poetry

A Trip to the Museum with a 4 year old

Let’s study some art, okay? Can you count the cows?
One, two, three, four — yes, that’s right! How about the swans?
One, two. Now I see some ducks. Can you count them, too?
I agree — they’re hard to count, but good job looking!


Tanka Tuesday prompt: Write an ekphrastic poem about this work of art by John Constable.

This is another Imayo: 4 12-syllable lines, broken 7-5. Literal, no symbolism or metaphor.

Children are SO literal, don’t you think?

Plus — we had a Slow Art Day talk back in April here with our seniors. We just looked at a painting in silence for 5-10 minutes before sharing what we saw. It was very literal. One lady said to me afterwards, “It’s the first time I’ve felt comfortable talking about art.” Too often people jump into the symbolism which is intimidating for those who are concrete thinkers.

12 thoughts on “A Trip to the Museum with a 4 year old

  1. What a great way to teach a child to study the painting! I’m more of a ‘face value’ person when it comes to art….most times the symbolism goes right over my head. ๐Ÿ’ž

Leave a comment