Third and Fourth Grade Poetry Selections 1. BED IN SUMMER 3. WINTER'S BLESSINGS by Robert Louis Stevenson Pretty little snowflakes In winter I get up at night Falling to the ground; And dress by yellow candlelight Here is one, there is one, In summer, quite the other way, Everywhere they're found I have to go to bed by day. See them fall so gently I have to go to bed and see Through the frosty air, The birds still hopping on the tree, Every little snowflake Or hear the grown-up people's feet Has its beauties rare. Still going past me in the street. Soon the ground is covered And does it not seem hard to you, With the pretty snow, When all the sky is clear and blue, Then we see the snowbirds And I should like so much to play, Flying to and fro. To have to go to bed by day? Happy little creatures — 2. WHEN CHILDREN EAT Do not reap or sow, by Margaret Horst Yoder Yet the Master feeds them, A little pig will squeal and squeal E v e n i n t h e s n o w . When it is hungry for a meal It does not bow its head and pray, 4. I LIKE LITTLE PUSSY For food that comes to it each day. by Jane Taylor It gobbles down its food too fast, I like little Pussy, her coat is so warm; Then settles in the mud at last And if I don’t hurt her, she'll do me no harm. So I’ll not pull her tail, nor drive her away, Now listen, dears, and you will know, But Pussy and I very gently will play. That children never should act so. They should not whine, nor should they squeal She shall sit by my side, and I’ll give her some food; When they are hungry for a meal And she'll love me because I am gentle and good With patience they should wait for meals, I’ll pat little Pussy and then she will purr, And sing, instead of giving squeals. And thus show her thanks for my kindness to her. And they should pray before they eat I’ll not pinch her ears, nor tread on her paw, To thank the Lord for bread and meat Lest I should provoke her to use her sharp claw; Please, do not gobble down your food, I never will vex her, nor make her displeased, But eat like little children should. For Pussy can’t bear to be worried or teased. Page 1 Third and Fourth Grade Poetry Selections 5. MERRY SUNSHINE 7. A BIRD'S LESSON "Good morning, Merry Sunshine, A little bird, with feathers brown, How did you wake so soon? Sat singing on a tree; You’ve scared the little stars away The song was very soft and low, And shined away the moon." But sweet as it could be. "I saw you go to sleep last night And all the people passing by Before I ceased my playing; Looked up to see the bird How did you get ‘way over there? Whose singing was the sweetest And where have you been staying?" That ever they had heard. I never go to sleep, dear child, But all the bright eyes looked in vain; I just go round to see For birdie was so small, The little children of the east, And, with a modest dark brown coat, Who rise and watch for me." He made no show at all. "I waken all the birds and bees And flowers on my way, "Dear Papa," little Gracie said, And now come back to see the child "Where can this birdie be? Who stayed out late at play." If I could only sing like that I’d sit where folks could see." 6. FIREFLIES by Elizabeth Jenkins "I hope my little girl will learn I like the warm dark summer night, A lesson from that bird; When fireflies burn their golden light, And try to do what good she can — And flit so softly through the air, Not to be seen nor heard.” Now up, now down, now over there! “This birdie is content to sit They sparkle in my apple tree, Unnoticed by the way, And from the grass they wink at me, And sweetly sing his Maker's praise, And turn their lights on one by one; From dawn to close of day.” I think it would be lots of fun If I could shine at evening, too, “So live, my child, to do some good, Just as the little fireflies do. Let life be short or long; Though people may forget your looks, But Mother tells me I can be They'll not forget your song." A little light for all to see, A little candle clear and bright That shines for Jesus day and night. Page 2 Third and Fourth Grade Poetry Selections 8. SERVING JESUS 10. LITTLE THINGS Children’s hands can work for Jesus, A raindrop is a little thing Glad to do His holy will; Many make the showers; Helping playmates, serving Mother, Little moments flitting by, They are serving Jesus still. Make up all the hours. One little star at close of day Let your hands be quick and true; Faintly seems to twinkle, God will give them work to do. Till at length the shining host, All the blue besprinkle. Children's lips can move for Jesus, Speaking gently all the while, A smile is but a little thing Making other people happy, To the happy giver, With a love-word and a smile. Yet can leave a blessed calm On our life's rough river. Let your speech in kindness fall; Jesus listens to it all. Gentle words are never lost, Howe'er small they're seeming; Children's feet can run for Jesus, Sunny rays of love are they, O'er our pathway gleaming. And for Him sweet comfort take To the hearts bowed low in sorrow, 11. TRY, TRY AGAIN Blessing all for His dear sake. by T. H. Palmer ‘Tis a lesson you should heed, Let your footsteps gladness bring, Try, try again; Doing errands for the King. If at first you don’t succeed, Try, try again; 9. THE WIND AND THE LEAVES Then your courage should appear, "Come, little leaves," said the wind one day, For if you will persevere, "Come over the meadows with me and play. You will conquer, never fear, Put on your dresses of red and gold, — Try, try again. For summer is gone, and the days grow cold.” Once or twice, though you should fail, Soon as the leaves heard the wind's loud call, Try, try again; Down they came fluttering one and all. If you would at last prevail, Over the brown fields they danced and flew, Try, try again; Singing the soft little songs they knew. If we strive, 'tis no disgrace Though we do not win the race; Dancing and whirling, the little leaves went; What should you do in the case? Winter had called them, and they were content; Try, try again Soon fast asleep in their earthy beds, The snow laid a coverlet over their heads. If you find your task is hard, Try, try again; Time will bring you your reward, Try, try again All that other folks can do, Why, with patience, should not you? Only keep this rule in view: Try, try again. Page 3 Third and Fourth Grade Poetry Selections 12. WHO TAUGHT THE BIRDS? 14. FRIENDS by Jane Taylor by Abbie Farwell Brown Who taught the bird to build her nest How good to lie a little while Of softest wool, and hay, and moss? And look up through the tree! Who taught her how to weave it best, The sky is like a kind, big smile And lay the tiny twigs across? Bent sweetly over me. Who taught the busy bee to fly The sunshine flickers through the lace Among the sweetest herbs and flowers, Of leaves above my head; And lay her store of honey by, And kisses me about the face, Providing food for winter hours? Like Mother, before bed. Who taught the little ant the way The wind comes stealing o'er the grass Her narrow cell so well to bore To whisper pretty things; And through the pleasant summer day And though I cannot see him pass, To gather up her winter store? I feel his careful wings. ‘Twas God who taught them all the way, And high above the clouds I know And gave the little creatures skill; That God is watching, too; He teaches children, when they pray, He loves me and He always sees, To know and do His heavenly will. Each little thing I do. 13. WHAT ROBIN TOLD So many gentle friends are near, How do robins build their nests? Whom one can scarcely see, Robin Redbreast told me. A child should never feel a fear, First, a wisp of amber hay Wherever he may be. In a pretty round they lay; 15. BEING THANKFUL Then some shreds of downy floss, God is love and kindness Feathers, too, and bits of moss To us all below; Woven with a sweet, sweet song; On the just and unjust This way, that way, and around. Sendeth rain and snow. That’s what Robin told me. Let us e'er be thankful For His love to us. Where do robins build their nests? He's so kind and faithful, Robin Redbreast told me.