Free To Be Inspired

I've been reading the September Homeschool Horizons magazine, and have been inspired by the poetry in it.  The kids and I just sat on the couch as I recited a couple of poems to them.  Then I searched to see if there was more to the first one, and there is.  I love it.

October's Party

by George Cooper 

courtesy of http://www.stockphotosforfree.com

October gave a party;
The leaves by hundreds came-
The Chestnuts, Oaks, and Maples,
And leaves of every name.
The Sunshine spread a carpet,
And everything was grand,
Miss Weather led the dancing,
Professor Wind the band.

The Chestnuts came in yellow,
The Oaks in crimson dressed;
The lovely Misses Maple
In scarlet looked their best;
All balanced to their partners,
And gaily fluttered by;
The sight was like a rainbow
New fallen from the sky.

Then, in the rustic hollow,
At hide-and-seek they played,
The party closed at sundown,
And everybody stayed.
Professor Wind played louder;
They flew along the ground;
And then the party ended
In jolly "hands around."

Isn't that wonderful? I've always loved poetry, and the imagery in this one just makes me smile.  I love that I can share my enjoyment of poems with my kids in a way that doesn't kill the spirit of the words.  

I can remember in school having to dissect each and every line, being asked questions like, "What did the poet mean when he said ______?"  It was frustrating to really get into a poem, only to be told that the way it moved me wasn't what the book said the answer was, and therefore I'd obviously read it wrong.  How high school English didn't kill my love of poetry is beyond me.  It sure tried.

That's what I love about homeschooling (among other things).  We don't grade the work the kids do.  There is no pass or fail.  No A or F.  Poetry can simply inspire.  Books can expand the imagination without having to fit into an answer sheet.  Our kids are free to be inspired by a story without being told how to feel or think about it.  They can enjoy autumn poetry just because.

Autumn is a second season when every leaf is a flower. ~ Albert Camus