There's no way I could showcase a month's worth of poetry collections and not feature Fredericton's own Sheree Fitch. It's not the first time I've mentioned her on this blog and I'm certain it won't be the last. She's among the best poets for children in Canada and beyond. I've had the great pleasure of working with Sheree and her colleague, Anne Hunt, this past year as they conduct research for a collection of Atlantic Canadian poems for children they plan to edit. The spirit of poetry emanates from her. I've taken this poem from a recent collection, but make sure you dig deeper because you will find much gold.
Argentinosaurus
Argentinosaurus
Is a tenor in the chorus
In an opera that is playing on a stage inside his head.
He's the biggest dinosaurus
He's humongous!
He's enormous!
And his voice is such a roarus he could scare awake the dead!
Figaro! Figaroo!
I am not a kangaroo!
Figaree! Figurah!
Sol la ti do re mi fa!
Argentinosaurus
Shakes the cities and the forests
Every time he takes a step and sings a score
He is bowing to the tourists who bring flowers from the florists.
And his dinosaurus chorus is so glorious! Encore!
Figaro! Figaree!
Would you take a look at me!
Figaro! Figara!
Prehistoric opera!
--Sheree Fitch
from If I Had a Million Onions by Sheree Fitch; illustrated by Yayo. Tradewind, 2005.
Psst: If you don't have a copy of the 20th anniversary edition of Fitch's poetic picture book, Sleeping Dragons All Around (Nimbus, 2009), you should.
(Note: when quoting poems online, always include a full citation for the collection from which the poem originated. If the poem is not in the public domain (i.e. is still in copyright) abide by the principle of Fair Dealing in your use of the work.)
What fun!
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