For me, spring begins by reading e.e. cummings - a spry and spontaneous will-o'-the-wisp poet who, like a child, always keeps you guessing.

It's never too early to introduce your child to little e.e. This month's newsletter features one of his most loved poems
In Just Spring.

Now don't get nervous by the strange way he printed the poem on the page. Think of the poem as an unpredictable child and see what kind of fun you can have reading it with your young poet.

When reading it to a child, try and create sound effects and use little gestures to bring the poem to life. For instance, the word "mudluscious" is begging for a squishy sound. And what can you do with the words "whistle" and "wee?" A voice, a sound effect, a well-timed gesture or motion, are ways you can bring any poem to life.

in Just-
spring when the world is mud-
luscious the little
lame balloonman

whistles far and wee

and eddieandbill come
running from marbles and
piracies and it's
spring

when the world is puddle-wonderful

the queer old balloonman whistles
far and wee
and bettyandisbel come dancing

from hop-scotch and jump-rope and

it's
spring
and
the

goat-footed

balloonManwhistles
far
and
wee

If you come up with an inspiring performance, take out your video camera and put something poetic up on YouTube. All video creations posted on YouTube will receive a gift this month. Let us know when we can see it.

Speaking of YouTube, click here to see a video featuring
e.e. cummings reading some of his own poems. About 4-1/2 minutes into the video, you will hear him read
In Just Spring.

-Bill

In honor of National Poetry Month, I've discounted both my book and CD until April 30th. For a limited time, you can purchase my CD Kiss The Fish for just $9.95 and my book Strange World for just $7.95. There is no limit to how many you can purchase so please take advantage of this limited opportunity for subscribers of this newsletter.

Last month, I received a poem from a girl named Erin. It's titled Falling Apart and I'd like to share it with you.

Erin's poem is a reminder that poetry is not only about butterflies and flowers. When you start feeling things are beginning to crumble, try building them up again with some poetry.

Finally, I'd like to encourage to you visit a new area of our website called Famous Poets. Over the next few months, we'll be adding more famous poet biographies, poems, and tributes. Click here to hear my tribute to Walt Whitman.

I hope you enjoyed the monthly update. Encourage your friends to visit our website.

Until next time...Kiss The Fish,

Bill Buczinsky
A Child's Voice

Visit us at www.childs-voice-poetry.com