To Play With Colored Clay

Paying homage to Dr. Seuss. Getting my 'Geisel' on

Children learn, children play almost every single day
Teachers teach, teachers say better work before you play
And kids who play with colored clay
Were put in molds and taught to fold
To earn a turn when each can reach
And only play with ugly putty that is plain and grey.

Teacher Stern, teacher grey came to class one day
Children burn children's clay that is all dull and grey
With laser beams of hopeful dreams
They set their sight on colors bright
But teacher Stern was concerned
Children may get burned if they color colors more than grey.

Children learned children stay sitting still all day
Teacher Stern teached her brain grey will be the only way
To always keep the kids asleep
Never find pigment in their mind
But her dirty trick made her sick
Because she had no color but the color grey.

Teacher Stern, teacher grey, old as time like dried up clay
Children learn children may, have the hope she goes away
So the young held their tongue
Spurned the lumps of lifeless clumps
And Mrs. Stern took a turn ~ never to return
Then all the kids flipped their lids and yelled, "hooray!"

Children turned, children swayed when they came along next day
Teacher turned teacher gay who now was here and wants to stay
With no talk using colored chalk
They see where she wrote Mrs. Gaiety
And with eyes the size of pizza pies
The whole class cried surprise 'cause in her hand was colored clay!

Children learned teacher Gay has something new for them today
Teacher yearned children may get to see some colors play
They sat up straight and tried to wait
For teacher's double feature
And in her hat she made a vat
Of reds and greens like dreams that chased their blues away.

Children burned children's clay with the colors that she brought that day
Teacher turned teacher's day into lessons great that made them sway
Back and forth like sparkles on the Fourth
The class was hit with love for tint
When the colors bloomed like flowers
And all the clay that once was grey, began to grow and play!

Teacher Stern, teacher grey did return to teach one day
Children churned! Children bayed like a pack of wolves to say...
"We want to play with colored clay
We need to knead and paint the seed
With fun in sun, imagination!
In raining rainbows our minds grow, so listen please we pray."

Children learned teacher Stern, heard the kids plead and pray
Teachers say children may, want to know the truth today
A teacher smart changed her heart
The kids then thought she looks a lot
Like who they see is Mrs. Gaiety
Then their eyes grew wide when they realize, Mrs. Stern is teacher Gay!

2022

Author's Note

This is dedicated to Karen and Kathy Sue Sills. When I found out they were twins I accused them of pretending to be each other. They have written for children and I thought I would try my pen at that. I have no kids and zero experience around them, but slightly fascinated by Theodore Geisel and his rhyme. Some latent childhood memory that creeps into my poetry most likely.

I would like some constructive criticism about this poem. Especially the teacher teacher children children thing. Not sure if I like it. Part of me wants to rewrite that, but it seems Seussian, so I stuck with it. I almost went through and counted syllables but decided if it bounces when read, it's good enough. I certainly would be interested in a child's opinion too if you happen to have one nearby willing to be a poetic experiment.

Reviews

[Chris Shaw]

Well this appealed to my inner child Bill. I thought of the difference in styles of teaching during my own education. Dull boring lessons that bored the pants off the kids. We didn't learn anything. Then once in a while we got lucky, we were enthused by a new young bright thing who made learning interesting and colourful. What a difference it made. Everyone wanted to work and contribute. That's what I got from your poem. I'm not one to critique more to say how a poem touches me on the emotional level. There's a lesson here in your stanzas that's fir sure. Have a happy Wednesday.

Chris

[William Michael Reeves]

But I asked for constructive critique. Too long? Too much? Would you read it to a kid? Success, if it took you somewhere. Thanks Chris

[Chris Shaw]

Not sure I would read it to a child although it appealed to my inner child. I wasn't concerned about the length because your stanzas told a story. Your poem took me on a journey, so I would say it was successful :) Hope that helps a little more :)

[Lisasview]

Hi there Michael,
I read your entire poem although I usually do not read super long poems…
I absolutely loved the concept of grey verses color.
As an artist I resonate with that.
So many teachers try to force children into a box of grey.
I was a day dreamer and was often in trouble for that… but it did keep me out of the grey…
I must say I got a bit confused at one point close to the end…after reading it again I think that part is not clear enough…no big deal because I feel your message came across and that is really what matters.
Such fun to now know of the twins…
And so very clever of you to think of this poem….
Lisa, at the gym

[duff]

Another creative write William. The twins I had as friends were always playing pranks and were quite mischievous. We were on our toes constantly. I like it.

[keith]

i have been accused of being a child
a child that finds joy in clay
ok ... i found this to be too long for my aging attention span taking 2 reads
i am not overly fond of rhyming poetry
but ... your words are well chosen, the rhythm of read is there, the topic is dead on
the final thought is strong identity? matters not for it is a good write worth reading

[William Michael Reeves]

I agree Keith. It does feel a bit long. Especially if reading to a child. But I don't know any so not sure. But the idea was big and needed to complete the story. Happy you gave it a second effort. We never know if that big twist at the end of a poem reveals thoughts well spent. Thanks

Bill

[KATHY SUE SILLS]

Ha ha! I really liked this. It really flowed really good, and I liked the teach teacher, children thing! Thank you for dedicating to me and my sister!

[William Michael Reeves]

Thanks Kathy, if that's who you really are. You could be Karen for all I know. I'm torn on the teacher thing so I'm glad to hear something positive about it since I almost tore the poem apart to eliminate it. You're welcome. Inspiration comes in two's like double mint gum! (Remember those commercials?)

[KATHY SUE SILLS]

You are welcome! Yes, I Rember those commercials! I actually used to wish to be in one of them commercials.

[KAREN]

I really liked how the poem came together. I thought it was fun to read. It's unique and I really think older children will like it as well. And I am flattered you dedicated this to my sister and myself!

[William Michael Reeves]

I wasn't sure if I might be going over little kids heads. Some of the vocabulary. Glad to hear it from experienced kid wranglers. Unique for sure! Thanks a bunch!

[KAREN]

You're welcome!