Today was the first Poetry Friday of the new school year. Prompted by Kim Johnson who is writing daily to Dictionary for a Better World, I decided to begin at the beginning with the word Acceptance. Irene Latham wrote the model poem we read today. I have to admit starting with such a metaphor-driven poem was challenging. “I am a word with teeth– a crocodile” At first my students thought the poem was all about a crocodile. We had to work hard to make the connection between the title and the illustration.
When it came time to write, I suggested using Irene’s form for an opening line. I am a word with ______. Adelyn chose the word Art. I adore what she wrote for her first poem of 4th grade gifted class.
ART
I am a word with imagination
A rainbow over my head
Some understand me, some don’t
Yet I don’t wait for supplies I improvise
I rest in a messy room
Full of markers, crayons and sketch books
As I dream of a
peacock flying overhead
by Adelyn, 4th grade
I am happy to be writing poems with kids again!
Here is my poem after Irene on the word Gracious:
Gracious
I am a word with wings–
a butterfly
landing on a red blossom.Some want to catch me.
Others let me be.Yet I do not waste time (as you do)
in the muddy banks
between despairand hope.
I rest in freedom–
air, wind–
lightly liftingas nectar fills my soul
Margaret Simon, draft, after Irene Latham
with sweet gratitude.
Consider joining me with my friends over at Ethical ELA for this weekend’s Open Write starting tomorrow through Wednesday.
Reflections on the Teche 
Margaret, your students are so blessed to have a teacher who writes alongside them,
who nurtures their writing lives and uses strong mentor texts to give powerful,
creative inspiration. Thank you for sharing the gifts of poetry written by your young writers. What a book these would make!
ooooooh! I love, “I am a word.” Your year is off to a great start…where oh where will that butterfly fly?!
Oh, Margaret, congratulations on a new year of school, and getting to Poetry Friday on the first Friday. And metaphor poems the first week of school with your students. Adelyn’s poem is a gem; she really understood the process, didn’t she?
I love your gracious word, too, and the sweet butterfly that doesn’t waste time “between despair / and hope.
I rest in freedom–” Gorgeous graciousness!
What beautiful poems – both of them. Great poems make great mentor texts, and a teacher who writes with her students makes all the difference. Hoping you have a wonderful and gracious school year.I wish I was in your class, but being here on Poetry Friday is the next best thing.
Great work! I *love* what Adelyn did with “Art.” 😍
Thanks for sharing these two marvelous poems, Margaret. I love Adelyn “Art” poem, especially the line:
Yet I don’t wait for supplies I improvise
and your image of the gracious butterfly is so uplifting.
Even though you write that this beginning was hard, still Adelyn came through with a wonderful & thoughtful poem, as you did, too, Margaret. What special gifts you bring to your students! Best wishes for grand beginnings!
Margaret, I commend you for always challenging your students to dig deep and write with zest. Adelyn’s opening lines of her poem are wonderful and the poem is filled with such strong verbs: don’t wait, improvise, rest, and dream. In your poem, stanza 3 provides such positivity. The prompt opens the door for young children and adults. I hope your school days continue being filled with delight.
I really enjoyed reading all three poems here, and the fourth grader’s poem is AWESOME. I’m so looking forward to getting back to my volunteer gig as a classroom reader in a few weeks.
I love Dictionary for a Better World and I really love how you’ve demonstrated how to use it as a mentor. “I am a word” is such a great starting line! I love what Adelyn did with her Art poem and you with your Grace poem as well.