Poems from around the world
›3.1 Words that make pictures
Read the poem and answer the questions.
Dancing Poiciana
Fire in the treetops, Fire in the treetops, Fire in the sky.
Fire in the sky. Crimson petals and white
Blossoms red as sunset Stained with scarlet dye.
Dazzling to the eye.
Dance, Poinciana,
Dance, Poinciana, Sway, Poinciana,
Sway, Poinciana, On a sea of green.
On a sea of green. Dance, Poinciana,
Dance, Poinciana, Sway, Poinciana,
Sway, Poinciana, Regal as a queen.
Regal as a queen.
Telcine Turner
Focus
1. What colour are the flowers on the tree?
2. Do you think the poem is about a fire? Why?
3.Write a word from the poem that rhymes with dye. -
4. What does the word regal mean? Tick (v) the best answer.
a. real
b. red
c. funny
d. noble
Practice
5. What does 'On a sea of green' describe?
6. What sort of weather is being described in the poem?
Tick (v) the best answer.
a. no wind
b. a gentle breeze
c. a storm
d. a hurricane
7 . Explain your answer to Question 6.
8. Which words suggest the movement the tree makes?
Challenge
9. Write a short review of this poem. Include:
* what the poem is about
* which country it represents
* who wrote it
* what you thought about it
* whether you would recommend it to others.