Famous Children Poems - Page 2

21 - 40 of 62 Poems

  1. 21. The Little Plant

    • By Kate Brown

    Famous Poem

    "The Little Plant" by Kate Brown is a captivating poem that celebrates the wonder of nature's awakening. Through personification and vivid imagery, the poet takes us on a journey as a dormant seed transforms into a vibrant plant, responding to the calls of sunshine and raindrops. This beautifully crafted piece evokes a sense of life's innate resilience and the magic of growth in the natural world.

    In the heart of a seed,
        Buried deep, so deep,
    A dear little plant
        Lay fast asleep.

    "Wake!" said the sunshine,
        "And creep to the light."
    "Wake!" said the voice
        Of the raindrops bright.

    The little plant heard,
        And it rose to see
    What the wonderful
        Outside world might be.

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  3. 22. The Sunshine Has A Pleasant Way

    • By Annette Wynne

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    In "The Sunshine Has A Pleasant Way" by Annette Wynne, the poet beautifully captures the uplifting and transformative power of sunlight. Through vivid imagery and a gentle rhythm, the poem portrays the sun as a source of warmth, illumination, and joy. Wynne personifies the sun, describing its ability to brighten not only the physical environment but also the faces and spirits of people. The poem expresses gratitude for the presence of sunshine, highlighting its role in inspiring productivity, happiness, and a sense of purpose. With its positive and optimistic tone, the poem encourages appreciation for the simple yet profound pleasures that sunlight brings, and the motivation it instills to embrace life with enthusiasm and dedication

    The sunshine has a pleasant way
    Of shining on us all the day,
    It makes the little window bright,
    And fills the room with pretty light.

    It goes into the garden bed,
    And shines on every flower head;
    It warms each leaf and bud and seed
    Till all the world is glad, indeed.

    It creeps into the children's faces
    And climbs into the highest places,
    It makes me want to work and sing
    And do my best in everything.

    I'm glad the sunshine comes each day
    To help me work and laugh and play;
    To keep the little window bright
    And fill the room with pretty light.

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  5. 23. Homework Stew

    Famous Poem

    Making homework stew is not quite what the teacher had in mind. This funny children’s poem shows what can happen when we mishear something. Famous poet Kenn Nesbitt writes humorous poetry for children, and he served as the Children’s Poet Laureate from 2013-2015.

    I cooked my math book in a broth
    and stirred it to a steaming froth.
    I threw in papers—pencils, too—
    to make a pot of homework stew.

    I turned the flame up nice and hot
    and tossed my binder in the pot.
    I sprinkled in my book report
    with colored markers by the quart.

    Despite its putrid, noxious gas,
    I proudly took my stew to class.
    And though the smell was so grotesque,
    I set it on my teacher’s desk.

    My teacher said, “You’re quite a chef.
    But, still, you’re going to get an F.
    I didn’t ask for ‘homework stew,’
    I said, ‘Tomorrow, homework’s due.'”

    “Homework Stew” copyright © 2005 Kenn Nesbitt. All Rights Reserved. Published in When the Teacher Isn’t Looking. Reprinted by permission of the author. www.poetry4kids.com

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    I loved this poem because I loved how it said "I sprinkled up my book report". When at the end the teacher said "Your quite a chef but you get a F, I did not say homework stew, I said...

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  6. 24. I Love These Days

    • By Annette Wynne

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    "I Love These Days" by Annette Wynne captures the joy and delight of autumn when the leaves are falling. Through vivid imagery, Wynne captures the sound of falling leaves as they crunch beneath the speaker's feet and the curiosity of playful squirrels. The poem also symbolizes the passage of time, contrasting the innocent, carefree afternoon with the approaching darkness, showcasing nature's comforting embrace in the gentle fall of leaves

    I love these days when autumn leaves
        Are falling everywhere around,
    And I can tread among the sheaves,
        And hear the crispy, crunchy sound.

    I leave my dolly safe at home,
        And climb the old gray orchard wall;
    The squirrels spy me where I roam,
        And scamper to the treetops tall.

    And O, it is a pleasant thing
        To listen for the happy sound,
    Each little leaflet tries to sing,
        That rustles softly to the ground.

    And so I spend the afternoon,
        And watch the leaves go floating by
    Till Mother comes to say that soon
        The dark will come into the sky.

    I know when stars are overhead,
        The leaves all gather in a heap,
    And while I lie quite warm in bed,
        They snuggle close and go to sleep.

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  7. 25. To A Bird

    • By Annette Wynne

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    In "To a Bird" by Annette Wynne, the poet addresses a bird with admiration for its innate knowledge of the world. The poet marvels at the bird's navigational skills, its familiarity with various landscapes, and its expertise in nest-building. This short poem encapsulates the contrast between human scholarship and the bird's intuitive wisdom, underscoring the idea that nature's creatures possess insights that transcend human learning. The poem employs imagery and personification to create a sense of wonder and humility in the face of nature's mysteries.

    O bird that darts now low, now high,
    You know the streets across the sky;
    You know where leafy lanes lie deep
    And quiet nooks to go to sleep;
    You know the place to build a nest,
    What twigs to use, what shape is best;
    I wonder how you found things out
    That scholars never know about;
    I've studied large books through and through,
    But never can be wise as you!

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  8. 26. Underface

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    Children, teenagers, and adults as well, can all identify with the message of this poem for children from Shel Silverstein published in his book, "Every Thing On It." Sometimes we all feel like no one really truly knows us, as if we are wearing a mask and our true self is hidden from all underneath our face.

    Underneath my outside face
    There's a face that none can see.
    A little less smiley,
    A little less sure,
    But a whole lot more like me

    Underface By Shel Silverstein

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    What a perfect poem! At times we could basically tell how people were feeling despite their facial expressions. It was in their eyes the tell- tale signs that led us to see at least the...

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  9. 27. I Can't Wait For Summer

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    Children eagerly anticipate summer vacation. There are so many fun things to fill their time during those months. Waiting for summer can be difficult, especially when the school year has just begun. Poems written by former Children’s Poet Laureate Kenn Nesbitt have been used in hundreds of school textbooks around the world.

    I can’t wait for summer, when school days are done,
    to spend the days playing outside in the sun.
    I won’t have to study. No homework, no tests.
    Just afternoons spent on adventures and quests.
    Instead of mathematics and writing reports,
    I’ll go to the park and play summertime sports.
    Instead of assignments, report cards, and grades,
    I’ll get to play baseball and watch the parades.
    I’ll swing on the playground. I’ll swim in the pool
    instead of just practicing lessons in school.
    The second the school year is finally done
    I’ll spend every minute with friends having fun.
    I hardly can wait for the end of the year.
    I’m counting the days until summer is here.
    It’s hard to be patient. It’s hard to be cool.
    It’s hard to believe it’s the first day of school.

    “I Can’t Wait for Summer” copyright © 2005 Kenn Nesbitt. All Rights Reserved. Published in When the Teacher Isn’t Looking. Reprinted by permission of the author. www.poetry4kids.com

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  10. 28. Vespers

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    "Vespers" was the first poem published by Alan Alexander Milne. Christopher Robin Milne, A.A. Milne’s son, was the inspiration for this poem, and it showcases him saying his prayers before going to bed.

    Little Boy kneels at the foot of the bed,
    Droops on the little hands little gold head.
    Hush! Hush! Whisper who dares!
    Christopher Robin is saying his prayers.

    God bless Mummy. I know that's right.
    Wasn't it fun in the bath to-night?
    The cold's so cold, and the hot's so hot.
    Oh! God bless Daddy - I quite forgot.

    If I open my fingers a little bit more,
    I can see Nanny's dressing-gown on the door.
    It's a beautiful blue, but it hasn't a hood.
    Oh! God bless Nanny and make her good.

    Mine has a hood, and I lie in bed,
    And pull the hood right over my head,
    And I shut my eyes, and I curl up small,
    And nobody knows that I'm there at all.

    Oh! Thank you, God, for a lovely day.
    And what was the other I had to say?
    I said "Bless Daddy," so what can it be?
    Oh! Now I remember it. God bless Me.

    Little Boy kneels at the foot of the bed,
    Droops on the little hands little gold head.
    Hush! Hush! Whisper who dares!
    Christopher Robin is saying his prayers.

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  11. 29. The Shut-Eye Train

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    This famous whimsical poem by Eugene Field (1850-1895) is the perfect children’s poem to read at bedtime. The descriptive language of this fantastical train ride transports readers from reality to a land of imagination as they drift off to sleep.

    Come, my little one, with me!
    There are wondrous sights to see
    As the evening shadows fall;
    In your pretty cap and gown,
    Don't detain
    The Shut-Eye train -
    "Ting-a-ling!" the bell it goeth,
    "Toot-toot!" the whistle bloweth,
    And we hear the warning call:
    "All aboard for Shut-Eye Town!"

    Over hill and over plain
    Soon will speed the Shut-Eye train!
    Through the blue where bloom the stars
    And the Mother Moon looks down
    We'll away
    To land of Fay -
    Oh, the sights that we shall see there!
    Come, my little one, with me there -
    'T is a goodly train of cars -
    All aboard for Shut-Eye Town!

    Swifter than a wild bird's flight,
    Through the realms of fleecy light
    We shall speed and speed away!
    Let the Night in envy frown -
    What care we
    How wroth she be!
    To the Balow-land above us,
    To the Balow-folk who love us,
    Let us hasten while we may -
    All aboard for Shut-Eye Town!

    Shut-Eye Town is passing fair -
    Golden dreams await us there;
    We shall dream those dreams, my dear,
    Till the Mother Moon goes down -
    See unfold
    Delights untold!
    And in those mysterious places
    We shall see beloved faces
    And beloved voices hear
    In the grace of Shut-Eye Town.

    Heavy are your eyes, my sweet,
    Weary are your little feet -
    Nestle closer up to me
    In your pretty cap and gown;
    Don't detain
    The Shut-Eye train!
    "Ting-a-ling!" the bell it goeth,
    "Toot-toot!" the whistle bloweth
    Oh, the sights that we shall see!
    All aboard for Shut-Eye Town!

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    Hadn't come across this one before. Not quite as good as "Wynken, Blynken and Nod," but excellent for the period and a precursor to more recent sleepy time travel poems and songs.

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  12. 30. Teddy Bear

    Famous Poem

    "Teddy Bear" was first published in When We Were Very Young, a book of poetry by A. A. Milne.
    The teddy bear in this poem would later become the famous Winnie-the-Pooh from A. A. Milne's famous book series.

    A bear, however hard he tries,
    Grows tubby without exercise.
    Our Teddy Bear is short and fat,
    Which is not to be wondered at;
    He gets what exercise he can
    By falling off the ottoman,
    But generally seems to lack
    The energy to clamber back.

    Now tubbiness is just the thing
    Which gets a fellow wondering;
    And Teddy worried lots about
    The fact that he was rather stout.
    He thought: "If only I were thin!
    But how does anyone begin?"
    He thought: "It really isn't fair
    To grudge me exercise and air."

    For many weeks he pressed in vain
    His nose against the window-pane,
    And envied those who walked about
    Reducing their unwanted stout.
    None of the people he could see
    "Is quite" (he said) "as fat as me!"
    Then with a still more moving sigh,
    "I mean" (he said) "as fat as I!"

    Now Teddy, as was only right,
    Slept in the ottoman at night,
    And with him crowded in as well
    More animals than I can tell;
    Not only these, but books and things,
    Such as a kind relation brings -
    Old tales of "Once upon a time",
    And history retold in rhyme.

    One night it happened that he took
    A peep at an old picture-book,
    Wherein he came across by chance
    The picture of a King of France
    (A stoutish man) and, down below,
    These words: "King Louis So and So,
    Nicknamed 'The Handsome!' " There he sat,
    And (think of it) the man was fat!

    Our bear rejoiced like anything
    To read about this famous King,
    Nicknamed the "Handsome." Not a doubt
    The man was definitely stout.
    Why then, a bear (for all his tub)
    Might yet be named "The Handsome Cub!"

    "Might yet be named." Or did he mean
    That years ago he "might have been"?
    For now he felt a slight misgiving:
    "Is Louis So and So still living?
    Fashions in beauty have a way
    Of altering from day to day.
    Is 'Handsome Louis' with us yet?
    Unfortunately I forget."

    Next morning (nose to window-pane)
    The doubt occurred to him again.
    One question hammered in his head:
    "Is he alive or is he dead?"
    Thus, nose to pane, he pondered; but
    The lattice window, loosely shut,
    Swung open. With one startled "Oh!"
    Our Teddy disappeared below.

    There happened to be passing by
    A plump man with a twinkling eye,
    Who, seeing Teddy in the street,
    Raised him politely on his feet,
    And murmured kindly in his ear
    Soft words of comfort and of cheer:
    "Well, well!" "Allow me!" "Not at all."
    "Tut-tut!" A very nasty fall."

    Our Teddy answered not a word;
    It's doubtful if he even heard.
    Our bear could only look and look:
    The stout man in the picture-book!
    That "handsome" King - could this be he,
    This man of adiposity?
    "Impossible," he thought. "But still,
    No harm in asking. Yes, I will!"

    "Are you," he said, "by any chance
    His Majesty the King of France?"
    The other answered, "I am that,"
    Bowed stiffly, and removed his hat;
    Then said, "Excuse me," with an air
    "But is it Mr. Edward Bear?"
    And Teddy, bending very low,
    Replied politely, "Even so!"

    They stood beneath the window there,
    The King and Mr. Edward Bear,
    And, handsome, if a trifle fat,
    Talked carelessly of this and that ...
    Then said His Majesty, "Well, well,
    I must get on," and rang the bell.
    "Your bear, I think," he smiled. "Good-day!"
    And turned, and went upon his way.

    A bear, however hard he tries,
    Grows tubby without exercise.
    Our Teddy Bear is short and fat,
    Which is not to be wondered at.
    But do you think it worries him
    To know that he is far from slim?
    No, just the other way about -
    He's proud of being short and stout.

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  13. 31. Wynken, Blynken, And Nod

    Famous Poem

    “Wynken, Blynken, and Nod” is a whimsical poem that’s a perfect bedtime story about the adventures of three little fishermen. It’s a delightful poem to be read aloud to children as they close their eyes and nod their heads. Eugene Field (1850-1895) wrote poetry for children, often with an element of fantasy. Each stanza in this poem is made up of 12 lines, with the last three lines repeating in each stanza.

    Wynken, Blynken, and Nod one night
       Sailed off in a wooden shoe,—
    Sailed on a river of crystal light
       Into a sea of dew.
    "Where are you going, and what do you wish?"
       The old moon asked the three.
    "We have come to fish for the herring-fish
       That live in this beautiful sea;
       Nets of silver and gold have we,"
                Said Wynken,
                Blynken,
                And Nod.

    The old moon laughed and sang a song,
       As they rocked in the wooden shoe;
    And the wind that sped them all night long
       Ruffled the waves of dew;
    The little stars were the herring-fish
       That lived in the beautiful sea.
    "Now cast your nets wherever you wish,—
       Never afraid are we!"
       So cried the stars to the fishermen three,
                Wynken,
                Blynken,
                And Nod.

    All night long their nets they threw
       To the stars in the twinkling foam,—
    Then down from the skies came the wooden shoe,
       Bringing the fishermen home:
    'Twas all so pretty a sail, it seemed
       As if it could not be;
    And some folk thought 'twas a dream they'd dreamed
       Of sailing that beautiful sea;
       But I shall name you the fishermen three:
                Wynken,
                Blynken,
                And Nod.

    Wynken and Blynken are two little eyes,
       And Nod is a little head,
    And the wooden shoe that sailed the skies
       Is a wee one's trundle-bed;
    So shut your eyes while Mother sings
       Of wonderful sights that be,
    And you shall see the beautiful things
       As you rock in the misty sea
       Where the old shoe rocked the fishermen three:—
                Wynken,
                Blynken,
                And Nod.

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  14. 32. Lester

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    Shel Silverstein (1930-1999) is one of the most well-known children’s poets. His poems are fun and humorous, but many of them also include a lesson. This poem teaches a lesson about greed. The subject of this poem is given a magic wish, and he continues to wish for more wishes. His selfishness continues throughout his life until he finds that he has not used any wishes. He misses out on everything in life because he’s so concerned about getting more and more.

    Lester was given a magic wish
    By the goblin who lives in the banyan tree,
    And with his wish he wished for two more wishes-
    So now instead of just one wish, he cleverly had three.
    And with each one of these
    He simply wished for three more wishes,
    Which gave him three old wishes, plus nine new.
    And with each of these twelve
    He slyly wished for three more wishes,
    Which added up to forty-six -- or is it fifty-two?
    Well anyway, he used each wish
    To wish for wishes 'til he had
    Five billion, seven million, eighteen thousand thirty-four.
    And then he spread them on the ground
    And clapped his hands and danced around
    And skipped and sang, and then sat down
    And wished for more.
    And more...and more...they multiplied
    While other people smiled and cried
    And loved and reached and touched and felt.
    Lester sat amid his wealth
    Stacked mountain-high like stacks of gold,
    Sat and counted -- and grew old.
    And then one Thursday night they found him
    Dead -- with his wishes piled around him.
    And they counted the lot and found that not
    A single one was missing.
    All shiny and new -- here, take a few
    And think of Lester as you do.
    In a world of apples and kisses and shoes
    He wasted his wishes on wishing.

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  15. 33. The Land Of Nod

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    This poem captures the uniqueness of dreaming. At night, we are given a chance to escape from our reality and be present in an entirely different world. Even though it feels real, it cannot be fully explained or located outside of sleep.

    From breakfast on through all the day
    At home among my friends I stay,
    But every night I go abroad
    Afar into the land of Nod.
    All by myself I have to go,
    With none to tell me what to do–
    All alone beside the streams
    And up the mountain-sides of dreams.
    The strangest things are these for me,
    Both things to eat and things to see,
    And many frightening sights abroad
    Till morning in the land of Nod.
    Try as I like to find the way,
    I never can get back by day,
    Nor can remember plain and clear
    The curious music that I hear.

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    It's a simple yet great poem. We cannot ignore the importance of sleeping and dreaming. Dream big and try hard to achieve it.

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  16. 34. Puppy And I

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    Looking for the perfect friend always ready to play? A puppy is the perfect playmate always ready to have fun!
    This poem by A.A. Milne, author of Winnie-the-Pooh, praises the qualities of the playful puppy.

    I met a Man as I went walking:
    We got talking,
    Man and I.
    "Where are you going to, Man?" I said
      (I said to the Man as he went by).
    "Down to the village, to get some bread.
      Will you come with me?" "No, not I."

    I met a horse as I went walking;
    We got talking,
    Horse and I.
    "Where are you going to, Horse, today?"
      (I said to the Horse as he went by).
    "Down to the village to get some hay.
      Will you come with me?" "No, not I."

    I met a Woman as I went walking;
    We got talking,
    Woman and I.
    "Where are you going to, Woman, so early?"
      (I said to the Woman as she went by).
    "Down to the village to get some barley.
      Will you come with me?" "No, not I."

    I met some Rabbits as I went walking;
    We got talking,
    Rabbits and I.
    "Where are you going in your brown fur coats?"
      (I said to the Rabbits as they went by).
    "Down to the village to get some oats.
      Will you come with us?" "No, not I."

    I met a Puppy as I went walking;
    We got talking,
    Puppy and I.
    "Where are you going this nice fine day?"
      (I said to the Puppy as he went by).
    "Up to the hills to roll and play."
    "I'll come with you, Puppy," said I.

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  17. 35. From A Railway Carriage

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    Published in the 1885 A Child’s Garden of Verses, this poem mimics the steady movement of a train through the use of rhythm and rhymes. It engages the senses through sights and sounds and will entice children with its excitement and energy.

    Faster than fairies, faster than witches,
    Bridges and houses, hedges and ditches;
    And charging along like troops in a battle
    All through the meadows the horses and cattle:
    All of the sights of the hill and the plain
    Fly as thick as driving rain;
    And ever again, in the wink of an eye,
    Painted stations whistle by.
    Here is a child who clambers and scrambles,
    All by himself and gathering brambles;
    Here is a tramp who stands and gazes;
    And here is the green for stringing the daisies!
    Here is a cart runaway in the road
    Lumping along with man and load;
    And here is a mill, and there is a river:
    Each a glimpse and gone forever!

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  18. 36. Story Telling

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    Children love to be told bedtime stories. The more the storyteller acts out, the more captivating the tale. This is an enjoyable poem about a father telling his children stories before bed. While the mother doesn’t fully understand why he makes such a scene, the children can’t get enough of their father’s made-up stories.

    Most every night when they're in bed,
    And both their little prayers have said,
    They shout for me to come upstairs
    And tell them tales of gypsies bold,
    And eagles with the claws that hold
    A baby's weight, and fairy sprites
    That roam the woods on starry nights.

    And I must illustrate these tales,
    Must imitate the northern gales
    That toss the native man's canoe,
    And show the way he paddles, too.
    If in the story comes a bear,
    I have to pause and sniff the air
    And show the way he climbs the trees
    To steal the honey from the bees.

    And then I buzz like angry bees
    And sting him on his nose and knees
    And howl in pain, till mother cries:
    "That pair will never shut their eyes,
    While all that noise up there you make;
    You're simply keeping them awake."
    And then they whisper: "Just one more,"
    And once again I'm forced to roar.

    New stories every night they ask.
    And that is not an easy task;
    I have to be so many things,
    The frog that croaks, the lark that sings,
    The cunning fox, the frightened hen;
    But just last night they stumped me, when
    They wanted me to twist and squirm
    And imitate an angle worm.

    At last they tumble off to sleep,
    And softly from their room I creep
    And brush and comb the shock of hair
    I tossed about to be a bear.
    Then mother says: "Well, I should say
    You're just as much a child as they."
    But you can bet I'll not resign
    That story telling job of mine.

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    Grandpa sat with cigar at his side (rarely in his mouth), his bushy gray eyebrows and mustache crouched in intense concentration, a chess piece or book in hand in most of my memories. But...

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  19. 37. The Good Little Boy

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    In this charming poem by Edgar Guest (1881-1959), the speaker shares about a young boy who never did anything wrong. Edgar Guest had a way of writing uplifting poems, and he wrote prolifically, publishing one poem a day for 30 years. The dialect in this poem contributes to its laid-back nature.

    Once there was a boy who never
    Tore his clothes, or hardly ever,
    Never made his sister mad,
    Never whipped fer bein' bad,
    Never scolded by his Ma,
    Never frowned at by his Pa,
    Always fit fer folks to see,
    Always good as good could be.

    This good little boy from Heaven,
    So I'm told, was only seven,
    Yet he never shed real tears
    When his mother scrubbed his ears,
    An' at times when he was dressed
    Fer a party, in his best,
    He was careful of his shirt
    Not to get it smeared with dirt.

    Used to study late at night,
    Learnin' how to read an' write;
    When he played a baseball game,
    Right away he always came
    When his mother called him in.
    An' he never made a din
    But was quiet as a mouse
    when they'd comp'ny in the house.

    Liked to wash his hands an' face,
    Liked to work around the place;
    Never, when he'd tired of play,
    Left his wagon in the way,
    Or his bat an' ball around--
    Put 'em where they could be found;
    An' that good boy married Ma,
    An' to-day he is my Pa.

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  20. 38. Morning Prayer

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    Ogden Nash was an American poet who lived from 1902-1971 and was known for his light verse. This poem captures the honesty of a child who has a difficult time behaving during the day. It’s much easier when he’s sleeping. It’s a reminder to all of us to look for new opportunities presented each day.

    Now another day is breaking,
    Sleep was sweet and so is waking.
    Dear Lord, I promised you last night
    Never again to sulk or fight.
    Such vows are easier to keep
    When a child is sound asleep.
    Today, O Lord, for your dear sake,
    I'll try to keep them when awake.

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    He did an amazing job on this poem.

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  21. 39. The Fisherman

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    Abbie Farwell Brown was an American author who lived from 1871-1927. She lived in the same house her entire life, experiencing many traditions in her New England community. Brown describes the life of a fisherman in this poem, showing how one's profession becomes such a large part of a person's life. The Rhyme Scheme is ABCB.

    The fisherman goes out at dawn
    When every one's abed,
    And from the bottom of the sea
    Draws up his daily bread.

    His life is strange ; half on the shore
    And half upon the sea --
    Not quite a fish, and yet not quite
    The same as you and me.

    The fisherman has curious eyes ;
    They make you feel so queer,
    As if they had seen many things
    Of wonder and of fear.

    They're like the sea on foggy days, --
    Not gray, nor yet quite blue ;
    They 're like the wondrous tales he tells
    Not quite -- yet maybe -- true.

    He knows so much of boats and tides,
    Of winds and clouds and sky !
    But when I tell of city things,
    He sniffs and shuts one eye !

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    The way the poet described the life of a fisherman, his continuous effort and sacrifice to stand independent, and the powerful simile used, makes the poem a classic one.

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  22. 40. The Owl And The Pussy-Cat

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    The Owl and the Pussycat was first published in 1871 in the book "Nonsense Songs, Stories, Botany and Alphabets", by Edward Lear (1812-1888). Lear played many musical instruments and often performed his poetry with music at social gatherings.

    The Owl and the Pussy-cat went to sea
       In a beautiful pea-green boat,
    They took some honey, and plenty of money,
       Wrapped up in a five-pound note.
    The Owl looked up to the stars above,
       And sang to a small guitar,
    "O lovely Pussy! O Pussy, my love,
        What a beautiful Pussy you are,
             You are,
             You are!
    What a beautiful Pussy you are!"

    Pussy said to the Owl, "You elegant fowl!
       How charmingly sweet you sing!
    O let us be married! too long we have tarried:
       But what shall we do for a ring?"
    They sailed away, for a year and a day,
       To the land where the Bong-Tree grows
    And there in a wood a Piggy-wig stood
       With a ring at the end of his nose,
                 His nose,
                 His nose,
       With a ring at the end of his nose.

    "Dear Pig, are you willing to sell for one shilling
       Your ring?" Said the Piggy, "I will."
    So they took it away, and were married next day
       By the Turkey who lives on the hill.
    They dined on mince, and slices of quince,
       Which they ate with a runcible spoon;
    And hand in hand, on the edge of the sand,
       They danced by the light of the moon,
                 The moon,
                 The moon,
    They danced by the light of the moon.

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