Here’s a poem about a man who tries to catch a Leprechaun so he can become rich!  It was written by the Irish poet William Allingham (1824–1889).  I’ve included definitions of any uncommon words below the poem.  After that you can hear a recording of it. The Leprechaun or Fairy Shoemaker I. Little Cowboy, what have you heard,...

The poem May Day by American poet Sara Teasdale (1884 – 1933) has lovely imagery.  Though it seems to end on a melancholy note, you can think of it in light of appreciating the time on earth we have… MP3 of May Day May Day A delicate fabric of bird song ...

Here’s the poem Joys of Youth by English poet John Clare (1793 – 1864). MP3 of Joys of Youth Joys of Youth How pleasing simplest recollections seem Now summer comes it warms me to look back In the sweet happiness of youths...

Easter The air is like a butterfly With frail blue wings. The happy earth looks at the sky And sings. MP3 Recording of Easter Poem by Joyce Kilmer

Where the Bee Sucks is from Shakespeare’s play The Tempest.  In the play, it’s sung by the fairy spirit Ariel.  You can read this lovely song below and listen along to two different renditions of it – one recited, the other sung. Where The Bee Sucks (Shakespeare) Where the bee sucks, there suck I: In a cowslip’s bell...

MP3 of The Dandelion The Dandelion by Mrs. E. P. Erskine "Oh, dandelion, yellow as gold, What do you do all day?" "I just wait here in the long green grass Till the children come to play." "Oh, dandelion, yellow as...

The poem The Sandman was written by 19th century poet Margaret Vandergrift.  It’s about the mythological figure who throws sand in children’s eyes to put them to sleep at night.  Below you can hear the poem recited and read along…. MP3 Recording of The Sandman   The Sandman By Margaret Vandergrift   The rosy...

Maryam wrote from Iran explaining about the Persian tradition of “divination” by consulting the Oracle of Shiraz Hafiz for guidance.  Divination is a way to find out an answer to a question you have about your future (will you marry the one you love, will you get that job, etc.) To understand about the “Oracle of...

A Bribe for Bunny By Marjorie Dillon I made a nest my very best, To hold my eggs from Bunny; I wish he’d hop right in and stop— Oh, wouldn’t that be funny? Some lettuce fine on which to dine I left, in...

The poem Loveliest of trees, the cherry now by A. E. Housman (1859–1936) was written in 1896.  To understand the poem, remember that at that time people referred to the number 20 as "score".  Threescore meant 60.  In the 2nd verse, when the author wrote, "of my threescore years and ten", he meant he’s expecting...

Here’s the poem called Spring by Dante Gabriel Rossetti with an MP3 recording. MP3 Recording of Spring by Rossetti Spring Soft-littered is the new-year’s lambing fold, And in the hollowed haystack at its side The shepherd lies o’ night now, wakeful-eyed ...

Here’s the poem Early Spring by Fay Inchfawn with an mp3 recording… MP3 Recording of Early Spring Early Spring Quick through the gates of Fairyland The South Wind forced his way. ‘Twas his to make the Earth forget Her grief of yesterday. "’Tis mine," cried he, "to bring her joy!"...

Jeremy Shatan wrote from New York: "It’s the vernal equinox, the first day of spring. Around this time of the year, my mom would always say: ‘Spring has sprung, the grass is riz, the boid is on the wing.’ Yes, just like that." This saying is all in "New Yorkese", a New York accent.  It...

In anticipation of Valentine’s Day, here’s a poem called "Valentine Song" written by Robert Argyle Campbell with an MP3 recording. MP3 of Valentine Song Valentine Song Dearest, let these roses  In their purity, Be a present symbol Of my love for thee. Underneath the blossom  Thorns are sure to grow;...

Once There Was a Boot is an original poem by 5th grader Lila Pomerantz.  Lila also drew the picture below and recorded her poem… MP3 Recording of Once There Was a Boot Once There was a Boot By Lila Pomerantz Once there was a boot...

This poem comes from the German book Der Struwwelpeter oder lustige Geschichten und drollige Bilder by Heinrich Hoffman. It was first published in German in 1844.  It’s a collection of 10 poems that are cautionary tales. An English version was translated and published 4 years later, in 1848, called, "Struwwelpeter: Merry Tales and Funny Pictures"....

Here’s the poem "Windy Nights" by Robert Louis Stevenson with a recording and illustrations… MP3 Recording of Windy Nights Windy Nights By Robert Louis Stevenson Whenever the moon and stars are set, Whenever the wind is high, All night long in the dark and wet,  A man...

Here’s a Chinese poem about early winter by Meng Haoran 孟浩然, a Chinese poet who lived from 689 or 691 to 740.  First you’ll find the simplified Chinese text, followed by an English translation.  Then you can listen to a recording of the poem in Mandarin and follow along with the Pinyin (pronunciation).   After that...