I introduced the concept of a golden shovel poem to my students as we discussed On Friendship by Kahlil Gibran.
Because friendship is such a universal topic, most young students have experience with it, so the tough puzzle of a golden shovel was eased somewhat. I’m sharing a few results today.
To write a Golden Shovel, borrow a line or phrase by someone else, and use each of their words as the final word of each line in your new poem. You must keep the original order of the words intact, and you must credit the author of the original line or phrase. Peter Kahn
Friendship
When you need help, and when
you are in trouble, he
will be the one who is
going to help you. And when you are silent,
he will know that your
mind and heart
are in trouble. He ceases not
to understand your emotions. He loves to listen
to what you have to
say. His
love for you is as big as your heart.
by Daniel, 6th grade
Friends are there for
Margaret Simon, draft
you in
sprinkles and the
storm. They are the dew
that softens hardness of
the darkness, like a little
sunshine when things
get tough. The
best friends know your heart.
The true friend finds
a way to reach you even when its
a dark time, offering morning
to your night, and
assuring you all is
refreshed.
Reflections on the Teche 
Wonderful! I love knowing that you are teaching a generation of future poets. That line…sprinkles and the storm. It’s lovely and true. Such delight here.
Beautiful poems, You are such a gift to your students.
I adore Daniel’s “and when you are silent” line! And your “sprinkles and the storm.” And Chloe’s gallons of sweetness. If I had could have just one poetry book for the rest of my life it would probably be THE PROPHET. Love. xo
Such beautiful poems, Margaret. Thank you for sharing this new-to-me form. Your students did a wonderful job!
So many fantastic lines. Daniel’s “His love for you is as big as your heart.” Margaret’s “They are the dew that softens hardness.” And Chloe’s “Let the flower bed there in the farm be a representative of love” — all stand out to me.
Lovely! Ruth, thereisnosuchthingasagodforsakentown.blogspot.com
Wow, I really ‘dig’ all three of these poems, Margaret. 🙂
Love all three–and what a great spark and challenge for students. “They are the dew that softens hardness of darkness” makes me swoon.
I was about to type in the same lines that Laura S mentioned. Great work!
Beautiful sentiments all, Margaret. You are freeing the students to wrote their hearts out! Gorgeous to read!
These friendship poems are “sweet and thoughtful pleasures” that are bringing me “a little sunshine.” Your students are so lucky to have your guiding them on their writing journey, Margaret.
Delight-full!
As I read through this week’s PF posts, an idea for a writing choice board is starting to take form: art+poetry, music+poetry, research+poetry, and now quotes+poetry/golden shovels. Second semester is coming together already!
Please share your board with me. Great idea!
One of my favorite forms, and it is wise to put the demand in the poetic challenge OR the topic but not both. Everyone has risen to the occasion (“There for you in sprinkles and the storm”) but I particularly love seeing Chloe reach for an extended metaphor and grab it: “in a field of joy, the gallon of sweetness, taste of honey”!
Chloe and I have had many conversations about metaphor. She is getting better and better at reaching for it. She glows with pride when she “gets it!”
Gorgeous poems especially yours Margaret and this line, “ They are the dew
that softens hardness of
the darkness,” and such an evocative and sensitive line you built from. I can feel the chemistry exchange happening in your classroom poetry writing, how special for all, thanks!
I love how golden shovels stretch us to make new observations – and find unique ways to say everyday things. These are fabulous examples of that. Beautiful.