Calling All Poets

Ok, so this is not really a poem. :) But I got you here, so... As you know, April is National Poetry Month. I am about to begin our Poetry unit in my seventh grade ELA class, and I would love to have some input from YOU - the fine Poets of the WC.  For the next couple of weeks, the students will be pretty much immersed in verse - reading, reciting, discussing, interpreting, writing, even illustrating various forms of poetry. I have a collection that I have put together over the years of favorite poems and poets - from Dickinson to Silverstein, Poe to Prelutzky. I would like to know what some of your favorite poems are (I fear I may be missing some gems!) I would also LOVE it if you would be willing to have me share a poem that you have written. All credit would be given to you, of course. I fear that poetry is seen as an art form of yesteryear, a quaint pastime of a bygone age.  I want my students to see that poetry is alive and well, in all corners of the world, in all walks of life, feeding the souls and fueling imaginations of men and women alike! I am interested in sharing all types of poetry (rhyming, free verse, forms, prose...) The only limit is that it must be appropriate for 12/13 year old students. :) I appreciate any suggestions or shares. :) 

Author's Note

Thank you! :)

Reviews

[The Rock And Roll Cowbo..]

I second what Chris said, you can use any of my poems of mine on here you feel appropriate. You know who is a great poet, the Singer Jewel Kilcher… or as she goes by "Jewel" I have one of her poetry books, in fact one of my favorites from her is posted in my bio.

[Rita L. Sev]

Thanks, Dale! I do like Jewel - great voice, great poet!

[LawrenceRaybon]

I know it's late in the game but you're welcome to share any of my writing with your class. #Fatherhood is a poem I wrote specifically for twitter that both comments on finding out I'm going to be a dad and tries to show the difficulty in sharing anything important on twitter because of the length restrictions (if they try to see if the poem actually fits in a tweet, it will really bother them that the title, with it's all important hashtag, won't fit). I think twitter is an excellent crossover medium to get young people to think about short form writing and squeezing the most meaning into the smallest space. Good luck with your class!

Cheers,
Lawrence

[Rita L. Sev]

Thank you, Lawrence! We are still on our poetry lessons, so I will be checking out your poem tonight. Thanks for your support!

[LawrenceRaybon]

How did poetry month go with your class? Did you manage to spark any creative fires?

[Rita L. Sev]

Ah... well, many sparks, and some careful flames... We are finishing up this week. The students write a variety of poems, and the last one is a sonnet. It's fun to watch them counting syllables and asking each other things like "What rhymes with sports?" :)

[therisa]

Am grateful to see, you will be exposing your students to free verse, something, I never had to opportunity to learn, until I had left the formal education system. Not sure, if any of my poems will meet your guidelines, but you're welcome to search through my postings, for the odd one.

[Rita L. Sev]

Thank you for your encouragement and support, Therisa!

[therisa]

Your welcome, Rita, and good luck.

[Devesh]

I don't know if you're taking input from teens but I'll still try :P My favourite poet is Robert Frost and I think 'The Road Not Taken', 'Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening' an 'Fire and Ice' would be quite appropriate. Also, 'Daffodils' by Wordsworth is another great poem you could use.

As for my own poetry, I would be flattered if you decide to use any of it. All of it is quite appropriate for 12/13 year olds. But I must confess I reserve a special place in my heart for 'In Remembrance', it was my first poem and still remains a favourite. :)

[Devesh]

P.S.: If you're willing to use poetry translated from another language, I would recommend "Reminiscence of Marie A." by Bertolt Brecht. It was originally written in German but the translation is also quite beautiful, if not as beautiful as the original. :)

[Rita L. Sev]

Thanks so much, Devesh! Of course I take suggestions from teens - who better? I do share some Frost with them already. I'll check out your poems, too. Thanks again!

[Devesh]

You're welcome :)

[Frieda P]

Okay I had to laugh Rita, appropriate for the teacher of 12/13 year old students you meant....at that age, I can only imagine what they're up to! ;)

[Rita L. Sev]

Lol! I know - but I have to be careful! Also, you'd be surprised how many of them still love Dr. Seuss and Shel Silverstein!

[Frieda P]

I still love Dr Seuss, what's your point teach? ;P

[Ravyne Hawke]

Hey! I like Dr. Seuss and Silverstein too!

[Rita L. Sev]

No problem at all with that - I LOVE them, and these poets are a great way to start - them and "Jabberwocky"... LOL!

[Frieda P]

HA beware the Jubjub bird...how come I never had any cool teachers like you? ;)

[Rita L. Sev]

I had nuns... only a very few of whom were anything close to "cool". I figure, if I'm having fun, so are they...

[Frieda P]

Oh bless you Rita...ha me too, explains a lot eh? ;)

[Renée]

Rita, First, Thank You for this opportunity to share with Children ! You are welcome to use any of my poems! But.. I know as a teacher you are busy..so I will send in a message a few to narrow your search down..


Favorite Poet.. any .. but I read Rumi , when I can find translations
"Nancy Wood" has a book ..Spirit Walker ( it is Native American) Beautiful poetry

Also I love Jim Steinman, he is the one who wrote the songs that Meatloaf sings..and I consider some songwriters poets.. Powerful they are..
Dan Fogelberg and Peter Bradley Adams are two other songwriter/Poets

[Rita L. Sev]

Thanks again, Renee - I do discuss with the class how songs are poems - sometimes begin a class by reciting a song to see how many recognize it. :)

[Renée]

Once in my English class.. Some guy chose Donavan's Hurdy Gurdy Man…That was torturous ! lol read moreOnce in my English class.. Some guy chose Donavan's Hurdy Gurdy Man…That was torturous ! lol
I would recommend staying away from that one ( giggling )

[Chris]

Rita, any work of mine - here at WC - that YOU feel would be suitable for your students, feel free to use in a classroom environment ...until you retire. Fair enough?

Might I suggest something like Sanity, Braveheart, Teddy Bear... or their ilk?

[Rita L. Sev]

Thank you, Chris - Until I retire, eh? That's a long time! :) We discussed Prelutsky's "Teddy Bear" today - always a hit!

[Chris]

Figured it would give you enough time to pick and choose... chuckling here. Good luck to all your guys!

[Aethereal]

As with Mathematics, Poetry has an open ended definition. All I can say is that Poetry is music produced when symbols clash their cymbals together. You may use any of my poems as examples of one form of clashing, but my poetry would only be a small ice cube on the tip of an enormous iceberg.

[Rita L. Sev]

Thanks so much, Aethereal! That's exactly right - poetry encompasses so much - that's why I want o share as much as I can. :)

[Einstein Noodle]

you have my 100% support ... will go on a search for some poems for that age group ... what a marvelous piece of your teaching ... praying those young minds are sparked ... good luck in this endeavor ..
E.

[Rita L. Sev]

Thank you so much, E! We started discussing poetry today, and they seem excited to share some of their favorites already!

[00000000000000000000000..]

If By-ee Cummings

If freckles were lovely, and day was night, And measles were nice and a lie warn't a lie, Life would be delight,-- But things couldn't go right For in such a sad plight I wouldn't be I.

If earth was heaven and now was hence, And past was present, and false was true, There might be some sense But I'd be in suspense For on such a pretense You wouldn't be you.

If fear was plucky, and globes were square, And dirt was cleanly and tears were glee Things would seem fair,-- Yet they'd all despair, For if here was there We wouldn't be we.

e.e. cummings

[Rita L. Sev]

:) Gotta love cummings! Great suggestion - Thanks, Jon!

[0000000000000000000000000000]

I like him because he was idk just different- I like this saying he did one time,E.E. Cummings once said that “the hardest challenge is to be yourself in a world where everyone is trying to make you be somebody else.” I say we cant see our selves what good are we. I guess that is why he was always my favorite:) because he did his own thing, when every one else said hey that's not right or that wont work. Some his work is very hard to understand. I have learn a few things about me lately in this hard time, One of theme is I couldn't see the fullness in me, I wanted too but when your mind is racing like a roller coaster and you cant slow it down long enough to grasp thought how can you have thought. I think in my mind I have seen many things. Seeing in a mind of a poet would be a good book for some one to write. Sorry for going on and on Rita Welcome:)