Here is a silly poem that I composed together with one of my elementary-grade students, Leo, using English words derived from the Latin word mittere (to send). Working from a limited list of words forces creativity. We used a Seussical rhyme scheme.
SECRET AGENT
by Dr. K and Leo
I’m on a secret mission; I’ve been sent into the wild,
My boss sent me to Timbuktu to find a missing child.
She transmitted permission to explore the city streets.
Her message said I must avoid committing futile feats
that could endanger my life (or the lives of those I know).
She’s generally permissive , but I’ve lines that I must toe.
The rules of my great agency say to keep a tight lid
on all the things I’ll have to do to rescue this lost kid.
When I remit my invoice, I’ll charge extra for the beats
doled out by some bad actors (which I’ll treat with fresh raw meats).
When I’m in need, I can deploy a beacon that emits
a call for help; then home I’ll go; to my boss I’ll submit
receipts of my expenses for my airfare, rooms, and meals,
and for the cost of renting cars (a spy needs red-hot wheels).
Post a wee intermission, there will be another chance
to go undercover in disguise and catch a crook in France!
I’ll not dismiss the dangers while reconnoitering the Louvre;
To track admitted criminals takes savvy spycraft moves.
Copyright © 2024 by Karen M. Wieland, Ph.D and Leo Bonelli
This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License. To view a copy of this license, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/.