When I started #100DaysofNotebooking with my students, I couldn’t imagine that we would be reading and writing poetry every day. But poetry is where my radar goes, and a good poetry prompt for me is also good for my kiddos.
Thanks to Ethical ELA, I had many ways to lead my students into writing this week. The prompts are still up on the website, and I highly recommend them. Writing together day by day helps me and my students to be vulnerable together. From this prompt, we wrote poems about loved ones who have passed away. My students touched me with their honesty. They had to bear with me choking up when I shared this poem about my dear friend Amy:
Amy Who
inspired by Abuelito Who by Sandra CisnerosAmy who looked like Sandra Bullock
Margaret Simon, draft 2020
but better, whose smile glowed a mile away,
who wore a crown with grace
when she threw beads to the crowd,
whom you may call a social butterfly,
but her conversations were real; she didn’t stray
from the tough stuff, and laughed aloud
at funny happenstance,
who held my grandbaby the last time I saw her,
tears in her eyes
as she said, “I will never have this.”
Who faced cancer with wisdom,
never giving up
while knowing all the while
her body was,
who left us all missing her,
whose joy lives on,
and her smile.
A prompt from Teach this Poem led me to a video of “Imagine” by John Lennon. Sadly, most of my students didn’t even know who he was, much less the song. But this freshness caused them to be open and creative in their writing.
The world
Jaden, 4th grade
breaking into countries
some people can only imagine
while others can do something.
We would want our world
to be like clouds in the sky
staying together
to make a huge crowd
shouting and singing.
They contain heaven
where everyone lives in peace
not separating their clouds.
We don’t want our world to
turn into nothing
No reason,
to kill or
die for.
Imagine,
I might be called a dreamer,
but there are others
who think the same.
I hope some day…
you’ll join us,
a brotherhood of man…
No need
for greed or
hunger.
Imagine us
all living and loving,-together
Daniel, 5th grade
Reflections on the Teche 
Oh, that photo of Amy! She was beautiful and did look like Sandra Bullock. I love that detail in your poem. Throwing beads to the crowd…such a joyful activity in the face of a killing cancer. This poem is beautiful as a tribute and as a fight song. Death is not the winner.
It’s a pleasure, though sad, to read your loving words about your friend, Margaret. I am sorry for your and everyone’s loss. The poems your student wrote show such thoughtfulness. What teacherly gifts you are giving to them!
I also loved the photo of Amy but am saddened to hear that she lost her battle. Your tribute is beautiful, Margaret. Your students’ poems are wonderful also. Using prompts allows the mind to wonder and wander into a poem.
I’m so sorry to read of the loss of your friend. Thanks for sharing your beautiful words with us and with your students, and Jaden and Daniel’s hopeful imagining.
You have left us with a lively, warm and real image of Amy. I’m thinking she would love what you have written and remembered. Hugs. Your students’ writing is beautiful from the heart, too.
This is so poignant… thank you for your honesty and courage in sharing. I agree with your assessment that Amy looked like Sandra Bullock, only better! It is so hard to lose a friend. My heart goes out to you… but also my admiration for your brave teaching.
Your words touch my heart. How lucky your students are to have you writing beside them. No wonder they create such thoughtful, meaningful pieces. Hugs for you as you remember a dear friend with your words.
Just plain beautiful, the way that you and the children you teach can dive into every emotion in safety and honesty. I will look up that Cisneros poem. Thank you, Margaret.
I’m so sorry for your loss. Amy sounds like a beautiful soul, and your beautiful words honor her. I enjoyed Jaden’s and Daniel’s poems. May the worlds the imagine come to fruition.
Thank you for sharing such beautiful poems. Hoping your writing helps you heal.
Gosh I got all choked up with this last poem by Daniel, gorgeous, as is your other students and yours of your friend Amy–what a wonderful spirited being. Deep, moving exercise, and beautiful post–both melancholic and hopeful, thanks Margaret.