This poem is designed to be read by two people, one reading the left column (side A) and the other reading the right (side B). When the words are on the same line, they are read simultaneously. When there is a break in a column, that reader should pause for whatever is in the other column to be read. Try reading the poem once or twice with your buddy, then see how quickly you can read it together!
|
(Side A)
|
(Side B)
|
| Scuttling | |
| Scampering | |
| Clambering | |
| Scrambling | |
| We’re cockroaches | We’re cockroaches |
| Perpetual Problems | |
| Nauseating Nuisances | |
| We adapt | We adapt |
| To the cold | |
| To your house | |
| To your pesticides! | |
| We spread our filth | |
| In your cupboards | |
| On your counters | |
| In your pantries | |
| We excrete as we eat | We excrete as we eat |
| Contaminate each treat | Contaminate each treat |
| And wherever you | |
| And wherever we | |
|
go… We’re home! |
go… We’re home! |
*This poem was created by teachers attending a workshop at the Centennial Museum.
What can you learn about cockroaches from this poem? Are there any facts about cockroaches that you would like to add to the poem?
Now it's your turn. See what you can learn about a plant or animal, and work alone or with your buddy to create a buddy poem of your own! Learn some fun facts, and see what kind of poem you can make!
Desert Diary is a joint production of the Centennial Museum and KTEP National Public Radio at the University of Texas at El Paso.