The Underwear Salesman - J. Patrick Lewis

Poetry
And Other Jobs for Better or Verse
Illustrated by Serge Bloch
Ginee Seo Books/Atheneum, 2009
Rating: 3.5
Endpapers: 24 different paris of boxer shorts with various pricing....(cute)

The first poem, "Guess how many jobs there are /At the occupation salad bar!" are six clevery written, four-line stanzas. There's an interesting rhyme pattern, each stanza begins with a triplet, then then the fourth line of each is in an aabbcc pattern. Interesting rhyme and easy rhythm. We things about 49 (if I counted right) different occupations, some that you never would think of. Exterminator, Mapmaker, Belly Dancer, Highway Line Painter, Pet Groomer, Banana Picker, Bridge Painter, Sunken Treasure Hunter, Acupuncturist, Cuckoo-Clock Repairman, Paleontologist.....

Illustrations are a mixture of line drawings, simple painting, and collage. In most cases, lots of white. The Marathon Runner pome is a city neighborhood in oranges with no white, and is pretty snazzy:

Marathon Runner

Motivation
Perspiration
Long duration
Occupation
Destination:
Big ovation
Celebration?
(Long vacation!)

Poet

I take a word, and then another,
Let them get to know each other,

Exercise them till they learn
A song to sing, a phrase to turn.

I choose strong verbs right off the bat
(Since adjectives are high in fat).

Some words may act excited, nervous,
But all are glad to be of service.