Note: Header image art by my sister, Beth Gibson Saxena.
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Jane Yolen
Poets love words. Poets play with words. Poets want you to love language as much as they do.
In my classroom, we read poems together, searching for sounds, images, and meaning. Jane Yolen is a master. I’ve admired her poetry for years. But only a year ago, maybe less, I signed up for her daily poem email. She believes in writing a poem a day. She practices what she preaches and sends out her daily drafts trusting that we receivers will honor and respect her words.
I shared one of these gems with my students, “Seven Ways of Kneeling on the Ground.” My first intent in sharing this poem was to show students how to use a pattern of 7 stanzas with 3 lines each, but in further examination, the poem offered so much more. We found imagery bouncing off the page. Her poem exemplified the magical sounds of words without using end rhyme: “Kneeling in the high bracken/ the brown crackle of it.”
There is JOY in reading a poem together, marking it up in colorful markers, and discovering how language (the sounds of words, double meanings, metaphor) leads us to a deeper understanding of our world.
I totally agree with your meme. I try to write every day. Sometimes it’s just a short blog post, but I’m still writing. And when I’m not writing I’m thinking about writing. 🙂
There is JOY in reading a poem together, marking it up in colorful markers, and discovering how language (the sounds of words, double meanings, metaphor) leads us to a deeper understanding of our world.
This sums up just what I would like to share with my students. Thanks for the inspiration.
Thanks for this, Margaret. I will check out Jane Yolen’s site for her daily poem.
Not on my site–you have to subscribe here: http://eepurl.com/bs28ab
Note—these are mostly adult poems, so don’t automatically let kids see them. And they are early drafts.
All I ask in return is that you promise at month’s end –in exchange for the poems–that you will either buy one of my books (for yourself, a child, a friend, your local library) or borrow one from the library.
–Jane Yolen
Thanks for your reply Jane. I couldn’t quite remember how I had originally signed up. I understand that most of your poems are drafts but this one was a wonderful study in craft!
Love.
All of it.
The header, Jane Yolen, the bright red flower, the quote. Writing is a powerful force. You bring so much joy with your words. Thank you.
Here’s to poetry joy!
Like Julieanne, I loved every bit of this post. It’s so you. The mix of nature, poetry, and teaching.
Love this post, Margaret! I can picture you and your students embracing a poem with intent and markers. Love the idea of writing a poem a day–exercising the writing muscles.
I know I’m repeating my thought, but want you to know how wonderful a gift you give to your students every day in poetry! It is a wonderful thing.