Write A Poem - About Your Pet

Do you have any pets at home with you? Hundreds of years ago Christopher Smart wrote a long poem called Jubilate Agno. In it he says why he loves his cat, Jeoffry. Here are some of my favourite lines from it:  

For first he looks upon his forepaws to see if they are clean.

For secondly he kicks up behind to clear away there.

For thirdly he works it upon stretch with the forepaws extended.

For fourthly he sharpens his paws by wood.

For fifthly he washes himself.

...

For if he meets another cat he will kiss her in kindness.

For when he takes his prey he plays with it to give it a chance.

For one mouse in seven escapes by his dallying.

Do you see how each line starts with 'For'? Nowadays we would probably say 'Because'. Do you see and can you hear how starting with the same word on every line sets up a great rhythm and sound pattern? I used the same pattern to write a poem about my dog:

I Love My Dog 

Because she wakes me by jumping on the bed 

Because she licks my face while I push her away

Because she scratches at the door and whines to be let out

Because she always wants to go for a walk

Because she loves to run after her ball

Because she brings it back for me to throw again

Because she runs and jumps in the air to catch it

Because she wants me to throw it again

Because she knows I will throw it again

Because she doesn't let me stop throwing –

Because she wags her tail all day.

Now you have a go! If there are a few of you in your family you could each say one thing about your pet and then put all the lines together to make a family pet poem!

 If you don't have a pet you could say why you like dinosaurs? Or unicorns? Or your favourite animal?

If you want to read more of Christopher Smart's cat poem click here. Remember it was written a very long time ago so don't worry if some bits look a bit strange or are hard to understand.