Jack Prelutsky

  • Homework! Oh, Homework!

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Homework! Oh, Homework!

 By Jack Prelutsky

Homework! Oh, Homework! I hate you! You stink! I wish I could wash you away in the sink, if only a bomb would explode you to bits. Homework! Oh, homework! You’re giving me fits. I’d rather take baths with a man-eating shark, or wrestle a lion alone in the dark, eat spinach and liver, pet ten porcupines, than tackle the homework, my teacher assigns. Homework! Oh, homework! You’re last on my list, I simply can’t see why you even exist, if you just disappeared it would tickle me pink. Homework! Oh, homework! I hate you! You stink!

 Summary of Homework! Oh, Homework!

  • Popularity of “Homework! Oh, Homework!”: The poem ‘Homework! Oh, Homework!’ was written by Jack Prelutsky, a well-known children’s poet. Its first publication dates back to 1999, and it is acclaimed for its exceptional composition that underscores the triviality of homework. The poem speaks about how mad homework can make students. The funny tone of the poem illustrates the speaker ’s disgust, hatred, and revulsion for homework. The poem gained immense popularity on account of its universal appeal. The exasperated yet humorous mood added further to its rhythm and melody.
  • “Homework! Oh, Homework!” As a Representative of Hatred : This poem is written from a child’s perspective who expresses his feelings related to homework. It begins when the speaker shows extreme hatred for homework and wishes to wash it away in the sink or to explode it into pieces. He dislikes homework so much that in the poem, he’d prefer to take a bath with a man-eating shark or wrestle a lion in the dark instead.. He further informs his readers that homework is the last on his list. He would rather be happy if it gets disappeared from his to-do list.
  • Major Themes in “Homework! Oh, Homework!” Hatred, student life, and homework revulsion are the major themes of the poem. The poem centers on the feelings of a student who has gone mad because of the study workload. Knowing it is a compulsion and the demand of his education, he desires to get rid of it. He hates homework so much that he would instead perform some insane and crazy actions rather than doing his homework. It is through this funny poetic piece, the poet sheds light on the problems students face during their student life.

Analysis of Literary Devices Used in Homework! Oh, Homework!

literary devices allow the writers to bring variety and color to their simple poetic pieces. Jack Prelutsky also made this poem worth read with the excessive use of these devices. The analysis used in this poem is analyzed below.

  • Assonance : Assonance is the repetition of vowel sounds in the same line, such as the sound of /o/ in “Homework! Oh, homework” and the sound of /oo/ in “would explode you to bits.”
  • Alliteration : Alliteration is the repetition of consonant sounds in the same line, such as the sound of /h/ in “Homework! Oh, homework” and /p/ sound in “pet ten porcupines.”
  • Apostrophe : An apostrophe is a device used to call somebody or something from afar. Here, the poet has used apostrophe to call homework a disgusting thing such as,
“Homework! Oh, Homework! I hate you! You stink.”
  • Consonance : Consonance is the repetition of consonant sounds in the same line, such as the sound of /k/ in “than tackle the homework,” and the sound of /sh/ in “I wish I could wash you away in the sink.”
  • Enjambment : It is defined as a thought in verse that does not come to an end at a line break ; rather, it rolls over to the next line. For example,
“I simply can’t see why you even exist, if you just disappeared it would tickle me pink.”
  • Hyperbole : Hyperbole is a device used to exaggerate any statement for the sake of emphasis. The writer used this device by comparing the homework more difficult even than wrestling with a lion or man eating shark.
  • Irony : Irony is a figure of speech in which words are used in such a way that their intended meaning differs from the actual meaning. The writer has used this device in the opening stanza of the poem while talking about the self-recognition, such as,
“ Homework! Oh, Homework! I hate you! You stink.”
  • Imagery : Imagery is used to make readers perceive things involving their five senses. For example, “You’re last on my list”, “I wish I could wash you away in the sink” and “eat spinach and liver.”
  • Metaphor : It is a figure of speech in which an implied comparison is made between the objects that are different. The poem shows the use of extended metaphors of homework, comparing it with several things that he hates the most in life.
  • Personification : The poem shows the use of personification as the poet has personified homework, showing it having life and emotions of its own.
  • Symbolism : Symbolism is using symbols to signify ideas and qualities, giving them symbolic meanings that are different from literal meanings. The poem shows the use of the symbols of “stink” and “giving me fits” as signs of anger and hatred.

Analysis of Poetic Devices Used in Homework! Oh, Homework!

Poetic and literary devices are the same, but a few are used only in poetry. Here is the analysis of some of the poetic devices used in this poem.

  • Diction : The poem shows descriptive diction having metaphors, symbols, and hyperbole.
  • Rhyme Scheme : The poem follows an ABCD rhyme scheme , and this pattern continues until the end.
  • Repetition : There is a repetition of the verses “Homework! Oh, homework! /I hate you! You stink!” which have created a musical quality in the poem.
  • Refrain : The lines occurring repeatedly at some distance in a poem are called a refrain . The verses, “Homework! Oh, homework! /I hate you! You stink!” are, therefore, a refrain.
  • Stanza : A stanza is a poetic form of some lines. There are three stanzas in this poem, with each comprising a different number of verses.

Quotes to be Used

These lines are useful while talking about the things that one does not want to do intentionally.

“ You’re last on my list, I simply can’t see why you even exist, if you just disappeared it would tickle me pink.”

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Jack Prelutsky

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Homework! Oh, Homework!

By jack prelutsky.

Homework! Oh, Homework! I hate you! You stink! I wish I could wash you away in the sink, if only a bomb would explode you to bits. Homework! Oh, homework! You’re giving me fits.

I’d rather take baths with a man-eating shark, or wrestle a lion alone in the dark, eat spinach and liver, pet ten porcupines, than tackle the homework, my teacher assigns.

Homework! Oh, homework! you’re last on my list, I simple can’t see why you even exist, if you just disappeared it would tickle me pink. Homework! Oh, homework! I hate you! You stink!

This Poem Features In:

  • poems about homework

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  • April 12, 2022

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16+ Best Jack Prelutsky Poems Everyone Should Read

Jack Prelutsky is an American writer of children’s poetry who has published over 50 poetry collections. He served as the first U.S. Children’s Poet Laureate from 2006-08 when the Poetry Foundation established the award.

If you’re searching for famous poems ever that perfectly capture what you’d like to say or just want to feel inspired yourself, browse through an amazing collection of best known Anne Sexton poems , most known Christina Rossetti poems , and greatest Khalil Gibran poems.

Famous Jack Prelutsky Poems

Last night i dreamed of chickens.

Last night I dreamed of chickens, there were chickens everywhere, they were standing on my stomach, they were nesting in my hair, they were pecking at my pillow, they were hopping on my head, they were ruffling up their feathers as they raced about my bed.

They were on the chairs and tables, they were on the chandeliers, they were roosting in the corners, they were clucking in my ears, there were chickens, chickens, chickens for as far as I could see… when I woke today, I noticed there were eggs on top of me.

Be Glad Your Nose Is On Your Face

Be glad your nose is on your face, not pasted on some other place, for if it were where it is not, you might dislike your nose a lot.

Imagine if your precious nose were sandwiched in between your toes, that clearly would not be a treat, for you’d be forced to smell your feet.

Your nose would be a source of dread were it attached atop your head, it soon would drive you to despair, forever tickled by your hair.

Within your ear, your nose would be an absolute catastrophe, for when you were obliged to sneeze, your brain would rattle from the breeze.

Your nose, instead, through thick and thin, remains between your eyes and chin, not pasted on some other place– be glad your nose is on your face!

As Soon As Fred Gets Out Of Bed

As soon as Fred gets out of bed, his underwear goes on his head. His mother laughs, “Don’t put it there, a head’s no place for underwear!” But near his ears, above his brains, is where Fred’s underwear remains.

At night when Fred goes back to bed, he deftly plucks it off his head. His mother switches off the light and softly croons, “Good night! Good night!” And then, for reasons no one knows, Fred’s underwear goes on his toes.

Bleezer’s Ice Cream

I am Ebenezer Bleezer, I run BLEEZER’S ICE CREAM STORE, there are flavors in my freezer you have never seen before, twenty-eight divine creations too delicious to resist, why not do yourself a favor, try the flavors on my list:

COCOA MOCHA MACARONI TAPIOCA SMOKED BALONEY CHECKERBERRY CHEDDAR CHEW CHICKEN CHERRY HONEYDEW TUTTI-FRUTTI STEWED TOMATO TUNA TACO BAKED POTATO LOBSTER LITCHI LIMA BEAN MOZZARELLA MANGOSTEEN ALMOND HAM MERINGUE SALAMI YAM ANCHOVY PRUNE PASTRAMI SASSAFRAS SOUVLAKI HASH SUKIYAKI SUCCOTASH BUTTER BRICKLE PEPPER PICKLE POMEGRANATE PUMPERNICKEL PEACH PIMENTO PIZZA PLUM PEANUT PUMPKIN BUBBLEGUM BROCCOLI BANANA BLUSTER CHOCOLATE CHOP SUEY CLUSTER AVOCADO BRUSSELS SPROUT PERIWINKLE SAUERKRAUT COTTON CANDY CARROT CUSTARD CAULIFLOWER COLA MUSTARD ONION DUMPLING DOUBLE DIP TURNIP TRUFFLE TRIPLE FLIP GARLIC GUMBO GRAVY GUAVA LENTIL LEMON LIVER LAVA ORANGE OLIVE BAGEL BEET WATERMELON WAFFLE WHEAT

I am Ebenezer Bleezer, I run BLEEZER’S ICE CREAM STORE, taste a flavor from my freezer, you will surely ask for more.

The Visitor

it came today to visit and moved into the house it was smaller than an elephant but larger than a mouse

first it slapped my sister then it kicked my dad then it pushed my mother oh! that really made me mad

it went and tickled rover and terrified the cat it sliced apart my necktie and rudely crushed my hat

it smeared my head with honey and filled the tub with rocks and when i yelled in anger it stole my shoes and socks

that’s just the way it happened it happened all today before it bowed politely and softly went away

Super Samson Simpson

I am Super Samson Simpson, I’m superlatively strong, I like to carry elephants, I do it all day long, I pick up half a dozen and hoist them in the air, it’s really somewhat simple, for I have strength to spare.

My muscles are enormous, they bulge from top to toe, and when I carry elephants, they ripple to and fro, but I am not the strongest in the Simpson family, for when I carry elephants, my grandma carries me.

Dora Diller

‘My stomach’s full of butterflies!’ lamented Dora Diller. Her mother sighed. ‘That’s no surprise, you ate a caterpillar!’

Homework! Oh, Homework!

Homework! Oh, Homework! I hate you! You stink! I wish I could wash you away in the sink, if only a bomb would explode you to bits. Homework! Oh, homework! You’re giving me fits.

I’d rather take baths with a man-eating shark, or wrestle a lion alone in the dark, eat spinach and liver, pet ten porcupines, than tackle the homework, my teacher assigns.

Homework! Oh, homework! you’re last on my list, I simple can’t see why you even exist, if you just disappeared it would tickle me pink. Homework! Oh, homework! I hate you! You stink!

A Pizza the Size of the Sun

I’m making a pizza the size of the sun, a pizza that’s sure to weigh more than a ton, a pizza too massive to pick up and toss, a pizza resplendent with oceans of sauce.

I’m topping my pizza with mountains of cheese, with acres of peppers, pimentos, and peas, with mushrooms, tomatoes, and sausage galore, with every last olive they had at the store.

My pizza is sure to be one of a kind, my pizza will leave other pizzas behind, my pizza will be a delectable treat, that all who love pizza are welcome to eat.

The oven is hot, I believe it will take a year and a half for my pizza to bake. I can hardly wait til my pizza is done, my wonderful pizza the size of the sun.

I met a dragon face to face

I met a dragon face to face the year when I was ten, I took a trip to outer space, I braved a pirate’s den, I wrestled with a wicked troll, and fought a great white shark, I trailed a rabbit down a hole, I hunted for a snark.

I stowed aboard a submarine, I opened magic doors, I traveled in a time machine, and searched for dinosaurs, I climbed atop a giant’s head, I found a pot of gold, I did all this in books I read when I was ten years old.

Herbert Glerbett

Herbert Glerbett, rather round, swallowed sherbet by the pound, fifty pounds of lemon sherbet went inside of Herbert Glerbett. With that glob inside his lap Herbert Glerbett took a nap, and as he slept, the boy dissolved, and from the mess a thing evolved— a thing that is a ghastly green, a thing the world had never seen, a puddle thing, a gooey pile of something strange that does not smile. Now if you’re wise, and if you’re sly, you’ll swiftly pass this creature by, it is no longer Herbert Glerbett. Whatever it is, do not disturb it.

Deep In Our Refrigerator

Deep in our refrigerator, there’s a special place for food that’s been around awhile… we keep it, just in case. ‘It’s probably too old to eat,’ my mother likes to say. ‘But I don’t think it’s old enough for me to throw away.’

It stays there for a month or more to ripen in the cold, and soon we notice fuzzy clumps of multicolored mold. The clumps are larger every day, we notice this as well, but mostly what we notice is a certain special smell.

When finally it all becomes a nasty mass of slime, my mother takes it out, and says, ‘Apparently, it’s time.’ She dumps it in the garbage can, though not without regret, then fills the space with other food that’s not so ancient yet

I Went Hungry on Thanksgiving

I was hungry on Thanksgiving But I couldn’t eat a thing I couldn’t eat a drumstick And I couldn’t eat a wing I couldn’t have the pickles Or the gravy covered rice The pumpkin pie was luscious But I couldn’t have a slice I was starving for some stuffing Or a tasty yellow yam Or a puffy little muffin Spread with homemade berry jam Our dinner looked delicious But I didn’t dare to touch I went hungry on Thanksgiving My new braces hurt too much!

Suzanna socked me Sunday

Suzanna socked me Sunday, she socked me Monday, too, she also socked me Tuesday, I was turning black and blue.

She socked me double Wednesday, and Thursday even more, but when she socked me Friday, she began to get me sore.

“Enough’s enough,” I yelled at her, “I hate it when you hit me!” “Well, then I won’t” Suzanna said— that Saturday, she bit me.

Pumberly Pott’s Unpredictable Niece

Pumberly Pott’s unpredictable niece declared with her usual zeal that she would devour, by piece after piece, her uncle’s new automobile.

She set to her task very early one morn by consuming the whole carburetor; then she swallowed the windshield, the headlights and horn, and the steering wheel just a bit later.

She chomped on the doors, on the handles and locks, on the valves and the pistons and rings; on the air pump and fuel pump and spark plugs and shocks, on the brakes and the axles and springs.

When her uncle arrived she was chewing a hash made of leftover hoses and wires (she’d just finished eating the clutch and the dash and the steel-belted radial tires).

“Oh, what have you done to my auto,” he cried, “you strange unpredictable lass?” “The thing won’t work, Uncle Pott,” she replied, and he wept, “It was just out of gas.”

A Wolf Is At The Laundromat

A wolf is at the Laundromat, it’s not a wary stare-wolf, it’s short and fat, it tips its hat, unlike a scary glare-wolf. It combs its hair, it clips its toes, it is a fairly rare wolf, that’s only there to clean its clothes— it is a wash-and-wear-wolf.

About the Author

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  • Homework, Oh Homework!

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by Jack Prelutsky

Homework! Oh, Homework! I hate you! You stink! I wish I could wash you away in the sink, if only a bomb would explode you to bits. Homework! Oh, homework! You’re giving me fits.

I’d rather take baths with a man-eating shark, or wrestle a lion alone in the dark, eat spinach and liver, pet ten porcupines, than tackle the homework my teacher assigns.

Homework! Oh, homework! You’re last on my list, I simply can’t see why you even exist, if you just disappeared it would tickle me pink. Homework! Oh, homework! I hate you! You stink!

Homework! Oh, Homework! by Jack Prelutsky: poem analysis

  • jack-prelutsky

This is an analysis of the poem Homework! Oh, Homework! that begins with:

Homework! Oh, Homework! I hate you! You stink!...

More information about poems by Jack Prelutsky

  • Analysis of Super Samson Simpson
  • Analysis of Dora Diller
  • Analysis of The Visitor

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Jack Prelutsky

Jack Prelutsky

Jack Prelutsky Poems

Be glad your nose is on your face, not pasted on some other place, for if it were where it is not, you might dislike your nose a lot. ...

Last night I dreamed of chickens, there were chickens everywhere, they were standing on my stomach, they were nesting in my hair, ...

As soon as Fred gets out of bed, his underwear goes on his head. His mother laughs, 'Don't put it there, a head's no place for underwear! ' ...

I am Ebenezer Bleezer, I run BLEEZER'S ICE CREAM STORE, there are flavors in my freezer you have never seen before, ...

it came today to visit and moved into the house it was smaller than an elephant but larger than a mouse ...

'My stomach's full of butterflies! ' lamented Dora Diller. Her mother sighed. 'That's no surprise, you ate a caterpillar! ' ...

I am Super Samson Simpson, I'm superlatively strong, I like to carry elephants, I do it all day long, ...

Homework! Oh, Homework! I hate you! You stink! I wish I could wash you away in the sink, if only a bomb ...

Deep in our refrigerator, there's a special place ...

Herbert Glerbett, rather round, swallowed sherbet by the pound, ...

I met a dragon face to face the year when I was ten, I took a trip to outer space, ...

I'm making a pizza the size of the sun, a pizza that's sure to weigh more than a ton, a pizza too massive to pick up and toss, a pizza resplendent with oceans of sauce. ...

Pumberly Pott's unpredictable niece declared with her usual zeal that she would devour, by piece after piece, her uncle's new automobile. ...

A wolf is at the Laundromat, it's not a wary stare-wolf, ...

I was hungry on Thanksgiving But I couldn't eat a thing I couldn't eat a drumstick ...

Suzanna socked me Sunday, she socked me Monday, too, she also socked me Tuesday, ...

Jack Prelutsky Biography

Jack Prelutsky is an American poet and children's author, born on September 8, 1940, in Brooklyn, New York. He is known for his humorous and whimsical poetry for children, which has earned him numerous awards and accolades. Prelutsky began writing poetry in his teens and went on to study philosophy at Hunter College in New York City. After college, he worked a variety of jobs, including cab driver, furniture mover, and folk singer before turning to writing full-time. In 1976, Prelutsky published his first book of poetry for children, "A Gopher in the Garden and Other Animal Poems," which was followed by many more books over the years. Some of his most popular titles include "The New Kid on the Block," "Something Big Has Been Here," and "The Frogs Wore Red Suspenders." Prelutsky's poetry is known for its accessibility, humor, and child-friendly themes. He often writes about animals, food, and everyday experiences, and his poems are usually accompanied by playful illustrations. His work has been praised for encouraging a love of language and poetry in children. In addition to his writing, Prelutsky has also been involved in children's education. He has conducted poetry workshops for students and teachers, and he has served as a contributing editor for "Read!" magazine, a publication aimed at promoting reading among young people. Prelutsky has won numerous awards for his work, including the Children's Choice Award, the National Council of Teachers of English Award for Excellence in Poetry for Children, and the Claudia Lewis Award for Poetry. In 2006, he was named the first Children's Poet Laureate by the Poetry Foundation. Today, Prelutsky continues to write and publish poetry for children, and his work is beloved by young readers and educators alike.

Life of Jack Prelutsky

He enjoyed the musical training he did there and even attended some musicals. In 1958, he went to Hunter College to study for two years. After failing English three times, he dropped out. Before becoming a writer, he worked on a lot of jobs like driving a cab, working in a bookstore, and a lot more. In 1967, at the age of 24, he wrote his first book. Prelutsky has written more than 50 poetry collections, including Nightmares: Poems to Trouble Your Sleep (1976), It's Halloween (1977), The Mean Old Mean Hyena (1978), and Something BIG Has Been Here (1990). He has also compiled numerous children's anthologies comprising poems of others. Early Life Jack Prelutsky was born on September 8, 1940 in Brooklyn, New York to Charles, an electrician, and Dorothea, a homemaker. While he was still a baby, a fire burned his family's apartment and he was saved by his Uncle Charlie, who was a stand up comic who played the Borscht Belt. He was poor growing up, and he said he was "...a sensitive kid in a working class neighborhood. I got beat up a lot. I was a skinny kid with a big mouth. A bad combination." He attended local public schools in the Bronx, hated the experience, and was bored in class. Prelutsky claims to have hated poetry when he was younger. He stated that "sometime in elementary school I had a teacher who, in retrospect, did not like poetry herself. She was determined to inflict her views on her captives. The syllabus told her she had to recite a poem once a week. She would pick a boring poem from a boring book and read it in a boring voice, looking bored while she was doing it." After teachers discovered he had musical talents, they suggest he attend The High School of Music & Art. While there, he was happy and was able to train his beautiful singing voice and even took part in the musicals. He graduated in 1958, and went on to Hunter College for two years. He studied philosophy, psychology, and flunked English three times before dropping out. Before becoming a writer, he worked odd jobs including driving a cab, moving furniture, busboy, potter, woodworker, and door-to-door salesman. In the late 1960's, he was working in a bookstore in Greenwich Village and singing in coffeehouses, and while doing the latter he met Bob Dylan, became friends, and Dylan even stated that Prelutsky sounded "like a cross between Woody Guthrie and Enrico Caruso". Prelutsky also loved to draw imaginary animals, and a friend of his encouraged him to send it to a publisher in New York. He wrote poems to go with the drawings last minute. He met with Susan Hirshman, and was amazed when they wanted his work; not the drawings that took six months to draw, but the poems which took two hours. He was 24 at the time, and the poems appeared in his first book, A Gopher in the Garden and Other Animal Poems. Hirshman told him he was a natural poet, published his book, and remained his editor until she retired 37 years later. Poetry Prelutsky has written more than 50 poetry collections, including Nightmares: Poems to Trouble Your Sleep (1976), It's Halloween (1977), The Mean Old Mean Hyena (1978), and Something BIG Has Been Here (1990). Nilsen, A. P. and Nilsen, D.L.F. (2000). Encyclopedia of 20th-Century American Humor. Phoenix, AZ: Oryx Press. He has also compiled numerous children's anthologies comprising poems of others. He has also set his poems to music on the audio versions of his anthologies. He often sings and plays guitar on most of them. In 2006, the Poetry Foundation named Prelutsky the inaugural winner of the Children’s Poet Laureate award. He appeared on the popular animated television series Arthur, in the episode "I'm a Poet." His book Behold the Bold Umbrellaphant and Other Poems (illustrated by Carin Berger) won the 2007 Scandiuzzi Children's Book Award of the Washington State Book Awards in the Picture Book category. In 1993, "The New Kid on the Block" was made into an interactive story book by Brøderbund's Living Books series. Personal Life Prelutsky married his wife Carolynn in 1979. They met when he was on a book tour in Albuquerque, New Mexico and she was a children's librarian who was tasked with showing him around town. He claims it was love at first sight and even asked for her hand in marriage the first day he met her. They have lived in Arizona, Boston, New York, and Olympia, Washington. They currently live in downtown Seattle and have an apartment on Bainbridge Island.)

The Best Poem Of Jack Prelutsky

Be Glad Your Nose Is On Your Face Be glad your nose is on your face, not pasted on some other place, for if it were where it is not, you might dislike your nose a lot. Imagine if your precious nose were sandwiched in between your toes, that clearly would not be a treat, for you'd be forced to smell your feet. Your nose would be a source of dread were it attached atop your head, it soon would drive you to despair, forever tickled by your hair. Within your ear, your nose would be an absolute catastrophe, for when you were obliged to sneeze, your brain would rattle from the breeze. Your nose, instead, through thick and thin, remains between your eyes and chin, not pasted on some other place- be glad your nose is on your face!

Jack Prelutsky Comments

He is a creative writer who interests his reader easily with his choice of vocab.

Jack my class is doing a poetry cafe that is where you tell poems and I am doing In The Cafeteria because I LOVE IT SO MUCH.By the way i am the director.

I think Jack Prelutsky is a great poet. Our 5th grade class is doing poems for Halloween on Jack Prelutsky. He is so creative in his poetry. Each one of our classmates has a spooky line. He is a great poet.

Hi Jack I love all your poems. This thing I am doing in my class is called Poetry Cafe and every kid in my class is doing one.I am doing In The Cafeteria I love it so much.Then at the end we are doing a class poem and by the way I am the director. Love, kaya

GEEZE! ! ! JACK GETS MAJOR KOODOS FOR HIS WORK! ! HE ROCKS! ! I NEVER THAUGHT I WOULD LIKE POETRY BUT MAN! ! HE TOTALY OPENED A NEW DOOR FOR ME! !

ima come back like a boomarang those are soo good!

i love my son and your poems and so does my son hudson hughes

Fantastic. Where would I get a book with all your most popular poems in?

Do you have the peom huffer and puffer

Jack Prelutsky Popularity

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2/17/2024 10:46:45 PM # 1.0.0.1119

  • Homework! Oh, Homework!
  • Jack Prelutsky

Reading Time: < 1 minute

Homework! Oh, Homework! I hate you! You stink! I wish I could wash you away in the sink, if only a bomb would explode you to bits. Homework! Oh, homework! You’re giving me fits.

I’d rather take baths with a man-eating shark, or wrestle a lion alone in the dark, eat spinach and liver, pet ten porcupines, than tackle the homework, my teacher assigns.

Homework! Oh, homework! you’re last on my list, I simple can’t see why you even exist, if you just disappeared it would tickle me pink. Homework! Oh, homework! I hate you! You stink!

Love Poems

I think this poem is good for children who are in secondary school as they often get lots of home work and a great deal of pressure put on them .

I like this poem because i can relate to it, the poet who wrote this poem used lots of exaggeration and rhymed using things you might not expect in a children's poem such as " i'd rather wrestle a lion or dive with a man eating shark."

homework oh homework poem by jack prelutsky

This poem has been taken out of 100 best children's poems ( i would have loved to write a poem this good)

Homework! Oh, Homework! - Poem by Jack Prelutsky.

Homework! Oh, Homework!

I hate you! You stink!

I wish I could wash you

away in the sink

if only a bomb

would explode you to bits

Homework! Oh, homework!

You're giving me fits

I'd rather take baths

with a man-eating shark

or wrestle a lion

alone in the dark

eat spinach and liver

pet ten porcupines

than tackle the homework

my teacher assigns

you're last on my list

I simple can't see

why you even exist

if you just disappeared

it would tickle me pink

I hate you! You Stink!

Homework, oh home work

404 Not found

Homework! by Jack Prelutsky Poetry Center Pack

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Prelutsky's 'Carnival Of Animals' Poems Meet Music

Lynn Neary at NPR headquarters in Washington, D.C., May 21, 2019. (photo by Allison Shelley)

Jack Prelutsky, a well-known children's poet and editor of kids poetry collections, has written poems based on Camille Saint-Saens's "The Carnival of Animals." He will read the poems when the National Symphony Orchestra performs the music at the Kennedy Center on Sunday.

MELISSA BLOCK, HOST:

Jack Prelutsky says when he was a child, teachers made poetry a chore rather than a pleasure. He grew up and became a poet writing verse for children, dozens of books. And this weekend, Prelutsky's poems will get some accompaniment from the National Symphony Orchestra at the Kennedy Center here in Washington, D.C. He talked with NPR's Lynn Neary.

LYNN NEARY, BYLINE: Jack Prelutsky became a poet by accident. As a young man, he was a folksinger, a potter, a photographer. Finally, he settled on drawing. One night, for reasons he still can't explain, he decided to write some poems to go with his illustrations. That turned into a book which he brought to an editor at a well-known publishing company.

JACK PRELUTSKY: And she looked at what I've done and she said: You're very talented. We want to publish you. I said what?

(SOUNDBITE OF LAUGHTER)

PRELUTSKY: You want it published? Yes. We think you're very talented. I said, you mean, you like my drawings? And she looked at me, and she said: Oh, no, you're the worst artist I've ever seen.

NEARY: But she did like the poems. And Prelutsky found his life's calling. Now, he has more than 50 books of poetry to his credit. And it's hard to pick up a children's poetry collection without seeing his work. He explains his popularity with kids this way.

PRELUTSKY: I talk about the things I wish I'd heard about when I was a kid, the things they care about: monsters and dragons and dinosaurs and food fights and outer space and kids like themselves and why they don't like doing their homework.

NEARY: And at that, Prelutsky recites from memory an excerpt from his poem on the dreaded subject of homework.

PRELUTSKY: "Homework." Oh, homework. I hate you. You stink. I wish I could wash you away in the sink. If only a bomb would explode you to bits. Homework. Oh, homework. You're giving me fits.

NEARY: After being named America's first children's poet laureate by the Poetry Foundation in 2006, a whole new world has opened to Prelutsky. The San Diego Symphony commissioned a new work based on his poem "Behold the Bold Umbrellaphant." Prelutsky was the narrator at the first performance of the piece.

PRELUTSKY: I got on stage for rehearsal with the San Diego Symphony, and they played the first nine notes of "Behold the Bold Umbrellaphant," which is orchestrated for full symphony orchestra and narrator. I burst into tears on stage. I said this is the best moment of my life, and I really meant it.

(SOUNDBITE OF POEM, "BEHOLD THE BOLD UMBRELLAPHANT")

NEARY: A CD of that piece included a performance of Camille Saint-Saens's "Carnival of the Animals," with poems written and narrated by Prelutsky. And now, other orchestras have asked Prelutsky to perform that piece with them as well. This Sunday, he will narrate the "Carnival" poems at the Kennedy Center here in Washington with the National Symphony Orchestra.

(SOUNDBITE OF MUSIC)

NEARY: At a rehearsal earlier this week at the Kennedy Center, guest conductor Tito Munoz said in the past, "The Carnival of Animals" was often performed with poems by Ogden Nash, but he thinks Prelutsky's work brings a new life to the piece.

TITO MUNOZ: Poetry adds another dimension because, of course, it's an art form in itself. And Jack's poems are really just so funny and charming and with wonderful plays on words. And it puts you in that kind of mood and that character even more, I think, you know, when you have that added element to it.

(SOUNDBITE OF POEM, "THE SWAN")

NEARY: Prelutsky has other musical collaborations in the works as well: a children's opera, a book of lullabies. A talented singer who has always loved music, he's thrilled that at this stage of his life, he's able to return to what he calls his first love.

PRELUTSKY: My father had a collection on 78s of Caruso records, and I used to sing it along with Enrico. Who does that? But I...

PRELUTSKY: So I got to love classical music and opera when I was very young. It's sort of come full circle now.

(SOUNDBITE OF POEM, "THE CARNIVAL OF ANIMALS")

NEARY: Lynn Neary, NPR News.

Copyright © 2012 NPR. All rights reserved. Visit our website terms of use and permissions pages at www.npr.org for further information.

NPR transcripts are created on a rush deadline by an NPR contractor. This text may not be in its final form and may be updated or revised in the future. Accuracy and availability may vary. The authoritative record of NPR’s programming is the audio record.

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Homework! Oh Homework! by Jack Prelutsky

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8 questions

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This poem contains many examples of _________

personification

A hyberbole is ___________.

a comparison of unlike things using "like" or "as"

an exaggeration

a human-like quality given to an object

"Homework! Oh Homework!" is written by ___

Shel Silverstein

William Shakespeare

Robert Frost

Jack Prelutsky

Homework! Oh, homework!

you're last on my list,

I simple can't see

why you even exist,

if you just disappeared

it would tickle me pink.

I hate you! You stink!

Which figurative language does the red line show?

Onomatopoeia

Alliteration

Using context clues, what does the phrase "tickle me pink" mean?

embarrass me

make me very happy

make me angry

make me cry

In which point of view is the poem written?

First Person

Second Person

Third Person

What is the main purpose of this poem?

to persuade

to entertain

What is the main idea of "Homework! Oh Homework!"?

A student loves homework and wants to do some every day.

A student despises homework and would rather face other challenges instead of completing assignments.

A student has a pet dog who ate his homework and now the dog is sick.

A teacher loves given homework to torture her students.

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  3. ️ Homework by jack prelutsky. Homework homework you stink jack

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COMMENTS

  1. Homework! Oh, Homework! by Jack Prelutsky

    alone in the dark, eat spinach and liver, pet ten porcupines, than tackle the homework, my teacher assigns. Homework! Oh, homework! you're last on my list, I simple can't see why you even exist, if you just disappeared it would tickle me pink. Homework! Oh, homework! I hate you! You stink! © by owner. provided at no charge for educational purposes

  2. Homework! Oh, Homework! Poem by Jack Prelutsky

    Oh, homework! You're giving me fits. I'd rather take baths with a man-eating shark, or wrestle a lion alone in the dark, eat spinach and liver, pet ten porcupines, than tackle the homework, my teacher assigns. Homework! Oh, homework! you're last on my list, I simple can't see why you even exist, if you just disappeared it would tickle me pink.

  3. Homework! Oh, Homework! Analysis

    if only a bomb would explode you to bits. Homework! Oh, homework! You're giving me fits. I'd rather take baths with a man-eating shark, or wrestle a lion alone in the dark, eat spinach and liver, pet ten porcupines, than tackle the homework, my teacher assigns. Homework! Oh, homework! You're last on my list, I simply can't see why you even exist,

  4. Homework! Oh, Homework! by Jack Prelutsky

    if only a bomb would explode you to bits. Homework! Oh, homework! You're giving me fits. I'd rather take baths with a man-eating shark, or wrestle a lion alone in the dark, eat spinach and liver, pet ten porcupines, than tackle the homework, my teacher assigns. Homework! Oh, homework! you're last on my list, I simple can't see why you even exist,

  5. PDF Jack Prelutsky

    Prelutsky has written more than 50 poetry collections, including Nightmares: Poems to Trouble Your Sleep (1976), It's Halloween (1977), The Mean Old Mean Hyena (1978), and Something BIG Has Been Here (1990). Nilsen, A. P. and Nilsen, D.L.F. (2000). Encyclopedia of 20th-Century American Humor. Phoenix, AZ: Oryx Press.

  6. Homework! Oh, Homework! A Poem By Jack Prelutsky

    Homework! Oh, Homework! A Poem By Jack Prelutsky Mr. Paulson Reads 22.5K subscribers Subscribe Subscribed 276 49K views 4 years ago A famous poem by Jack Prelutsky ...more ...more Try...

  7. Homework! Oh, Homework! By Jack Prelutsky

    if only a bomb would explode you to bits. Homework! Oh, homework! You're giving me fits. I'd rather take baths with a man-eating shark, or wrestle a lion alone in the dark, eat spinach and liver, pet ten porcupines, than tackle the homework, my teacher assigns. Homework! Oh, homework! you're last on my list, I simple can't see why you even exist,

  8. 16+ Best Jack Prelutsky Poems Everyone Should Read

    Oh, homework! You're giving me fits. I'd rather take baths with a man-eating shark, or wrestle a lion alone in the dark, eat spinach and liver, pet ten porcupines, than tackle the homework, my teacher assigns. Homework! Oh, homework! you're last on my list, I simple can't see why you even exist, if you just disappeared it would tickle ...

  9. Homework, Oh Homework!

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  10. Homework! Oh, Homework!

    Oh, Homework! by Jack PrelutskyIf you want to watch other recitations please click on the following links : Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs: https:...

  11. Homework! Oh, Homework! by Jack Prelutsky: poem analysis

    Oh, Homework! by Jack Prelutsky: poem analysis This is an analysis of the poem Homework! Oh, Homework! that begins with: Homework! Oh, Homework! I hate you! You stink!... Elements of the verse: questions and answers The information we provided is prepared by means of a special computer program.

  12. Homework Poems by Jack Prelutsky

    Oh, Homework! I hate you! You stink! I wish I could wash you away in the sink, if only a bomb. ... Read Poem. Jack Prelutsky homework poems collection on this page. Read best of homework poems by Jack Prelutsky.

  13. Jack Prelutsky

    Prelutsky has written more than 50 poetry collections, including Nightmares: Poems to Trouble Your Sleep (1976), It's Halloween (1977), The Mean Old Mean Hyena (1978), and Something BIG Has Been Here (1990). He has also compiled numerous children's anthologies comprising poems of others. Early Life Jack Prelutsky was born on September 8, 1940 ...

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  15. Homework, oh, homework! ~ by Jack Prelutsky

    My gal first recited this poem two years ago at the Broadbeach, Goldcoast. Till now, she has not grown to like homework 😕... Come on, mummy, who loves homew...

  16. PDF "Homework! Oh, Homework!" By Jack Prelutsky

    "Homework! Oh, Homework!" By Jack Prelutsky ... How old do you think the speaker is? What in the poem leads you to believe they are that age? Be ... The speaker states that homework is last on their list (line 13.) Explain what would be first on your

  17. Homework! Oh, Homework! Poem by Jack Prelutsky

    Oh, Homework! I hate you! You stink! I wish I could wash you away in the sink, if only a bomb would explode you to bits. Homework! Oh, homework! You're giving me fits. I'd rather take baths with a man-eating shark,

  18. Homework! Oh, Homework!

    Homework! Oh, Homework! - Poem by Jack Prelutsky. Homework! Oh, Homework! I hate you! You stink! I wish I could wash you. away in the sink. if only a bomb. would explode you to bits. Homework! Oh, homework! You're giving me fits. I'd rather take baths. with a man-eating shark. or wrestle a lion. alone in the dark. eat spinach and liver. pet ten ...

  19. Homework! Oh, Homework! Analysis

    You bad! EGO wish I might wash you away into the sink, if only a bomb would explode you to bits. Homework! Oh, homework! You're giving me fits. I'd rather take baths with a man-eating shark, or fight a lion solo in the dark, devour spinach or liver, darling ten porcupines, than tackle the homework, my teachers assigns. Prep! Oh, homework!

  20. Homework! by Jack Prelutsky Poetry Center Pack

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  21. 'Homework! Oh, Homework!' by Jack Prelutsky

    Sung (and music) by Adam Hare, 2024. Tips for the speech festival: https://youtu.be/wjQ2fDe7Ukc "Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act ...

  22. Prelutsky's 'Carnival Of Animals' Poems Meet Music : NPR

    Jack Prelutsky, a well-known children's poet and editor of kids poetry collections, has written poems based on Camille Saint-Saens's "The Carnival of Animals." He will read the poems when the ...

  23. Homework! Oh Homework! by Jack Prelutsky

    Oh Homework!"? answer choices. A student loves homework and wants to do some every day. A student despises homework and would rather face other challenges instead of completing assignments. A student has a pet dog who ate his homework and now the dog is sick. A teacher loves given homework to torture her students.