The Ticks
Not gigan-tic
Not roman-tic.
Not artis-tic.
Not majes-tic.
Not magne-tic.
Nor aesthe-tic.
Ticks are strictly parasi-tic.
Florian, Douglas. 1998. Insectlopedia. San Diego: Harcourt Brace & Co. ISBN
# 0152013067.
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Extension
Take time to examine the language in this poem, noting the way different, seemingly unconnected,
words are brought together. For an extension that will require a bit of brain power, introduce the word homophone
to the class. [Homophones are words that sound alike, but differ in meaning and perhaps spelling
as well. For example, bear (to carry) and bear (the animal) or pair (two of) and pear (the fruit.)] Then,
as a large group and in a relaxed way, have the class think of as many homophones as they can. Show them how
quirky and fun language can be and discuss how poetry plays on these attributes of language.
