My classroom
had no windows
so knowledge
waltzed around
the space
mingling with our
breath and settling
in the kids’ brains
since it had nowhere
else to go.
We were reading
Antigone and I was
explaining how Danae’s
father had been to an oracle
and discovered
that if she ever had
a son, he would grow
up to kill his grandfather.
To prevent that,
he locked his daughter
in a tower so no man
could get to her.
But he forgot about Zeus
who disguised
himself as a golden
rain and impregnated her.
The kids just stared
at me, thinking,
trying to imagine
that happening.
Finally, one girl asked,
“How?” and before
I could formulate
an answer,
a boy piped up,
“I guess Zeus
forgot his Trojan.”
Laugher
and giggles
somersaulted
and did jumping jacks
all around the room.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Question: Does anyone know how to insert those two little dots above the "e" in Danae? I tried inserting them as a symbol in Word but that just erased the e and added the dots. Thanks!
17 comments:
what a lovely poem!!
Enjoyed this. Felt like I was in the classroom
I smiled at this - can just imagine it!!
Symbols in Office Word 2007 should add the umlaut (it does on mine and I'm no expert ;-))
Good one Linda. I could see the laughter doing its rounds.
I love the image you paint of knowledge floating around and landing in the children's heads.
C.F.
What a funny poem/story!!
Irrepressible energy here. I like how the poem begins with description (that classroom with no windows), and yet ends with humor that has the students sidestepping the larger issues. The father who would lock his daughter up. Zeus who would change his shape to achieve his goal. Nice read.
This cute story made me smile this morning...Thanks Linda :)
haha I loved it. You never know what they will say :)
I have a feeling the little guy that was the quick thinker will be one to keep an eye (or ear) on lol
great writing. made me smile.
reminded me of when I was a smart ass student.
this was perfect and i felt myself laughing in that classroom!
love it :)
just lovely!
I love your formatting - makes your wonderfully talent ideas such a pleasure to read!
I love the energy and laughter of this!
Zeus has a lot of offspring to answer for and that pesky umlaut is surely superfluous; especially when you have enchanted us all so much.
Loved many lines
"Knowledge waltzed"
"Giggles somersaulted"
and how priceless that "he forgot his Trojan!"
I have been a teacher in my lifetime so I can imagine this happening. Terrific tale!
(Can you access a symbols or "special characters" place?)
hello linda that was a delightful read.. down to the simpliest of equation...from the mouth of babes!!!...
You do know I enjoyed this!
time and time again
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