Peter Dixon -Teabag Poem

Today I'm highlighting the poetry of Peter Dixon. Peter Dixon was not just a poet. He was a performer, educationalist and artist.

 He grew up in London during WW2, and as a boy his schooling was far from successful. He struggled with spelling and the understanding of word, form and grammar, so he tended to write secretly at home, drawing and writing of things largely ignored by schools.

 Despite this difficult phase of his life, Peter eventually became a school teacher and then a senior lecturer in education. It often mystified him as to how all of this came to pass. As a teacher, he strived to be unbiased and did not neglect the children who experienced learning challenges.

 Peter Dixon became a full time children’s writer and educational consultant. His first book was published in 1978. Whilst living in Winchester, Hampshire, with his family, he  contributed to over 100 poetry anthologies and had seven collections of his own work published including Grow Your Own Poems, Lost Property and Peter Dixon’s Grand Prix of Poetry.

 I share with you today, one of my personal favourite poems of Peter Dixon. Peter has this to say regarding the writing of the poem 'Teabag.' 

 'When I left for school in the morning I used to look at the cat and wish I could just lie like him on the rug all day. I used to wish I could be anyone or anything that didn't have to go to school.'

 Peter Dixon's poems are liberally laced with whimsical humour. This suits me to a tee, or tea...

Teabag

 l'd like to be a teabag,

And stay at home all day -

And talk to other teabags

In a teabag sort of way . . .

l'd love to be a teabag;

And lie in a little box -

And never have to wash my face

Or change my dirty socks . . .

l'd like to be a teabag,

An Earl Grey one perhaps,

And doze all day and lie around

With Earl Grey kind of chaps.

l wouldn't have to do a thing,

No homework, jobs or chores -

Comfy in my caddy

Of teabags and their snores.

l wouldn't have to do exams

l needn't tidy rooms,

Or sweep the floor or feed the cat

Or wash up all the spoons.

l wouldn't have to do a thing,

A life of bliss - you see . . .

Except that once in all my life

I`d make a cup of tea!

Peter Dixon.

It is once again Poetry Friday and our host this week is Marcie Flinchum Atkins who is sharing news of her latest book.