One of my CorVid-19 coping strategies is to immerse myself in beautiful literature, take time to appreciate art that touches the soul, and enjoy funny Netflix series (thank you A Very Secret Service for all the belly laughs).
Last night I picked up a children’s book I had purchased for my Grade 10 Language and Literature class to help us appreciate the magic of words as we entered a poetry and self-expression inquiry unit. This magical children’s book is titled This Is a Poem That Heals Fish. It is written by Jean-Pierre Simeon and illustrated by Olivier Tallec.
The story is of a little boy who thinks his fish is unwell and believes that a poem is what will heal his fish. He heads out of a journey around his neighbourhood to discover just what a poem is.
Some of the responses he receives are pure beauty and magic:
‘A poem, Arthur, is when you are in love, and have the sky in your mouth.’
‘A poem? … it is hot like fresh bread. When you eat it, a little is always left over.’
‘A poem is when you hear the heartbeat of a stone.’
‘A poem is when words beat their wings. It is a song sung in a cage.’
‘A poem turns words around, upside down, and – suddenly – the world is new.’
The magic of This Is a Poem That Heals Fish is perfect for those CorVid-19 blues.
Thoughts From Hanoi 
‘A poem turns words around, upside down, and – suddenly – the world is new.’ Thats perfect and absolutely right. I would love to borrow that book from you sometime!
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Of course. I’m steering clear of Ciputra at the moment – but I can organise for it to be sent to you via Grab if you’d like? It is lovely, just lovely!
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