Poems with Lois Letchford: I'm Drump the Grump

18 Nov 2020 · 1 min

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1:12

In this YouTube video, author Lois Letchford introduces herself and her memoir, then performs a reading from Jack Palutski's collection New Kids on the Block, presenting the poem "Drump the Grump." The piece portrays Drump, a grotesque, grumpy creature who lives in a garbage dump, describing his filthy appearance, disgusting habits, and hostile attitude with vivid, humorous language. Despite his nastiness, the poem concludes with a gentle self‑acceptance note, stating that Drump likes the way he is. The performance is whimsical, exaggerated, and aimed at entertaining children while subtly delivering a message about embracing one’s own quirks.

Chapters

Hello, I'm Lois Letchford, author of the book Reversed: A Memoir and Literacy Problem Solving, reading from New Kids on the Block by Jack Palutski, Drump the Grump. I'm Drump the Grump of the garbage dump. I'm a contradictory cuss. I'm grubby and gruff and just as rough as an old rhinoceros. I never wash and I like to squash my fingers into worms. I'm full of fleas and smelly cheese and 50 million germs. I swallow food before it's chewed. I belch an awful lot. I smell like a goat and I wear a coat that swarms with slime and rot. I'm as mean as a bear that's burned his hair. I've nothing nice to say. I don't like you, or you, or you. You'd better go away. I'm Drump, the Grump of the Darl Garbage Dump. I'm hard as a battering ram. But I want you to know before you go, I like the way I am.