is what pigeons
murmur to themselves.
phlooph is sitting
suddenly on a cushion.
nyo-nyo is speaking with
your mouth full.
hariiwikkiwworrah is yawning.
paloop is the tap dripping in the bath.
ram tam gee pickagee
is feeling good.
| Post-reading | |
| 3. | Which two of the words for sounds in the poem do you think work best? Explain. |
| 4. | Think of different explanations for two of the invented sound words. |
| 5. | Decide on two more sounds and invent words to echo them. |
| 6. | “Feeling good” is not a sound like the rest in the list. The speaker is playing with us.But “ram tam gee pickagee” is very expressive. What does it suggest to you about “feeling good”? |
| Pre-reading | |
| 1. | Have you ever had to wait for someone who is not there on time? How did you feel about it? Did you have any doubts? |
| During reading | |
| 2. | One line is used as a kind of refrain (“Why doesn’t she come?). What purpose does it serve? |
Why doesn’t she come?
A.P. Herbert
Why doesn’t she come?
I know we said eight
Or was it half-past?
That clock must be fast
Why doesn’t she come?
She’s ten minutes late,
I’ll sit by the door
And see her come in;
I’ve brought her a rose.
I’ve borrowed a pin.
I’ll be very severe,
I’ll tell her, ‘My dear
You mustn’t be late.’
It’s a quarter-past eight.
Why doesn’t she come?
Why doesn’t she come?
This must be the place.
She couldn’t forget,
Or is she upset?
Why doesn’t she come?
Am I in disgrace?
Oh, well if it’s that,
We were both in the wrong
I’ll give her the rose
And say I was wrong.
I’ll give her a kiss
And tell her I’m sorry –
‘I’m terribly sorry …’
Why doesn’t she come?
Perhaps she is ill –
I fancied last night
Her eyes were too bright –
A feverish chill?
She’s lying in bed –
She’s light in the head
She’s dying – she’s dead!
Why doesn’t she come?
Why doesn’t she come?
She’s tired of me – eh!
I’ve noticed a change;
Last night she looked strange.
So this the end?
Why couldn’t she say?
Well, never again!
She needn’t explain.
I know who it is –
I know who it is!
I’ve done with her now
Why doesn’t she come?
Why doesn’t she come?
It’s nearly half past.
Well, never again!
I’ll send her the rose,
I won’t say a word,
Just send her the rose –
She’d laugh I suppose!
A flirt and a fraud!
I’ll travel abroad.
I’ll go to the East;
I’ll shoot a wild beast,
And now for a drink,
I’ll have a stiff drink –
A brandy I think –
And drown myself in it.
I’ll shoot myself? … Oh
How I loved her! … Hul-lo!
What? LATE? Not a minute!
| Post-reading | |
| 3. | Think of some suitable words to describe how the man feels as he waits for his friend/beloved. |
| 4. | What signs are there that he is becoming increasingly desperate? |
| 5. | His imagination takes over! List five of the reasons he gives for her lateness and comment on how reasonable they are or are not. |
| 6. | Say where the climax occurs and why it is amusing. |
| 7. | How does the poet highlight the speaker’s desperation? |
| Pre-reading | |
| 1. | What is an inventor? In your view, what makes an invention good? Use an example to show what you mean. |
| During reading | |
| 2. | What
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