Listen to the wisdom of a sixth grader.

A Clothespin holds together many things:
Friendship
Love
Memories
And most of all - LAUNDRY.

Kids should dream big and live as large as hope will float them. But when it comes to writing, less is often more. Poetry is the art of being concise, and poetic kids say a lot with a little.

I think it's great when a second grader is reading Harry Potter and first graders are writing three point expository essays. But I worry that the volume of words we are throwing at students these days will overwhelm their sensitivity to the well-chosen word and the telling detail.

Here's a little poetic exercise for you and your kids to help you think small.

Step 1:
Find an object that fits in the palm of a child's hand. Hold it and look at it from all sides.

Step 2:
Make a list of words and phrases associated with your object. Consider its every detail. How is it shaped? What does it do? Where does it belong?

Stick Tip Tiny Sharp Shiny Head

Smooth Shirt Pants Ouch! Pointy Thin

Dancing Angels Puncture Jab Pierce Tiny

Step 3:
It took Kira 13 words to write her poem. See if you can do it in fewer. Look for a few simple and playful combinations. Spread them over the page in some poetic way.

If you would like to read more about the power of small, try these books out for size.

1. Small Inventions That Make a Big Difference

2. Six-Word Memoirs by Famous & Obscure Writers

Contact us with the name of a teacher, principal, or PTA rep that might be interested in having A Child's Voice to their school, and we will send them a free copy of the book Strange World along with my CD Kiss The Fish.

I hope you enjoyed the monthly update. Encourage your friends to visit our website. This Fall we will featuring poetry podcasts. Keep your eyes and ears open for Radio Poetry.

Until next time...Kiss The Fish,

Bill Buczinsky
A Child's Voice

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