As a teacher-poet, I am most fulfilled when I have inspired a young person to write a poem. My colleague and friend Beth was recently entertaining her two granddaughters, Annie and Eliza. Their mother, Beth’s daughter, would be coming home soon with their new baby sister. Beth read to them a poem from Bayou Song, I am a Beckoning Brown Bayou. Beth is a wonderful teacher, and possibly she talked to them about poetic elements, but I also know these girls have been read to as long as they have been alive, six years for Annie, and four years for Eliza. Lyrical language is a part of who they are!
Beth sent me a text with each of the girls’ poems. She gave permission for me to publish them. I sent an email response to the girls naming the things I noticed in their poems. Beth said they read my email over and over. Every writer, even ones as young as four and six, love to get feedback.
I am a flower dress
I decorate a pretty pony tailed girl
I twirl and spin around
I move when she does
I wiggle like a snakeby Eliza, age 4
I am a flower dress
I am pretty pink and purple
I have sparkles shining like a colorful rainbow
I am beautiful like rose sapphire
I am a dinging doorbell
I am squeezed in my belly button
I am rung by a little girl with brown hair and a checkered dress
I giggle when people press me to be funnyAnnie, age 6
I am a dinging doorbell
I am shy when visitors come
I am happy when I am answered
I ring when I am pressed.
I get excited whenever I am used
I am a dinging doorbell
Reflections on the Teche 
One thing I like about this post as a teacher is that it is a reminder that so often, we teach others even when we aren’t there. Your mentor text nudge these two poets to create. During this year of teaching from afar, this slice gives me hope! Thanks for sharing.
I always enjoy your poetry and LOVE the two poems inspired above. In fact, it’s got me thinking about trying one of my own. 🙂
That book has been mentioned more than once by friends and colleagues so I think it must be meant for me. What struck me most about this short post is “Lyrical language must be part of who they are!” and, yes. I don’t think the explicit lessons of imagery and metaphor have built my understanding in the way that just being in a world of words does. And it doesn’t end in childhood. Thank you for sharing these lovely words 🙂
What delightful, sensitive, and animated poems from
these budding writers- like looking through the looking glass, how you’ve inspired them! Thanks Margaret!
Margaret, your poetry is inspiring so I am delighted that two young children used your poem as a model to write their own. Their I am poems are delightful with their descriptive language.
You are an inspiration to me this morning. And I am amazed by these works of poetry! You reminded me of the importance of keeping lyrical language in front of our kids all the time!
We are charmed as well- thank you for sharing these delightful poems!
And I really love your point about feedback. As teachers, we can’t give enough. It can really mean a lot.
Thanks for sharing these sweet and delightful poems. I love the way little ones see the world. How lucky for them to have so much poetry in their lives. And it’s really sweet how much they were inspired by your poem and also how much they enjoyed your response.