3-year-old recites poem, "Litany" by Billy Collins

This is my 3-year-old son. He loves poetry and he loves to memorize. Here he is reciting a poem called "Litany" by Billy Collins.
Here is the text:

"You are the bread and the knife,
the crystal goblet and the wine.
You are the dew on the morning grass
and the burning wheel of the sun.
You are the white apron of the baker,
and the marsh birds suddenly in flight.

However, you are not the wind in the orchard,
the plums on the counter,
or the house of cards.
And you are certainly not the pine-scented air.
There is just no way that you are the pine-scented air.

It is possible that you are the fish under the bridge,
maybe even the pigeon on the general's head,
but you are not even close
to being the field of cornflowers at dusk.

And a quick look in the mirror will show
that you are neither the boots in the corner
nor the boat asleep in its boathouse.

It might interest you to know,
speaking of the plentiful imagery of the world,
that I am the sound of rain on the roof.

I also happen to be the shooting star,
the evening paper blowing down an alley
and the basket of chestnuts on the kitchen table.

I am also the moon in the trees
and the blind woman's tea cup.
But don't worry, I'm not the bread and the knife.
You are still the bread and the knife.
You will always be the bread and the knife,
not to mention the crystal goblet and--somehow--the wine."

Category:

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Tags:

• Litany
• Billy
• Collins
• 3-year-old
• recite
• child
• poetry
• talent
• toddler

[drchelpka]

Ha! He was begging to hear it again and again, no whipping involved!

[peachorangemango]

I love the way he says, "But don't worry, you are still the bread and the knife!"

This is absolutely fantastic!

Your son is very bright.

Thank you so much for that!

[alicecolleenflynn]

He is amazing!

[moonharp]

34 people don't like being reminded that they had trouble memorizing the alphabet...

[NinjaMonkey1996]

amazing memory :PPPP

[nickycasale]

which one of billy collins' books is this poem in? i love it!

[babybirdtrill]

oh my god this made me smile so much.

[naaadzz]

this is absolutely precious!!!

[LynnRussell614]

Wow what an amazing child! Clearly awesome parents as well. I hope my future children recite poetry!!!!! Thanks for sharing your amazing family with us!!!!!!

[TheRunkelAPLit]

Brilliant. I am posting this for my high school AP Literature class. When they balk at having to memorize poetry this year, I will inspire them with your little guy. What a treasure.

[TRUTHBOXNEWS]

Oh troubles

oh Troubles you been a Part of me

oh troubles My Pain Is Your Pleasure

Oh troubles I drank your poison

Oh troubles all you bring is misery

Oh troubles For my soul has had enough troubles,

Oh troubles i dont need you any more,

Oh troubles you dont have to be part of my life

A short poem

[BytomGirl]

Such an amazing boy, there is more expression in his voice than many adult actors...

and such a great diction.

[prettyqrllx]

haters would unlike .. I love him .. he's great !