KIDS

Today's blog post is by special guest author, David Harrison!

One day when I was six, my mother was frying fish. She told me to wait in the living room until it was ready. I was hungry and pouty. I made up a poem about wishing for a fish upon a dish. When I was older, I loved to pitch baseball. I quit when I was 18. My bowling average was 190. Haven’t bowled in decades. When did I last go skiing, by land or water? Hmm, let me see. I gave up tennis around 70...

Our kids certainly need to be active, try different sports and other outdoor activities. But the body, being what it is, will at some point decide that enough is enough. I’m 84 now. This morning I wrote a poem, as I do most mornings. Of all the wonderful activities I’ve tried in my life, only writing (and reading!) remains as something I can do without twisting a knee or throwing my back out of whack.

I write other things too. Many people my age, or any age, do. But the thing about poetry is it doesn’t take as long to write as a novel or even a story. Most poems are short, only a few lines. They may rhyme or not. They are about something as specific as wanting a fish on a dish. Teach a child to write a poem, we give a gift that will last a lifetime. Long after the ball gloves and bowling balls and golf clubs are put to rest, there will remain at least one activity that can be practiced with pleasure and deep satisfaction. And that’s why your child should learn, now, to write poetry.

Join David Harrison for a special poetry writing workshop on June 2nd and 3rd. Check out the program page for details and instructions for registering!

Questions or need more ideas? Email imagine@thelibrary.org