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You are here: Home / Poems for Kids / Poetry Friday: Flea and Louse (David L. Harrison)

Poetry Friday: Flea and Louse (David L. Harrison)

August 28, 2009 By Laura

 

I was happy to get a note recently from David L. Harrison (poet of the fabulous collection, Pirates, illustrated by Dan Burr, which is one of my favorites from last year). He’s increased his online presence by starting a website and a blog! The website has some great resources, like a Monthly Teaching Tool for teachers. And David’s new to blogging, but he sure has plenty to blog about. This week, he attended the ribbon-cutting of the new elementary school NAMED FOR HIM in Springfield, MO. Wow!

David participated in the ALA Poetry Blast, and it was great to hear him read his own work. He’s definitely got a bit of the actor about him! Here’s a picture of both of us at that event.

To celebrate David’s new high-tech life, I’m sharing two poems from his fun collection, bugs (Wordsong, 2007, illlustrated by Rob Shepperson), with a quick note from David about each one.

flea

A flea known as Ralph
swallowed a cow.
It’s a mystery how.

And after the cow
he swallowed a horse
(a huge one, of course).

But with a giraffe
he ran out of luck.
Its legs got stuck.

It’s impossible now
to understand Ralph
wif giraffe in hif mouf.

–David L. Harrison, from bugs (Wordsong, 2007)
all rights reserved
 


David says: "I liked working on the flea poem because it was a fun challenge to present such preposterous situations with a straight face. It’s the kind of conspiratorial humor that kids relate to. They understand that the poet is pulling their leg."

  

louse

The louse, I think,
should change its name
to something more sincere,

like Timothy
or Robin Lynn
or Pete or Guinevere

or Jeffrey Scott
or Jennifer
or Sandra Sue
or Klaus.

Who could ever
trust a bug
who calls himself
a louse?

–David L. Harrison, from bugs
(Wordsong, 2007)
all rights reserved

David says: "When writing the louse, I was able to work in several family names so that’s a bit of an inside story. Timothy is my son-in-law; Robin Lynn is my daughter; Jeffrey Scott is my son; Jennifer is my daughter-in-law; and Sandra Sue is my wife."
 

David’s new book, Vacation, is also illustrated by Rob Shepperson and published by Wordsong. If you’re not already a fan of David Harrison’s, I hope you’ll take a bit of time to explore his site, his blog, and, most of all, his books!

The Poetry Friday Roundup today is hosted by Kate Coombs at Book Aunt. Enjoy!

Tagged With: David L. Harrison, poems, poetry books, Poetry Friday

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JANUARY NEWS

I loved the holidays! And I'm so glad they're over. A quiet, snowy January is just what I need. This month, I'm working on two board book manuscripts, and I'm making materials to go with my 3 spring 2023 books.

I'm also busy prepping for upcoming author visits and setting my goals and priorities for 2023. Wishing you a lovely start to your own new year!

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