Slice of Life: What Poetry Surfaces

(This is for the Slice of Life challenge, hosted by Two Writing Teachers. We write on Tuesdays about the small moments in the larger perspective … or is that the larger perspective in the smaller moments? You write, too.)

The paraprofessional in the classroom called me over to the side of the room during our writing time.

“Did you see what (this student) is writing about? You might want to see.”

Curious, I wandered over to this student as everyone was working on Digital Poetry Books — five short poems on a common theme, built inside Google Slides, with a hyperlinked Table of Contents. Some students are writing about sports, and family, and nature, and hobbies. They are learning poetic form, the way image can intersect with words, and the technological aspects of creating a digital book.

I glanced over the shoulder of the young writer. I look up. It is a deep theme for a sixth grader, an emotional one (I won’t go into details for privacy reasons) that has resonation, and it occurred to me that this student has been quieter than usual lately, although working harder than ever. I attributed it to a sense of the year ending.

Maybe it is something more, something going on outside of our school day, something that is on their mind with someone this student loves. Something that is spilling over into their poetry as a means of making sense of things.

Poetry has the ability to surface the heart in unique ways. It can tap into the heart of your world, if you let it. Poems can provide an inroad to understanding of emotion, and of the complexities of life. A poem can bring forth a difficult topic, and allow you to grapple with it. A poem won’t solve your problems. It could, however, provide you with some balance.

I looked across the room at the paraprofessional and we shared a look, and then we talked later, after school. Now we are both being a little more alert to this particular, student’s world. I am thinking of how to have a gentle conversation to make sure everything is all right, and to let this student know we are here for them, if they need it.

Peace (in Poems),
Kevin

6 Comments
  1. The power of words. The power of writing. Hoping that the outlet is helpful to your student and grateful that this student has such caring teachers working with them.

  2. I love this paragraph: “Poetry has the ability to surface the heart in unique ways. It can tap into the heart of your world, if you let it. Poems can provide an inroad to understanding of emotion, and of the complexities of life. A poem can bring forth a difficult topic, and allow you to grapple with it. A poem won’t solve your problems. It could, however, provide you with some balance.”
    Big, big truth here, I think.

  3. I think of the sense of community you have built, that allowed this student to see writing in your class as a safe space to express his situation. That is a high honor from a student, especially in middle school. I hope you are able to help him further with his difficulties.

  4. Poetry is a window or maybe a door for us to walk through. One that accepts emotions that can’t quite fit in other places. This student is fortunate to have the opportunity to process and caring educators to offer guidance.

  5. Thank you for this reminder of the power of poetry. I was looking for a way to end the year. You just showed me the way.

  6. My daughter’s fifth grade classroom did a similar poetry collection (without the digital piece). She used her 5 year old cousin, who died in February, as her theme. The writing was clearly important and powerful for her. As an added bonus, she has a beautiful poetry collection to give to her aunt and uncle.

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