I Am Phoenix: Poems For Two Voices

Fleischman, Paul. 1985. I Am Phoenix: Poems for Two Voices. Ill. by Ken Nutt. New York: Harper & Row.  ISBN 0060218819

(Image obtained from amazon.com)

Summary

I Am Phoenix: Poems for Two Voices is an anthology of 15 bird-related poems aimed towards children in third through seventh grade.  Each poem showcases a different type of bird. 

Quality and Appeal

I Am Phoenix: Poems for Two Voices is a companion anthology to its predecessor Joyful Noise: Poems for Two Voices.  Each poem contains a variety of poetic devices such as alliteration, rhythm, repetition and strong imagery.  The illustrations are found spaced out amongst the poetry and are in black and white.  While impressive, they’re rather flat and one dimensional.  They enhance the story but the most interesting component of I Am Phoenix: Poems for Two Voices is that it’s written (as the title indicates) for two voices. 

Poems written for two voices are intended to be read aloud by two different individuals at once.  One reader takes the text on the right and one reader takes the text on the left.  Sometimes the words are spoken alternatively and sometimes they are spoken simultaneously.  This reading style can be somewhat distracting for both younger readers and those unfamiliar with the style.  In fact, this style of poetic performance may be most beneficial for those listening rather than reading aloud. 

Overall, I favored the poetry which was different between each voice (rather than repetitive).  When the text matched on both sides I felt it was forced and had the opportunity to be overly theatrical.  However, by incorporating this style, Fleischman allowed the rhythm of performance poetry to enhance the fluttery style of the birds he writes about and perhaps intentional.

Spotlight Poem

An excerpt from “Owls”

                                                                                                          Sun's down,   
                 Sky's dark                                                                       
                                                                                                           Loons sleeping                                                     

Larks sleeping

Black night                                                                                          Black night

                                                                                                           for them,

Bright noon                                                                                         Bright noon

Because this poetic style is intended for two readers, educators can introduce this style by encouraging students to write separate poems about a singular subject and then construct a combined final product.  This activity encourages collaboration amongst students and the ability to show parallelism. 

Books like I Am Phoenix: Poems for Two Voices

Joyful Noise: Poems for Two Voices by Paul Fleischman

Running with Trains: A Novel in Poetry and Two Voices by Michael Rosen