It’s been awhile, but do you remember the Stealth Poetry Project? (It was first discussed here, and you can read past poems here.)
To summarize: I dig up a kid-friendly poem, print it out, and display it in a high-traffic area here at home. The goal is to make poetry “top of mind” without it turning it into a boring school lesson. I am so glad we started doing this, because I believe that pretty words affect our personalities in ways that cannot be calculated. It’s a poetry infusion! Language and lyrics by osmosis! Heady stuff. And it’s fun!
Here’s the poem we’re looking at right now. Emma picked it out. I love it to bits.
Just a Slug, by Kenn Nesbitt
Oh, I’m a slug
a lowly bug
who never does a thing,
although I’d like
to ride a bike
or maybe learn to sing.
And if I could
I think I would
become a master spy.
Then go and get
a fighter jet
and really learn to fly.
I’d mountain climb.
I’d rap in rhyme.
I’d gain karate skills.
I’d bronco ride
and paraglide
and have some spills and thrills.
I’d take a trip
by rocketship
to soar among the stars.
I’d travel free
past Mercury
and Jupiter and Mars.
The books I’d write!
The bulls I’d fight!
The places I would go!
If only I
were quick and spry
instead of sad and slow.
Alas, it seems,
despite my dreams,
I’ll have to pull the plug
on all I ache
to undertake
for I am just a slug.
