November Poem of the Month. Song for a Little House by Christopher Morley

November Poem of the Month Song for a Little House 1

This month we are focusing on PERSONIFICATION in our poem. Do you remember what PERSONIFICATION is? 2

This month we are focusing on PERSONIFICATION in our poem. PERSONIFICATION is when non human things are given human qualities. 3

Hey Diddle, Diddle, the cat and the fiddle. The cow jumped over the moon; The little dog laughed to see such sport. And the dish ran away with the spoon. Mother Goose What examples of personification do you see in this poem? 4

The Garden Hose In the gray evening I see a long green serpent With its tail in the dahlias. It lies in loops across the grass And drinks softly at the faucet. I can hear it swallow. Beatrice Janosco What examples of personification do you see in this poem? 5

Our poem this month, Song for a Little House, is by Christopher Morely. Born May 5, 1890 in Haveford, Pennsylvania Died March 28, 1957 Journalist, novelist, essayist, and poet Produced stage productions Gave college lectures Father was a math professor at Haveford College Mother was a poet and musician Graduated in 1910 from Haveford College as Valedictorian Studied history at New College, Oxford 6

Our poem this month, Song for a Little House, is by Christopher Morely. Moved to New York and married Helen Fairchild; they had four children Built a cabin in New York in 1936; wrote many works there Had a series of strokes in 1951 Sent this last message to his friends and family: "Read, every day, something no one else is reading. Think, every day, something no one else is thinking. Do, every day, something no one else would be silly enough to do..." 7

Before we read, what do you think the poem will be about based on the title? 8

Song for a Little House I'm glad our house is a little house, Not too tall nor too wide: I'm glad the hovering butterflies Feel free to come inside. Our little house is a friendly house. It is not shy or vain; It gossips with the talking trees, And makes friends with the rain. And quick leaves cast a shimmer of green Against our whited walls, And in the phlox, the dutious bees Are paying duty calls. vain Having or showing an excessively high opinion of one's appearance, abilities, or worth phlox clusters of flowers dutious willingly obedient out of a sense of duty and respect Let's paraphrase (put into our own words) this poem. 10

Song for a Little House I'm glad our house is a little house, Not too tall nor too wide: I'm glad the hovering butterflies Feel free to come inside. Our little house is a friendly house. It is not shy or vain; It gossips with the talking trees, And makes friends with the rain. And quick leaves cast a shimmer of green Against our whited walls, And in the phlox, the dutious bees Are paying duty calls. How many lines are in this poem? How many stanzas? 11

Song for a Little House I'm glad our house is a little house, A Not too tall nor too wide: B I'm glad the hovering butterflies C Feel free to come inside. B Our little house is a friendly house. D It is not shy or vain; E It gossips with the talking trees, F And makes friends with the rain. E And quick leaves cast a shimmer of green G Against our whited walls, H And in the phlox, the dutious bees I Are paying duty calls. H Label the rhyme scheme. 13

Song for a Little House I'm glad our house is a little house, Not too tall nor too wide: I'm glad the hovering butterflies Feel free to come inside. Our little house is a friendly house. It is not shy or vain; It gossips with the talking trees, And makes friends with the rain. And quick leaves cast a shimmer of green Against our whited walls, And in the phlox, the dutious bees Are paying duty calls. Locate examples of personification in this poem. 14

Song for a Little House I'm glad our house is a little house, Not too tall nor too wide: I'm glad the hovering butterflies Feel free to come inside. Our little house is a friendly house. It is not shy or vain; It gossips with the talking trees, And makes friends with the rain. And quick leaves cast a shimmer of green Against our whited walls, And in the phlox, the dutious bees Are paying duty calls. What human qualities are given to non human things? 15

Assignment You are going to write your own shape poem about your house. Your poem should be one stanza. Your poem does not have to rhyme, but it may if you'd like. You must use at least four examples of personification in your poem. Circle them! Make sure to give your poem a title! Make sure to put a proper heading in the upper right hand corner! 19