This Poem was Submitted By: Deborah L Bird On Date: 2005-10-09 17:35:20 . . . Click Here To Mail this Poem to a Friend!

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For when a child sings

We teach our children many things. How to talk and how to walk. We teach them how to tie their shoes,  And how to hold a spoon. The most enjoyable part of Teaching our children has to be Teaching them to sing. For when a child sings, The angels do smile.

Copyright © October 2005 Deborah L Bird


This Poem was Critiqued By: Tony P Spicuglia On Date: 2005-11-02 14:37:12
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 9.90476
DB – I waited anxiously for this piece to climb up my list. I am a songwriter and have always sung around my children. All three of them perform to this day. For when a child sings – I appreciate the title for this piece. It adds a level of significance to the child within a specific window of activity. We don’t know the extent until we read the poem, but it leads us a specific direction. We teach our children many things. How to talk and how to walk. We teach them how to tie their shoes, And how to hold a spoon. – You put a characterization to the rearing of children. You could have gone on to many other items, but you, oddly enough, cover the basics- talk (communications), walk (transit to and from whatever is necessary in life), tie their shoes (safety and security), hold a spoon (sustenance), in a few words I think you covered it all. Don’t know if that was your intent, but you were successful nonetheless. The most enjoyable part of Teaching our children has to be Teaching them to sing. – I often wonder about those who don’t sing around their house, who don’t “teach” singing either structurally or by rote. I read an article in Readers Digest speaking of this exact subject. In there study they found that when the parent/s sing at home, the children all grow up singing, and being able to sing in tune!! This was even if the parent couldn’t carry a tune to save his/her soul!! Also they found that when singing wasn’t in the house growing up, fewer than 30% of those children growing to adults sang. For when a child sings, The angels do smile. – A child- I think throughout this piece you are adding a level of innocence for a purpose of adding an aura of preciousness to children. Indeed, even Jesus said to let the children come to him, and if he is so inclined, then a singing child probably makes impressions on Angels, at least his/her guardians. A very nice piece on two of my favorite thoughts, children and song!!


This Poem was Critiqued By: Duane J Jackson On Date: 2005-10-19 22:33:20
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 9.33333
Hi Deb, You've given us something interesting here. And I agree, when children sing, the angels do smile. Now, looking at this poem from a more technical perspective, it reads more like a narrative and as a corrective measure, you would do well to make this more rhythmic....add some rhyme and make it sing. Looking forward to more of your poems in the future. Take care, Duane.
This Poem was Critiqued By: Lora Silvey On Date: 2005-10-16 13:21:38
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 10.00000
Deb, I don't recollect having read any of your work before, so this is my first. If you are new to TPL, welcome. You have presented us with a delicious delightful poem in free form. Your discriptive verbiage lends to this easy flowing read that puts a smile on this readers face as I come to your closing lines. How true, for the angels surely must smile when a child sings. Thank you for the gentle reminder of how the simplist of things are such treasures. Lora
This Poem was Critiqued By: Claire H. Currier On Date: 2005-10-12 06:07:45
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 10.00000
Hi Poet, I take it you are fairly new to this link so I welcome you ........this presentation of yours is so wonderful.....indeed I certainly do agree angels do smile when children sing but even better God smiles......He loves to be sung to........your words just float as if on clouds waiting for the melody to rise.......the visuals are great for you can see the newborn growing and learning how to do and then the best is watching that little one burst forth with song. Thanks for posting, for putting a smile on my own face this bleak morning with more rain in store. God Bless, Claire
This Poem was Critiqued By: arnie s WACHMAN On Date: 2005-10-10 19:14:40
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 10.00000
Yes...Deborah Church is testament to that. As a former singer I can say yes, I do believe angels smile. Neatly done wrapped up in 9 lines. I would suggest no punctuation at all. Thanks for this. I am not familiar with your work so welcome to the site.
This Poem was Critiqued By: Turner Lee Williams On Date: 2005-10-10 09:48:17
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 10.00000
DEB--I don't recall reviewing any of your poems before now, so welcome. It is always good to see more people joining the site. I personally like greeting/reading new members/poetry to/on TPL. You've posted an uncomplicated, straight forward, plain language, and up-lifting offering. The 'List' portion of the poem has a easy conversational style and present sage info without dictating/preaching; "How to talk and how to walk. We teach them how to tie their shoes, And how to hold a spoon." This tone is attractive and serves the benevolent title/theme well. Also, nice transitional verbiage makes for a smooth (albeit, not so subtle) twist/turn; "The most enjoyable part of Teaching our children has to be Teaching them to sing." The repeat of the title in the 8th lines enhances the personification of the last line and provides an excellent denouement for this very neat and concise read. Thanks for sharing and keep writing. TLW
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