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–Kenn Nesbitt
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I only like people exactly like me.
I never like people like you.
I’m not fond of people like him or like her.
I dislike all those people too.
The people I like are like me to a tee.
They look and they sound like me too.
They talk like I talk, and they dress like I dress,
and, clearly, they do what I do.
You probably think that I’m picky and rude.
You may think I’m sad and alone.
And normally you would be perfectly right,
but, lucky for me, I’m a clone.
–Kenn Nesbitt
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When Daniel went dancing that night at the fair
he leapt on the stage with his arms in the air.
He ran back and forth at a neck-breaking pace,
then back-flipped and cartwheeled all over the place.
He jumped like a jumping bean, bounced like a ball,
careened off the ceiling, and ran down the wall.
He flew through the room with an ear-splitting scream
till, shaking and sobbing, he ran out of steam.
The witnesses watching could see at a glance
that Dan had invented some new kind of dance.
They cheered and applauded. They gave him First Prize.
They cried, “You’re a genius in all of our eyes!”
So now, just like Daniel, from Finland to France
they sit on a cactus to start every dance.
–Kenn Nesbitt
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He’s Pete, the pirate wannabe.
He’ll sail the seas someday.
But, first, he needs a little cash
to help him on his way.
He can’t afford a parrot.
He can’t afford a plank.
A peg leg’s much too pricey,
and ship would break the bank.
He cannot buy an eye patch.
He hasn’t got a hat.
He’ll never own a blunderbuss;
he’s much too broke for that.
A dagger’s too expensive.
He couldn’t swing a sword.
In fact, there’s only one thing
he’s been able to afford.
His shopping list is lengthy,
with loads of pirate gear,
but all he has are earrings
since they’re just a buck an ear.
–Kenn Nesbitt
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While at the sofa factory I nearly broke my spleen when I accidentally fell in an upholstery machine. I almost died that fateful day but I survived somehow. And I'm looking even better, too, since I'm recovered now.
–Kenn Nesbitt
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Dear Santa, this Christmas my list is quite small.
In fact, I need practically nothing at all.
My list is so short and so easy to read
because there’s just one thing I actually need.
A reindeer for Christmas is all I require;
a reindeer, of course, who’s an excellent flier.
I really don’t care if it’s Dasher or Dancer.
I’m okay with Cupid or Comet or Prancer.
Please don’t think I’m greedy; I only want one.
You won’t even miss him, and I’ll have such fun.
I promise I’ll feed him and treat him just right,
and take him out flying around every night.
You see, I’m not selfish. So for my surprise
this Christmas, please bring me a reindeer that flies.
But if my request is a bit much for you,
I guess that an iPod will just have to do.
–Kenn Nesbitt
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Subscribe to this Podcast  Children’s Author Janet Wong |
Last week I had the opportunity to speak with children’s author and poet Janet Wong about her writing, her books, and her current projects, including her new eBook project with Sylvia Vardell, the Poetry Tag Time series. The third book in the series, Gift Tag, is out just in time for the holidays, and is already one of the best-selling children’s poetry eBooks on Amazon.com.
Today there are more authors than ever who are writing poetry for children. From poetry collections to rhyming picture books to novels in verse, from hardcover books to ebooks, poetry is being created by writers who love to share the wonder of the poem with kids.
I regularly sit down and chat with the authors who are writing poetry for children, and I record these conversations to give you a peek into the minds of today’s best children’s poets.
Click on the links below to listen to recorded audio interviews with these well-known children’s poets.
In addition to the recorded interviews above, I have had the opportunity to interview a number of other children’s poets about their work by email. Click on the links below to read what they have to say about poetry.
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My brother’s not a werewolf
though it often looks that way.
He has to shave his whiskers
almost every single day.
His feet are getting furry
and his hands are sprouting hair.
His voice is deep and growling
like a grumpy grizzly bear.
He often sleeps throughout the day
and stays up half the night.
And if you saw the way he eats
you’d surely scream in fright.
His clothes are ripped and dirty
like the stuff a werewolf wears.
His socks and shirts are shredded
and his pants have countless tears.
If you should ever meet him
you’ll discover what I mean.
My brother’s not a werewolf;
he’s just turning seventeen.
— Kenn Nesbitt
Copyright © 2011 Kenn Nesbitt. All Rights Reserved.
www.poetry4kids.com
