom makes breakfast, lunch, and dinner (snacks too) for her kids, her husband, and even her kids’ friends…well…she should be regularly honored. You should just want to buy her a present just because. Not because it’s “mother’s day”…just because. Because you love and appreciate all the things she does…even if you don’t always think to tell her thank you.

Don’t get me wrong. I know there are actually bad moms out there. I’ve read the horrible stories in the news. But that doesn’t phase me. I know the vast majority of moms overflow with the special love God gave them. And the vast majority of them love sacrificially which has been described as “no greater love”.

So here’s to you this Monday morning, moms!

Monday morning moms are the very best kind.
They get your week started in the best frame of mind.
They nudge you a little when you’re falling behind.
Monday morning moms are how love is defined.

Stay tuned,

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Tony Funderburk Posted on by

It’s Father’s Day 2013. So, all you dads out there…it is YOUR day. But I have a suggestion for you. Don’t make it all about you. If your loved ones want to lavish you with love and attention, that’s just plain awesome. But there is a risk (for some) in gathering in too much of it…and this makes room for selfishness to take over.

Instead, you might use your special day to present a very special image. An image of someone who knows how to lead…leading with love. Dads have a responsibility to show the rest of the family how to be strong. And strength is best displayed in love.

It IS your day…so make good use of the attention you’re getting. Raise the standard high for your kids. Don’t make it easy for them to outshine, outgive, or outlove you. A dad’s words and deeds can forge strength and courage in young hearts. But a dad’s words and deeds can also sting, scorch, and scar young, impressionable hearts.

Remember this…in this world of hurt, pain, distrust, violence, and hate…you should be the beacon on the hill for your kids. You should be their strongest source of faith, hope, and love. And love should be the greatest of these.

It is your day.
You can step up to it.
You can run right through it.
It is your day.
You can drive the highway.
You can want things “my way”.
It is your day.
You can make love linger.
You can point your finger.
It is your day.
You can keep or give it.
You can truly live it.

Stay tuned,

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Tony Funderburk Posted on by

The very first day I can remember, in my life, was when I was approximately two years old. Considering how many years it’s been since then, I think that’s astounding. To be clear about this…I don’t actually remember being two. But I’ve always recalled something that happened to me when I was very small, and my dad once told me he didn’t see how I could remember because I would have been only about two.

So…that’s how that goes.

Anyway…today I was thinking about the very first day in my life. I was the firstborn, so I got to be that “first experience”, in the world of procreation, to my parents. And of course, I must’ve been incredibly adorable.  🙂

Well, thinking of firsts…and thinking of the wonder of life…got me to pondering. And when I ponder, I almost always wander into rhyme time. This pondering was no different, and that’s how I came up with…

The Very First Day

Before there were created things, and darkness filled the air…
No world or human beings were existing anywhere.
Then God created earth and sea and all the heavens too.
There was no sun, no moon, no stars, and only God shone through.

He looked down at the waters and the dark face of the deep.
The earth was still and quiet just as we are when we sleep.
He said, “Let there be light” the way a perfect, true God could,
And then He saw the brand new light and knew that it was good.

Then God divided light and dark, and darkness He called Night.
The light would be called Day, and it was pleasing in His sight.
That evening and that morning wouldn’t be the total sum…
No, that was just the very first day…five were yet to come.

Stay tuned,

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Summertime Fun Facts

Tony Funderburk Posted on by

Someone passed around an article called “summertime fun facts“, and I’m a sucker for things like that…well, sometimes I am. Anyway…I read some things about summer I had never known before. Like how a theatre in New York began offering A/C to its audiences in the summer as a means of drawing a crowd. It worked like a charm.

Some other things I didn’t know about summer…

  • The first bathing suit for women was created in the 1800’s with long, woolen bloomers
  • The average American eats 15 pounds of watermelon a year…mostly in summer.
  • August is the busiest month of the year for travel

Well…since I put a lot of my thoughts into daily rhyme time, I figured I’d share some more of the facts in a more poetic and hidden way. And that’s how I came up with…

Summertime Fun Facts

(aka…betcha didn’t know)

When a dog is a star or a constellation,
And the temperatures rise all across the nation…
Everybody wears shorts, and they skip the slacks.
These are just a few summertime fun facts.

When the days are longer and the water park’s busy,
And it’s so hot and muggy that your hair gets frizzy…
Snow cones and ice cream are favorite snacks.
That’s just a few more summertime fun facts

You’ll know it’s real hot when a cricket chirps more
Or you stand and watch the barbecue by the back door…
Or you have to ward off the mosquito attacks.
Now, these are less fun summertime fun facts.

But you’ll be home all summer ’cause there ain’t no school…
And you’ll see your best friends when you go to the pool…
And you’ll eat watermelon and you’ll get to relax…
Yep, these are the best summertime fun facts.

Stay tuned,

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