Gift Poems

Last weekend I was invited to teach a poetry class at Sibshop, a program for siblings of children with disabilities, organized by Parent to Parent of Vermont. Thanks to Judy and Joanne for making this possible!

I led the group (just four kids and three adults) in writing gift poems, modeled after a selection from "You Bring Out the Mexican in Me" by Sandra Cisneros. I asked them to close their eyes and think of a person who was very special to them. It could be a friend, family member, neighbor, teacher, anyone who had changed them for the better. I asked them to make a list of things this person brought out in them to spark ideas for a first draft.

1) Animal - Does this person bring out the roaring lion in you? The monkey? The hummingbird?
2) Part of Nature - Does this person make you feel like a tall mountain? A flashing star? A calm lake? A whispering field?
3) Colors - What colors does this person bring out in you? Midnight purple? Grass green? Dark red?
4) Feelings - Does this person bring out the creativity in you? The courage? The joy? Sometimes the anger or sadness?
5) People - Who does this person bring out in you? The magician? The warrior? The singer?
6) Anything else that comes to mind!

After everyone had their lists, it was time to start a first draft. I told the class to think of a rough order, a way of structuring their favorite items from the list. I asked them to think about rhythm and repetition, to read their poems out loud and listen to the sounds. When everyone had revised and rearranged their way to a final draft, they copied the poems onto colored paper and decorated them as a holiday gift for the person they'd written about. Here are the kids' poems:

Dear Abe
You bring out the fun in me,
the laughter in me, the clowning
in me, the mischief, the color black,
and the trouble maker in me.
-Phin, age 9

My Dad
You bring out the monkey in me
when you say I am one.
You bring out the clown in me
when you act like one.
You bring out the laughs in me
when you make up funny things in the book.
You bring out the red in me, the color of laughs
when you joke around.
-Zachary, age 9

Cole
You bring out the wrestler in me,
the fun, creativity, and laughter.
You bring out the hungry lion in me
when you make me angry
and the demolisher in me
when we knock stuff down.
-Ellis, age 11

Rachel
You bring out the music in me,
the dance floor in me, the singing.
The laughter in me and bright sunny yellow in me.
The bubbly in me.
You bring out the "y'all" in me,
the stylish clothes and beads in me.
-Hannah, age 11

Where I'm From

The ice cream social at Joseph's House was great fun (All hail Ben & Jerry's!), but also a little bittersweet, since it was the last meeting of the Lawrence Barnes poets. Several kids from another creative writing class read their stories, and my poetry class read the following collaborative poem:

Where I'm From

I'm from the heat in Sudan and the snow in Vermont.
I'm from Vietnam, the rice, crab, and hot gam siao I ate there.
I'm from the roots of vegetables under the ground, cooking chicken with my family.
I'm from riding my bike through Burlington, the birds, deer, and people I pass.
I'm from the summertime: watermelon, sweet corn, and berries.

I'm from swimming in the water like a fish.
I'm from the secret box I fill with acorns and feathers.
I'm from After-School and my favorite sports: basketball, football, and volleyball.
I'm from the snowy playground outside Lawrence Barnes.
I'm from Be quiet, Listen to me, Be respectful, Be safe, and Do your best.

I'm from throwing apples with my cousins in Russia.
I'm from my red and green bedroom where I run and crash into windows.
I'm from the voice of my annoying little sister acting crazy.
I'm from playing Monopoly with my grandma and grandpa.
I'm from twice-baked potatoes with cheese, so hot and soft.

I'm from the red, white, and blue of the American flag.
I'm from the moon and star on the Turkish flag.
I'm from decorating the tree and building a snowman on Christmas.
I'm from the pride I feel when celebrating Ramadan.
I'm from the suit I wear to welcome the New Year at midnight.

Ice Cream Social!

All readers in the Burlington area (or beyond, if you're dedicated!) are invited to an ice cream social sponsored by the Old North End Unity Project. Kids, adults, and families are welcome, and several young poets from Lawrence Barnes will read their work. As I refuse to make a lame pun on "scoop," here is the information:

When: Friday, December 14, 3 pm (poets read at 3:45 pm)
Where: Joseph's House, corner of Elmwood & Allen
Why: Duh, free ice cream! And poems!

Imagery Poems

After a rousing game of Duck Duck Onomatopoeia, my JFK class gathered around the table to talk about the five senses and poetic imagery. Here are a few student poems using a form I suggested:

My eyes will never forget my dog playing fetch.
My ears will never forget my dog barking.
My nose will never forget watermelon in spring.
-Tristan

My eyes will never forget my mom and dad.
My ears will never forget "Give Thanks."
My nose will never forget pizza smells.
My tongue will never forget the cheeses.
My hands will never forget my pizza is hot.
-Jacob

My eyes will never forget Sarah being silly.
My ears will never forget my mom talking.
My nose will never forget flowers.
My tongue will never forget chicken.
My hands will never forget hugging my mom.
-Daisyah