Thursday, November 20, 2014

A Poetic Search for A Special Class


          Today’s Poetry Friday as hosted by Becky Shillington of Tapestry of Words.

       I've recently been asked to take over a classroom at my school, and as I've written before, I'm much, much busier than I was two weeks ago. Serendipitously, I'm in the same classroom that I was when we first moved to this building, and have the same age students, a mixed group of 6th, 7th, and 8th graders. It's a terrific class and I've loved my time so far. With any class, getting to know the students is key, and finding ways to broaden their outlook in literature is a special pleasure for me. I've shared several poems already, have favorites, and we'll be doing more creative writing soon. Starting with only a few weeks before Thanksgiving, then a few weeks until the longer winter break is also a challenge. What to do, what to do in this brief time? 
  
       Here's a poem I'll share with students soon, and thought you'd enjoy it also. It's one our head of school shared during the staff days before school. It's a good look at telling a story, at inviting everyone into the group, and it's a way for us to respond to a poem that I hope will touch the students in a variety of ways. I'm looking forward to what the students will share about it.

My Mother's Uncle Had A Horse

The best time of a delay relatives' Sunday
was to walk with him to the stable
and watch him feed the quiet animal,
to give it sugar from my own hand
and jump back away
from the big warm tongue, 
to smell the hay and manure, to see
the white horse in the next stall,
with tail and frame like yellow silk.

You can find the rest here

Wishing you all a very Happy Thanksgiving filled with good people and good pie!

12 comments:

  1. Great vivid images in this poem! I can see why you are looking forward to sharing it. Best of luck as you figure out how to use your time with your new class! Happy Thanksgiving, Linda :-)

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    1. Thanks, Tabatha, the pouring out of feeling at the end is what got me in this, so sad. Happy Thanksgiving to you too!

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  2. "How I held those reins..." - Not sure which I love more: the poem, or the fact that your principal shares poetry in staff meetings! Thank you for sharing it again with us. Best wishes for your time in the new class - lucky kids! Happy Thanksgiving. :0)

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    1. Thanks Robyn. Yes, he shares a poem every meeting! Happy Thanksgiving to you too!

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  3. This is such a great poem, Linda. The ending, especially, hits you in the gut. Thank you so much for sharing this.

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    1. You're welcome, Becky. I'm happy you enjoyed it.

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  4. Thank you for sharing such a wonderful poem, Linda. I love the opening: "The best time of a deadly relatives' Sunday..." I lived through many a Sunday that I dreaded, but now look back on with such fondness. Good luck with your class - no doubt your students are the lucky ones. Happy Thanksgiving! =)

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    1. I'm glad you connected to it in a special way, Bridget. Thanks for sharing that, & Happy Thanksgiving to you too!

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  5. The best of luck with your new class. It must be hard coming in so late after the start of the year.

    I agree with Tabatha--there are some great images. Can't you just imagine jumping back from a big slurpy horse tongue?

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    1. Well, I can imagine it. I rode for a lot of years, but didn't have a memory quite the same. Thanks for the wishes, Diane.

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  6. It's such a vivid and specific memory. It's a perfect starting off point for sharing memories and starting to write. "Deadly relatives' Sunday." Now there's a starting off point!

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  7. It can't be easy coming to a new classroom, months in, when all thoughts are on the upcoming holidays! But I'm betting your new students have warmed to you already, Linda. This poem can only add richness to your literary explorations together.

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