poetry friday

Kittens
by Myra Cohn Livingston

Our cat had kittens
weeks ago
when everything outside was snow.

So she stayed in
and kept them warm
and safe from all the clouds and storm.

But yesterday
when there was sun
she snuzzled on the smallest one

and turned it over
from beneath
and took its fur between her teeth

and carried it
outside to see
how nice a winter day can be

and then our dog
decided he
would help her take the other three

and one by one
they took them out
to see what sun is all about

so when they’re grown
they’ll always know
to never be afraid of snow.

Today’s poem is from Julie Andrews’ Treasury for all Seasons: Poems and Songs to Celebrate the Year, selections by Julie Andrews and Emma Walton Hamilton, paintings by Marjorie Priceman.

This is an utterly charming new book of poetry, arranged by season, with delightful selections for just about every holiday you can think of, including those rarely represented in most children’s collections such as Ramadan and Purim.  As well, there are poems about celebrating the Sabbath, new babies, and  each season’s finest offerings from nature.  The jubilant paintings by Marjorie Priceman are simply irresistable!  Every page bursts with juicy colors, swirling and swimming and dancing about!

Here’s an Amazon link:  Julie Andrews’ Treasury for All Seasons: Poems and Songs to Celebrate the Year