Discussion Guide for

In the Land of Words

New and Selected Poems
by Eloise Greenfield, illustrated by Jan Spivey Gilchrist

Use the following questions to help discuss the poem In the Land of
Words.
1) Describe how the meaning of the words in the poem fit with the images
created. For example, Eloise Greenfield writes, Let your words rain down on
me. . .let your blessings fall on me, yet the art created by Jan Spivey Gilchrist
is leaves falling from the tree not actual words. How do the leaves represent
words and blessings?

2) What do you think the author meant by Come, Rain, Bring your knowledge
and your music? Describe how the rain can bring knowledge and music.

3) What inspired you to write poetry? Do the words come from your memory or a
dream or something you see or hear or wonder about?

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