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Charles Ghigna - Father Goose®

the author of more than 100 award-winning books from Random House, Disney, Hyperion, Time Inc.,

Scholastic, Simon & Schuser, Capstone, Boyds Mills, Abrams, Orca, Charlesbridge and other publishers.


Apatosaurus

Formerly known as Brontosaurus,
He was bigger than a Broadway chorus.

A vegan with a taste for grub
Like tender plants and savory shrub.

His appetite for stones from streams
Helped him grind up hearty greens.

His neck and tail, long and sleek,
Were not so good for hide-and-seek.

Slow of foot and small of brain,
He lost his way down memory lane.


©Charles Ghigna


10 comments:

Matt Forrest Esenwine said...

Your poem is structured exactly like an Apatosaurus, Charles - starts off big (big words, big concept), but as we get to know more about it, we realize it's much more quiet and calm than we thought. Nicely done.

skanny17 said...

Hi Charles,
We met before somewhere on a blog and I have to say I enjoyed your poem today. I am going to share yours (as well as Matt's) with my 3rd grade friends!!
I notice you were born in Bayside. We drive by there on our way to Glen Cove to visit family who luckily survived Sandy without major problems. A sad turn for Long Island. We head to Boca Grande this winter, sort of your old stomping grounds. Would that I can capture my poetry muse while there. I really like how Ed has structured Poetry Friday. For someone like me it is a big help....a nice way to be able to dip in, savor and return. I don't have a blog yet so I don't have a favorite links page making it easy to check in with everyone regularly. Thanks for your blog(s).
Janet F. poetryonparade

Charles Ghigna said...

Thanks, Matt and Janet! Appreciate your stopping by. Matt, I'm a big fan of your work. Janet, thanks for sharing my poetry with the 3rd graders! They're lucky to have a poet for a teacher/friend!

Ruth said...

Tell me again -- why did they change the name from brontosaurus? I think he'll always be a brontosaurus to me. Nice poem!

Charles Ghigna said...

Thanks, Ruth. Here's what I found about the name change: "When brontosaurus bones were first discovered, they were found next to a skull belonging to a different dinosaur. Later, when it was realized the brontosaurus had a much smaller head, they renamed it 'deceptive lizard' or apatosaurus."

Renee LaTulippe said...

Aw, poor Apatosaurus. But he'll always be Broadway Chorus to me now! :)

laurasalas said...

I love how many facts you worked in to this poem--and that lovely last couplet!

Charles Ghigna said...

Thank you, Renee and Laura! The study of dinosaurs is a wonderful way to lead kids down the path of history and to develop an appreciation of all creatures great and small who have roamed this precious earth before us.

Elizabeth Rose Stanton said...

This brought a smile to my face.
:)

Charles Ghigna said...

Thanks, Elizabeth. Love your illustrations!