Over the years, I
have heard a number of authors mention the poetry of Robert Louis Stevenson,
and none were more impressive than the mention and admiration of the renowned
poet, W.S. Merwin. In an interview a few
years ago with Bill Moyers, he recounted how his mother read to him every
night. He especially loved A Child’s Garden of Verses by Robert
Louis Stevenson. I have been coveting a
copy of this collection for some time, but somehow, other things always got in
the way. While wandering through the
offerings of Amazon, I came across a copy illustrated by none other than the
marvelous children’s book illustrator, Tasha Tudor. The book arrived today, and I dropped
everything to read it aloud, as Merwin suggested. Some of these poems sounded vaguely familiar,
although I cannot recall my mother reading me any poetry. She liked stories, and so did I.
This simple and
endearing collection is a wonderful way to introduce children to the magic and
beauty of poetry. Here is an example of
one I vaguely remember from my childhood, “Bed in Summer”:
In winter I get up at
night
And dress by yellow candle-light.
In summer, quite the
other way,
I have to go to bed by
day.
I have to go to bed and
see
The birds still hoping
on the tree,
Or hear the grown-up
people’s feet
Still going past me in
the street.
And does it not seem
hard to you,
When all the sky is clear
and blue,
And I should like so
much to play,
To have to go to bed
by day? (10).
Another brief poem I
especially liked was “Looking Forward”:
When I am grown to man’s
estate
I shall be proud and
very great,
And tell the other girls
and boys
Not to meddle with my
toys.” (18).
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