Vocab List to Poem
Our designer needed a metered story-poem that taught ‘feelings’ vocabulary. It had to be around 300 words, include a full vocab list, and finish with the thought all feelings are a part of us.
The biggest challenge was balancing learning context with the maintenance of meter and rhyme.
It was turned around, with edits, in a week.
Vocabulary list: afraid, surprised, embarrassed, disappointed, thrilled, frustrated, jealous, confused, annoyed, wonderful.
I have a secret friend,
that no one knows about.
She’s small and gray and has four legs,
And makes all the grown-ups shout!
But I am not afraid of her.
She doesn’t scare me at all.
In fact, every day after school,
I do my homework beside her wall.
Sometimes I am surprised,
When she runs across my feet.
It happens fast! She runs right past!
I jump up on a seat!
Other times we run together,
in circles ’round and ’round.
I’m thrilled! I have so much fun!
My heart beats pound, pound, pound!
She’s wonderful at playing games.
She’s the best at ‘Hide and Seek.’
She never loses a single round
—even when I peek!
At night, she walks more slowly,
and we sneak throughout the house.
We’re secret agents on a mission.
We’re secret friends, human and mouse.
But sometimes I feel disappointed
when she doesn’t come out to play.
I get upset waiting for her.
Is she trying to hide? Is she OK?
Or is she with her other friends?
Friends that aren’t like me?
I feel frustrated waiting all alone,
I want to play! Where could she be?
Sometimes she stays away all day.
I don’t understand. I don’t know why.
I leave cookies outside her hole.
I feel confused and I start to cry.
Then I hear a little squeak.
I see paws and a bright pink nose.
She leaves her hole to be with me,
and sits on top of my toes.
I look away. I am embarrassed.
I have tears all over my face.
I don’t want her to see me crying.
I want to be as far away as Space.
But feelings don’t scare my secret friend.
She knows they change every day.
Angry. Thrilled. Embarrassed. Happy.
They’re all a part of me, and it’s OK.