You can be a minnow
swimming in the sea.
I'll be the shark, so
IT is me.
Swim across the pool
as fast as can be.
I'll try to get you.
Sharks are too hungry.
Hey, I tagged you.
Your hand was my mark.
Now it's your turn.
You be the shark.
Have you ever played Sharks and Minnows in a swimming pool? Have you played Marco Polo? There are lots of tag games. Can you name some others? Can you write your own poem about one of the games you like to play? Have fun writing your poem. Do you need to do some research in order to write the poem?
Silence is a secret we hold within us.
Today is Friday, so it is time for the Poetry Friday Round Up. Michelle Barnes is hosting us this week on her blog, Today's Little Ditty. Thank you for hosting us, Michelle.
Fun poem! I've heard of Marco Polo but not the Sharks and Minnows game.
ReplyDeleteWhat tag games did you play as a child, Jama? Hide and Go Seek is a form of tag game.
DeleteMy kids played sharks and minnows when they were in primary school in Australia, but in the park, not in the water. When I grew up we played TV tag, tunnel tag, and flashlight tag. And Marco Polo, too!
ReplyDeleteOh, I don't know TV tag and tunnel tag. What a good subject. I could see a whole book of tag poems--oh wait, Pomelo Books has the P'tag books, where poets tagged each other for poems.
DeleteOh my goodness, I remember playing TV tag as a kid, all those years ago!
DeleteI've always enjoyed sharks and minnows much more than Marco Polo because it was quieter! =)
ReplyDeleteI think there is less taunting and teasing with Sharks and Minnows.
DeleteMy kids play a game called shark on the play structure at the park. It's tag, but with many refinements including limits to when you can touch the ground and to the shark closing his eyes. What a fun poem.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like your kids had fun. I wonder how the game is played in other countries.
DeleteNo sharks and minnows. We don't want to scare the kids, I guess, since we swim in the ocean! Marco Polo and water polo seems to be less traumatic!
ReplyDeleteHmmmm, you have a good point.
DeleteHmm, I've never played sharks and minnows, but we used to play freeze tag, TV tag, and capture the flag! It's wonderful how many things link children all around the world, no matter where they live - we all love chasing each other around a field, playground or pool! :)
ReplyDeleteWhat fun, Joy! I hope you collect many tag game ideas and write poems about them all!
ReplyDeleteI never played sharks and minnows. As for Marco Polo, I don't think we ever "played" it, but we sure spent a lot of time yelling "Marco" and "Polo" back and forth.
ReplyDeleteJoy, your poems always enter into the spirit of childhood so completely! Have you ever put together your own collection (along with the prompts and questions to get the kids relating this to their own lives)? I think it would be wonderful for young kids!
ReplyDeleteOh, how I hated swimming games! (Probably because I was such a poor swimmer.) But I love your poem!
ReplyDeleteCute, fun poem😊 I had never heard of shark and minnows until now.
ReplyDelete