There is magic in the air... and poetry, too! Today, Poetry on Parade celebrates the birthday of world-famous Hungarian-American magician and escape artist Harry Houdini. Houdini was born on March 24, 1874: from his breakthrough act in 1899 to his death on Halloween in 1926, Harry Houdini thrilled audiences with astonishing performances and sensational stunts. Our first poem of the day, Hypnotized, written by Shel Silverstein and performed by Kim and Julia, reflects the magic and mystery surrounding The Great Houdini Day:
Next, Poetry on Parade proudly shares an original Great Houdini Day performance, Harry Houdini Magic, written and recited by fifth graders Jenny B. and Emily C. The poem is followed by Mrs. Cifrodella's Great Houdini Day tribute, as seen on our critically-acclaimed morning announcement show, Lafayette Live!
Harry Houdini Magic
Harry Houdini Magic
Escape artist waiting to show
Talents and tricks, so you must go!
People attend with their eyes bulging out,
Wanting to know what it's all about.
Chains twirled around make a rattling sound--
Locks closed tight--
Waiting for the thrill of the fight. (Can he get out?)
Strait-jacket wrapped around and around,
Handcuffs on wrists weighing more than a pound.
A box opens up and a man pops out:
"It's Harry Houdini!" everyone shouts!
-- Jenny B. and Emily C.
When curious reporters asked how he escaped from seemingly inescapable situations time and time again, The Great Houdini simply replied, "My mind is the key that sets me free." Keeping that mysterious quote in mind, Poetry on Parade presents an original dramatic poem about the escape artist who always... used his noodle (an idiom meaning he used his brain):
When curious reporters asked how he escaped from seemingly inescapable situations time and time again, The Great Houdini simply replied, "My mind is the key that sets me free." Keeping that mysterious quote in mind, Poetry on Parade presents an original dramatic poem about the escape artist who always... used his noodle (an idiom meaning he used his brain):
Thank you, Mrs. Kraemer, for loaning us large prop utensils and a Houdini-sized pasta bowl!
The Milk Can Escape (premiered in 1908)
Watch Houdini thump and pound at a steel can meant to hold milk.
His assistants pour twenty pails of water into the can.
They handcuff him, then help him inside.
He shrinks, he curls, he takes a big gulp of air.
The assistants fill the can to the top, then latch it.
Click, click, click-- six padlocks in all.
The curtain closes. Now, hold your breath!
Can you hold it for as long as Houdini?
Thirty seconds... One minute...
Tick, tick, tick-- lungs ready to burst.
Failure to escape means a drowning death!
An assistant stands by with an ax just in case.
Just over two minutes.
Behold our Houdini, wet, breathless-- but alive!
-- from Houdini: World's Greatest Mystery Man and Escape King by Kathleen Bull
The magic of The Great Houdini continues to capture our imaginations-- and to inspire our poetry-- today!
No comments:
Post a Comment