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Shhhhhh. Don't tell anyone.
It's OK to write poetry in Creative Writing.
No one makes fun of you.
It's not girly.
It's not "gay" (God how I hate that word).
It's not stupid.
It doesn't have to rhyme---or it can if you want.
It can be about anything--
cars
farming
girls
boys
love
suicide
Anything at all.
And we're pretty good at it too!
Just don't tell anyone about it.
We don't want them to think we're weird.
Oh, those young adults! They want to be so grown up, but don't realize that grown ups do so many 'weird' things, and it's okay. Love the secret, Deb. I won't tell anyone! (Do you think they'll let you publish some here?) I have a poem you might like to share with them, if you don't know it already. It's "Maybe Dats Your Pwoblem Too" by James W. Hall.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the poem suggestion. I don't know it, but I'll look it up! And, may be able to sneak a little of their poetry on the blog. Just don't tell anyone!
DeleteIts too bad that poetry has the connotation of being weird. I'm glad these students have you to lead them down their literacy path. Maybe one day poetry will be able to come out of the closet.
ReplyDeleteYour secret is safe with me. I like how you joined the list of what it's not with all the possibilities of topics from everyday to deep feelings. Maybe by the end of the year poetry writing is not something to keep secret but rather something the students want to shout out loud.
ReplyDeleteI was never much of a poetry person, but have tried my hand for slices - my don't rhyme and that's okay. Sometimes I think it's easier to write - fewer words - and most of the time they are a lot more meaningful. I'll keep your secret too.
ReplyDeleteGlad they've caught the poetry bug in your classroom, Deb!
ReplyDeleteI love the fact that poems don't have to rhyme!! Creating free verse poem always en-powers me. Maybe I am weird......
ReplyDeleteJaana, It's taken a lot of convincing to make some of them believe that free verse is real poetry. Even as juniors and seniors, some didn't believe that poetry didn't have to rhyme!
DeleteWhat a great secret to know!
ReplyDeletePretty amazing that they are loving it...but not unusual when we have so many mentor authors that are so fantastic. I bet your enthusiasm gets them so excited too, Deb. xo nanc
ReplyDeleteI wonder if poetry gets a bad rap because of it delicate name - come to think of it, rap is poetry with a nice, crisp name.
ReplyDeleteBut then, if it walks like a duck and talks like a duck, its a duck - hard to keep that a secret. Quack.
Being creative and writing with peer pressure. Thank you for sharing your secret. Poetry is creative writing.
ReplyDeleteGood thing their secret is safe with you! And what a poet they have to guide them! I wonder if they know...or if that is yet another secret they have yet to bring to light.
ReplyDeleteLove. I wish I had my poetry club journal at home this evening; I'd post a bit from it that I wrote during Tuesday's gathering. Poetry gives power to the poet--no matter the age.
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