This poem does not count for #355. It does not count because it is too like the poem "Anteater" by Shel Silverstein. However, I wrote the whole post after I realized that I had ripped the poem off somehow through my own childhood memories of Shel's poem. How I loved his books through the 1970s and 1980s.
Students - this happens sometimes. There are times when you write something and then afterward realize that your work is too much like someone else's work. Then, it's time to get back to writing and dig around for something else.
Students - where did this poem come from? Who knows! Sometimes I think that verses come from the lint that collects in my brain all day long. At day's end, I sweep up my head and whatever ends up in the dustpan is the poem.
For this one, I simply got jotting in my notebook, and this line appeared -
What would you do if an anteater swallowed your aunt?
One thing led to another, and this silly homophone poem was born. The last few lines took me a while because I could not decide whether to use the word "shame" or "blame." The original ending read, "I am not a good speller/so I'm not to blame." There were two reasons I changed it. The first reason was that I did not want a contraction in the poem. The other reason was that this chosen ending just sounded funnier to me.
Homophones are tricky! To refresh your memory of what they are, homophones are pronounced the same way, but they are spelled differently. For a great list of English language homophones and homonyms, as well as definitions for each, check out Tracy's site Taupecat.
To see a map of where people say 'aunt' to rhyme with 'ant' compared to where people say 'ahnt,' check out Quora.
Hmmm...I'm wondering if this poem has anything to do with the fact we have an ant problem in the kitchen right now. Just thought of that. Bet it does! Maybe I need this guy to come for a visit.
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Hi Amy,
ReplyDeleteYour honesty and open heart continue to teach us. I have been meaning to write to you about a couple of my students who have been turning to your blog when writing at home. We will be sure to send along the poems that you have inspired. As always, many thanks. We will celebrate your amazing Poem Writing Year, but we will also be sad when day 365 arrives. Your writing is such a gift. ~Theresa