The Hungry Giraffe
Dining up high
On leaves in the sky
With the clouds
Near your eyes and the
Swifts sweeping by
Is fine, until you find your mouth is
Dry and the water
Enveloping your toes.
I’m still reading The National Geographic Book of Animal Poems. Every day. Just like a kid. This week I stopped short when I got to the two acrostic poems by Avis Harley. They use such wonderful and fun language. One thing I appreciate about them is that the vertical words are not the animal’s name; they’re about the animal, another part of the poem, another expression of the animal’s essence. The poem above is my response to Harley’s poem about giraffes which is titled “Above All” and is from her book African Acrostics.
For more Poetry Friday see Amy Ludwig VanDerwater at The Poem Farm.
(c) 2012 Elizabeth Ehrenfest Steinglass, all rights reserved
What a great spin on an acrostic. Instead of using the word “giraffe,” “Downside” is a descriptive comment on the poem’s theme. Clever! I love the lines “with the clouds/ near your eyes and the/ swifts sweeping by.”
Terrific idea for response, Liz. I like the way you did the line breaks. Good rhythm! I must get this book; people are talking about it quite a lot!
You are making me want to go ahead and grab this book as well – it’s been on my list. Love your “tall tale” of a poetic response here!
Liz,
Such a clever acrostic! And so true for the poor giraffe – water “enveloping your toes” so far from where his dry mouth is.
Nice job!
Bridget
Laura,
Swift sweeping by was a final revision, so I’m glad you liked it!
Liz
Linda and Robyn,
It really is a beautiful book. I don’t know which I like more–the poems or the photographs.
Liz
Hi Bridget,
They look so graceful until it’s time for a drink. I feel so worried for them with their legs splayed like that.
Thanks for stopping by.
Liz
I love the assonance – sky, eyes, high – and an appropriate ending to the acrostic DOWNSIDE!
Thanks, Matt. It was fun and challenging.
Oh my. This is some of the kind of poetry I most admire because it is so out of my comfort zone. Love the image.
Very cool…my kids would love being able to experiment with this form. I just bought this book for my classroom – such fun to wander through it.
Looks like a wonderful book — it’s going on my wish list!
Oh I really like this. I have two giraffe poems that need work so this is good inspiration, thanks!
I so like how this poem focuses on what must be such a pet peeve of all giraffes. Watery toes…but thirsty! Lovely language, and such sweetness too. I also adore that book – fantastic! Happy Poetry Friday! a.
This is wonderful! I love acrostics–yours is great, and I have admired many of Avis Harley’s!
Laura,
Thanks for stopping by. What a nice surprise on a Monday.
Liz