Kathy Fish and collective nouns

I’m a big fan of collective nouns.

A crash of rhinos. A murder of crows. A stand of flamingos. A conspiracy of ravens. A prickle of porcupines.

Years ago, I came up with a few of my own collective nouns:

A gamble of poker players
A fumble of left-handers
A fistful of bullies
A concern of mothers
An argument of attorneys
A frustration of golfers

Writer and teacher Kathy Fish recently wrote a poem using collective nouns that I adore. It’s filled with humor, joy, inspiration, and heartache, all captured in what amounts to a list.

I’m also a fan of lists. I wrote an entire novel in list form. 

This poem really hit my sweet spot.

Hope you enjoy it as much as I do.
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Collective Nouns for Humans in the Wild

A group of grandmothers is a tapestry. A group of toddlers, a jubilance (see also: a bewailing). A group of librarians is an enlightenment. A group of visual artists is a bioluminescence. A group of short story writers is a Flannery. A group of musicians is — a band.

A resplendence of poets.

A beacon of scientists.

A raft of social workers.

A group of first responders is a valiance. A group of peaceful protestors is a dream. A group of special education teachers is a transcendence. A group of neonatal ICU nurses is a divinity. A group of hospice workers, a grace.

Humans in the wild, gathered and feeling good, previously an exhilaration, now: a target.

A target of concert-goers.

A target of movie-goers.

A target of dancers.

A group of schoolchildren is a target.

– Kathy Fish