In a public place, do not attempt to tackle it

Yourself. Send it (preferably, in a sealed container)

To the nearest centre of learning, where it will be rendered

Harmless, by experts. Even the simplest poem

May destroy your immunity to human emotions.

All poems must carry a Government warning. Words

Can seriously affect your heart.

Elma Mitchell

The Strawberry-Yogurt Smell of Words

The Strawberry-Yogurt Smell of Words

Once we made a telephone

– string, stretched between two yogurt pots.

‘Hello? Hello?’

Communication!

You spoke. I heard.

It’s a solitary game now,

the thumb-dance of text, beep of fax,

but I still recall the buzz of string,

the strawberry-yogurt

smell of words.

Mandy Coe

A Dictionary of Snow

A Dictionary of Snow

The Eskimos

have lots of words

for snow

There’s fine snow

thick snow

blizzard snow

snow for building igloos . . .

Here’s my list of words

for snow

splatty is for making snowballs

swoooosh is for sledging through

skolOSH is for kicking with your wellies

smooolly lies on the pavement waiting for footprints

shlumpish goes up and down over grassy fields until birds make patterns in it

squalOOM is to skid along in the playground before the caretaker throws sand on it

skulptush packs together squeaking in your hands as you build a snowman

I still need new words for the snow you wipe

off the tops of walls

as you run along the street

and for the sort that cakes

and melts on mittens

after a whole playtime

Rita Ray

To Lalla, Reading my Verses Topsy-Turvy

To Lalla, Reading my Verses Topsy-Turvy

Darling little Cousin,

With your thoughtful look

Reading topsy-turvy

From a printed book

English hieroglyphics,

More mysterious

To you, than Egyptian

Ones would be to us; –

Leave off for a minute

Studying, and say

What is the impression

That those marks convey?

Only solemn silence,

And a wondering smile:

But your eyes are lifted

Unto mine the while.

In their gaze so steady

I can surely trace

That a happy spirit

Lighteth up your face.

Tender, happy spirit,

Innocent and pure;

Teaching more than science,

And than learning more.

How should I give answer

To that asking look?

Darling little Cousin

Go back to your book.

Read on: if you knew it,

You have cause to boast:—

You are much the wisest,

Though I know the most.

Christina Rossetti

The Dictionary Bird

The Dictionary Bird

Through my house in sunny weather

Flies the Dictionary Bird

Clear to see on every feather

Is some outlandish word.

‘Hugger Mugger’ ‘gimcrack’ ‘guava’

‘Waggish’ ‘mizzle’ ‘swashing rain’

Bird – fly back into my kitchen,

Let me read those words again.

Margaret Mahy

Driven to Distraction

Driven to Distraction

I picked up a bus in the High Street

then put it down on the park,

I drove my mum to Distraction –

that’s the next town on from Dunkirk.

I stood, like a lemon, in a downpour

and someone gave me a squeeze,

I gave the cold shoulder to Matthew,