“and down they forgot as up they grew”

I love teaching.  Lots.

Lately I am also very appreciative for teaching because it’s resulted in my reading lots more poetry, and I love to read it more and more all the time.

I thought I’d occasionally post a poem I like a lot.  It’s always my hope that Davey will like reading this blog someday, and I’d love for him to enjoy poetry in it as well.

I really like ee cummings.  I frequently (maybe too frequently) mention this poem in class because I love the line about the children and how “and down they forgot as up they grew.”

As with all poetry, this poem should be read out loud.  Lots of times. 🙂

“anyone lived in a pretty how town”

by e.e. cummings

anyone lived in a pretty how town

(with up so floating many bells down)

spring summer autumn winter

he sang his didn’t he danced his did

Women and men(both little and small)

cared for anyone not at all

they sowed their isn’t they reaped their same

sun moon stars rain

children guessed(but only a few

and down they forgot as up they grew

autumn winter spring summer)

that noone loved him more by more

when by now and tree by leaf

she laughed his joy she cried his grief

bird by snow and stir by still

anyone’s any was all to her

someones married their everyones

laughed their cryings and did their dance

(sleep wake hope and then)they

said their nevers they slept their dream

stars rain sun moon

(and only the snow can begin to explain

how children are apt to forget to remember

with up so floating many bells down)

one day anyone died i guess

(and noone stooped to kiss his face)

busy folk buried them side by side

little by little and was by was

all by all and deep by deep

and more by more they dream their sleep

noone and anyone earth by april

wish by spirit and if by yes.

Women and men(both dong and ding)

summer autumn winter spring

reaped their sowing and went their came

sun moon stars rain

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