Poetry: Beautiful Sing Song Expressions

Rain by Robert Louis Stevenson

Rain is falling all around,

It falls on field and trees,

It rains on the umbrellas here,

And on the ships at sea.

We have all read this poem at some point.  Our children have enjoyed listening to it, copying it, memorizing it, reciting it and even learn to read with it.  Let's not forget all the natural emotions, imagery and thoughts these little four lines stir up.  While by no means am I a literary expert of poetry I humble myself to my children's definition:  beautiful sing song expressions. (And sing they do!)

Poetry has become such a natural and wonderful part of our education and life.  Right down to its weekly Tuesday morning 20 minute slot and its sprinkled presence in our other daily subjects.  My oldest has already grown very fond of her own first Book of Mottoes. It is always near when starting school work; she knows there are many treasures that can inspire in a whims notice and be written in it.

Maybe when we reach upper levels of schooling we will approach poetry with an analytical mind and dissect its contents (though I highly hope not).  For presently we simply enjoy and take heart to Ms. Masons suggestion that poetry "should be read daily" for "the best thoughts of the best minds taking form as literature, and at its highest as poetry" thus "we shall train a race of readers who will demand literature-that is, the fit and beautiful expression of inspiring ideas and pictures of life."