These Poems Need Homes—I Make Stuff Up

By Dominic "Flominic" Farrenkopf

Have you ever called in sick or taken the afternoon off to fish? Have you ever considered the migration habits of the American snow bird? Did you take family vacations or play with fireworks as a child? These Poems Need HomesI Make Stuff Up is a compilation of whimsical rhyming poems about lifes little idiosyncrasies that everyone can relate to. Some of these poems will transport you back to happy childhood memories, while others will make you appreciate adulthoodall while leading to a surprise ending. Originally published weekly in the daily newspaper, The Ravalli Republic, this collection of poems spans the third year of the poetry column These Poems Need Homes. As a bonus, six new, previously unpublished poems are included in this entertaining collection. Easy to read and appreciate, These Poems Need HomesI Make Stuff Up, will have you grinning as you eagerly turn each page.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Mar 15, 2017
• ISBN: 9781524675134

Dominic "Flominic" Farrenkopf

Dominic “Flominic” Farrenkopf lives with his wife, their three dogs and three cats in Hamilton, Montana. In addition to writing his whimsical rhyming poems, Flominic enjoys teaching poetry. He teaches workshops in schools and encourages youth to discover a voice and use self-expression by writing their own poetry.

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© 2017 Dominic Flominic Farrenkopf. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

Published by AuthorHouse 03/14/2017

ISBN: 978-1-5246-7514-1 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-5246-7513-4 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2017903537

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models,

and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Stories

Day Off

The Talisman

All Over The Place

The April Fool

The Pad

Rusty Treasure

My Easter Basket

Condor Four

Inhale

Nine Months

Dreamers

In Bloom

Side Effects

Hopes

Her Dad

Summertime

Some Body

Light It Up

Road Trip

Yields

Purple Gold

My Curse

Cleaning House

Tie One On

The Store

A Distinguishing Taste

Mopping Up

Green Blessings

The Halfback

Together Time

Warmer

Dexter

October

Steak

Old Tricks

Countryside Views

Going South

Table Talk

Going Back

Slowing Down

Ink

Homemade

Gifts

Scraps

Up Late

Slimmer

Strands

Expecting

The Fling

Torture

Daytime Doctor

Desire

Arrival

Morning Attire

BONUS POEMS

First Story

Breakfast

Pirate

Petals

Guess What

Dedication

For Cakes, who courageously endures…

all the stuff I make up.

and

For Peebs, the perfect travel companion-

who could walk backwards and eat wallboard at the same time.

I am not making this up.

PREFACE

Dominic Farrenkopf is a Bitterroot Valley treasure. Over the past five years, his poetry has delighted readers of the Ravalli Republic newspaper each weekend with their fanciful but poignant glimpses of everyday life. In this volume, he’s compiled the poems published in his third year with the Republic. There are odes to the recess ladies and a temptress puppy, reminiscences of huckleberry picking and Christmas tree hunts, and somber tributes to the selfless sacrifices of our nation’s heroes.

Flominic, as he’s known to many, is generous to a fault. He shares his poems and love of verse with the residents of Sapphire Lutheran Homes, where he is activities director; with students in classrooms all across the valley; and with the fans who pack his occasional bookstore and civic group appearances. Each summer, he’s at the Ravalli County Fair, organizing and enlivening the poetry competition. He writes verses for special events, at the request of friends and strangers alike. He donates his time and considerable creative talents and energy to myriad causes and community organizations, raising money and spirits day in and out.

I’m so proud to introduce this little volume of poetry. It’s a warm and wonderful day when you can spend a few minutes in the company of leprechauns and naughty schoolchildren and a tiny baby born in a manger. I know you’ll feel that grace and gentle spirit in these pages as well.

Sherry Devlin

March 6, 2017

Stories

On my way in to work

I scheme while I drive,

by telling wild stories

is how I thrive.

Today’s was a gem

I couldn’t wait to try.

I call it entertainment.

They say, I lie.

"Guess who’s coming

to visit us all next week?

It’s my twin brother.

The guy’s really a freak."

"He works for the circus

as an acrobat.

His signature move

is falling on the mat."

"He deliberately misses

the safety net.

We’re all surprised

That Frederick’s not dead yet."

They all look at me

expecting a punch line.

I just walk off

giving no telltale sign.

So you see,

to fill my proverbial cup,

I just hang around all day…

and make stuff up.

March 8, 2014

Day Off

This morning at work

around the coffee pot,

whistling and blowing kisses,