Poetry Friday--Christina Rossetti

I realized that we were missing a collection of poetry by Christina Rossetti, so I ordered one and it is now on our shelves. The book, Poems [821.8 ROS], is from the series, "Everyman's Library Pocket Poets," published by Alfred A. Knopf. It's a pleasing, hand-sized volume containing a selection of her best poems, and so, is perfect for an introduction to Rossetti.

In a section, "Rhymes and Riddles," you'll find many poems that are in anthologies of poetry for children. This one I've seen many times--perhaps it is known to you, too:

WHO HAS SEEN THE WIND?

Who has seen the wind?
    Neither I nor you:
But when the leaves hang trembling
    The wind is passing thro'.

Who has seen the wind?
    Neither you nor I:
But when the trees bow down their heads.
    The wind is passing by.

It's nice to be able to share Rossetti's "Rhymes and Riddles" poems with your kids or grandkids. Despite being a little preachy, I'm fond of this one, and think it would make for a good discussion with the kids:

A WORD FOR THE DUMB

Pity the sorrows of a poor old Dog
        Who wags his tail a-begging in his need:
Despise not even the sorrows of a Frog,
        God's creature too, and that's enough to plead:
Spare Puss who trusts us purring on our hearth:
        Spare Bunny once so frisky and so free:
Spare all the harmless tenants of the earth:
        Spare, and be spared:--or who shall plead for thee?

The Poetry Friday Round-Up is being held this week at A Year of Reading.