Blown Away By First Grade Poets

Today I conducted a poetry workshop with first graders. Let me just say, I was blown away by their poems. For many of them, it was a first attempt at writing rhyming poetry (however, they have clearly touched on poetry and its other forms before with their fabulous teachers).

My favorite line came from a student who stood up and read his poem before both classes. The last line of his poem was, "Spring is King." It gave me chills.

As these students filed out for recess and gym class, they asked if they were coming back for more poetry. I'm not kidding...they wanted more. Watch out folks, future poets on the rise.

~Mary

April Rocks Because of National Poetry Month

I love April. Spring is in bloom (though it is still a bit chilly), the birds are happy, the children are rediscovering their favorite outdoor hiding spots, and people everywhere are writing poetry. Poets have their month in the sun to shine, to reach out and say, "YES POETRY MATTERS!" And it does, and it should be encouraged and cherished every month of the year. Once upon a time, poets were the celebrities of their towns, their countries, enriching the lives of kings and commoners alike, as they nestled in around their hearths at the close of a day. A treat...sweet words in the ear. A mystery...tugging at the heart.

O Captain! My Captain!

~Walt Whitman

"O Captain! My Captain! Our fearful trip is done;

The ship has weather'd every rack, the prize we

sought is won;

The port is near, the bells I hear, the people all exulting.

While follow eyes the steady keel, the vessel grim and daring:

But O heart! heart! heart!!

O the bleeding drops of red

Where on the deck my Captain lies,

Fallen cold and dead.

O Captain! My Captain! Rise up and hear the

bells;

Rise up-for you the flag is flung-for you the

bugle trills..."