I'm smack in the middle of my first-ever travel residency AND my laptop spectacularly crashed and burned halfway through yesterday, so I have to skip some of the recommended rambling freewrite and go for the InstaDraftTM...
Who's a Boss?
(dedicated to the 5th graders of Williamsport ES)
You are choosing words that make
the poem sound good to our ears
and feel good in our mouths.
I see you over there whispering your words to yourself,
before you write them down, as you write them down,
after you write them down. I hear you testing, trying,
timid or torrential; your rhymes are raggedy, your similes
leave us smiling; your fifth-grade flavor is farm-fresh &
and feel good in our mouths.
I see you over there whispering your words to yourself,
before you write them down, as you write them down,
after you write them down. I hear you testing, trying,
timid or torrential; your rhymes are raggedy, your similes
leave us smiling; your fifth-grade flavor is farm-fresh &
aura-matic! and nothing tastes happier to my weary ears
than you reading your poem
out loud in the middle of a
random Thursday afternoon.
Thanks to LPS for hosting us today with a little anticipatory Flurrying, Floating and Flying!
Finally--do speak up if you'll be at NCTE! I'm moderating a panel on nonfiction poetry with Marilyn Singer, Carole Weatherford, Carol Hinz and our own Margaret Simon. I wouldn't want to miss hanging out with any of you!
Oh, Heidi, I'm sorry for the tech woes (I feel your pain--same with my phone recently). But what a fresh and fabulous poem emerged here. It fills me with hope and energy today.
ReplyDeleteWhat a delightful poem, Heidi! Love "nothing tastes happier to my weary ears" - I'm sure the students are learning and experiencing so much poetry from you. I'm already experiencing NCTE envy. I haven't been in person since 2019. Hoping to return next year when it's in Philadelphia.
ReplyDeleteYour poem makes me miss that special sound of students immersed in writing. I have a flavor for the amazing work you are doing in the world. This year will be my last for NCTE, so I hope I make it. (Shutting down flights is making me worry.)
ReplyDeleteMost times I love my tech; other times, wishing it would go away! Hope all of yours becomes much better today, Heidi. What a loving poem you've written for these students you've lately become to know. I think you will also 'taste' their smiles when you share with them! That ending is wonderful!
ReplyDeleteI LOVE your rich homage (and stellar title) to poets in search of the perfect words that "sound good to our ears/ and feel good in our mouths." You captured the magic of a writing classroom so beautifully! This belongs on the wall of classrooms everywhere!
ReplyDeleteYou captured poetry writing workshop perfectly, and 5th grade writers, too! Sorry about the technology crash, and I'm with Margaret...slightly worried about my flights, but not going to perseverate. If worst comes to worst, I can take a few days on either end and DRIVE to Denver!
ReplyDeleteI love your enthusiasm for kids and poems. Have fun at NCTE and safe travels.
ReplyDelete"Fifth-grade flavor." Yes! Love that.
ReplyDeleteOh, Heidi, your poem made me so happy! Thanks for the InstaDraft smiles. :)
ReplyDeleteI love your celebration of the deliciousness of young poets' at work. Your poem is just so heart warmingly lovely! (Also, I'm so sorry to hear about your computer woes. Ugh!!! Double Ugh!!!)
ReplyDeleteSo very cool that you chose the taste of fifth-grade! How lucky are you to dabble in such magic! And NCTE???? Can I just be you when I grow up??? ;)
ReplyDeleteOh, no! Your laptop died?! That's horrible.
ReplyDeleteBut, your poem is brilliant. I love the happiness of watching a child fall in love with their own words. What a fabulous sight and sound to the eyes that must be in your residency and in after school programs.
This is Linda M. I'm not sure why my name didn't show.
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