My guest this week on “Poetry from Daily Life” is Alan Katz, who lives in Milford, Connecticut. Alan says, “I’ve been writing since Miss Gordon showed me the alphabet in kindergarten. But I’ve been a professional writer (for books, TV, advertising, game shows, animation and more) since age 17.” He sold jokes to comedian Henny Youngman when he was in high school ($7 a joke). Two unique facts about Alan Katz are that he has a photo taken with Henny Youngman and he has never had a cup of tea or a pickle. Alan confides, “I’ve never had a job that didn’t involve writing. Are there any jobs that don’t involve writing? I don’t think so!” ~ David L. Harrison
According to the Internet, which is never wrong, there are over 32 million elementary school students in America.
According to me, and I’m never wrong, more than 31.5 million of those students go to school every day without a basic necessity:
A poem.
Sure, during April, kids celebrate National Poetry Month by toting around various forms of verse. Vinnie may have a villanelle. Helen, a haiku. And Sophie, a sonnet.
But what about the kids whose names don’t create alliteration when paired with a poetic form? They, and millions of other students, are in desperate need; whether they walk to school, get on the bus, or hitch a ride with a parent who’s late for work and barely slows down to let them out in the drop-off lane …
… they’re getting to school without a single piece of written verse in their backpacks.
These kids need help. They need guidance. And they need access to the good stuff in life. Which is why I’m imploring you to …
Help the poemless.
I’m not asking you to forego your daily venti, triple-shot, half-caf, no foam, extra hot, soy milk latte with two pumps of sugar-free vanilla syrup, a sprinkle of cinnamon, and a light drizzle of caramel on top. And it’s not about pledging 18¢ a day for the rest of your life. It’s about finding a kid who doesn’t have poetry in their lives and sharing some works that’ll make them laugh. Make them think. Make them feel deep feelings. Yes, poetry can do all that and more. And there’s absolutely no cost involved (except time, of course).
Here’s how to help the poemless: go to the poetry shelves in the children’s section of your local library. Grab a book by David Harrison, or Marilyn Singer, or Charles Waters, or Eric Ode, or one of dozens of other poetic geniuses. (You can also look for my books “Oops!” and “Poems I Wrote When No One Was Looking,” if you’re so inclined.)
Then, read those poems to a kid in your life. Share the joys of wordsmithing in verse. You’ll enjoy it. The kid will enjoy it. And you’ll both feel a glow knowing that the child is no longer poemless, and they’ll never be poemless again. (As a bonus, you and the kid could trying writing some poems!)
You can do this. You must do this. Why? Because I say so. And as it’s written above, I’m never wrong.
Thank you. And because it just occurred to me that you might be poemless too, I’d like to leave you with a selection from “Oops!”. Feel free to share it with a young reader in your life.
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Shhhhhhh…
Please don’t bang!
Or slam!
Or buzz!
And please no loud bansheeing!
Do not click!
And do not clunk!
I’m Onomatopoeiaing.
◆◆◆
Take good care, and thanks again!
Alan Katz focuses on writing humor for kids. Among his 50 books are picture books, song parody books, poetry books, middle grade chapter books, early readers, even a few board books and game/trivia sets. He and his wonderful wife, Rose, are now collaborating on a poetry book — their first collaboration in 35 years of marriage, if you don’t include their four amazing kids (one of whom is a prolific political speechwriter).
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