New York City Program Teaches Children to Write and Enjoy Poetry
Children awaiting their turn to read while poet and educator Dave Johnson looks on.
"Do you know why worms have to get back to the dirt to survive? Why does the Sun have to rise and then fall? Why can't male animals have babies? Why can't magic become real so we can do anything we want? Does a peacock know how to dance? Have you ever seen a mermaid play soccer without feet?"
"On the street of elatedness a cowboy catches a pig and slaps his leg and says, "Yee-haw." On the street of elatedness a girl gets a horse painted with splats of red, white and blue with 50 stars on its face. On the street of elatedness gooses talk to humans and aliens are a girl's best friend."
"On the colorless street a man walks in gray with no expression. Like an ant, no expression. On the colorless street, a woman dresses in white, like a ghost. On the colorless street a boy wears black, as if he is a shadow. On this street, no one cares for color, NO ONE cares."
"I Wonder I wonder, does the Earth sing to the Moon when it's tired? Does snow yell to grass when snow is melting? ... When plates are struck, are they moaning and groaning? When people yell, do your ears burst?"