Bruce Lansky

Bruce Lansky is an internationally known poet and anthologist. He has a passion for getting children excited about reading and writing poetry. Lansky’s poetry books—including A Bad Case of the Giggles (2013), Peter, Peter, Pizza-Eater (2006), Mary Had a Little Jam (2004), If Kids Ruled the School (2004), and Rolling in the Aisles (2004)—are among America’s best-selling children’s poetry books. He is also the editor of the middle-grade fiction series Girls to the Rescue and Newfangled Fairy Tales. Lansky has performed in more than 300 schools from coast to coast. He enjoys returning to his peaceful home near one of Minnesota’s most beautiful lakes, just outside Minneapolis. Source

Confession

I have a brief confession

that I would like to make.

If I don’t get it off my chest

I'm sure my heart will break.

I didn't do my reading.

I watched TV instead—

while munching cookies, cakes, and chips

and cinnamon raisin bread.

I didn't wash the dishes.

I didn't clean the mess.

Now there are roaches eating crumbs—

a million, more or less.

I didn't turn the TV off.

I didn't shut the light.

Just think of all the energy

I wasted through the night.

I feel so very guilty.

I did a lousy job.

I hope my students don't find out

that I am such a slob.

Published:

1991

Length:

Regular

Literary Movements:

Children's

Anthology Years:

2022

Themes:

Education & Learning

Humor & Satire