Allan Wolf Poems
 

Here are a few poems for your enjoyment. Feel free to make copies but remember to always include the author name and acknowledgment information.

 The Greatest Nation on Earth
by Allan Wolf

I've climbed the heights of Everest,
one hand behind my back.
I've seen the sights of Asia sitting
high atop a Yak.

Fed Antelope in Africa
and kissed a crocodile
as I was rafting all alone
along the river Nile.

I'm quite the global traveler.
I've been to every land:
China, England, Russia, Rome,
New Guinea, and Sudan.

New Zealand and Australia,
Yugoslavia and Perth.
Canada and India.
Dallas and Fort Worth.

But although these wondrous places hold
a certain fascination,
the greatest nation in the world
is . . . my own imagination!

I visit remarkable, marvelous lands
and never leave my chair.
I only have to read a book
to feel as though I'm there.

So hop aboard the Word Express.
It's leaving from the station.
The only ticket needed is
your own imagination.

Whatever are you waiting for?
The adventure starts today.
Just take a book down from the shelf
and . . . you're on your way.


Allan Wolf
.


This next poem, by middle school student Chloe King, originated from a “jump start” prompt on page 89 of my book, Immersed in Verse. I love the sound of this poem. Read it out loud and you’ll see what I mean. Thanks to media specialist, Belinda Talley for sending this one in.

Jump Start: Focus on something really small: a drop of water falling from the faucet, a magnet on the refrigerator, the red light on your alarm clock that means it’s P.M

Grass
By Chloe King
Grass
you are cool and soft
you are warm and prickly
bugs make you their home
so young, yet so old
significant, yet no soul
God’s creation
Earth’s standing ovation
I hope you last
as winter destroys your past
gone for a while
but you will soon sprout again
New Grass
 

 
  The following two poems come from Fruitville Elementary School in Sarasota, Florida where I was visiting in February. The first poem, by Michelle, is filled with sensory images of cold fingers (touch), flying geese (sight), and howling wolves (sound). The second poem, by Mrs. Johnson’s wonderful class, uses similes, metaphors, and personification to bring a big rubber ball to life as only poetry can!
   
Winter
by Michelle
 
Winter’s cold fingers
creep across Earth
on this wonderful wintery season.
The bears crawl into their snug, warm caves
like a butterfly wraps itself inside a chrysalis.
Geese fly south.
Most animals are hibernating,
except the lone wolf howling
on the edge of a snowy cliff
to the blue moon.
The howling,
“Awooooooh”
sends chills through one’s spine.
This is winter.
Beautiful winter.
 
The Ball
by Mrs. Johnson’s Class
 

 

 

Blue like the ocean,

bouncy like a trampoline,

round like a globe,
It is a tumbleweed,
a round egg,
 

saying “Ouch!” when Hunter

sits on its head.
Our ball.  
   
   
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