African American Poetry Choice

African American Poetry Break

“Honey, I Love” by Eloise Greenfield from Honey, I Love and Other Love Poems by Eloise Greenfield , pictures by Diane and Leo Dillon, from Harper Collins Publishers, New York, NY. 1978.


Introduction: This poem is about all the things a little girl loves. She recounts all the special memories and people in her life.

Ask the children, What do you think Love Is? Start reading the responses of 8 year old children that have been asked what they think love is. Example: Love is…when my mom saves the last biscuit for Daddy because she knows their his favorite.

Honey , I Love

I love
I love a lot of things, a whole lot of things
Like

My cousin comes to visit and you know he’s from the South
Cause every word he says just kinda of slides out of his mouth
I like the way he whistles and I like the way he walks
But honey, Iet me tell you that I LOVE the way he talks
I love the way my cousin talks
And
The day is hot and sticky and the sun sticks to my skin
Mr. Davis turns the hose on, everybody jumps right in
The water stings my stomach and I feel so nice and cool
Honey, let me tell you that I LOVE a flying pool
I love to feel a flying pool
And
Renee comes out to play and brings her doll without a dress
I make a dress with paper and that doll sure looks a mess
We laugh so loud and long and hard the doll falls to the ground
Honey, let me tell you that I LOVE the laughing sound
I love to make the laughing sound
And
My uncle’s care is crowded and there’s lots of food to eat
We’re going down the country where the church folks like to meet
I’m looking out the window at the cows and trees outside
Honey , let me tell you that I LOVE to take a ride
I love to take a family ride
And
My mama’s one the sofa sewing buttons on my coat
I go and sit beside her, I’m through playing with my boat
Honey, let me tell you that I LOVE my mama’s arm

And
It’s not so late at night, but still I’m lying in my bed
I guess I need my rest, at least that’s what my mama said
She told me not to cry ‘cause she don’t want to hear a peep
Honey, let me tell you I DON’T love to go to sleep
I do not love to go to sleep

But I love
I love a lot of things, a whole lot of things
And honey
I love you, too.

Extension:
Have children create their own Honey, I Love poems. If you have the children look at her poem than can find many patterns that 3-5th graders can manage. Have them come up with a list of five things they love and one thing they don't enjoy. You them have them go back and add in details about each of their loves. The poem unfolds beautifully.