I was very spoilt on Mother’s Day last Sunday: with company, with phonecalls, with flowers and chocolate and gifts. And, of course, if I had to pick a favourite out of those, I couldn’t: except I guess that my favourite thing about Mothers Day is remembering how very blessed I am to have six such wonderful children.
But I did want to share a picture of one of my gifts today, because today is Poetry Friday. Here is what my daughter, Emily (otherwise known as Murphlet 2) made for me:
Aren’t they simply divine? And isn’t she both clever AND thoughtful?
In honour of my magnets, I wanted to share the poem they of course represent.
The Owl and the Pussycat
by Edward Lear
The Owl and the Pussycat went to sea
In a beautiful pea-green boat:
They took some honey, and plenty of money
Wrapped up in a five-pound note.
The Owl looked up to the stars above,
And sang to a small guitar,
“O lovely Pussy! O Pussy, my love,
What a beautiful Pussy you are,
You are,
You are!
What a beautiful Pussy you are!”
Pussy said to the Owl, “You elegant fowl!
How charmingly sweet you sing!
Oh! let us be married; too long we have tarried
But what shall we do for a ring?”
They sailed away, for a year and a day,
To the land where the Bong-Tree grows
And there in a wood a Piggy-wig stood
With a ring at the end of his nose,
His nose,
His nose,
With a ring at the end of his nose.
“Dear Pig, are you willing to sell for one shilling
Edward Lear’s original illustration. Source: Wikipedia
Your ring?” Said the Piggy, “I will.”
So they took it away, and were married next day
By the Turkey who lives on the hill.
They dined on mince, and slices of quince,
Which they ate with a runcible spoon;
And hand in hand, on the edge of the sand,
They danced by the light of the moon,
The moon,
The moon,
They danced by the light of the moon.
Almost 150 years since it was first published, this poem still makes people young and old smile. Pretty good, huh? And, it occurred to me as I wrote that last sentence that there is a lovely link here: not only have I shared this poem with my daughter and she with me, but also my own mother shared it with me, and probably her mother shared it with her. So an appropriate way to celebrate mother’s day.
Poetry Friday this week is being hosted by Random Noodling, where you will find a round-up of all the Poetry Friday goodness.
I’ve always loved this poem. And your magnets are delightful. What a fun gift!
Thanks Ramona. They re on my desk and making me smile every day.
I love the magnets, but best of all the planning and joy that went into their making and presenting on Mother’s Day. What a testament to the success of a literary life.
Thanks Brenda. She is a very thoughtful girl.
I had a beautiful Big Book illustrated by Jan Brett for sharing this poem with first graders! I love this poem, and her illustrations are beautiful. And I love your daughter’s priceless gift!
I don’t know the Jan Brett version, but I do know this is a poem that kids still adore, almost without exception. Thanks for stopping by.
I love the magnet set! And these lines:
And hand in hand, on the edge of the sand,
They danced by the light of the moon,
Yes. Those lines just say it all, don’t they?