Attached is the illustration for the cover art for my song “Clyde and I”. I should be able to post the song to you within a week, and with a slight revision it might be the cover art for a possible children’s book that I’m considering.
I thought of the silliest mental image I could come up within about 30 seconds and then wrote the poem/story/song based on it (which took decidedly longer than 30 seconds to write):
“A green giraffe named Clyde who likes to eat bananas while standing on his head in the rain…”
Clyde and I
I went to say “hi” to new neighbors next door
And saw something I’d never seen before
When I say what I saw please don’t laugh
Because what I saw was a green giraffe!
He was standing on his head out in the rain
And the poor wet guy seemed in a lot of pain
His body swayed way up high
And his feet were stuck straight up in the sky!
I just stood there not knowing what to do
As he ate a banana that was bright blue!
I’ve seen yellow bananas, and green ones too,
Even brown and black ones, but never blue!
When I offered my umbrella
To that very soaked fella
He said, “Hi, my name is Clyde.”
Then looked at me with sad, sad, eyes
And with a sigh he said, “Silly me.
“I tried to untie a knot in a tree.
“Now what a pain in the neck I’ve got.
“When I bend it wrong it hurts a LOT.
“So I’m standing on my head to work out the kinks
“He explained between rain-drop blinks
“And I’m eating this banana to keep up my strength
“It takes a lot of muscles for a neck this length”
Then he thought for a while
And on his face grew a great big smile
“Would you please use my neck for a slide?
You’ll help my sore neck muscles if you take a ride
And I’ll bet that if you do
It will be a lot of fun for you.”
I knew right then we’d become good friends!
The End
–Russ Towne
Russ Towne's A Grateful Man 
nice !
Thank you, Bill!
Wonderful Russ!!!
I appreciate your feedback, Mimi! Thank you!
Russ
Fantabulous, Amazingly super dooper, I love the cover, bright, funny, great writing, and the poem is so sweet, the start of a fantastic friendship. You are so talented Russ! Love it, love it, love it!
I’m beaming after reading your wonderfully kind comments, Ute. Thank you for brightening my day.
Russ
I already love Clyde too!
He says to be sure to say thank you. So, THANK YOU, Ute! He’s blushing a deeper shade of green.
Russ
Wow I love it! How exciting! Your grandchildren might bring you in to show and tell one day so they can brag that they know the guy who writes children’s books!
LOL! That would be fun! Thank you for the enjoyable thought!
By the way, I should hear from my co-writer with the music for “Chain Reaction” soon.
If I end up publishing “Clyde and I” as a book, and if it is successful–both HUGE IF’s–I may decide to revise and rename the poem/story “Chain Reaction” yet again and turn it into a story for young children. You never know…
Russ
sounds awesome! A good friend of mine wrote a children’s book to help kids understand homelessness! http://www.amazon.ca/dp/1897186053
Thank you, Diana. That’s cool. I clicked on the link. The book cover looks very well done.
Russ
It is and well written too!
:-D!
Love the cover! 🙂
Thank you, Ela! I love your support!
Russ
🙂
Out standing… I’m impressed…
I appreciate your feedback, bulldog. Thank you.
What fun it is to see your idea germinate, Russ! Wishing you the BEST of luck with the whole enterprise! Love it!
Your kind comment brought a smile to my face, Lori.
Thank you!
Russ
Sooo delightful, Russ. I love it!
(Beaming!) Thank you, Cathy, not only for your kind comment, but for being one of my earliest online supporters and friends!
Russ