What is a Fact?
A fact is a fish on ice.
We can all see its glassy eye.
We can all feel its razor-edged fins.
We can all smell its sea-salty past.
A fact is raw.
It can be baked, grilled, or fried,
but we can all agree we are eating fish.
Perhaps you like fish,
perhaps you don’t,
but there it is—
staring up at you.
© Elizabeth Steinglass, 2019, all rights reserved
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Well, I have never thought of fish as facts, but you have made the connection 🙂 Thanks for sharing.
Yep, it’s a fact. I was rather young when I encountered my first fish prepared in a restaurant, that eye staring. It was not pleasant, but I have become used to the “fact”. Love this, Liz. “A fact is raw” perhaps not exactly about fish?
Nicely packed poem, Elizabeth. I have had many an encounter with a fish staring up at me when I go to a nearby town to buy the fresh fish that comes off the fishing boats in the summer. One of my funniest encounters is when I was given a fish head after my fish was filleted so that I could make soup (eye and all). Whew!
I like the “raw” “facts” in your fish poem–much truth there staring up at you, thanks!
A poem that makes us ponder. Very clever. Love it!
Liz, this is a brilliant poem. That’s a fact. xo
So cleverly crafted. Great matter-of-fact tone…so apropos for sharing facts. Love how line 1 and line 5 work together.
This poem would be great for classroom discussion. Well done, Liz.
Thanks, everyone!
I can smell fish as I read this poem…mm…
Interesting poem, Liz. I happen to like fish and value truth above all else. That’s a fact!
I’ll never look at a fish the same again! Thanks for a great poem, Liz. Congratulations on your new book. I can’t wait to read it!
I love the structure of your poem, Liz. I can imagine challenging kids to write their own “A fact is…” poem. Thank you for sharing!
There is an expression ‘everything is interesting’ to a writer. The glassy eye of a fish for one. A fish eye has a Mona Lisa quality about it for no matter where you stand it still appears to be looking back at you. Great noticing Liz. I personally can’t eat fish .but I certainly find them interesting and I thank you for celebrating them with your fish facts. Your fish facts are not fake or for that matter- ‘fishy.’
What Tabatha said! I can’t wait to unpack this metaphor with my students. This will be a fabulous mentor text.
I love the structure of this poem and its underlying message as well. Great ending line!
Kaboom–a stroke of brilliance, metaphor in service of logic.
Tuesday morning–my latest PF comments ever! I’m owning it.
We are working on distinguishing fact and opinion in 2nd grade, and while they get it, mostly, by feel, this poem and photo will help them to understand what a fact is under all its uses, including in the support of opinion.
“A fact is raw.
It can be baked, grilled, or fried,
but we can all agree we are eating fish.”
Thank you, Liz!
There is nothing fishy about this poem, Liz. I want to give it (or you) a fist-bump.