Me, spilling out all my thoughts, inner and outer, on just about anything! Lots of poetry, short stories from past experiences, anecdotes about teaching elementary school, music, relationships....garage sale type thing...Something For Everyone!

Friday, October 12, 2007

A Favourite Fall Poem




Something Told The Wild Geese



Something told the wild geese
It was time to go.
Though the fields lay golden
Something whispered, "snow."
Leaves were green and stirring,
Berries, luster-glossed,
But beneath warm feathers
Something cautioned, "frost."
All the sagging orchards
Steamed with amber spices
But each wild breast stiffened
At remembered ice.
Something told the wild geese
It was time to fly -
Summer sun was on their wings,
Winter in their cry.


Rachel Field


We had to memorise this in Gr. 3 and I still know it! As a teacher, I have taught it and it actually has a tune that I can sing to with my guitar.









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20 Comments:

Blogger Richard said...

It's a good poem (it rhymes – I don't get poems that don't rhyme).

We still have the geese all around where I work. They seem in no hurry to move on yet.

Friday, October 12, 2007

 
Blogger Lynnea said...

That's lovely. I especially like the last two lines.

Friday, October 12, 2007

 
Blogger twilite said...

Hi MOI! When I was reading the poem, I felt there was rhythm and the words sing -- I was going to comment what a lovely write...to discover it's by Rachel Field and there was a tune to it. Thanks for sharing. Enjoy your autumn!

Friday, October 12, 2007

 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

What a wonderful fall poem - wish I could sit in your class and hear you sing :-)

there is something majestic about this birds when flying.

Saturday, October 13, 2007

 
Blogger TorAa said...

A season is passed
we are flying
down South

Coming back
next spring to
the richness of the North

The light
the fresh air
The solitude and rivers
forests, lakes

and the humans
loving us

canoing
we can talk

Saturday, October 13, 2007

 
Blogger mystic rose said...

lovely! poem. and good memory. Its amazing how long we can remember something thats been memorised in childhood. I still remember some of my lessons.

Saturday, October 13, 2007

 
Blogger Pauline said...

we have been thinking along the same lines, you and I...

Love the poem. I too, remember it from childhood.

Sunday, October 14, 2007

 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

What a lovely poem.. and so very true. The leaving of our Canadian Geese in the fall is of such significance.

Sunday, October 14, 2007

 
Blogger goatman said...

It sends shivers through my bones just reading about winter. I'm ready to head south but must remain to cut wood and prep for the chill.
Geese flying over each day now; some landing on the pond to say hi to my ducks.

Sunday, October 14, 2007

 
Blogger Jocelyn said...

I so much wish children (even in my day) were required to memorize more poetry...even do recitations! Those words and cadences embed in us for a lifetime, as you show here.

Sunday, October 14, 2007

 
Blogger Barbara said...

With global warming, will that something still keep whispering in their ears? I worry that many things, including bird migration, will change in the coming years.

Monday, October 15, 2007

 
Blogger Mother of Invention said...

I've lost all these 3 times so I give it one more chance!!

Richard: I love rhymong poems best. Our geese won't go till freeze-up which may be jan.!

Maggie: The "Honk" tells it all.

Twilite: It is a very simple tune...any poem can be put to one.

Renny: Yes, the co-operation needed in the Vee.

Toraa: You lucky goose! You get to go so many places!

Mystic: I've loved poetry and music since I was a child.

Pauline: She's American and has written many adult books too.

Coll: You know that when our geese leave, that's it! it's winter!

Goatman: You're not a fan of winter I assume! neither am I but I love to be cosy by a fire and look out at it. You'd better get chopping wood! Do your Ducks leave or stay?

Jocelyn: I loved doing memory work and I had my students do it for the pride and musicality of language.

Barbara: Yes, the message may change to "Stay here!" and upset the balance of nature.

Monday, October 15, 2007

 
Blogger bulletholes said...

IS THERE ANYTHING (excuse me) that signals a coming change more than a flock of Canadian Geese honking their way South?
Geese are to Canadians what Longhorn Cattle are to Texans, no?

Monday, October 15, 2007

 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

What a lovely poem. I also love fall since there is somewhat romantic about it. It reminds me of the movie Sweet November.

Tuesday, October 16, 2007

 
Blogger Mother of Invention said...

Steve: Mooo! Honk!

Chase: You must be missing it.

Tuesday, October 16, 2007

 
Blogger shara said...

I hope you'll sing it, and post it. The poem is lovely-melancholy, very fall. Once when we were still in Texas there were two (confused) Canada geese on the lake behind our house. I couldn't believe my eyes, they were like mirages, towering over the mallards.

Thursday, October 18, 2007

 
Blogger Lynette said...

Oh I love this poem and the pictures even though it brings on a little sadness to think of the birds migrating and leaving because of the cold winter coming soon. But then again, it makes one thankful for the season of spring when they return!

Thursday, October 18, 2007

 
Blogger TorAa said...

This poem,
well it created a dream:
Go Canoing together next summer?
U know - Anna is a Teacher as well
- love wilderness (Norwegians we are)

We will in North America anyway - so it's a Q about where is the first stop. Must to visit is SW MI. But if landing in Detroit ....

Friday, October 19, 2007

 
Blogger storyteller said...

Lovely photos as usual. Reading the poem brought back memories. I used to have my students memorize poetry (of which this was one) and spent several years teaching 3rd grade. The world would be just a little too small if you turned out to be a former student...LOL

Seeing that others learned this poem in THEIR youth, I guess this idea was not unique to my classroom.

I'd love to hear you sing your version as well.
Hugs and blessings,

Saturday, November 10, 2007

 
Blogger Mother of Invention said...

Shara:Thanks! I don't know how to record it and post it, though.

Lynnete: Yes, it does have a sad feeling or undertone. That's the seasonal cycles we have to live with!

Toraa: Yes, you guys are great outdoor enthusiasts!

Storyteller: Thanks! I so remember many of the music, reading and writing activities we did as kids! I doubt I was your student...heck, I'm likely older than you are! (I'm 53 and started teaching in public school in '81 and from '77 to '81 taught in a Chinese High School)

Saturday, November 10, 2007

 

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