two of my favorite poems by Eloise Greenfield

(both from Honey, I Love, first published in 1978)

Honey, I Love

I love

I love a lot of things, a whole lot of things

My cousin comes to visit and you know he's from the South

'Cause every word he says just kind of slides out of his mouth

I like the way he whistles and I like the way he walks

But honey, let me tell you that I LOVE the way he talks

I love the way my cousin talks

and

The day is hot and icky and the sun sticks to my skin

Mr. Davis turns the hose on, everybody jumps right in

The water stings my stomach and I feel so nice and cool

Honey, let me tell you that I LOVE a flying pool

I love to feel a flying pool

and

Renee comes out to play and brings her doll without a dress

I make a dress with paper and that doll sure looks a mess

We laugh so loud and long and hard the doll falls to the ground

Honey, let me tell you that I LOVE the laughing sound

I love to make the laughing sound

and

My uncle's car is crowded and there's lots of food to eat

We're going down the country where the church folks like to meet

I'm looking out the window at the cows and trees outside

Honey, let me tell you that I LOVE to take a ride

I love to take a family ride

and

My mama's on the sofa sewing buttons on my coat

I go and sit beside her, I'm through playing with my boat

I hold her arm and kiss it, 'cause it feels so soft and warm

Honey, let me tell you that I LOVE my mama's arm

I love to kiss my mama's arm

and

It's not so late at night, but still I'm lying in my bed

I guess I need my rest, at least that's what my mama said

She told me not to cry 'cause she don't want to hear a peep

Honey, let me tell you I DON'T LOVE to go to sleep

I do not love to go to sleep

But I love

I love a lot of things, a whole lot of things

And honey,

I love you, too.

I love

I love a lot of things

A whole lot of things

And honey,

I love ME, too

Rope Rhyme

Get set, ready now, jump right in

Bounce and kick and giggle and spin

Listen to the rope when it hits the ground

Listen to that clappedy-slappedy sound

Jump right up when it tells you to

Come back down, whatever you do

Count to a hundred, count by ten

Start to count all over again

That’s what jumping is all about

Get set, ready now,

jump

right

out!

(both from Honey, I Love, first published in 1978)

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