Leap Year Poem by Mother Goose - Famous poems, famous poets. - All Poetry

Leap Year Poem

Thirty days hath September,
April, June and November.
All the rest have thirty-one,
Excepting February alone,
And that has twenty-eight days clear
And twenty-nine in each leap year.

This traditional English mnemonic rhyme, of which many variants are commonly used in English-speaking countries, has a long history and was first included in The Harley Collection, one of the main collections of the British Library, London, England.

Illustrated by

Eugène Grasset © by owner. provided at no charge for educational purposes

Analysis (ai): This well-known mnemonic aids in recalling the number of days in each month. Its concise, matter-of-fact tone conveys the essential information without embellishment. Compared to the author's other works, it lacks the playful rhymes and whimsical imagery found in traditional Mother Goose rhymes.

In the context of its time period, this poem reflects the need for practical knowledge and efficient communication. It is a simple and straightforward verse that effectively conveys a practical fact. Its brevity and easy memorability make it a useful tool for anyone seeking to remember the number of days in each month.

Like (8) 16 Lovely Nice poem Enjoyed it Like (8)

Likes: Pam Ray, Cathysalesmftphdpoet

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Zai Luna Fortuna -

I can't begin to say his often I refer to this poem... Many times! Without this poem, I'd have no idea how many days to a month. So - a huge thanks to this poet! Huge!

on Feb 24 2014 05:08 AM PST x edit

Untalented Poet -

This is so great, thanks for posting

on Nov 12 2012 09:42 AM PST x edit

Alex Dunnett -

At least, it 's educational. Secondly I like it because my wife recites it to me, to remind me how many days in each moth. I'm a shocker when it comes to days in the month

Regards Alex

on Oct 16 2012 06:09 AM PST x edit

Kenneth bugel - i think we all learned this poem, many moons ago. Still nice to hear it . Thanks

on Sep 25 2012 09:42 AM PST x edit

Tahir Rajput -

yes we hv this poem in our syllabus of 5 grade,, amazing little poem

on Sep 25 2012 04:51 AM PST x edit

Morag -

This is an excellent and useful rhyme that everyone should know, but giving its author's name as Mother Goose is wrong. It should be Anonymous. There is no evidence that the 'Mother Goose' of nursery rhymes and stories refers to a real person, and plenty that it doesn't. The term Mother Goose ('ma mere l'oie') was in use in France in 1650, and clearly not new. As for the rhyme above, it was printed in 1577, as an English translation of an existing Latin poem, which may or may not have been older than a similar French poem of the 13th century, and it will have been intended as a mnemonic for adults, not for children.

OK, I'm not an expert, but Iona and Peter Opie are, and I have their 'Oxford Dictionary of Nursery Rhymes', which I recommend to all poetry lovers.

on Mar 02 2012 09:03 AM PST x edit

Fairykittenish - Cute

on Mar 01 2012 06:10 PM PST x edit

Meron -

Good job mother Goose, you have explained it well within few words. Simple, entertaining and clear. I like it

on Mar 01 2012 01:02 PM PST x edit

Froggy821 - I remember learnig this in grade school

on Mar 01 2012 11:12 AM PST x edit

Stephen G Thomas -

Thankyou for the reminder

on Mar 01 2012 09:50 AM PST x edit

Lancashire Lad - haha that was pretty clever the way you worded that. concise and straight to to the point. I liked it

on Mar 01 2012 09:37 AM PST x edit

Mcheadle - You have it right. This is the one I learned many moon ago...mac

on Mar 01 2012 09:14 AM PST x edit

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Mother Goose Follow

Mother Goose is the name given to the notional author of nursery rhymes and songs for children, which are often called 'Mother Goose rhymes'. In fact these rhymes originate in many different countries and centuries, and their authors are usually unknown. In the nineteenth century an American writer claimed that an ancestress of his, who lived in Boston, was the original 'Mother Goose'. However, researchers have found no evidence for this.

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