Combing & Curling by Gelett Burgess
Combing & Curling is a humorous poem written by Gelett Burgess. It tells the story of a man who tries to comb and curl his hair, but ends up with disastrous results. The poem is known for its playful language and exaggerated descriptions of the character's struggles.
By Gelett Burgess · First published 1905 · Genre: Children's Poetry, Instructional, Humor · 121 words
First lines
_When your mother combs your hair,_ _Here's a rhyme for you to say: _ _If you try it, I declare,_ _It will take the snarls away! _
In the ocean of my hair, Many little waves are there; Make the comb, a little boat, Over all the billows float; Sail the rough and tangled tide Till it's smooth on every side, Till, like other little girls, I've a sea of wavy curls!
What this Textopian page supports
Combing & Curling is listed on Textopian as a poem by Gelett Burgess, dated 1905 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: Gelett Burgess
- Date: 1905 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Children's Poetry, Instructional, Humor
- Length: 121 words
- Structure: 1 section, 2 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Combing & Curling by Gelett Burgess
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering Combing & Curling?
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Genres
- Children's Poetry — The text is a rhyme intended for children, with playful language and a simple, rhythmic structure.
- Instructional — The rhyme provides a playful method to make hair combing more enjoyable, serving an instructional purpose.
- Humor — The whimsical imagery and playful tone suggest a humorous approach to a common childhood experience.
Tags
poetry · humor · children's literature · illustrated · whimsical · imagination · playfulness · rhyme · fantasy · adventure · creativity · nature