2003-11-24 poems for all seasons

How do you capture the imagination of a child? How do you encourage them to experiment with poetry using image and form? You could do far worse than start with this collection of poems. Each of the four poets has a very different style yet the common theme is a deep understanding of the use of imagery and the power of language.
The book was compiled in the 1950s so to some may appear out dated but when so much trivial nonsense is published in the name of childrens' literature how can one not appreciated the power of 'The sea is a hungry dog' (The Sea, James Reeves)and the child like feeling of always waiting for something in 'Some Time'
My appreciation of this anthology began when I was given the book at the age of 5. It triggered a life long love of poetry and led to my own attempts at writing. It also provided a stepping stone to the more complex metaphores of Ted Hughes, Philip Larkin and Hardy, amongst others.
If you only ever give a child one poetry book, make it this one. It opens the inner eye and ear to the complexity, precision and beauty of the English language. The poems may not have the instant appeal of AA Milne but there is a texture and richness to the language which is unsurpassed.