Students - In the United States in mid-June, many schools are out for summer vacation, and many of the others are on their way to summer vacation very soon. So, this poem is an occasional poem, or a poem written for a special occasion - the end of school. It is also a poem of address, as in a poem written to someone particular, in this case, a special teacher.
I am very lucky to have learned from many wonderful teachers including but in no way limited to my mom, my grandmother (both taught fourth grade!), Mrs. Dufty, Mr. Fron, Mrs. Brooks, Mr. Walsh, Professor Valerie Bang-Jensen, Professor O'Brien, Professor Kennison, Professor Pliner, Lee Bennett Hopkins, and so many of the teachers I meet and authors of books I read every day. Moving from one class or grade to another can leave that bitter (so sad to leave) sweet (yay, new adventures) feeling in my mouth every time.
While this poem is not a ghazal, the form was definintely inspired by the ghazals I recently read and reread by Laura Purdie Salas, Liz Garton Scanlon, and Mary Lee Hahn. I highly recommend that you check them out. In this poem of mine, notice the repetition of the -eer sound and also the repetition of the whole word together.
Today, and this summer, one writing recommendation I have for you is this: write a poem for a special occasion. And...or...write a poem especially FOR someone else. If you like, play around with some repetition, either by repeating one sound over and over...or coming around and around to the same word.
And now, happy guest news!
Today I am fortunate and excited to again welcome friends from Tioughnioga Riverside Academy in Whitney Point, NY. Hello and many thank yous to Intermediate Literacy Coordinator Dr. Kristie Miner, Fifth Grade Teachers Mrs. Clark, Mrs. Kraly, and Mrs. Vandermark and the Fifth Grade Poets of TRA.
These writers took on a 24 HOURS project, each writing a poem in the voice of their school, all the way through one night and one day. Look closely at that first slide and the fabulous way the authors displayed their work all around a large clock face!
Read these delightful poems to meet some of the school's characters, listen to sounds, notice similes and careful repetition. Pay attention to the different feelings in each poem and how the line breaks help you feel those feelings. This slideshow reads like a book that I would love to check out from the library.
Thank you again, poets! I feel like we just took a secret field trip, absorbing the sights and sounds and smells of Tioughnioga Riverside Academy. Your school will miss your voices and your footsteps and will think about you in the summer days (and nights!) ahead. Readers, please if you would, take a moment to comment on this delightful book in slides.
Buffy is hosting this week's Poetry Friday roundup and two camoflauge photographs and poems over at Buffy Silverman. Each Friday, all are invited to share poems, poem books, poetry ideas, and friendship in this open and welcoming poetry community.
And young writer friends, please know that I will be here for most Fridays of the summer. I plan to spend lots of time writing in my little shed named Gratitude (tour next fall) and also look forward to lots of fruit picking, sock knitting, flower photographing, and craziest of all, a Giant Puppet Making workshop at Touchstone Center for Crafts in Farmington, Pennysylvania.
xo,
Amy
