Visit Your Local PBS Station PBS Home PBS Home Programs A-Z TV Schedules Watch Video Support PBS Shop PBS Search PBS

   
the Online NewsHour
E-mail This Page Print This Page
the Online NewsHourFUNDED IN PART BYChevronIntelCorporation for Public Broadcasting
BROWSE BY
REGION
TOPIC
RECENT PROGRAMSLOCAL TV LISTINGSSUBSCRIPTIONSTEACHER RESOURCESSEARCH
Poetry SeriesFunded by: Poetry Foundation
Sign up for e-mail alerts of upcoming poetry stories.POETRY SERIES PODCASTS
MAIN: POETRY SERIESVIDEOPOET PROFILESFOR TEACHERSABOUT POETRY SERIESARCHIVE

POET PROFILE
Jack Prelutsky, photo by Yuen Lui Studio   Jack Prelutsky
TRANSCRIPT
RELATED INFORMATION
We're Fearless Flying Hotdogs
by Jack Prelutsky
audioRealAudioDownload

We're fearless flying hotdogs,
the famous "Unflappable Five,"
we're mustered in formation
to climb, to dip, to dive,
we spread our wings with relish,
then reach for altitude,
we're aerobic weiners,
the fastest flying food.

We're fearless flying hotdogs,
we race with flair and style,
then catch up with each other
and soar in single file,
you never saw such daring,
such power and control,
as when we swoop and spiral,
then slide into a roll.

The throngs applaud our antics,
they cheer us long and loud,
there's never a chilly reception,
there's never a sour crowd,
and if we may speak frankly,
we are a thrilling sight,
we're fearless flying hotdogs,
the delicate essence of flight.

Three poems from Good Sports audioRealAudioDownload

I had to slide into the plate,
It was my only chance.
Though if I hadn't slid, then I
Would not have lost my pants.

*

The batter hits the ball my way,
I watch it sail aloft.
I miss the catch, it hits my head --
A softball isn't soft!

*

I didn't beat the throw to first,
And now my face is red.
Next time when I'm on second base,
I'll run to third instead.

The Detested Radishark audioRealAudioDownload

In the middle of the ocean,
In the deep deep dark,
Dwells a monstrous apparition,
The detested RADISHARK.
It's an underwater nightmare
That you hope you never meet,
For it eats what it wants,
And it always wants to eat.

Its appalling, bulbous body
Is astonishingly red,
And its fangs are sharp and gleaming
In its huge and horrid head,
And the only thought it harbors
In its small but frightful mind,
Is to catch you and to bite you
On your belly and behind.

It is ruthless, it is brutal,
It swims swiftly, it swims far,
So it's guaranteed to find you
Almost anywhere you are.
If the RADISHARK is near you,
Pray the beast is fast asleep
In the middle of the ocean
In the dark dark deep.

Copyright by Jack Prelutsky. Reprinted with the permission. All rights reserved.

POET BIO

Jack Prelutsky was born in 1940 in Brooklyn, N.Y., and grew up in the Bronx. After working various jobs -- folk singer, cab driver, furniture and piano mover, fruit picker and janitor -- Prelutsky began writing poetry at age 24 and published his first book three years later. He has published more than 40 books of children's poetry.

In 2006 the Poetry Foundation named Prelutsky the inaugural consultant in children's poetry, which has a two-year tenure and carries a $25,000 prize. According to the Poetry Foundation, Prelutsky will give two major public readings and "engage in a variety of projects and events to help instill a love of poetry among the nation's youngest readers."

Prelutsky attended Hunter College and lives in Washington state with his wife, Carolynn.

ABOUT US | FEEDBACK | SUBSCRIPTIONS / FEEDS: 
POD|RSS
Funded, in part, by:IntelChevronCorporation for Public Broadcasting
            Support the kind of journalism done by the NewsHour...Become a member of your local PBS station.
PBS Online Privacy Policy

Copyright ©1996- MacNeil/Lehrer Productions. All Rights Reserved.