Saturday, July 19, 2008

Taking his turn as a poet

During the school year, McKay's teacher had the class do their own version of Judith Viorst's poem, "If I were in charge of the world." Her poem has always been a favorite of mine, and I like his version even better. It gives you insight into his personality, which is oftentimes so agreeable that his dislikes tend to be kept to himself (I know, great kid, huh?)

But it's interesting to me the things he would eliminate and the things he would keep, if he were in charge of the world. I think it would be an excellent psychological assessment tool to see what we'd all write. Maybe I'll do one of my own soon.

If I were in charge of the world
By McKay

If I were in charge of the world
I'd cancel wars,
Broccoli
Mean people, and also
slow computers

If I were in charge of the world
there'd be mansions everywhere,
servants, and
no homework.

If I were in charge of the world
You wouldn't have germs.
You wouldn't have laundry
You wouldn't have disgusting foods
Or "clean the yard"
You wouldn't even have to clean.

If I were in charge of the world
Foods with sugar would be healthy.
Everything would cost 1 penny.
There would be no work
And a person who sometimes has bad grades
And sometimes has bad days
Would still be able to be
in charge of the world

29 comments:

Annie said...

Oh, McKay! I'm with you on all of this!

You're right, C--what a great psychological window. I don't think mine would be surprising since I don't really keep my dislikes to myself :).

Christy said...

His ending is awesome.

Kimberly said...

What a cute idea! If only everything did cost only 1 penny and we all lived in mansions!

Anonymous said...

Oh my, I love your McKay.

Next time you drive through SLC please stop and let me enjoy your cute kids(and you!).

diane said...

Quite insightful! I love knowing my kids thoughts and feelings.

Hollyween said...

I hope my kids write something so great that I can post about it! He did a great job and I really love the ending.

Mel said...

I do this same writing piece with my 3rd graders every year. I love reading their poems because it gives a glimpse into their mind, what's important and what's not. Thanks for sharing the poem!

CJ, The Purple Diva said...

Wise beyond his years I'd say.
I especially like the part where things with sugar would be good for you!
Sounds like a GREAT world to me!
PS. I am LOVING the snacks this weekend at the hotel! Everything has been WONDERFUL and even my DH who HATES snacks-which is why he looks the way he does-ATE everything I have eaten and wanted MORE! COULD NOT BELIEVE IT!
I had to share with him being as it was HIS BIRTHDAY and all!

Diane said...

What a guy! I hope he is in charge someday!

calibosmom said...

AMEN to all that!

Bridget said...

That is so cute. I'll vote for him. Is he running for Supreme Dictator in '08?

Unknown said...

So who would be the servants? As long as I'm not the servant, I'm there...no laundry, having to clean, or slow computers! Sounds like heaven to me!

Michael said...

Broccoli and disgusting foods? Food must be high on his list. Sounds like he's got his priorities straight. First war, then broccoli.

♥Shally said...

That was seriously good! I am so with him on the sugar foods being healthy...

Love the ending.

Travelin'Oma said...

This is a great list. I'm going to copy the idea on my blog.

Jessica said...

No way?! Where DOES he get all that writing talent??

Becky said...

Yeah...I am with everyone else. Good writer and a most creative, perfect ending!!! Love it, and maybe I will have my agreeable Landon do the same thing. It would be very telling.

kelly said...

i'd vote for him!

Kimberly said...

I loved the ending the best.

Lauren in GA said...

The ending kind of made me teary.

I truly enjoyed that. Perhaps, I should get my boys to write one...I am interested in what they would say...

I love that McKay keeps his dislikes to himself. That isn't easy for me... That really is a great kid you've got there.

Emy5 said...

Very insightful and smart. Your boy has a lot of sense.

Lynsie said...

I like his version too, especailly everything costing a penny, no work, and sugar being healthy

Wendi said...

I like a boy with his priorities in order.
No laundry.
No Germs.
(did you *help* him with this?)
Sugar is healthy.
(really...did you?)
Everything would cost a penny.

I want him in charge of my world...now!

TheCatLord said...

oh i'd love for mckay to be in charge of the world!! (imagining me shopping in pottery barn with my pennies!)

mahina said...

i could totally live in mckay's world! love what he would do! i'm all for it!

Kristy said...

Love the poem! The last stanza is probably my fave. I would certainly vote for him!

Liz said...

I love that poem, and I liked his use of quotation marks in "clean the yard." I'll see if my boys would be interested in doing this, what a great idea.

the wrath of khandrea said...

i'll vote for him. totally bipartisan.

Jenibelle said...

Can I move in? I love McKay's world. The only improvement would be that there was no such thing as calories and weight gain.