Madeleine L’Engle is one of my very favorite writers (have you met my daughter Madeleine:>), and today’s poem comes from her collection The Weather of the Heart. Many of the poems are religious and/or serious, but I’m sharing this whimsical one.
from “The Dragon,” by Madeleine L’Engle
Please, ma’am, my references are ample.
A small group of our family has always done domestic service.
Look at this recommendation; just a modest sample.
I know: my distant cousins make you nervous.But think! I can replace all those machines in your residence.
You call that a stove! Well, just watch me boil water.
May I borrow that apron, please, and the kettle? Have no hesitance.
Watch. I spout a little flame. Fear not, I’ll never eat your daughter.
You can read the entire poem here. I especially love the admonition of the last line of the poem.
Bibliophile at Life Is Better with Books (no argument here!) has the Poetry Friday Roundup today! Head on over for a treat!
I would hire that dragon! (Hmm, I hope that would be a wise decision…) Thanks for sharing this, Laura!
Me, too, Tabatha!
I would hire that dragon! (Hmm, I hope that would be a wise decision…) Thanks for sharing this, Laura!
Me, too, Tabatha!
How fun! I’ve always loved Madeleine L’Engle, too, and didn’t know this poem. Thanks for sharing. Hmmm… now on to some housecleaning….
I’m ignoring the housekeeping until I can hire a dragon:>)
How fun! I’ve always loved Madeleine L’Engle, too, and didn’t know this poem. Thanks for sharing. Hmmm… now on to some housecleaning….
I’m ignoring the housekeeping until I can hire a dragon:>)
Oh this week has had a dragon theme all around for me! My kids are currently enamored of the delightful “Zog” by Julia Donaldson.
Haven’t heard of that (but I don’t read much fantasy). I did see a preview for The Hobbit, and Smaug has been on my mind all week, though:>)
You would love it – it is a rhyming picture book about an eager, accident prone dragon and his days in dragon school. 🙂
Ah, a pb. OK, putting it on my tbr list–thank you!
Oh this week has had a dragon theme all around for me! My kids are currently enamored of the delightful “Zog” by Julia Donaldson.
Haven’t heard of that (but I don’t read much fantasy). I did see a preview for The Hobbit, and Smaug has been on my mind all week, though:>)
You would love it – it is a rhyming picture book about an eager, accident prone dragon and his days in dragon school. 🙂
Ah, a pb. OK, putting it on my tbr list–thank you!
I would definitely love to have a dragon in my kitchen instead of my fickle stove. 🙂
Can you imagine making your morning coffee with a dragon’s help? You might not even need the coffee to wake up!
Yes! No more waiting for my tea to steep:>)
I would definitely love to have a dragon in my kitchen instead of my fickle stove. 🙂
Can you imagine making your morning coffee with a dragon’s help? You might not even need the coffee to wake up!
Yes! No more waiting for my tea to steep:>)
I’d hire the dragon, too. To have a friendly dragon as a house-mate — how appealing! I love L’Engle’s whimsical fantasies.
Me, too! And a dragon would be a much better guard than our beagle…
I’d hire the dragon, too. To have a friendly dragon as a house-mate — how appealing! I love L’Engle’s whimsical fantasies.
Me, too! And a dragon would be a much better guard than our beagle…
What a terrific, whimsical poem, Laura. I too love Madeleine L’Engle, & have read some of her memoirs, but don’t know this book. Thank you!
This poem isn’t really typical of her poetry, but I do love many of her poems. In fact, it’s time for a re-reading. It’s been many years. She has two collections–this one and A Cry Like a Bell. Glad you enjoyed this:>)
What a terrific, whimsical poem, Laura. I too love Madeleine L’Engle, & have read some of her memoirs, but don’t know this book. Thank you!
This poem isn’t really typical of her poetry, but I do love many of her poems. In fact, it’s time for a re-reading. It’s been many years. She has two collections–this one and A Cry Like a Bell. Glad you enjoyed this:>)
Madeline L’Engle wrote poetry about DRAGONS?!?! Who knew? (Well, now I/we do!!)
I do SO love the polite but persistent voice of this dragon. Great lesson hear about setting aside preconceived notions…
She wrote about SO many things. I would love to set aside about two months with not a thing to do except re-read everything she ever wrote. Her kids’ books are my favorite, but I love her memoirs, her poetry, her adult novels, and I even enjoy her spiritual writings (and I am not a reader of spiritual/religious writing, in general).
Madeline L’Engle wrote poetry about DRAGONS?!?! Who knew? (Well, now I/we do!!)
I do SO love the polite but persistent voice of this dragon. Great lesson hear about setting aside preconceived notions…
She wrote about SO many things. I would love to set aside about two months with not a thing to do except re-read everything she ever wrote. Her kids’ books are my favorite, but I love her memoirs, her poetry, her adult novels, and I even enjoy her spiritual writings (and I am not a reader of spiritual/religious writing, in general).
Imagine that, a housemaid/nanny dragon! I’d say the dragon has made quite a convincing argument and I promise never to dismiss a dragon feelings ever again.
Then the poem has done its job;>)
Imagine that, a housemaid/nanny dragon! I’d say the dragon has made quite a convincing argument and I promise never to dismiss a dragon feelings ever again.
Then the poem has done its job;>)
I have this book! And I don’t remember that poem at all. Love her rhyme scheme and those two-syllable end-words give it a wonderful lilt. Thank you so much for reminding me of it. I think I will indulge in some more “Weather of the Heart” this evening!
I agree about that lilt, Violet:>) I, too, need to re-read. It’s been years since I read her two poetry collections…Hope you got a chance to reacquaint yourself with it.
I have this book! And I don’t remember that poem at all. Love her rhyme scheme and those two-syllable end-words give it a wonderful lilt. Thank you so much for reminding me of it. I think I will indulge in some more “Weather of the Heart” this evening!
I agree about that lilt, Violet:>) I, too, need to re-read. It’s been years since I read her two poetry collections…Hope you got a chance to reacquaint yourself with it.