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Animals In Poetry: A Literary Exploration

An Introduction to the Animal Kingdom in Verse

The animal kingdom has long been a source of inspiration for poets, offering a rich tapestry of subjects and themes. From the majestic to the mundane, animals have provided poets with a wealth of material to explore the human condition and our place in the natural world.

Alberto Blanco's Poetic Animals

Alberto Blanco, a contemporary Argentinean poet, has written extensively about animals. His work often explores the relationship between humans and animals, and the ways in which animals can reflect our own humanity and experiences.

In his poem “The Elephant,” Blanco writes of the animal's “great gray face” and “slow, heavy footsteps.” The poem evokes a sense of wonder and awe, as well as a feeling of kinship between the human speaker and the animal subject.

Elizabeth Bishop's Animal Observations

Elizabeth Bishop, an American poet of the 20th century, was also fascinated by animals. Her poem “The Fish” is a finely detailed observation of a fish she caught and released.

Bishop's poem captures the beauty and vulnerability of the fish, as well as its essential wildness. The poem also raises questions about our relationship with the natural world and our responsibility to its creatures.

A Valuable Resource for Teachers and Students

The Animalpoems website provides a valuable resource for teachers, parents, and students who are interested in using animal poetry in the classroom.

The website includes a collection of more than 226 poems about animals, as well as related resources on using poetry in the classroom. The poems are organized by animal type, making it easy to find poems about specific animals.

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