Author Patrick Winstanley is a well-known poet, and he is famous for his funny school poems especially regarding children’s poetry. His inspiration is based on students’ experience during their time inside an educational institution. One of Winstanley’s poems is entitled ‘Library Rules,’ which depicts and lists things that are not allowed in the library. Inspired from the rules commonly seen in swimming pools, the poem is presented in 24 lines, a long poem, but written in very short lines with lots of rhymes. The poem is presented below:
Library Rules
No Eating No Drinking No Talking Or Shouting
No Swearing No Spitting No Hopping Or Skipping
No Smoking No Smirking No Pushing Or Shoving
No Coughing No Sneezing No Sniffling Or Wheezing
No Pets and No Petting No Singing Or Dancing
No Doodling Canoodling Or Fooling Around
And The Last Golden Rule No Reading Aloud.
The poem ‘Library Rules’ humorously discusses the do’s and don’ts inside the library, common rules which are sometimes hard to follow. It provides a simple literary composition, which is easy for children to understand and remember. Rules are imposed mostly to create proper orientation and conduct in a specific location. The library, where silence should be observed, is considered the most peaceful place to study, do homework, and read books, newspapers and magazines. Aside from that, it is a school location where playing around is not encouraged.