Help Your Memory

jacklichter — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 18:52:31 +0000

A boost of memorization of a name, action or instruction can be done with a one line poem. Take what you are given and think of a matching rhyme word. With these two words develop a one line poem. Example: lose car keys you can’t go far, fitness makes healthiness, and strange danger. Try it.

Poem Carry On by Robert W. Service

jacklichter — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 18:51:21 +0000

I did not write the poem Carry On. The author is Robert W. Service. You may connect with Robert from your high school days. Robert wrote poems of the Yukon; The Spell of the Yukon, The Cremation of Sam McGee and many others. His poem Carry On is special to me. Whenever things were tough, I would read this poem and my spirits would be uplifted. I wanted to share this poem with you.

Carry On by Robert W. Service

It is easy to fight when everything is right,

And you are mad wwith the thrill and the glory;

It is easy to cheer when victory is near,

and wallow in fields of glory.

It is a different song when everything is wrong.

When you are feeling eternally mortal;

When it’s ten against one, and hope there is none,

Buck up little soldier and chortal

Carry On! Carry On!

There isn’t much punch in your blow.

You’re glaring and staring and hitting out blind.

You’er muddy and bloody, but never you mind.

Carry On Carry On

You haven’t a ghost of a show.

It look’s like death, but while you a breath.

Carry on my son1 Carry On!

And so in the strife of the battle of life

It is easy to fight when one is winning;

It’s easy to slave, and starve and be brave,

When the dawn of success is beginning.

But the man who can meet despair and defeat

With a cheer, there is the man of God’s choosing

The man who can fight to Heavens own height

Is the man who can fight when he is losing.

Carry On! Carry On!

Things were never looming so black.

But show that you haven’t a cowardly streak,

And though you’re unlucky you never are weak.

Carry On! Carry On!

Brace up for another attack.

It looking like hell – but you never can tell;

Carry On, old man! Carry On!

There are some who drift out in the desert of doubt,

And some who brutishness wallow;

There are other, I know, who in piety go

Because of a heave to follow.

But to labor wih zest, and give it your best,

For the sweetness and joy of the giving;

To help folks along with a hand and a song;

Why, there’s the subshine of living.

Carry On! Carry On!

Fight the good fight and true;

Belive in your mission, greet life with a cheer;

There ‘s big work to do,and that’s while you are here

Carry On! Carry On!

Let the world be the better for you’

And last when you die, let this be your cry;

Carry On, my soul! Carry On!

Kids and Poetry

jacklichter — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 18:53:24 +0000

Poetry Commentary

May I share with you a poetry experience I had this past year. At that time I was volunteering at a local elementary school in a mentor reading program, designed for second and third grade students. I had three students which I work with both as a group and one on one. The class was on Tuesday and Thursday from 1:30 PM to 4:30 PM.

The reading programs were excellent and packed with various reading assignments, designed to teach reading skills. The school knows that students that cannot read will fail most subjects. When these children reach age sixteen they usually quite school, and their lives are all downward from there.

Toward the end of the school year I introduced my three boys to poetry. I wrote simple one stanza poems about each, and gave each elementary poetry books. The result was immediate and positive. They wrote, on their own time, poems about me and the reading program. They read these to the other students, and all had a new interest. Our volunteer and teacher conclusions were that rhyme and rhythm poetry was easily constructed, remember and opened children’s interest. All were amazed and pleased with this new reading approach.

Understanding

jacklichter — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 15:01:11 +0000

Is It English’s most important word?

Difficult to learn, but must be heard,

telling how much or little we know.

Through understanding we grow.

Understanding tells right from wrong,

helping one to get along.

It can be a savior of bad situations,

relieving un-necessary confrontations.

All have been to important meetings.

Discussion centers on finding solutions.

Leaders provide their understanding.

Others balk and squawk – not listening.

Politicians likewise rarely agree.

follow the line of their political orgy.

Closed minds do not think what is best.

Nor follow what the people suggest.

Parents on the verge of separation,

with understanding avoid litigation.

Understanding eliminates problems

of wars and lawsuits by using wisdom.

Key is questioning toward reckoning,

nothing wrong with serious bargaining.

Listen carefully: offer actions which clarity.

of agreeable positions, winning popularity.

To trigger understanding that reminds.

Think ahead, keep the ending in mind.

Teamwork is necessary and vital to control

For others not agreeing, be sure to console.

Secret is to listen and study the details,

making changes assuring right prevails.

Understanding promotes compromise,

proving those who do are wise

Rhyme and Rhythm

jacklichter — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 13:53:57 +0000

Poetry is the music of words and words are the music of poetry. Have you noticed song lyrics are mostly words of rhyme and rhythn? There is good reason for this choice. Rhyme and rhythm poetry is easily remembered. Songs that are remembered become hits. Test yourself. Take a past favorite song and sing or hum it to yourself. Did you remember the words and the beat? Poetry’s rhyme and rhythm can be a help in learning a foreign language. In some languages the sentence structure varies locations of nouns, verbs and phrases. Example, “Throw me down the stairs my hat and coat.” Rhythm is a help here. Test yourself by memorizing a new poem, and then evaluate yourself, was it easy or difficult to learn and remember?

Gift of Freedom

jacklichter — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 14:51:36 +0000

The Tell Me Poems blog page is designed to present new poems by Jack Lichter, some of his favorite poems of other writers and in addition to offer his commentary on poetry and other writing subjects. The intention is to present this on a weekly basis. Gift of Freedom is a new poem.

Gift of Freedom

Being born in the US of A,
Freedom lets you live your way
Opportunities are everywhere.
One can reach as high as one dares.

We are blessed with natural beauty:
beeches, parks, lakes are the reality.
Man built bridges, roads and buildings,
adding to our life’s scenery blending.

Schools prepare us with knowledge,
educating each to their advantage
Challenge offered by school activities
builds strength and creativity.

You may select your political party.
Cheer your choice with a loud voice.
Elections when over make the news
Win or loose, each had a chance to choose.

We have many creative achievements,
presenting a testament to self government.
We citizens must preserve the US of A
for our citizens of a future time and day.