MotherReader

This song has been on my mind since my fifth grader danced to it in her summer camp lyrical performance. I had never heard it before then and the lyrics were haunting. I thought that it might be new to some of you as well, and works as poetry — at least in my opinion. In any case, it’s certainly a better choice than the other song that she danced to — Fire Burning on the Dance Floor.

Human
by The Killers
I did my best to notice
When the call came down the line
Up to the platform of surrender
I was brought but I was kind
And sometimes I get nervous
When I see an open door
Close your eyes
Clear your heart...
Cut the cord

Are we human?
Or are we dancer?
My sign is vital
My hands are cold
And I’m on my knees
Looking for the answer
Are we human?
Or are we dancer?

Pay my respects to grace and virtue
Send my condolences to good
Give my regards to soul and romance,
They always did the best they could
And so long to devotion
You taught me everything I know
Wave goodbye
Wish me well...
You’ve got to let me go

Are we human?
Or are we dancer?
My sign is vital
My hands are cold
And I’m on my knees
Looking for the answers
Are we human?
Or are we dancer?

Listen to and see the video of Human. Sweet, huh? Poetry Friday round-up is over at The Boy Reader.

Also, look for your best piece of blog writing to submit to a gallery sponsored by A Year of Reading for The National Day of Writing. Here’s what they’re looking for:

Members of the Kidlitosphere are invited to submit stories from their reading lives. Your submission can be an anecdote from childhood, a recent experience around books or reading, a memory from school (good or bad), a vignette about learning to read, the impact of a particular book — anything about your life as a reader.

I’m excited about this wonderful opportunity to contribute as a community. I’m sending this article I wrote for ForeWord about being a Mother and a Reader. It contains one of my favorite stories about my kids when they were little:

When my oldest daughter was five, she asked me to play house. “I’ll be the mommy and you’ll be the little girl,” she said. I agreed and prepared myself for my role. Meanwhile, she sat down on the couch, opened a book to read, and looking over the top said, “Go play with your sister.”