got a Most Commodious Tuba;
They got a Horn, they got a Flute,
But Nothing would suit.
He said, ‘Look Birds’ all this is futile:
I do not like to Bang or Tootle.’
And then he cut loose with a Horrible Note
That practically split the Top of his Throat.
‘You see,’ he said with a Serpent’s Leer,
‘I’m serious about my Singing Career!’
And the Woods Resounded with many a Shriek
As the Birds flew off to the End of Next Week.
propounded – put forward an idea strongly
commodious – large
futile – no use
resounded – echoed
| Post-reading | |
| 4. | Look at the many capital letters the poet has used. Why do you think he has done this? |
| 5. | What kind of singing voice does the serpent seem to have? Explain. |
| 6. | How does the speaker suggest that the birds are behaving rather pretentiously (taking themselves too seriously)? |
| 7. | The serpent says he is serious about his “Singing Career”. |
| a) | What does he consider is the most important quality in a singer? |
| b) | Is he justified in talking about a career in singing? |
| 8. | There are a number of elements that make this a humorous poem. One of these is the choice of expressions and words. Comment on the description of a tuba as “commodious” and the birds flying off to the “End of Next Week”. |
| 9. | This poem was written by an American. |
| a) | Only one rhyme depends on American pronunciation. What is it? |
| b) | Is the poem funnier when read with an American accent? |
| 10. | Work in groups of three to perform this poem. Decide which lines you are going to say together as a group and which will be done by individuals in the group. Consider the accent to use, the tone and emphases, and the places where you must pause to make sure that the audience enjoys the humour. |
| Pre-reading | |
| 1. | To ‘chivvy’ someone means to make someone do something more quickly or in a different way, usually in a way that annoys that person (often a child). Can you think of some of the things said to chivvy you that used to annoy you? |
| During reading | |
| 2. | Why do you think the poet has used so little punctuation? |
Chivvy
Michael Rosen
Grown-ups say things like:
Speak up
Don’t talk with your mouth full
Don’t stare
Don’t point
Don’t pick your nose
Sit up
Say please
Less noise
Shut the door behind you
Don’t drag your feet
Haven’t you got a hankie?
Take your hands out of your pockets
Pull your socks up
Stand up straight
Say thank you
Don’t interrupt
No one thinks you’re funny
Take your elbows off the table
Can’t you make your own mind up about anything?
| Post-reading | |
| 3. | This poem consists of fifteen orders or commands, two questions, and one statement! Which one is the statement? |
| 4. | What reason does the speaker have for giving this list of orders, one after another? What is he or she trying to suggest? |
| 5. | This poem is written from the point of view of a child. How would the first line of the poem have to change if it were told from the point of view of an adult? |
| 6. | Read the poem again before answering these questions. |
| a) | In the light of all the commands that the child is given, what is the irony in the last question? |
| b) | What makes this a humorous poem? |
| 7. | Can you think of one command (or maybe more) that adults say or have said to you that is not in this list of imperatives? Write it down; or perhaps take it in turns to go around the group, each person adding his or her contribution to the list. |
| Pre-reading | |
| 1. | What do you know about rainforests and their role in stabilising the world’s climate and maintaining the water cycle? How does chopping down rainforests in other countries affect us in South Africa? |
| During reading | |
| 2. | We are given a number of perspectives during this poem. Note how the mood and the tone shift with a shift of perspective. |
A poem for the rainforest
Song of the Xingu Indian
Judith Nicholls
They have stolen my land;
the birds have flown,
My people gone.
my rainbow rises over sand, my river falls on stone
Amazonian Timbers Inc.
This cannot go next –
here, let me draw the line.
That’s roughly right, give or take
a few square miles or so.
I’ll list the ones we need.
No burn the rest.
Only take the best,
We’re not in this
For charity.
Replant? No –
You’re new to this, I see!
There’s plenty more
where this comes from,
no problem! Finish here
and then move on.
Dusk
