Veterinarians play with puppies,
soft fur and scratchy tongues
Police officers solve crimes,
helping all, both old and young
Airline pilots travel,
flying far and wide with speed
Teachers make the world go round,
helping students love to read
Astronauts see galaxies,
they explore in outer space
Detectives, they wear coats and hats
and always solve the case
Scientists keep learning
and experiments are fun
Doctors practice medicine
always healing everyone
Many answers to the question
that they asked to every kid
"What'll you be when you grow up?"
My brother said "giant squid"
Now I've seen the world, though,
and I don't know what to be
So my answer to the question...
...I just want to be happy
soft fur and scratchy tongues
Police officers solve crimes,
helping all, both old and young
Airline pilots travel,
flying far and wide with speed
Teachers make the world go round,
helping students love to read
Astronauts see galaxies,
they explore in outer space
Detectives, they wear coats and hats
and always solve the case
Scientists keep learning
and experiments are fun
Doctors practice medicine
always healing everyone
Many answers to the question
that they asked to every kid
"What'll you be when you grow up?"
My brother said "giant squid"
Now I've seen the world, though,
and I don't know what to be
So my answer to the question...
...I just want to be happy
I love the blend of a childhood memory, with adult reflections. You captured the childish view of different occupations beautifully, without the weight of adult worries and decision processes, you describe them with the optimistic outlook of their best aspects. Your adult reflections on your childish assumptions are excellent as they really bring a sense of reality to it, but also with a sense of nostalgia. I really enjoyed reading this poem!
ReplyDeleteThis is Professor Miller. This is a fun, playful little poem that shows off your musical ear. It reads like a poem written for children but also with adults in mind. In that way, it reminds a little of Shel Silverstein. I know you are capable of deeper and more serious poems, but sometimes it's good just to play around and have fun, and I think you succeeded at that here. My favorite part is
ReplyDeleteScientists keep learning
and experiments are fun
Doctors practice medicine
always healing everyone
I don't know why, but this made me laugh out loud. It's so silly sounding, and it's delightful how these lines make light of the serious business of scientists and doctors.
The next two lines are the part that feels the least natural:
Many answers to the question
that they asked to every kid
Unlike most of the rest of the poem, these lines seem forced to fit with the rhyme scheme.
I'm not sure if it's worth it to revise this one. I would probably call it good and move on to other work. We have bigger fish to fry here, so to speak.
Fun poem!
reading this made me feel as though I was in kindergarten again being asked for the first time what I wanted to do with my life. And I think everything in this poem was something I said at one point. So I loved this. It was fun and child-like but not in an immature way but In a "I love being reminded of my childhood" kind of way. I don't even know what I would change. really good job:)
ReplyDeleteConclusion reminded me of the end of this song. https://youtu.be/WC_uaDhSlME?si=AFHjVvb3-GOBCPlJ
ReplyDelete