For National Poetry Month, Chris Lehman has invited teacher/poets to join together to read, listen, and discuss poetry. Chris posed this question to the group, “Why Poetry?” Inspired by Kevin Hodgson, I tried out Tapestry for my response. Click on the link to view my response.
https://readtapestry.com/s/6Bs7sVEW7/
Earlier in the week, I posted about my writing life responding to fellow blogger/writer Sandra Sarr’s questions. I am From poems have been around for a while and are written in many middle grade classrooms. But I wanted to take a different spin on the I am From and write about where my writing life comes from.
I am from a short story contest in tenth grade.
I won for my row.I am from Dear Diary, “I want to be a writer
if only someone would give me the confidence.”I am from “Where is Papa going with that ax?”
to “Blue is cackling something awful this morning.”
from Children’s Literature class to
the National Writing Project Teacher Institute.I am from retreats, marathons, and critique groups
holding me accountable to find an authentic voice
and make writing a daily practice.I am from pen to paper,
fingers to keyboard,
opening my veins and bleeding
my words,
trusting them to
the world.–Margaret Simon, all rights reserved
Love your fresh take on the “I am from” template!! “I am from ‘Where is Papa going with that ax?’/ to ‘Blue is cackling something awful this morning.'” — nice!
I saw your tapestry on FB, very nice, & this “answer” to why poetry is terrific, Margaret. I love the final lines “pen to paper, fingers to keyboard”.
I love your tapestry answer. I especially love that at first you just see the images and you have to click to see the words. I gave me a chance to think about the image for myself and then I was even more curious to see what you had to say about it.
One of the reasons I bet you’re such a good teacher, Margaret, is because you’re such a great learner! I love that you try new technologies, like Tapestry, and are never afraid to try out new approaches to your writing either.
opening my veins, bleeding my words – so powerful !
I love this template but even more I love your lines…that ring in my heart.
Very nice, Margaret. Anyone who writes – especially poetry, of course – can identify with this!
I wish I would have had time for Chris’ class!
Your tapestry is beautiful…and that Kevin…he does inspire, doesn’t he?!?
Love your take on the “I am from…” poems.
Margaret, I love both of your poems. The images on the Tapestry app add such a great dimension. Well done! And what a great idea to write a ‘where I am from’ writing poem. Rich visit here today.
I love the last four lines of your poem, Margaret:
“opening my veins and bleeding
my words,
trusting them to
the world.”
How courageous indeed.