Every week I am delighted to visit The Poem Farm. Amy Ludwig VanDerwater posts a poem and a student writing activity. A few weeks ago, I borrowed this post, The Real Me, and wrote I am poems with my students.
My students loved the activity. Many of them chose to post their poems on our kidblog site. I invited Amy to write comments. You should have heard them reading aloud their personalized comments; the pride in their voices made my heart sing. Amy has a talent for connecting to kids and finding just the right words to say. Thanks, Amy.
I wrote alongside my students. I put together my favorite lines to create this poem:
I am a lionness
set in the stars,
that drumbeat
around a warm campfire.I am a longing look
from a silent child,
a melody strummed
on his guitar.I am a secret
Margaret Simon, after Amy Ludwig VanDerwater
scratched on a yellow sticky note.
Don’t tell anyone
who I am.
Reflections on the Teche 
What a lovely activity–and how wonderful of Amy to acknowledge each of them. I also enjoyed your poem of favorite lines–and love the range of images from lion, stars, a silent child to a yellow sticky note–what a fun and satisfying poem.
Your poem is filled with powerful images, Margaret. Amy’s post had inspired me to play around a bit as well–Now your post is inspiring me to go back and revisit my efforts. I’m sure your kids loved this activity and having Amy as a responsive audience must have been an additional thrill!
Wow! Love your poem….the lioness in the stars resonates with me. I also enjoy The Poem Farm. I like feeling like a student right along with kids. Amy is super at connecting authentic writing to everyone willing.
This is so beautiful, Margaret. Isn’t it amazing how when we write about who we are with these images not actually blood-and-bones, we seem to figure out who we are even more? Your imagery is so full of senses. I could feel the poem in more ways then one. (Are you a Leo? Me too!) Please know that it was a pleasure to write to your students. Their poems were each so honest and intimate, so layered and lovely. They are writing from a place of trust in that room. xx
I am a Leo and I have a Leo grandson, so it’s on my mind. Your prompt was amazing. The kids loved it and wrote such imaginary poems with that touch of truth. Thanks for saying “a place of trust.” That is of utmost importance to me as a writing teacher. Not much happens without it.
LOVE your I am poems, Margaret. What a great writing exercise for the classroom, and how lovely that Amy gave personal responses 🙂
I am a secret scratched on a yellow stickie note. LOVE! And what lucky kids to have you AND AmyLV whispering in their hearts…. thank you for sharing. xo
I imagine your students writing beautiful “I am” poems, then hearing from Amy. What a treat for them, Margaret. And your poem is a delight, full of the many sides you are, yet mystery, too. Love it!
Oooh, I love that last stanza, Margaret. So many of the schools I visit have used the “I am” or “Where I’m from” poem form. My favorite is when each student chooses a line from their poem to create a braided group verse.
I hear echoes of your trip to Africa in “I am a lioness/set in the stars.” Your poem is lovely, Margaret! Amy is such a generous and nurturing person. How lucky for your students to learn from you both!
I used “Where I’m From” with my students, and I was always amazed at how much I learned about them. I love the idea of an “I am” poem.
Your poem is wonderful. I especially love “I am a lionness/
set in the stars,” because it tells so much in a few words! Now I’m going to head over and read your students’ poems.
Somehow I missed that post of Amy’s (must go back and check it out), so I am glad you shared your response to it. I love the many images in your poem–so rich.
That last stanza–yes! And fascinated by the distinction between WHERE I”M FROM and I AM. Wonderful. I hope I’ll have time to read your student poems!
Margaret, the depth of your poem is amplified by the photo you chose to accompany it. I love the strong image of the lioness and the visual of a scratched sticky note. I took a peek at the children’s work and left a comment for Shaelon and Breighlynn but did not have time to read them all of the I Am poems. I am with Sierra this weekend and loving each moment I spend with her so my time is limited.
Yes, Amy does have that talent! You have that talent as well, Margaret, or I don’t think you’d be getting the “results” that you get from your students. Your poem, while it hits the mark, is also subtle and mysterious. Love that.
I like how your poem begins with a lioness, and then ends mysteriously asking us to hide your treasures revealed, thanks Margaret!