Your weekly slice of Poetry

This edition of Poetry Pie features poems that also serve as lullabies. A lullaby is a poem or song that is meant to be gentle and calming, lulling a child to sleep. In terms of technique, they typically have softer sounds, an easily flowing rhythm, simple themes, and frequent use of repetition. I happen to naturally love these poetic elements whenever they appear, so this has become a poetic style that I've grown to love.

Many poems may be like a lullaby in their form, yet you'd not be likely to hear them in a nursery. Nonetheless, I believe that we, as adults, still respond to these calming rhythms and sounds. Some poems excite. Other poems relax. The selections in this edition will likely do the latter. Enjoy!

Sweet and Low

Alfred, Lord Tennyson (1809—1892)

Tennyson has such a good handle on sound and rhythm that it is not surprising to find him on today's list. A lullaby in form, the theme of this poem is itself depicting a lulling scene: a mother holding her child. Note the repetition involved here with the main refrains of both stanzas:

Sweet and low, sweet and low,
Wind of the western sea...

Sleep and rest, sleep and rest,
Father will come to thee soon...

And see how the second word from each of those phrases ("low" and "rest") are repeated on the third line of their respective stanzas:

Low, low, breathe and blow

Rest, rest, on mother's breast,

All the choices here are subtle and effective, indicating the hand of a master.

Seal Lullaby

Rudyard Kipling (1865–1936)

This poem is written in my favorite foot: the anapest ("overTAKE"). If you read this directly after reading Tennyson's poem above you will clearly hear the difference in their rhythm. Many of my readers may grow tired of me bringing up the anapest, but its rhythm is so distinct and sonorous that I just can't help myself. It is used by Dr. Seuss, Edward Lear ("The Owl and the Pussy-Cat") and is wonderfully suited for the task of a lullaby. My "Rest" poem below is written in just such a meter.

Fairy Land I, II, III, IV

William Shakespeare (1564-1616)

This collection of four poems is the least-likely to be read to a baby, but it does share lullaby features that older children will likely enjoy. It presents an enchanted world, full of fairies and animals that partake in the enchantment. The second poem contains more features of a lullaby, with direct reference to "Philomel" singing such a song.

Rest

G. Abram Newcomer

This poem adapts a form that Poe used in "For Annie" for the purposes of a lullaby. Just as in "Sweet and low," it's imagery is built around a lullaby scene, of a mother asleep with her child. I enjoyed this style so much that I've been lately working on another poem in the lullaby style.

I hope you enjoyed this edition and its focus on lullabies. Until next time!