Poetry Friday: Birds on a Wire Plus a Student Extra
My assistant part times at the public library. Recently she brough in Birds on a Wireby J. Patrick Lewis and Paul J. Janeczko.
“Thought maybe you would like to see this,” she said. What a fun, fun, fun book. Through renga, a type of haiku in which one poet writes most of the poem and the other poet responds, the day in the life of an American village is portrayed.
And the book zigs and zags through the countryside, with the lines linking to one another like railroad cars. Examples:
in the blizzard
of apple blossoms,
a road edged in white
old spotted hound
stops to sniff
birds on a wire
in failing light turn home
to oak and elm
park trees become noisemakers
until the flock of screeches stills
The illustrations by Gary Lippincott complement the text in a way that makes you want to visit this village.
And this from a student. Handed to me earlier this week:
Looking at a Baby
I look at a baby, into its eyes and all I see is curiosity.
Its hands folded as if holding a preciosu treasure.
So fragile like a glass doll.
So soft like a pillow filled with pure white feathers.
I look and wonder what is happening in the little brain
no bigger than two nut sized fists out together.
I look and imagine what the sweet little baby could possibly thinking.
Is she wondering why everyone around is big like giants
and ony her the size of a magical dwarf?
Or is she thinking and is making music of her own?
Filled with oohs and ahhs.
Looking at a baby is like a show where there is no need pay or applause.
Where everything is understanding and magical
just like in the land of Neverland.
–Sofiya, 5th grade
Poetry Friday is rounded up today by Adventures in Daily Living. Thank you
