Under a spreading chestnut tree The village smithy stands; The smith, a mighty man is he, With large and sinewy hands; And the muscles of his brawny arms Are strong as iron bands. His hair is … [Read more...] about “The Village Blacksmith” by Longfellow
Poetry
“The School of Life” by Irving Sydney Dix
Life is a school, and all that tread the earth Are pupils in it. Its lessons all should learn, And few there be who escape them — and they are fools. At birth this school begins, at death it … [Read more...] about “The School of Life” by Irving Sydney Dix
“A Singing Lesson” by Jean Ingelow
A NIGHTINGALE made a mistake— She sang a few notes out of tune— Her heart was ready to break, And she hid away from the moon. She wrung her claws, poor thing, But was far too proud to weep; She … [Read more...] about “A Singing Lesson” by Jean Ingelow
“A Fine Day” by Michael Drayton
Clear had the day been from the dawn, All chequer'd was the sky, Thin clouds like scarfs of cobweb lawn Veil'd heaven's most glorious eye. The wind had no more strength than this, That … [Read more...] about “A Fine Day” by Michael Drayton
“July” by Susan Hartley Swett
When the scarlet cardinal tells, Her dream to the dragon-fly, And the lazy breeze rocks the nest in the trees, And murmurs a lullaby, — It is July. When the tangled cobweb pulls The … [Read more...] about “July” by Susan Hartley Swett
“Casey at the Bat” by Ernest Lawrence Thayer
A Ballad of the Republic, Sung in the Year 1888. The outlook wasn’t brilliant for the Mudville nine that day; The score stood four to two with but one inning more to play. And then when Cooney died … [Read more...] about “Casey at the Bat” by Ernest Lawrence Thayer
“The Butterfly and the Bee” by William Lisle Bowles
Methought I heard a butterfly Say to a labouring bee: "Thou hast no colours of the sky On painted wings like me." "Poor child of vanity! those dyes, And colours bright and rare," With mild … [Read more...] about “The Butterfly and the Bee” by William Lisle Bowles
14 Forms of Writing for the Older Student: Poetry
Writing poetry may seem like an odd place to start when encouraging a young writer, but some students will find it an easier task than many other forms of writing. There are several benefits to … [Read more...] about 14 Forms of Writing for the Older Student: Poetry
“The Arrow and the Song” by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
I shot an arrow into the air, It fell to earth, I knew not where; For, so swiftly it flew, the sight Could not follow it in its flight. I breathed a song into the air, It fell to earth, I knew … [Read more...] about “The Arrow and the Song” by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
“Pirate Story” by Robert Louis Stevenson
Three of us afloat in the meadow by the swing, Three of us aboard in the basket on the lea. Winds are in the air, they are blowing in the spring, And waves are on the meadow like the waves there … [Read more...] about “Pirate Story” by Robert Louis Stevenson
