Friday, October 24, 2008

Bragging for Sunday Scribblings

This topic made me uncomfortable because I'm not one to brag or boast about myself. I tried writing a poem but just couldn't get into it. So I looked through my files and found this one that I wrote a few years ago for a high school poetry-writing class I taught. I think it shows off what I like best about myself: teaching kids and spreading a love of poetry.
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Teaching poetry to you guys
was like growing a garden.
When you entered the classroom
for the first time, you were rich soil
just waiting for me to plant
the seeds.

So I watered you with metaphors
and personification
and added the Miracle Gro
of imagery
and before my eyes, poems
were sprouting.

The amaryllises of
Amber,
Ashley
Annie, and
Annastacia
were elegantly spearing for the sun.

The yellow marigolds
of Mario, Marissa, and Meghan
scented the garden with spicy verses.

Our two Johnny-jump-ups,
Jessica and Jessica
blazed in purple stanzas.

Rachel and Roxanne
were delicate roses
with soft petals of words.

Those two bright sunflowers,
Steph and Sam,
grew tall with smiles and similes.

Bunches of soft heather
were Haileigh
filling notebooks with the hum
of her heart.

Kirstin was a vase of pinks
picked as carefully
as word choices.

Elyse, enchanter’s nightshade,
cast spells with her pencil.

We’ve had rain
to create emotion
and wind that tried to bend
your stalks
but the strength of your stories
sustained you
so that today I look out at
a colorful array of
human poems.

25 comments:

Anonymous said...

A teacher has every right to brag, but probably shouldn't. :)

Very aromatic poem Linda.

Lucy said...

Being a caring wonderful teacher! what a truly Awesome characteristic! great poem, very sharing again :))

Roan said...

There is nothing better than a teacher who cares. Loved the poem. BJ

Nita Jo said...

This is a wonderful poem. It gives such a positive picture of your students. It's more than enough to brag about!

Becca said...

I could say much the same about my music students :)

This was lovely..

Granny Smith said...

You shine as both teacher and poet.

Stan Ski said...

A teacher's job is to learn as well as teach. I think you've put this message across.

Rob Kistner said...

Linda - What a wonderful poem, great topic, marvelous vocation... teachers RULE! ;)

anthonynorth said...

When a teacher is seen to care, so do the kids.
An enlightening poem.

Meenakshi Rehani said...

i loved it!

it must feel wonderful to teach - to actually watch your students imbibe and apply!

Rinkly Rimes said...

Where are all those students now?

paisley said...

linda,, what a great idea incorporating the names of the class into the poem... i know that had to strike a chord with them... this was perfect for the prompt!!

totomai said...

they are lucky to have you as their teacher. loved the use of metaphor in the poem :-)

Darlene said...

What a wonderful poem Linda. I wish I had such a caring teacher back when I was in school.

Anonymous said...

That's a lovely poem - it is definitely something worth bragging about :)

TMTW said...

What a lovely poem. You have every right to be proud of your work.

Lucy said...

couldn't find your email address.
thanks for your very nice comment Linda!

Devil Mood said...

They must have been delighted at your dedication :)
Sometimes boasting is hard and we have to find different ways of doing it in this prompt, you did well!

anno said...

Linda, this beautifully gets at that wonderful feeling good teachers enjoy as their students unfold, bloom, and become the beautiful part of the garden they are meant to be. I suspect your students are lucky to have you around...

Susan Helene Gottfried said...

It also shows how much you liked this particular class, Linda. Awesome. I hope each kid took a copy of this home with them.

Andy Sewina said...

Beautifully written, your students must love you!

TD said...

Exceptionally enjoyable poem. And personal too. I'd be interested to hear how your students reacted to it.

Oh, and thanks for the visit at Random Rejoinders...

Tammy Brierly said...

You are that and more! I wish you would publish these. BRAVO!

Patois42 said...

What a wonderful gift to give your students. Great teacher and poet, you are.

Anonymous said...

That's lovely. :) I bet the students just loved it.

Linda's Poems