Find more celebration posts at Ruth’s blog.
Early morning on Friday, I read Poetry Friday blog posts. I read Irene Latham’s post here. Her prompt suggestion came from a book that I have on my shelf, PoemCrazy by Susan Goldsmith Wooldridge, Chapter 31 “bring me magic.”
Inspired, I grabbed some packs of microwave popcorn and headed to school for Popcorn Poetry Friday!
Even a juice spill couldn’t dampen our poetry spirits. The prompt calls for a walk outside, but we passed around the object inspiration box I had in the closet. Each student picked an object to write about.
The instructions: 1. Choose an object; give it a name. 2. What does it look like? 3. Ask the object for a quality or deeper wisdom.
I believe this was the first prompt I’ve used this year that was successful for each student. I typed each poem into a Google doc and on a whim, sent it to Irene. Within our two hour class time, she responded. She wrote a comment of encouragement on each student’s poem. What a gift! They were thrilled. Their teacher was thrilled. Thanks, Irene, for your generosity and kindness.
Austin
Colorful butterfly
inspires the caterpillar
to rise up and fly.
Bring me your inspirational, stress-free life.Lynzee
Black crayola paintbrush
dark as velvet,
give me your way of bringing color
to any situation
no matter how grey.Mason
Bald eagle
white and burgundy,
bring me the ability
to soar faster than anyone
even if I mess up.Andrew
Colorful feather
like the paintings of an artist,
give me a creative mind
like Pablo Picasso.Trace
A turtle
that swims through the water
as wind does through the air,
bring me hope and peace
in ways as the water flows
through the currents of life.Dawson
Dear little angel,
give me hope in time of anger and war.
Dear little angel,
enlighten me
with your sparkles and light
that shine so bright
every day and night.Faith
Discarded flower necklace
connected by the same chain,
bring me your connection.Like my family
all connected,
bring me gratitude.Deep inside
a core of happiness,
bring me
your joyfulness.Erin
Sandy hope
washed up on the shore
of value,
bring me confidence.
Erin extended the writing project and wrote a poem for each of us in the class. Another amazing gift! Poetry builds community.
Reflections on the Teche 
What a great classroom experience for everyone! Each one had such meaningfulness to share.
What a CELEBRATION! I am reading and re-reading all of these amazing poems by your students, Margaret. What their eyes saw and their hearts felt came together so beautifully in their poems. This activity is one I will definitely try this summer with my teachers in the poetry class I am teaching. Personally, I can’t wait to try this myself.
Maybe for next Poetry Friday?..
I think this would be successful with any group of writers. I can’t wait to see what you come up with.
I also read Irene’s post and pulled that book off my shelf, but that’s as far as I’ve gotten. I love your “Popcorn Poetry” especially the phrase “magical words wander.” Your wand extended to the students in front of you. They wrote beautiful poems.
Poem Crazy is a wonderful book. I love your own poem, Margaret, “poems pop/like bubbles from a wand”. I imagine the thrill from Irene’s comments and the satisfaction of writing to their own choice of object. Every part is magic!
What a great activity!
As usual, I love your post. You are so right… poetry helps build community. I really loved the Dear Little Angel poem.
Margaret, my response must not have gone through. I think this lesson reaped such good results. Congratulations to your students for creating such great poems along with you. This is a lesson that I will share with teachers.