Poem with Chorus or Refrain

Introduction: In science while discussing the various biomes have this poem ready to read when discussing the desert. This is a very appropriate poem for those of us who live in arid West Texas. The refrain is particularly appropriate on a hot summer day. Although our area does not have the red mesas we can certainly see the shimmer of the searing heat. The air does not move at all -- as if holding a giant breath. This poem is a wonderful description of desert summer heat.

DESERT
By: Lillian M. Fisher

The desert is holding a giant breath (Chorus)
The air is dusty and dry
Red mesas shimmer in searing heat
Under a blanket of sky.

Coyote’s asleep in slender shade
Dreaming of evening prey
For who would go out in a warm fur coat
To hunt on a summer day?
Lazy brown ants have made their retreat
To a colony under the hill
Tortoise and rabbit, even the birds
Are idle and peacefully still.

The desert is holding a giant breath (Chorus)
The air is dusty and dry
Red mesas shimmer in searing heat
Under a blanket of sky.

Extension:

Discuss other images, feelings, observations that relate to the desert.

Write a poem about summer heat in the desert.

Use this poem while reading:

Hesse, Karen. 1997. OUT OF THE DUST. New York: Scholastic, ISBN 0590360809

or

Stanley, Jerry. 1999. CHILDREN OF THE DUST BOWL THE TRUE STORY OF THE SCHOOL AT WEEDPATCH CAMP. New York: Sagebrush, ISBN 0785716750


[from MY AMERICA: A POETRY ATLAS OF THE UNITED STATES (Simon & Schuster, 2000)]