Happy Poetry Friday! (Wondering what Poetry Friday is? Click here.)
I know it’s almost Halloween, so most of us are likely sharing scary poems. But I’m going a different route. This week, I’m sharing a poem from a book that’s not even a poetry book. It’s from Water Runs Through This Book, a wonderful mash-up by Nancy Bo Flood. I posted about the book on Monday, and there’s a giveaway of two signed copies, too. See Monday’s post to learn more!
Here’s one of several lovely poems from the book.
In Laughter and Play
In every part of the world
Water is play.Dive right in, splash, float,
Or bring along a pole and fish.Dash through a sprinkler,
Walk in the rain.Sit by a meandering river.
Wash your horse!Water makes us laugh.
And when you’re tuckered out,Take a bath.
–Nancy Bo Flood, all rights reserved
That’s one of the things I really like about the book; it’s chock-full of interesting and important facts, but it also celebrates our emotional dependence on water, too. What would I do without hot baths? Now THAT’S a scary thought.
Jone will have today’s Poetry Friday Roundup So…head on over and Check It Out!
Thanks for a peek at one of Nancy’s poems today, Laura. True about baths. I’m not sure I would like to live without the calm of sitting beside meandering rivers either.
Yes! This feels like the start of a collaborative list poem, doesn’t it? We could all share a single, specific water activity we love… Maybe I’ll create a padlet and do it next week. Hmmm….
This is an incredible book and Nancy’s writing is marvelous. Glad to see the word being spread.
Yes! Books from small publishers, especially, can disappear in the sea of books. We’ve got to do what we can to share unique books, and this is one!
Water is literally the biggest thing in our lives! It would be a good diving off place for more studies, including the water cycle and states of matter or seasons -hmmm. “In Laughter and Play… Snow and Ice!”
Good luck, Donna!
Thanks for sharing, Laura. No hot showers–as you aptly pointed out: that is a scary thought. How blessed (& un-blessed) we are that the thought or reality of such a deprivation could be alarming. And I am definitely #1 guilty. …Years ago, I read a startling short story about a visiting photographer’s liberally splashing water on his face, water 2 native children had painstakingly “gathered” drop by drop from the dew on a morning plant, forfeiting their own thirst-quenching drinking in lieu of his. Wish I knew the title/author. Many times I’ve wished I could reread that story–especially when I’m being so self-indulgent with hot water. God bless!
Wow. Yes, water brings me utter bliss and also guilt. Ooh, I wish I had that story, too!
That story really was haunting…as I saw that today of all days, I realize I mean that in a socially responsible way…Glad you understood my comment…Off to a hot shower now…
Love the surprising line, “Wash your horse!” It made me laugh–will have to search for this book. Thanks for sharing it.
It’s really a lovely poem for those who are the ‘haves’, but some do not, & I wish that were not true. Thanks for sharing Laura.
Yes, so true. A huge focus on Nancy’s book is on conservation so that there’s enough water for all. We are so lucky in most of the U.S. to have an abundance of water, and in general in the west to have CLEAN water.
I looked up the reviews, Laura, & it does sound wonderful with the including of the preciousness of water in many parts of the world. Thanks again!
With all the recent flooding, water isn’t quite as innocuous as it seems in this poem…
So true. I really was so happy that we kept “Ship breaker” in WATER CAN BE…, even though there was concern in some areas that it would be too scary or intense for kids. But the awesome and dangerous (sometimes) power of water is impressive, too…
Great poem. I love the last line. 😉
:>)
“Wash your horse!” This is a refreshing poem. Thanks for sharing. =)
Glad you enjoyed it–thanks, Bridget!
I have the feeling water will be the big thing people of the world are fighting over by the time my grandson is the age I am now. Forget petroleum – the control of water will be it, unless we’re very careful with it. I’ve always lived where there was lots of water (lakes, rivers, saltwater) and can’t imagine living in the desert! So glad to see Nancy’s book getting the attention it deserves. By the way, she also wrote the ****wonderful****picture book Cowboy Up! (about Navajo kids in the rodeo.)
Yes, I think you’re right, Julie. I’ve only lived in watery places, too–Florida and Minnesota! I get twitchy in arid places. Water gives life…and lack of water (clean water) takes it. This is an important book. Oh, and I meant to mention Nancy’s Cowboy Up in today’s post. Shoot!
What a great way to appreciate water! Looking forward to reading this.
Someone on a podcast was saying good poetry is a prayer. I think it’s often a thank you:>)