When setting up my classroom this week, which you can read more about here, I took a little stroll down memory lane. On top of the bookshelf that houses my personal collection of children’s books, I always set up a few picture book stuffed characters (Paddington, Pooh, Piglet, Madeline) and a small set of beginner reader books. These books were given to me by my parents all those years ago — the 60s was a long time ago! One of them was a collection of poetry.
I fondly remember my mother reading these poems to me, and one in particular was her favorite: “Who Has Seen the Wind,” by Christina Rossetti. It has remained a favorite of mine as well, and I now teach it to my Kindergarten poets.
I haven’t thumbed through this small collection of classics in a while, so I thought I’d share it with you today.
“Star light, star bright” by Anonymous
Star light, star bright,
First star I see tonight,
I wish I may, I wish I might,
Have this wish I wish tonight.
Star light, star bright
“The Rain” by Robert Louis Stevenson
The rain is raining all around,
It falls on field and tree,
It rains on the umbrellas here,
And on the ships at sea.
“The Sea” by Alfred, Lord Tennyson
Sweet and low, sweet and low,
Wind of the western sea,
Low, low, breathe and blow,
Wind of the western sea!
Over the rolling waters go,
Come from the dying moon, and blow,
Blow him again to me;
While my little one, while my pretty one, sleeps.
“Clouds” by Christina Rossetti
White sheep, white sheep,
On a blue hill,
When the wind stops,
You all stand still.
When the wind blows,
You walk away slow.
White sheep, white sheep,
Where do you go?
“The River” (or “Where Go the Boats?”) by Robert Louis Stevenson
Dark brown is the river.
Golden is the sand.
It flows along for ever,
With trees on either hand.
Green leaves a-floating,
Castles of the foam,
Boats of mine a-boating—
Where will all come home?
On goes the river
And out past the mill,
Away down the valley,
Away down the hill.
Away down the river,
A hundred miles or more,
Other little children
Shall bring my boats ashore.
“Who has seen the wind?” by Christina Rossetti
Who has seen the wind?
Neither I nor you:
But when the leaves hang trembling,
The wind is passing through.
Who has seen the wind?
Neither you nor I:
But when the trees bow down their heads,
The wind is passing by.
“The Clouds” by Christina Rossetti
Boats sail on the rivers,
And ships sail on the seas;
But clouds that sail across the sky
Are prettier far than these.
There are bridges on the rivers,
As pretty as you please;
But the bow that bridges heaven,
And overtops the trees,
And builds a road from earth to sky,
Is prettier far than these.
“The Seasons” (or “Autumn Fires”) by Robert Louis Stevenson
Sing a song of seasons!
Something bright in all!
Flowers in the summer,
Fires in the fall!
Note: This is the only stanza printed in the book. To read the full text, click here.)
“The Nut Tree” by Anonymous
I had a little nut tree,
Nothing would it bear,
But a silver nutmeg
And a golden pear.
Note: To read the full text, not included in the book, read here.
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Kay over at A Journey Through the Pages is graciously hosting this week’s Poetry Friday. Why not join us there and spread some poetry love and peace!
