Poetry Memorization

For the next two units in Heart of Dakota, Caterpillar is to choose a poem we have been studying for memorization. He has chosen The Swing by Robert Louis Stevenson. The memorization of poetry however, is not just merely memorizing some lines and repeating them. Poetry has feeling and a mood. The author of the poem carefully chooses his words to 'paint' a picture, and create a mood or feeling. As one reads poetry, he should feel as if he is right there in the midst of the poem.

As we were practing today, I reminded Caterpillar that we keep our hands by our side, and make eye contact with the audience. We do not 'wiggle'. Poetry should not be read in a sing-song fashion, but carefully following the meter with correct intonation and pitch. As it is read, we only pause at punctuation marks accordingly. The words should flow out of our mounths smoothly and clearly, with expression and feeling.

In the beginning, Carterpillar quickly remarked how hard this was. He also asked "Why do we do this?!" I explained to him that long before our world was flooded with a vast array of electronic devices for entertainment, people turned to poetry as a form of art and entertainment. It was read and shared for enjoyment. "Oh?!", he said, with a puzzled look. I told him, give it some time and you'll see! After some corrections on posture, expression and 'ahem' attitude... he relaxed. He tried. He made the effort. And then, he was hooked. He liked it. He enjoyed it, and understood the beauty of poetry from a nine year old's point of view. When we were finished practicing for the day he said...

"I could feel myself in the swing!"

Aaaahhh! Those words were music to my ears!

 The Swing

How do you like to go up in a swing,
Up in the air so blue?
Oh, I do think it the pleasantest thing
Ever a child can do!


Up in the air and over the wall,
Till I can see so wide,
River and trees and cattle and all
Over the countryside--


Till I look down on the garden green,
Down on the roof so brown--
Up in the air I go flying again,
Up in the air and down!


Robert Louis Stevenson