In our house we're really enjoying the poem 'The adventures of Isabel' by Ogden Nash. It's a great example of how poetry isn't alienating, a lot of the time it's just well-chosen words that tell a great story.
I've spent a few days trying to figure out the adult appeal of this one - why I enjoy it as much as the girls do. It's not necessarily about strength, because as you'll read Isabel is not strong, she's just an ordinary girl making it through the 'threats' a child imagines.
And a lot of what holds us back are perceived threats as well. I'm wrestling with a few of those myself.
For me it's a great reminder about having the confidence of one's convictions, about understanding when threats are actually not as big as we imagine they are, and about knowing when actually the threatening thing might just be good for us.
Enjoy!
The adventures of Isabel
Isabel met an enormous bear,
Isabel, Isabel, didn't care;
The bear was hungry, the bear was ravenous,
The bear's big mouth was cruel and cavernous.
The bear said, Isabel, glad to meet you,
How do, Isabel, now I'll eat you!
Isabel, Isabel, didn't worry.
Isabel didn't scream or scurry.
She washed her hands and she straightened her hair up,
Then Isabel quietly ate the bear up.
Once in a night as black as pitch
Isabel met a wicked old witch.
the witch's face was cross and wrinkled,
The witch's gums with teeth were sprinkled.
Ho, ho, Isabel! the old witch crowed,
I'll turn you into an ugly toad!
Isabel, Isabel, didn't worry,
Isabel didn't scream or scurry,
She showed no rage and she showed no rancor,
But she turned the witch into milk and drank her.
Isabel met a hideous giant,
Isabel continued self reliant.
The giant was hairy, the giant was horrid,
He had one eye in the middle of his forhead.
Good morning, Isabel, the giant said,
I'll grind your bones to make my bread.
Isabel, Isabel, didn't worry,
Isabel didn't scream or scurry.
She nibled the zwieback that she always fed off,
And when it was gone, she cut the giant's head off.
Isabel met a troublesome doctor,
He punched and he poked till he really shocked her.
The doctor's talk was of coughs and chills
And the doctor's satchel bulged with pills.
The doctor said unto Isabel,
Swallow this, it will make you well.
Isabel, Isabel, didn't worry,
Isabel didn't scream or scurry.
She took those pills from the pill concocter,
And Isabel calmly cured the doctor.
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